
Day Trip Rucksack
Small 10L day trip and museums rucksack
Castelldefels Castle is on the coastal plain between the Garraf massif and Barcelona city. The church inside dates from the 10th century and is the oldest part of the castle built on Iberian and Roman remains.
The Castle served for centuries for the territorial and defensive control of the city against Arab invasions, and between the 16th and 17th centuries, against the attacks of Barbary pirates.
In 1897 Manuel Girona, a Catalan banker and politician, bought and restored the Castle, which was in a state of ruins. During the civil war it was used as a military training center by the republican authorities and, later, the church became a barracks for international brigade members and a prison for deserters.
Click on any of the 65 images to open full screen gallery player
The church is an audio visual display space that details the history and motive for building a castle at this location. Also explained is the use of the castle as the barracks for the international brigade (foreign soldiers) that fought on the side of the Government during the Spanish civil war of 1936 to 1939.
Also on the ground floor is a series of rooms dedicated to an audio visual walk through exhibition of the barbery pirates that raided the coastline taking slaves and plunder.
TIP: Take headphones with 3.5mm jack to best enjoy the audio comentary.
Access to the castle is via a paved and gradual incline path. Inside the castle all floors are accessible via an elevator.
There are no bicycle anchorage points near the castle but I think that bycicles could be chained to a metal handrail in the castle garden.
Large rucksacks and bags will have to be left in reception to visit the interior of the castle. I was allowed inside with my small 10L museum rucksack.
Small 10L day trip and museums rucksack
Lightweight convertible trousers that zip down to shorts
Light weight cotton quick dry T-shirt
Lightweight comfortable trail shoes
Ankle spring/summer socks
Reusable, refillable 1L water bottle.
Light weight warm fleece
Small folded lightweight Water proof poncho for emergencies
With 3.5mm jack. For running and for museum visits that have an audio guide. Museums don't provide headphones since Covid.
Address: Plaza del Castell 1, Castelldefels. 08860
To get to Castelldefels use the Renfe RODALIES service catching a R2 or R2 Sud train From Barcelona-Estacio de França, Barcelona-passeig de Grácia or Barcelona-Sants.
Because it is Zone 1, use 1 trip from the T-casual Zone 1 travel Card or the Hola BCN card.
Click on any one of the 2 PDFs to view in full screen and download.
A short 2.7Km route from Castelldefels station to the 10th Century restored coastal castle to visit the Church, gardens and 19th century spectacular Noble floor.
Distance: 2.77 Km
Difficulty: Easy
Return Travel Fare: T-Casual Zone 1
Transport Network: Renfe Rodalies