Although at one point it is believed there were over 10,000 castles in the current territory of Spain today about 2000 castles still exist and the number of the ones that can be visited is far less.

Spain is one of the most castle-rich countries in the world, with historians estimating that there are between 10,000 and 20,000 castles scattered across its landscape. However, only about 2,500 of these are in a good state of preservation or have been fully restored. The high concentration of fortifications is a direct result of the "Reconquista," a centuries-long series of wars between Christian and Muslim kingdoms for control of the Iberian Peninsula. These structures range from the iconic Alcázar of Segovia, which inspired Walt Disney, to the massive Castillo de la Mota and the Moorish Alhambra in Granada. In 2026, many of these castles have been converted into "Paradores"—luxury hotels owned by the Spanish government—allowing tourists to actually sleep in the historic fortresses. The region of Castile (literally "Land of Castles") holds the highest density, serving as a permanent reminder of Spain’s medieval military history and its evolution into a unified kingdom.