You Can Now Buy A Medieval-Style Beachside Castle In Spain

The phrase “once in a lifetime opportunity” is perhaps overused. But when employed to describe the prospect of owning a new property on sale on Spain’s Costa del Sol, it is entirely accurate.

The estate agency Aida are offering a 4 bedroom medieval-style castle in between the lively coastal towns of Estepona and Marbella: it boasts four bedrooms, a separate apartment on the ground floor, four terraces with sea and mountain views, extensive gardens and a pool (reached by a drawbridge, naturally) as well as interiors decorated with items sourced from all over Spain. Total price? 760,000 euros, or $915,000.

The medieval-style castle for sale near Estepona; courtesy of AIDA estate agency

Although the Lego-like exterior is medieval in style – a UK tabloid has pointed out that it resembles something straight out of Game of Thrones – the unsullied grey walls tell you that it’s a modern construction. Work began in 1997, despite initial objections by the local authorities, who were concerned that the project would not be in keeping with the surrounding architectural style. A seven-year labour of love ensued, with the Spanish owner bringing suits of armour and swords all the way from Toledo, a city 350 miles to the north, to decorate the interior. The cool-grey granite blocks used for the exterior, meanwhile, came from a quarry in Extremadura – a region in the west of Spain – whilst 200 year-old blue tiles were sourced from a house in Portugal. When the project was complete, the previously-sceptical planning authorities congratulated the owner on his achievement in building his dream home.

The blue tiles are 200 years old and came from a house in Portugal; courtesy of Aida estate agency

The property comes furnished, so these quirky and unique features are included in the asking price. The “castle-villa”, as the agency describes it, also has all the modern comforts you’d expect from a property built within the last fifteen years: air conditioning – a necessity given the summer heat on the Costa del Sol – alarms, central heating, en-suite bathrooms, an outside pool and a superbly equipped kitchen. In the last month, the spacious ground-floor garage has been converted into a separate apartment. The agency selling the property told Culture Trip that it could be on the market for double its price, but that the elderly owner wants a quick sale in order to move closer to his children.

Suits of armour were brought all the way from Toledo; courtesy of Aida estate agency

Such a unique listing would attract attention wherever it was located, but this castle is situated on one of the most desirable stretches of coast in the Mediterranean. The fashionable city of Marbella lies a twenty-minute drive to the east, with its famous (or notorious, depending on your tastes) Nicky beach resort and the blingtastic bars and shops of Puerto Banus. A drive of the same length to the west brings you to the pretty and unspoilt town of Estepona. Cancelada beach is visible from the property’s terraces and just a two-minute drive away.

Though not to everyone’s taste, for some this singular property will be the stuff of fantasy, its quirkiness matched only by its spectacular location. The agency doesn’t expect it to be on the market long.