Spain introduces new 'entrance fee' for UK tourists because 'many already charge'

Spain introduces new 'entrance fee' for UK tourists because 'many already charge'
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


UK tourists have been warned Alicante is set to charge an entrance fee to Santa Barbara Castle. It is a payment that, according to the local government, “will value cultural heritage” and will contribute to improving its “maintenance, improvement and modernization.”

The city could earn between one and three million euros from tickets to the castle. The mayor, Toni Gallego, has said that “there are many cities in Spain that charge an entrance fee to their monuments and museums".

And the Alicante government believes “it is reasonable” that Alicante “opens a line of income to contribute to their support, in addition to that already provided by the Alicante people with their taxes" amid a crackdown on tourism.

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There is currently small fee to take the elevator to the castle. The fee is €2.70, but it's free for children under 5 and seniors over 65. The ride down in the elevator is also free. You can walk up a path or you can pay to take an elevator that is accessible from the street level across fom Postiguet beach.

Situated on a mountaintop overlooking Alicante, Castillo de Santa Barbara is one of the largest medieval fortresses in the country. Those who make the climb (or choose to drive or take the elevator) to the top will be greeted with sprawling views of the bay. Carthaginians built the first incarnation of this fortress in 400 B.C. Romans and Arabs later used the fort.

The castle is open from 10 a.m. to about 8 p.m. in the winter, but hours extend to 10 p.m. in April, May, June and September. It's open from 10 a.m. until midnight in July and August. Treasury Councillor Toni Gallego supports the move, saying: "Many cities in Spain and our province already charge for access to their monuments and museums."