The Castle and Sagrera Windmill both offer stunning views, families enjoy the CIMAR Aquarium and the Railway, Hornillo and Archaeological museums all offer an interesting journey into the past...
The municipality of Águilas offers a number of interesting and enjoyable options for a longer visit or an enjoyable day trip, and alongside its offering of extensive beaches and natural areas, includes a number of static museums and information centres which can be visited throughout the year.
Further information about visiting the municipality can be obtained from the Tourist Information Office, (click for map, opening hours and contact details) and extensive information about the beaches, other places to visit, full what’s on and activities agenda and tourist information can be found in the official English language tourism page: ÁGUILAS TODAY.
The Castillo de San Juan: Águilas castle
(16/09 - 31/03)
From Tuesday to Friday: 10.00-13.30 & 16.00-18.00.
Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays: 10.00-14.00 & 16.00-18.00.
Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed on Mondays (except during July and August and on bank holidays).
Open on public holidays and during long holiday weekends.
NOTE: During Carnival the castle is closed in the afternoon on February 18, 19, 21, 24 and 25. On February 21 10.00 to 14.00.
Admission 2€ (1€ per head in groups) (children, students and pensioners free)
The Castillo de San Juan in Águilas is high above the town. It was originally built as a 16th-century defensive fortress to protect against pirate attack and is well worth a visit, offering impressive views across the surrounding countryside and the town below.
The fortress can be visited as an attraction on its own or can form part of a morning out in the town, but it’s a steep climb up to the top of the hill on which it stands. In winter it is possible to drive up but it's not the easiest place to park, and there is a lift for the elderly and those of limited mobility, but in general terms these latter will not be able to enjoy the castle as fully as those with more mobility.
The castle is well worth a visit, particularly on a clear day when the views are simply stunning!
Click for full information about Águilas castle.
Municipal Archaeological museum
(16/09-14/06)
From Monday afternoon to Saturday: 10.30-14.00 & 17.00-20.00.
Sundays and Bank holidays: 10.30-14.00.
Closed Monday mornings.
Admission free of charge.
Address: Calle Conde de Aranda, 8
NOTE: During Carnival the museum is closed in the afternoon on February 18, 19, 21, 24 and 25. On February 21: 10.30 to 14.00.
The Museo Arqueológico de Águilas contains a collection of artefacts relating to the history of the municipality, with representative displays relating to each of the important phases and cultures which settled in this coastal location, from pre-history through the Argaric culture, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Middle Ages and the Modern period to contemporary times.
It's a well-balanced collection and can be partnered with a coffee in the atmospheric Plaza de España just around the corner, which is home to the attractive neo-Mudejar town hall, the church of San José and attractive open air gardens with open-air café bars.
Click for full information about the municipal archaeological museum.
The CIMAR museum of the sea and aquarium
(16/09-14/06)
From Tuesday to Sunday & bank holidays:
10.00-13.00 & 17.00-19.00.
Last admission 20 minutes before closing time.
Closed on Mondays except July and August.
Open on public holidays and during long holiday weekends.
NOTE: During Carnival the museum is closed in the afternoon on February 18, 19, 21, 24 and 25. On February 21: 10.30 to 14.00.
Admission free of charge.
The CIMAR (Centro de Interpretación del Mar) centre is a welcome addition to the list of potential visits and activities during a tour of Águilas, and combines a small but interesting aquarium with a museum area in the Rincón del Hornillo area of the town. Almost all areas are easily accessible for those of limited mobility and this display is of particular interest to families, revealing the marine life which lies beneath the waters off the Águilas coastline.
Click for further information about the CIMAR and map
Embarcadero del Hornillo
Mondays, Sundays and public holidays: 11.00-14.00
Saturday: 11.00-14.00 & 16.00-18.00
NOTE: During Carnival this venue is closed in the afternoon on February 18, 19, 21, 24 and 25. On February 21: 11.00 to 14.00.
Open on public holidays and during long holiday weekends.
Admission free of charge.
The Embarcadero del Hornillo is a fascinating example of industrial architecture, built by the British to service the railway line and mineral mining network which they operated in the 20th century, extracting and exporting minerals from the Granada province.
The museum inside the Embarcadero can be visited as a stand-alone attraction or as part of the free "Route of the railways "tour offered monthly by the tourist office. See feed below for forthcoming dates.
Click for the Route of the Railways basic information
The Molino de Sagrera windmill (which includes the Museo y Centro de Difusión del Esparto; Esparto grass museum)
Mondays: 11.00-14.00
Saturday, Sunday & public holidays: 11.00-14.00
NOTE: During Carnival also open on Tuesday February 21 from 11.00 to 14.00.
Open on public holidays and during long holiday weekends.
Admission free of charge.
The Molino Sagrera is a restored windmill in the heart of the old town of Águilas, serving not only as a reminder of the past, when such buildings were common in this area, but also as an interesting stop-off point on a walk around the narrow hillside streets of this part of the town.
The climb up the hill is not an easy one, and is best avoided in the midday heat of the summer months, but once at the windmill and the nearby viewing point, the view makes the effort worthwhile.
The mill houses an exhibition room on the ground floor relating to the important tradition of esparto grass production and weaving.
Click for further information about the Molina Sagrera windmill and viewing point.
The Roman baths (Termas)
Saturdays from 12.30 to 13.30.
Guided tours available from the Museo Arqueológico (968 493 287)
Address: corner of Calle Canalejas and Calle Quintana.
Admission free of charge. (see Archaeological museum for further information)
Termas Orientales
Open during shop opening hours from Monday to Saturday (under the Daen Sport store at Calle Juan Pablo, 1)
Águilas Carnival Museum
Monday to Friday: 10.15-14.00 and 16.15 - 21.00
Saturday: 10.15-14.00
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Last entry: 15 minutes before closing time
Location: First floor of the Francisco Rabal Casa de Cultura
Admission free of charge.
NOTE: During Carnival 2023 the museum closes on the afternoons of February 18, 19, 21, 24 and 25, and is closed all day on Tuesday February 21.
The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Click here for more Águilas Carnival Museum information.
Los Pescadores seafront promenade
Monday to Friday: 10.00 to 21.00
Weekends and bank holidays: 10.00 to 22.00.
Admission free of charge.
Football museum
Monday to Saturday: 17.00-20.00
Sundays & bank holidays: 12.00-14.00
Admission free of charge.
Address: Calle Muñoz Calero, 22
Telephone: 968 413906
Águilas was home to one of the first football clubs in Spain, founded by the British workers involved in the construction of the railway line and the mining activity which took place inland.
History of fishing exhibition
The exhibition at the “Lonja” fish market in the fishing port
Monday to Friday 9.00-14.00, 16.30-18.30, fish auction at 17.00.
Closed on public holidays.
Note: access to the market is by lift.
Telephone: 968 410370.
Àguilas Railway Museum Temporarily closed
Located inside the railway station building.
A small museum, jam-packed full with memorabilia and well worth visiting if you have an interest either in the history of Águilas or in railways, and it can also be visited as part of the route of the railways which is run by Águilas council on the third Sunday of every month.
This small museum is run by local railway enthusiasts who are hugely enthusiastic about their collection and take great pride in sharing their love of the interesting past of the Águilas railways and their display.
Click for further information about Águilas Railway Museum.
Centro de Interpretación "Francisco Rabal" (click here for further information)
A celebration of the life and work of cinema actor Paco Rabal, one of Águilas's favourite sons.
Monday to Friday 10.15 to 14.00 and 16.15 to 21.00
Saturday: 10.15 to 14.00
Admission free of charge, last visitors allowed to enter 15 minutes before closing time.
NOTE: During Carnival 2023 the exhibition is closed in the afternoons on February 18, 19, 21, 24 and 25.