In the 11th century, the castle was close to constituting a small Taifa micro-state. It then functioned as a district that played a significant role in defence of the fortress itself and the adjacent farmsteads until its capitulation in the 15th century.

Built in the X century, part of the original walls still stand in a good state of repair. Other surviving elements of this fortress are the Torre de la Reina, the highlight of the complex in view of the fact that it features remains of several rooms and a well.

As a result of its immense strategic value (more than 100 kms. of Spanish coastline and the whole of the coast of Africa could be seen from it), this fortress played a vital role in the various battles waged between the different Taifa kindoms of Al-Andalus.

In evidence throughout Benahavís are a number of watchtowers, such as Leonera, Alcuzcuz, Tramores and Daidín, which once formed an ingenious defensive barrier.