[2] The town is located on the banks of the Guadaíra River, and watermills built during the Moorish period of Spain can still be found in the area.

The toponym Alcalá, from the Arabic القلعة al-qalʿa for fortification or citadel, is shared by many places throughout Spain.

Alcalá de Guadaíra was under the domination of multiple Muslim kingdoms from the Umayyad Caliphate in 756 to the fall of the Almohads in 1244.

In 1244, Alcalá de Guadaíra was captured by Ferdinand III of Castile who was responsible for the refurbishing of the castle and town fortifications, which were subsequently used as a royal prison with a military presence.

[citation needed] This town was the birthplace of Leandro José de Flores (1776–1839), priest and historian.

In the castle precincts is The Hermitage of Our Lady of the Eagle (Nuestra Señora del Águila), this building dates from the mid-13th century when it was the principal church of the town.

Situated in southern Spain, Alcalá enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterised by mild wet winters and hot dry summers.

The River Guadaíra runs through town and has in places formed a steep-sided valley with low cliffs.