Exploring Alicante’s Iconic Lighthouses: A Coastal Guide

Around the Spanish coast there are about 400 lighthouses, with only a portion actively guiding ships today. Each beacon has its own tale, offering six notable lighthouses along Alicante’s coast. Visitors are encouraged to explore these coastal sentinels, especially as the rainy season winds down and favorable travel weather returns.

Cape San Antoni Lighthouse

The Cabo de San Antoni lighthouse sits between Dénia and Xàbia, inside the Montgó natural park. This landmark marks the second easternmost point in Alicante province and is among the most iconic in Spain, just behind Cabo de la Nao.

Set on a 110-hectare stretch of cliffs towering 150 meters above sea level, the site hosts the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Reserve at its base. The reserve protects diverse flora, micro-reserves on the northern cliff, and La Mona Island. The reserve status has also made it a popular whale-watching spot since 1993. Fishing and diving are restricted, and permits from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries are required. Alicante.

As you approach the end of the cape, the Bay of Xàbia offers superb views. The lighthouse first lit in 1855 remains a symbol, and nearby there is an environmental interpretation center dedicated to local ecology.

Cabo de la Nao Lighthouse

The Cabo de la Nao marks the eastern tip of the Valencian coast, the closest point to Ibiza across the sea, with a separation of about 85 kilometers. The site sits at an elevation of 122 meters above sea level, with the structure rising about 20 meters. Its light reaches 23 nautical miles along the night sky.

The nearby environment has earned recognition as a plant micro-reserve, and its proximity to Cova dels Orguens, celebrated by early naturalists, is a well-known highlight.

l’Albir Lighthouse

The l’Alfàs del Pi region hosts this 19th-century beacon, positioned about 112 meters above sea level in Serra Gelada Nature Park. Its vantage points include several telescopes that reveal the surrounding landscapes in fine detail.

The route to the lighthouse follows a comfortable asphalt road about 5 kilometers long, with multiple hiking trails that make it a popular family destination. The tower historically served as a lookout during Barbary pirate attacks in the 16th century.

The town hall of l’Alfàs del Pi has transformed the interior into an interpretive center that highlights the area’s natural, cultural, and intangible heritage along the Serra Gelada.

Cabo de las Huertas Lighthouse

Located at the Cape of Orchards near San Juan and Almadraba beaches, this lighthouse features a circular plan and sits close to the ruins of the l’Alcodre watchtower, dating back to the 16th century.

From this spot the view extends across San Juan Beach, Muchavista Beach, and the El Campello coast. On the opposite side, you can glimpse the Alicante coastline and Santa Pola’s headland, along with the lighthouse itself.

This lighthouse is currently out of service but there are plans to convert it into a premium restaurant, despite opposition from several environmental groups.

Cape Santa Pola Lighthouse

Very close to the city, Cape Santa Pola lighthouse is renowned for its sunrise and sunset panoramas and is among Alicante province’s most beloved views. The lighthouse dates back to 1858, built on the old Atalayola watchtower that defended against Berber incursions.

Since 2015, a viewing overlook has offered dramatic vistas over the Mediterranean from a cliff above the beach. Visitors can stroll along a suspended walkway and take in the expansive panorama of the Alicante coast.

Tabarca Island Lighthouse

Tabarca lighthouse takes its name from the nearby island, located about ten miles from the mainland city of Alicante and roughly three miles from Santa Pola. The islet is the largest of its kind in the area and serves as a permanent residence.

The lighthouse is a large square tower with two floors and two cisterns. It was first lit in 1854 and reflects the romantic engineering style of the 19th century. Today, the building houses a biological laboratory supporting the Nueva Tabarca Marine Protected Area, a status announced in 1986.