Six Alicante Coast Lighthouses: A Seaside Walking Tour

Across the Spanish coastline, a handful of 400 lighthouses dot the horizon, though only six are fully functional today. Each beacon tells a unique tale, offering visitors six distinct stops along the Alicante coastline. This weekend presents a perfect opportunity to explore them and experience the maritime heritage up close.

Cabo de San Antonio Lighthouse

Cabo de San Antonio stands between Denia and Xàbia, nestled within the Montgó Natural Park. It marks the eastern edge of the province and sits as the second easternmost point in all of Spain, surpassed only by Cabo de la Nao. The surrounding cliffs rise dramatically, reaching above 100 meters and spanning about 110 hectares. At the base lies the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Reserve, a sanctuary for diverse seas and flora, including micro-reserves along the northern cliff and the nearby Isle of Mona. The reserve is renowned as a whale-watching hub since 1993, which restricts fishing and limits diving activities. Anyone wishing to fish or dive must obtain prior authorization from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries in Alicante.

As the cape nears its terminus, a vantage point offers sweeping views of the Bay of Xàbia. The lighthouse itself first illuminated in 1855 and, although a public visitation program is anticipated, it has not yet opened to visitors. An environmental interpretation center is planned to accompany the site’s educational offerings.

Cabo de la Nao Lighthouse

Cabo de la Nao sits at the easternmost tip of the Valencian coast, and it lies just 85 kilometers from Ibiza. The lighthouse stands at an altitude of 122 meters above sea level and rises 20 meters above the ground. Its octagonal design projects a powerful silhouette, with regular nighttime flashes visible up to 23 nautical miles. The surrounding natural spaces include a micro-reservoir plant, and nearby Cova dels Orguens, celebrated in the 18th century by the naturalist Cavanilles, adds another layer of historical interest to the site.

The area around Cabo de la Nao has drawn environmental attention for its natural beauty, making it a highlight for visitors who appreciate coastal landscapes and the region’s protected habitats.

Albir Lighthouse

Perched above the Alfas del Pi coastline, Albir Lighthouse rises from the Serra Gelada landscape. It was established in the mid-19th century and today overlooks a scenic stretch of sea that can be observed from elevated viewing points. The site features a promenade and several observatories that provide close-up looks at the sea and the coast. Paralleling the uplifted cliffs, the walk along the waterfront offers a practical and engaging experience for families, including nearby towers and watchpoints that once served coastal defense roles.

Not far from the lighthouse, a network of trails weaves through the Serra Gelada Nature Park, with the bold viewpoint at Bombarda Tower recounting the history of 16th-century efforts to shield the coast from Barbary pirate incursions. Inside the town of Alfas del Pi, an interpretation center presents Serra Gelada’s natural, cultural, and intangible heritage, enriching the visitor experience with context and storytelling.

Cabo de las Huertas Lighthouse

Cabo de las Huertas marks the tip of the Orchards peninsula, nestled between the beaches of San Juan and Almadraba. The lighthouse features a circular plan and sits near the ruins of the L’Alcodre watchtower, a structure dating back to the 16th century. The surrounding views extend across the Bay of San Juan, Muchavista Beach, and the El Campello coastline, with the opposite shore offering glimpses of the Alicante headland and Santa Pola. Though not currently in use, discussions about repurposing the site into an upscale restaurant have circulated, drawing attention from local environmental groups and communities alike.

From this vantage, visitors can appreciate the interplay of sea, cliffs, and urban coastlines, providing a tangible sense of the region’s maritime heritage and evolving coastal use.

Cape Santa Pola Lighthouse

The Santa Pola lighthouse stands close to the city and is celebrated as a spot for sunrise and sunset with dramatic coastal backdrops. Commissioned in 1858, it sits near the old Atalayola watchtower, a sentinel structure that once safeguarded against Berber incursions. Since 2015, the site has been associated with a coastal promenade and a pedestrian bridge that offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean from a cliff overlook near the beach. The promenade provides a privileged perspective on the Alicante coastline, reinforcing the lighthouse’s role as a cultural and scenic landmark.

Tabarca Island Lighthouse

The Tabarca Island Lighthouse takes its name from the nearby island, which lies about ten miles from the mainland city of Alicante and roughly three miles from Santa Pola. Tabarca, the largest islet in the Valencian Community, is notable for its unique living landscape. The lighthouse itself is a substantial structure featuring a square tower with two floors and two cisterns and was first illuminated in 1854, a testament to the 19th-century architectural ambitions. Today, the building houses a marine protected area administration and serves as a small biological lab, reflecting Tabarca’s status as a protected maritime zone since 1986.

Visitors to Tabarca Island appreciate the historic architecture, the island’s ecological significance, and the lighthouse’s enduring role as a beacon of maritime heritage in the region.