Lighthouses of Spain: Western Galicia

Galicia is an autonomous region in the northwestern corner of Spain, including the three coastal provinces of Lugo, A Coruña, and Pontevedra plus the inland province of Orense. This page includes lighthouses of the west coast of the region, in Pontevedra province and southern A Coruña province. The lighthouses are grouped by district (comarca).

The Galician coastline is rugged and scenic, but very dangerous to navigation; it is often called the "Coast of Death" (Costa da Morte in Galego). Most of the harbors are partly-sheltered bays called rías, a word similar to "roads" as it is used in nautical English. There are also several major protected harbors, including Vigo in Pontevedra.

Galicians speak Galego (or Gallego), a distinctive language related to Portuguese. Galicia itself is called Galiza in Galego. The word for a lighthouse is faro in Spanish and farol in Galego, but its use is generally restricted to the larger coastal light stations. Smaller lighthouses are called balizas (beacons). The navigational lights in Spain are regulated at the national level by the Comisíon de Faros, but they are operated and maintained by the regional port authorities, one or more in each province.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. ES numbers are from the Spanish national list of lights, Libro de Faros. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113.

General Sources
Libro de Faros
A comprehensive web site for Spanish lighthouses, maintained by Agustín Solabre Suárez.
Online List of Lights - Spain Atlantic Coast
A huge collection of photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas.
Lighthouses in Spain
Excellent aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Lighthouses in Galiza
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Faros de Galicia
Posted by the education ministry of La Coruña, this site has small photos, descriptions, and historical information on 27 Galician lighthouses.
Faros y Balizas
Historical information and small photos posted by the Porto de Vilagarcía.
Faros y Balizas
Information, but no photos, posted by the Porto de Marín.
Phares d'Europe
Photos and notes in French by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller.
Leuchttürme Spaniens auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
 

 


Faro de Cabo Finisterre (Fisterra), August 2009
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Gabriele

Farol da Cabalo
Farol de Punta Cabalo (Illa da Arousa), February 2011
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Contando Estrelas

Lighthouses of Pontevedra Province

Vigo District: Ría de Vigo Lighthouses
* Cabo Silleiro (2)
1924 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); three white flashes in a 2+1 pattern every 15 s. 30 m (98 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a large 2-story keeper's complex. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands; lantern is red; keeper's house painted white with unpainted gray stone trim. The port authority's aerial photo appears at right, a fine closeup is available, Solabre also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard image of the 1866 lighthouse. Cabo Silleiro is a very prominent headland at the southern entrance to the Ría de Vigo, and the lighthouse here is important as a landfall light for Vigo and all the ports of Galicia. Located just above the PO-552 coastal highway about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Baiona. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. ARLHS SPA-047; ES-05280; Admiralty D1916; NGA 3052.
Cabezo de San Juan (Panjon) Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) round masonry beacon with gallery, painted white. Trabas has a photo, a view from shore is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 1.5 km (1 mi) offshore of Paraviñabal. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Admiralty 1911; NGA 3040.
* Cabezo de San Juan (Panjon) Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) round masonry tower with gallery, mounted on an octagonal base. Tower painted white with black trim. Trabas has a closeup photo. Located on the Avenida Canido in Paraviñabal, a resort town north of Baiona. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Admiralty 1911.1; NGA 3044.
Faro de Cabo Silleiro
Faro de Cabo Silleiro
photo by Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo
Cabo Estay Anterior (Range Front)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 6 m (20 ft) pentagonal tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Fog horn (Morse code "V" for Vigo: three shorts and one long, every 60 s). Trabas has an excellent closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland on the south side of the lower Ría de Vigo, about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Vigo and 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of Saiáns. Site status unknown. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. ARLHS SPA-332; ES-05210; Admiralty D1890; NGA 2940.
* Cabo Estay Posterior (Range Rear)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 7 m (23 ft) tile-covered pentagonal tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has an excellent photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located beside the Avenida de Ricardo Mella (PO 325), 660 m (0.4 mi) east northeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. ARLHS SPA-333; ES-05211(?); Admiralty D1890.1; NGA 2944.
Bajo Tofiño
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); four green flashes every 14 s. 11 m (36 ft) round 2-stage stone tower with gallery. Upper stage painted green, lower stage white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located in the Ría de Vigo about 800 m (1/2 mi) of Alcabre on the west end of the Vigo waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Admiralty D1894; NGA 2956.
Punta Borneiro
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 11 m (36 ft) round 2-stage stone tower with gallery. Upper stage painted red, lower stage white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located in the Ría de Vigo about 7 km (4 mi) west of the Vigo waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Admiralty D1892; NGA 2960.
* La Guía
Date unknown (station established 1844). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white light occulting three times, in a 2+1 pattern, every 20 s. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Trabas has an excellent photo, which shows that the tower is nowhere near the 21 m (69 ft) height listed by NGA, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Huelse has a historic postcard view showing a small attached cottage and a secondary lantern, both of which have been removed. Located on a promontory at the end of the Calle del Doctor Corbal in La Guía, a neighborhood northeast of Vigo on the south side of the Ría de Vigo. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. ARLHS SPA-172; ES-05010; Admiralty D1901.5; NGA 3012.

Vigo District: Illas Cíes Lighthouses
Note: The Illas (Islas) Cíes are three steep, rocky islands arranged north to south off the entrance to the Ría de Vigo: Isla Monteagudo on the north, Illa de Faro in the center, and Illa de San Martiño in the south.
Cabo Vicos (Farol dos Bicos)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 94 m (308 ft); three red flashes every 9 s. 7 m (23 ft) round stone tower with gallery; the lantern has been replaced by a short round light tower with the light on top. The tower is unpainted white stone; light tower painted red. Helena Blein has a 2008 closeup, Trabas has a distant view from the sea (note the Monte del Faro lighthouse at upper right), and Google has a satellite view. Located on the steep southeastern tip of the Illa de San Martiño. Accessible by what must be a challenging hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-054; Admiralty D1888; NGA 2928.
* Punta Canabal ("Farol da Porta")
1918. Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 10 m two-stage cylindrical tower, with a narrow column mounted atop a circular 1-story equipment room. Tower painted white with a narrow blue horizontal band. A photo is at right, J.A. Alcaide has a photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southern end of Isla del Faro, marking the passage between that island and the Isla de San Martiño. Accessible by hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Site manager: Parque Natural de las Islas Atlánticas. ARLHS SPA-201; Admiralty D1886; NGA 2924.
* Monte del Faro (Islas Cíes)
Date unknown (station established 1853). Active; focal plane 185 m (607 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) cylindrical granite tower with lantern and double gallery. Tower is unpainted; lantern painted white. Square 1-story granite keeper's house, also unpainted but with white trim. José Rodriguez has a photo, another photo gives a wonderful view of the peak and lighthouse, Wikimedia has a closeup photo, a closeup of the light tower is available, and Google has a good satellite view. The lighthouse stands atop a sharp peak and is reached by a steep road having many switchbacks. The islands are part of a national park, accessible at least in the summer by passenger ferries from Cangas and from Vigo. Located at the highest point of Isla del Faro. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Site manager: Parque Natural de las Islas Atlánticas. ARLHS SPA-181; ES-04740; Admiralty D1884; NGA 2920.
* Monte Agudo
1904. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); green flash every 5 s. 5 m (16 ft) cylindrical equipment room with gallery; the light is displayed from a short mast. Access to the gallery is by a stairway that spirals around the tower. A circular wall surrounds the light. All structures painted white. A 2010 photo is available, Trabas has a distant photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the northeast coast of Isla Monteagudo, the northernmost of the three Islas Cíes (see next entry). Accessible by a hiking trail from Isla del Faro to the south (the two islands are joined by a sandbar). Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Parque Natural de las Islas Atlánticas. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. ARLHS SPA-244; Admiralty D1882; NGA 2916.
Punta Cantabal Light
Punta Cantabal Light (Farol da Porta), July 2011
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Drow male

Paradanta District Lighthouses
* Cangas Inner Mole
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 5 s. 6 m (20 ft) square stone tower, lower half unpainted, upper half painted red. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater mole at Cangas, on the north side of the Ría de Vigo. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D1895.4; NGA 2968.
* Cabo del Home Posterior (Range Rear)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 53 m (174 ft); white light, 4.3 s on, 1.7 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round masonry tower with gallery; the light is displayed from a short mast. A column behind the mast blocks visibility of the light from directions other than the northwest. Tower painted red with two narrow white horizontal bands. Trabas has a fine photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the eastern point of the two points of Cabo del Home, about 8 km (5 mi) due west of Cambados and 815 m (1/2 mi) east southeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. ARLHS SPA-024; ES-04770; Admiralty D1876.1; NGA 2912.
* Punta Robaleira
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 29 m (87 ft); two flashes every 7.5 s, white or red depending on direction. 6 m (20 ft) short round masonry tower atop a round 1-story masonry equipment room. Tower painted red with white trim. Trabas has a good closeup photo, José Ignacio López also has a closeup photo, Isaac Peña's October 2007 photo shows a freshly painted tower, and Google has a good satellite view. Located at the extreme southern tip of the western point of the two points of Cabo del Home, about 8 km (5 mi) due west of Cambados and only 300 m (330 yd) south of the Cabo del Home Anterior light. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Admiralty D1874; NGA 2904.
* Cabo del Home Anterior (Range Front)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white light, 1.3 s on, 1.7 s off. 19 m (62 ft) round masonry tower with gallery; the light is displayed from a short mast. Tower painted white. Pablo Charlón's photo is at right, Trabas has a good closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light and the Cabo del Home Posterior light form a range guiding ships into the northern entrance to the Ría de Vigo. Located on the western point of the two points of Cabo del Home, about 8 km (5 mi) due west of Cambados. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-331; ES-04760; Admiralty D1876; NGA 2908.
* Punta Couso
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); three flashes every 10.5 s, white or green depending on direction. 5 m (16 ft) round stone tower with gallery; the light is displayed from a short mast. Tower painted white with a narrow green band at the top. Trabas has a photo, another good photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a promontory at the southern entrance to the Ría de Pontevedra about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of Cambados. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Puerto de Marín. ARLHS SPA-204; ES-04710; Admiralty D1873; NGA 2896.

Cabo del Home Range Front Light, July 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Pablo Charlón
Bajo Cabezo de la Mourisca
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two green flashes every 7 s. 12 m (39 ft) round stone tower, painted white with a green band at the top. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the south side of the Ría de Pontevedra about 2 km (1.25 mi) northeast of Punta Couso. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Puerto de Marín. Admiralty D1872; NGA 2888.
** Isla de Ons (2)
1926 (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 127 m (417 ft); four white flashes every 24 s. 12 m (39 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and double gallery, attached to the rear of a U-shaped 1-story keeper's house. 1st order Fresnel lens in use. Buildings painted white with unpainted stone trim; the trim on the tower gives the impression of gray vertical stripes. Lantern dome is gray metallic; roof of the house is red. Marcos González's photo is at right, José Ignacio López has a fine photo, a good closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. The current lighthouse is built on the foundation of the original. The Isla de Ons is the largest island of Spain's Atlantic coast, about 7 km (4 mi) long from north to south and located about 8 km (5 mi) west of the entrance to the Ría de Marín. The island is accessible, at least in the summer, by passenger ferry from Sanxenxo. In 2002, the island was included with several others in a new national park. The lighthouse is located at the center of the island, which is also the highest point. Site open, tower said to be open by arrangement with the resident caretaker. Operator: Puerto de Marín. Site manager: Parque Natural de las Islas Atlánticas. ARLHS SPA-154; ES-04520; Admiralty D1846; NGA 2832.
Faro de Ons
Faro de Ons, September 2008
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Marcos González

Pontevedra District Lighthouse
Isla Tambo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white light occulting three times every 8 s. Approx. 13 m (43 ft) narrow round stone tower mounted on a round 1-story stone equipment room. There is a small lantern and gallery accessed by an external stairway that spirals around the tower. Tower is unpainted dark gray stone; lantern is a lighter gray. Solabre has a good photo, Trabas also has a photo, another photo is available, Spanish Wikipedia has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. The wooded Isla de Tambo, a nature reserve, is located in the middle of the Ría de Pontevedra about 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Marín. Located on the southern tip of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Puerto de Marín. ARLHS SPA-159; ES-04630; Admiralty D1860; NGA 2856.

O Salnés District Lighthouses
Bajo Pombeiriño
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); two green flashes every 12 s. 14 m (46 ft) round stone tower with gallery, painted white with a green band around the top. There appears to be a watch room space below the gallery. Trabas has an excellent photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the south side of the entrance to the Ría de Arousa, about 1 km (0.6 mi) off the Barrio Carreiro northwest of Piedras Negras. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. ARLHS SPA-281; Admiralty D1800; NGA 2740.
* Punta Cabalo (Illa de Arousa)
1853. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); four white flashes every 13 s. 5 m (16 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a square 1-story keeper's house; modern 500 mm lens. Tower unpainted; lantern is metallic gray; house painted white with a red tile roof. Trabas has an excellent photo, Solabre also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The Isla de Arosa, or Illa de Arousa in Galego, is a substantial island, about 7 km (4 mi) long, on the eastern side of the Ría de Arousa. The island is accessible by a bridge on the PO-307 highway from Vilanova de Arousa. The lighthouse is on the rocky northwestern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. ARLHS SPA-222; ES-04260; Admiralty D1826; NGA 2768.

Lighthouses of Southern A Coruña Province

O Barbanza District Lighthouses
Isla Rúa
1869. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); three white flashes in a 2+1 pattern every 21 s; red flashes are shown in a sector to the south and southeast. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical granite tower with lantern and gallery, embedded in one end of a 1-story keeper's house. The buildings are unpainted; lantern dome is gray metallic. Tomás Sestayo has a photo, Trabas has a long-range photo, another photo is available (third row of photos), and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small rocky island in the Ría de Arousa about 5 km (3 mi) east of Ribeira. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. ARLHS SPA-156; ES-04160; Admiralty D1818; NGA 2756.
Isla de Sálvora (2)
1921 (station established 1852). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); four white flashes in a 3+1 pattern every 20 s; the fourth flash is omitted in a sector to the northwest. 16 m (52 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a U-shaped 1-story keeper's house. Tower painted white with one narrow horizontal red band; lantern dome is gray metallic; house painted white. Guyomard and Carceller have a good closeup photo, Fran García has three photos taken from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. The Isla de Sálvora is a rocky island, about 2 km (1.2 mi) long, in the center of the entrance to the Ría de Arousa, which leads to the port of Vilagarcía. In 2002, the island was included with several others in a new national park. Located at the southern point of the island. Accessible only by boat; tours of the island can be arranged from Ribeira. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. Site manager: Parque Natural de las Islas Atlánticas. ARLHS SPA-157; ES-04120; Admiralty D1796; NGA 2724.
* Corrubedo
1854. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); five white flashes in a 3+2 pattern every 20 s; red flashes are shown in a sector to the south. 14 m (46 ft) round granite tower with lantern and gallery, mounted atop a semicircular 1-story masonry keeper's house. A large Fresnel lens is in use. Tower unpainted; lantern is metallic gray; house painted white. Fog siren (three 5 s blasts every 60 s). A photo is at right, Trabas has a great closeup, Solabre has a nice photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Cabo Corrubedo is the most dangerous Spanish cape south of Finisterre, since it projects far into the sea and the ridge continues underwater as a series of shoals. The unusual semicircular design of the keeper's house was meant to minimize wind resistance. Located on the point of the cape, at the end of the AC-303 highway, about 1.5 km (1 mi) due west of the town of Corrubedo. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. ARLHS SPA-012; ES-04100; Admiralty D1794; NGA 2716.

Moonrise, Faro de Corrubedo, August 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by javidesi

Muros District Lighthouses
* Cabo Rebordiño
1909 (Salvador López Miño). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 2-story keeper's house. Tower painted white; lantern dome is silvery metallic; house painted white with unpainted stone trim and a red roof. Trabas has an excellent photo, José Ignacio López has another good photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This is a typical tourelle, almost certainly prefabricated in France. An unusual feature of ths lighthouse is a bridge connecting the gallery to the flat roof of the keeper's house. Located on an east-pointing promontory, beside the AC-550 highway about 1 km (0.6 mi) southeast of Muros, marking the entrance to the harbor of that town. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. ARLHS SPA-040; ES-04000; Admiralty D1786; NGA 2692.
* Monte Louro (Punta Queixal)
1862. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); three white flashes in a 2+1 pattern every 12 s. 7 m (23 ft) hexagonal granite tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a small 1-story keeper's house. Tower unpainted; lantern dome painted white; house painted white with unpainted stone trim and a red roof. Trabas has a great photo, Victor Bao has a 2011 photo, a 2012 photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse stands at the end of a south-pointing peninsula that shelters the northern entrance to the Ría de Muros e Noia. Located about 3 km (2 mi) south of Louro. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. ARLHS SPA-182; ES-03990; Admiralty D1784; NGA 2688.
* Punta Ínsua (Lariño)
1921 (Salvador López Miño). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white or red depending on direction. 14 m (46 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the rear of a 1-story keeper's house. Tower unpainted; lantern is silvery metallic; house painted white with unpainted stone trim and a red roof. A photo by José Antonio Gil Martínez is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo, Guyomard and Carceller have also posted a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was completed in 1913, but it was not activated until after the end of World War I. Its light filled in a dark zone between Capes Corrubedo and Finisterre. Located on a headland at Lariño. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Porto de Vilagarcía. ARLHS SPA-235; ES-03980; Admiralty D1782; NGA 2684.
Islote Lobeira Grande
1909. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 2-story keeper's house. The building is unpainted; lantern painted white. Trabas has a long-range photo, a view from the sea is available, and Google has a satellite view. One recent visitor reported that the keeper's house is ruined inside. Located on a small, rocky island about 4 km (2.5 mi) due south of Cabo Cée. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-168; ES-03920; Admiralty D1756; NGA 2680.

Faro de Punta Ínsua, June 2006
Flickr Creative Commons photo by José Antonio Gil Martínez

Fisterra District (Cabo Finisterre Area) Lighthouses
Carrumeiro Chico
1917. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 8 m (26 ft) round solid stone tower with a lantern structure and gallery. Tower painted black with a red horizontal band. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal in the entrance to Cabo Cée harbor, about 1.1 km (0.7 mi) southeast of the Cabo Cée lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-025; Admiralty D1758; NGA 2676.
* Cabo Cée
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); five white flashes every 13 s. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal cylindrical granite tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story keeper's cottage. The lantern has been replaced by a modern solar-powered lamp. Tower unpainted; house painted white with unpainted stone trim. Trabas has a closeup photo showing the side of the house covered by graffiti. Since it was taken, the little lighthouse has been repainted and restored, and the Concello de Corcubión (regional council) has posted a photo. Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the peninsula marking the west entrance to the Ría de Corcubión, about 8 km (5 mi) south of Cée. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-011; ES-03930; Admiralty D1760; NGA 2668.
* Cabo Finisterre (Cabo Fisterra) (2)
1868 (station established 1853). Active; focal plane 143 m (469 ft); white flash every 5 s. 17 m (56 ft) octagonal cylindrical granite tower with lantern and gallery attached to the front of a 2-1/2 story keeper's house. Tower unpainted; lantern is silvery metallic; house painted white with unpainted stone trim. Fog siren (two blasts every 60 s). The 2-story fog signal building is operated as the Hotel O Semáforo. A photo appears at the top of this page, Trabas has a photo, Fran García has good photos, a closeup and another fine closeup are available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. One of Spain's most famous lighthouses, standing at the end of a narrow, south-pointing promontory with a spectacular view of the Atlantic. Although Cabo Toriñana actually extends a little farther west, Cape Finisterre is the traditional "land's end" at the northwestern corner of Spain. The cape is the ending point of the Camiño de Santiago (the Way of St. James), a traditional route of pilgrimage that extends 90 km (56 mi) from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The lighthouse is the second most visited tourist destination in Galicia, after the Cathedral. Located at the end of the AC-445 highway about 3 km (2 mi) south of Fisterra. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-026; ES-03900; Admiralty D1742; NGA 2664.
* Cabo Toriñana (Cabo Touriñán) (1)
1898. Inactive since 1981. 8 m (26 ft) tower with lantern and gallery centered on the roof of a square 1-story keeper's house. Building painted with with unpainted stone trim; roof is gray. Arturo Nikolai's photo appears at the top of this page, Fran García has excellent closeup photos, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse stands on the westernmost point of Spain at 9°17.9' W, extending about 2.1 km (1.33 mi) farther west than Cabo Finisterre. Located on the point of the cape about 3 km (2 mi) northwest of Toriñana (Touriñán). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-330.
* Cabo Toriñana (Cabo Touriñán) (2)
1981 (station established 1898). Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); three white flashes in a 2+1 pattern every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white. Arturo Nikolai's photo is at right, Trabas has a closeup photo, and Selva de Esmelle has a good photo. This is one of a series of modern lighthouses of a standard design built throughout Galicia beginning in the early 1970s. Located adjacent to the original lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-049; ES-03880; Admiralty D1740; NGA 2660.
* Punta de la Barca (Muxía)
About 1926. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) unpainted round concrete tower with double gallery. Trabas has a good closeup photo, Antonio Loeches also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light marks the southern entrance to the Ría de Camariñas. Located on a sharp cape at the end of the Calle de la Virxe de la Barca on the north side of Muxía. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-210; ES-03810; Admiralty D1737; NGA 2656.
Faros de Cabo Touriñan
Faros de Cabo Touriñán, June 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Arturo Nikolai

Terra de Soneira District Lighthouses
* Cabo Vilán (Villano) (1)
1854 (Francisco Lizárraga and Adolfo Pequeño). Inactive since 1896. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical stone tower atop an octagonal pyramidal stone base. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This first Cabo Villano light had a focal plane of 74 m (243 ft), but it had to be replaced because its light was obscured for ships approaching from the north. Located on the hilltop above the modern light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-329.
* Cabo Vilán (Villano) (2)
1896 (station established 1854). Active; focal plane 104 m (341 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 25 m (82 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery; 1st order Fresnel lens. The lighthouse is unpainted yellow-brown stone; lantern is all glass including the dome. Fog siren (Morse code "V": three short blasts followed by one long blast, every 60 s). 2-story keeper's house complex nearby. A photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo, Lighthouse Explorer has a good photo by José Ramón Matos Prego, and Google has a satellite view. This is the northernmost of several historic first-order lighthouses that light the way around Cabo Finisterre, the northwestern corner of Spain. The light has a range of 45 km (28 mi). Note: the lighthouse at Gorlíz, Vizcaya, is located on another Cabo Villano. Located atop a steep promontory at the point of the cape, about 6 km (3.5 mi) northwest of Camariñas on the AC 432 highway. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-056; ES-03800; Admiralty D1736; NGA 2632.

Bergantiños District Lighthouses
* Punta Lage (Punta Laxe)
About 1920. Active; focal plane 66 m (217 ft); five white flashes every 20 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical brick tower with gallery, painted white. Trabas has a good photo, another photo is available, Solabre also has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This lighthouse marks the south entrance to the Ría de Corme y Lage. Located on a north-pointing headland at the end of the Camiño Cemiterio about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of Laxe (Lage). Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-238; ES-03760; Admiralty D1732; NGA 2628.
* Punta de Roncudo
About 1920. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical brick tower with gallery, painted white. Trabas has a good photo, a photo is available, Solabre has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is a twin of the Punta Lage lighthouse; it marks the end of a westward-pointing promontory and the north entrance to the Ría de Corme y Lage. Located at the end of the AC 424 highway about 6 km (3.5 mi) west of Corme Puerto. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-228; ES-03750; Admiralty D1730; NGA 2616.

Faro de Cabo Vilán, February 2009
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Pablo Charlón
* Punta Nariga
1997 (César Portela). Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); four white flashes in a 3+1 pattern every 20 s. 39 m (128 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a triangular equipment room and mounted on a rhomboidal foundation designed to resemble the prow of a ship. Lighthouse is unpainted white concrete block. A photo is at right, Trabas has a closeup photo, Óscar Villán has another good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This modern lighthouse also carries sculptures by the Galician sculptor Manolo Coia. Located on a rocky headland about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of Mens. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-072; ES-03735; Admiralty D1729; NGA 2613.
Illas (Islas) Sisargas (1)
1853 (raised in height in 1915). Active; focal plane 110 m (361 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal granite tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a large rectangular keeper's house complex. 1st order Fresnel lens. Tower is unpainted stone; lantern dome is grayish white; house painted white with a red roof. Fog siren (three 3 s blasts every 30 s). There are said to be ruins of a temporary lighthouse, used from 1911 and 1915, near the present light. Juan Rodriguez Silvar has a good photo, another closeup photo is available, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Near the lighthouse are the ruins of the hermitage of Santa Mariña, which was shelled by Francis Drake in 1589. The Islas Sisargas are rocky islands off Cabo de San Adrián, a prominent and dangerous cape about 35 km (22 mi) west of La Coruña. The islands are a protected wildlife refuge. Located on Sisarga Grande, largest of the islands, about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Malpica de Bergantiños. Accessible only by boat, but there is a good view from the point of Cabo de San Adrián. Site and tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. ARLHS SPA-162; ES-03730; Admiralty D1728; NGA 2612.
Faro de Punta Nariga
Faro de Punta Nariga, October 2008
Flickr Creative Commons photo by GodBlood

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Northern Galicia | South: Northern Portugal

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted December 2, 2005. Checked and revised February 7, 2012. Lighthouses: 41. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.