Used as an element of maritime security since time immemorial, the headlights they have become, over the years, almost magical enclaves, witnesses of hundreds of thousands of stories that have happened in the waters of seas and oceans. Today we propose you a motorhome route which will take us to some of the most beautiful lighthouses in Spain. Are you coming with us?
Finisterre lighthouse
When the Romans came to Finisterre they believed that the earth ended there. There was nothing else to the west. And that's why they called it that, "finis terrae", where the earth ends. The place has attracted travelers from all over the world throughout history. Unfortunately, its lighthouse, located on the cliff, has also witnessed shipwrecks of ships that have found their final destination in this area known as la Death Coast.
Although the the Camino de Santiago It officially ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, for many of those who travel it the route is not complete until they reach Cape Finisterre. Tradition says that it is there where the pilgrims must burn the clothes they have worn during the Camino and start the return home.
El Finisterre lighthouse, located 138 meters above sea level, it was built in 1853 and its light reaches 65 km in length to help ships navigate this dangerous coast. Do not miss a sunset from the lighthouse viewpoint, overlooking the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.
You can spend the night with the motorhome in the private area or field, in the town of Fisterra.
Tower of Hercules
We cannot leave Galicia without visiting the Tower of Hercules, considered the oldest lighthouse in the world -of Roman origin- in operation, which has earned it the declaration of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The call Farum Brigantium It was built by the Roman Empire at the end of the XNUMXst century or at the beginning of the following century. It is located at the entrance to the port of Coruña and was designed to facilitate navigation along the jagged Galician coast, a strategic point on the maritime route that linked the Mediterranean with northwestern Europe.
The lighthouse has a total height of 55 m, of which 34,38 m correspond to the Roman construction and 21 m to the restoration carried out in 1789 to modernize the maritime signaling system.
When it comes to spending the night in this Galician city, we can stay the Marina area, located in the marina.
Castro Urdiales Lighthouse
We go to him Cantabrian Sea to visit the Castro Urdiales Lighthouse, in Cantabria, which is actually a castle-lighthouse, since it is located in a fortress that was part of the defensive complex of the medieval town. The strategic position of Castle of Santa Ana it allowed that, in case of being forced to flee, the besieged could do so by sea.
The lighthouse, which is located 49 meters above sea level, was lit for the first time in 1853.
Castro Urdiales does not have a motorhome area but there is a nearby campsite and several parking areas.
Cap de Creus lighthouse
We change coast and go to the Mediterranean Sea, specifically Girona and Cap de Creus. His lighthouse is the easternmost of the Iberian Peninsula. And it is located in a strategic point 87 meters above the cliff, surrounded by an area of enormous scenic beauty, with the cliffs of the wild Costa Brava.
And if you are movie buffs, you should know that the movie was shot here "The Lighthouse at the End of the World", starring Kirk Douglas, Yul Brynner, and Samantha Eggar. Also acting in the film was the Spanish actor Fernando Rey, whose character was… guess… Lighthouse keeper!
You can spend the night in the nearby motorhome area of El Port de la Selva.
Peñíscola Lighthouse
Located next to the famous Castle of Papa Luna, Peñíscola Lighthouse It is located in the urban center of the town and has been converted into the new visitor center of this fortress. The lighthouse was inaugurated at the end of the 11th century and is only XNUMX meters high.
Peñíscola has a pay motorhome area, located very close to the beach, about 2 km from the Lighthouse.
Cabo de Gata Lighthouse
El Cabo de Gata Lighthouse is an emblem of Cabo de Gata Natural Park - Níjar. It is located next to the famous Mermaid Reef. It is located at the geographical point where the cape is located, which was already known in the Greek and Phoenician times and used throughout history as a point of reference for sailors.
The current lighthouse dates from 1863 and the dependencies that complete it were built as early as the XNUMXth century. It is built on the ruins of the castle of San Francisco de Paula, destroyed during the War of Independence. It is located on a 50-meter cliff and the height of its tower is 18 meters. The flashes of the lighthouse are visible from 30 miles away, about 45 kilometers.
The entire area is a Natural Park so overnight stays are prohibited. We must do it in one of the specific areas, such as Cabo de Gata Camper Park, in Nijar; or one of the campsites in the town of San José.
Chipiona Lighthouse
And we ended our headlight tour again at the Atlantic Coast, in the province of Cadiz, to know the Chipiona Lighthouse. It was first illuminated in 1867 to indicate the Guadalquivir river entrance. It is 69 meters above sea level and to admire the landscape from above, we must climb the not inconsiderable figure of 322 steps. It is, in fact, the tallest lighthouse in Spain, the third in Europe and the fifth in the world.
Since its inauguration, it has never stopped working, except in 1898 during the Cuban War, and in 1936 due to the Civil War, which was off for 3 years.
Chipiona has a motorhome area in the Marina where you can spend the night.