The classic lighthouses of Alicante have safeguarded and protected the Mediterranean Sea for centuries. For a long time, they were run by lighthouse keepers, these started disappearing over the years, today they continue to arouse great interest. For this reason, the lighthouses continue to be worthy of being conserved, and at the same time constitute a new objective point for tourists.
In addition, the lighthouses are not only important for their architectural elegance and the beautiful reminiscences that they bring with their stories and legends, but also because they are a true reflection of the maritime activity carried out over the centuries.
We are lucky that our region is endowed with some of the most represented lighthouses of the country, and for that reason we thought it would be interesting to dedicate this publication to these authentic treasures of the sea.
At the highest point of the natural mountain, Sierra Helada, above the beaches and coves of Albir, you will find one of the most mythical lighthouses in the Valencian Community.
The well-known Punta del Albir Lighthouse, this is popular for its authentic testimony to the seafaring life of Alicante, typical of the ancient lighthouse keepers.
As we have mentioned in a previous publication, the Albir lighthouse route is well known, traditionally among the residents of the area, and of course, among tourists of all different nationalities. It has a 2-kilometre marked walk that culminates at the lighthouse.
From the top, you will be able to observe a magnificent combination of sea and mountain of which you will be surprised by the landscapes of the Sierra Bernia, the Puig Campana and the Peñón de Ifach mountains.
If you decide to visit this interesting lighthouse, once you get to our neighboring town of Albir, you should take the avenue Albir, which is the main one of the town (by which you would have used to get to the town). Then you must continue towards the beach, finding a roundabout about 300 meters where you turn right (there is no chance of getting lost because there is only one). Then you have to continue in a straight line, crossing several residential areas of villas, bungalows and apartments. At the end of the road, you will be at the foot of the Albir lighthouse, where you will see an esplanade here you can leave your car. From there begins the hiking route to the Albir lighthouse.
It was built in 1858 on the same site where an ancient Roman watchtower had been located, plus a mid-sixteenth century observation post which was built to control the constant attempts of pirate attacks, generally coming from North Africa.
Finally, erected on one of the most spectacular cliffs of the Costa Blanca, it allows you to see an incredible panoramic view from the Island of Tabarca to the bay of Alicante.
In the surrounding area, you will find different paths that will allow you to reach the Santa Pola lighthouse, via beautiful walks with exceptional views. Therefore, we recommend that you bring your camera or your smartphone if you want to immortalize one of the most spectacular places on the Mediterranean coast.
To find the Santa Pola lighthouse, you must take the N-332 road, then deviate by a path to the right which is well indicated. After traveling about 5 kilometers, you will find a wide area where you can leave your car. There you will easily find a path that will take you directly to the Santa Pola lighthouse.
In the nature park of the Montgó in Javea, you will find one of the two most visited lighthouses in the country.
You will be surprised by the striking environment that shines for its beautiful and varied vegetation, as well as for its extraordinary and diverse fauna.
At an altitude of 170 meters above sea level, you will be at the foot of an architectural jewel of incalculable value.
From the lighthouse of Cabo de San Antonio, you can observe its extravagant panoramic views, among which you will find the Gulf of Valencia and part of the towns of Javea and Denia.
To get there, you need to take the AP-7 motorway, or the national road in the direction of Javea. Once you arrive at the port of the town, you must ascend a path then turn right at the first fork. If you take another path on the left, the ascent is somewhat longer, but much smoother and more bearable.
The Cabo de San Antonio Lighthouse, officially opened in 1885, and is one of the strongest tourist attractions in Javea.
If you are one of those people who visit Alicante regularly, the lighthouse of the island of Tabarca has an incalculable value for its historical wealth.
To get to the Island of Tabarca, you can take the boat from either Alicante, Benidorm or from Santa Pola.
This elegant two-story architectural building has two water wells in its characteristic square tower. An unbeatable place in a natural environment declared as a Marine Reserve in 1986.
The Tabarca Lighthouse was inaugurated in 1854, and currently has a biology laboratory that works exclusively for the Marine Reserve Nueva Tabarca.
Forming an essential part of the Cabo de la Nao (authentic micro flora reserve), this is an octagonal building that offers another of the most impressive maritime showcases in the province of Alicante.
Although the interior of the building is not open to the public, from the viewpoint of the Lighthouse of La Nao you can see authentic wonders around the beautiful Mediterranean, in which you will find the Island of the Discoverer, the Rock of Ifach of Calpe and the emblematic Cap d'Or. If it is a clear day, you can also get to see the island of Ibiza.
But the area around the Lighthouse also has a wide diversity of fauna, in this nature reserve you will find many protected species.
To get to La Nao Lighthouse in Javea, you must go to the southern end of the Gulf of Valencia, where you will find the pertinent indications to the Nao micro-reserve, which are very clear from the road
So here you have our proposals on the best lighthouses in the province of Alicante.
Are you looking forward to visiting them?
The endless white sandy beaches of the Costa de Azahar often overshadow the many other charms that this incredible area of the Mediterranean coast awaits travellers. This is the case of the Coves de Sant Josep, some very interesting underground caves that hide the longest underground navigable river in Europe and whose walls house cave paintings. Are you going to miss it?
