A Spanish lighthouse sojourn: little-known seaside getaways
Authentic lighthouses converted into hotels offer indelible sea views and a chance to disconnect from the world.
Authentic lighthouses converted into hotels offer indelible sea views and a chance to disconnect from the world.
For centuries, lighthouses have served as beacons of safe conduct to countless sailors while providing desolate abodes for their custodians. Today, these remote outposts, dominated by crashing waves and an unending horizon, offer an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. The lighthouse beam guiding ships now summons travellers to spend an evening in a once-in-a-lifetime location.
The Lighthouse Commission, created in 1842 with the aim of aiding navigation, proposed the construction of additional lighthouses. One hundred and seventy-three years later, the conversion of some of these lighthouses into hotels was initiated, thus creating a novel opportunity for travel enthusiasts. Here is a guide to seven lighthouses worth a sojourn.
Cudillero Lighthouse (Cudillero, Asturias)
Cudillero Lighthouse, facing the Cantabrian Sea at Roballera Point on the outskirts of the beautiful town of Cudillero, offers an exclusive stay with its two available suites.
Cudillero Lighthouse’s minimalist décor includes a fireplace, jacuzzi, terrace, garden and of course, extraordinary panoramas of the Cantabrian Sea. Additionally, the option to reserve the entire lighthouse for four people is also available. Cudillero Lighthouse is a truly singular experience starting at €250.
Isla Pancha Lighthouse (Ribadeo, Lugo)
Erected in 1857 and located on an islet joined to the shore by a winding path, the Isla Pancha Lighthouse was the first of its kind to be converted into a hotel. This exceptional lighthouse stands out for its scenic views of both the Galician and Asturian coast.
An ideal destination any time of year, the lighthouse offers two apartments accommodating four people in each one, with a terrace and a private garden. Located near Beach of the Cathedrals, Isla Pancha Lighthouse is a place to get away from it all with prices starting at €200.
Cape Finisterre (Cabo Finisterre, Coruña)
Dare one spend an evening at the edge of the world? Constructed in 1853, this spot marked the end of the known world for millennia and a place venerated by numerous pilgrims walking the Way of Saint James. This hotel adjacent to the lighthouse provides five rooms with terrace and a restaurant serving local produce with prices as low as €99.
Punta Insua Lighthouse at Lariño (Carnota, Coruña)
This cozy lodging situated between Carnota Beach and the Muros and Noia Estuary has been offering an experience packed with symbolism and lighthouse culture since 2021. Its nine maritime-themed suites evoke visions of sea mist, twilight and sea storms and come equipped with top-of-the-line services to be enjoyed at rates beginning at €150.
Cape Silleiro Lighthouse (Baiona, Pontevedra)
The still operational Cape Silleiro Lighthouse, illuminating the entrance to the city of Vigo’s estuary, currently moonlights as a boutique hotel. Located on the craggy rock west of Baiona, this lighthouse offers breathtaking views of Galicia’s natural landscape and surrounding seascape.
Cape Silleiro Lighthouse is equipped with sixteen rooms and offers an in-depth maritime cultural experience starting at €120.
Punta Cumplida Lighthouse (La Palma, Canarias)
A pioneer in the use of high-power LED lighting, this hundred-and-fifty-year-old lighthouse located at Barlovento on the island of La Palma also serves as a petite designer hotel with an infinity pool facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Punta Cumplida Lighthouse offers three distinctive suites, an extensive garden and a yoga platform perfect for beginning the day. An evening in this one-of-a-kind lighthouse begins at €360.
El Far Hotel Restaurant Lighthouse (LLafranc, Girona)
With views of the Mediterrean Sea and the countryside of Empordà region, this singular lighthouse offers limitless views, including the French coast on a clear day.
Before being repurposed as a hotel, Far Hotel Restaurant once accommodated the lighthouse staff that worked there. Today, this maritime themed lighthouse offers nine rooms starting at €155. As the name suggests, the lighthouse includes a top-quality restaurant serving the best local produce.
You can also read this article in Spanish and French.
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