Cabo Cee Lighthouse

Cabo Cee Lighthouse stands on the Cabo Cee headland in the municipality of Corcubión, on Galicia's rugged Costa da Morte. Perched above the entrance to the Corcubión estuary, it has guided ships safely into port for more than 160 years, especially at night or in poor visibility.

How old is the lighthouse?

Spain's Lighthouse Commission decided as early as 1847 that the mouth of the Corcubión estuary needed a proper navigational light. Construction took over a decade, and the lighthouse was finally lit for the first time on 31 July 1860, showing a fixed white light visible from roughly 8 nautical miles. In 1934 the station was automated, ending the era of resident lighthouse keepers on site.

What will you see there?

This is not a tall solitary tower but a modest single-storey keeper's house of about 100 square metres with a hipped roof, typical of 19th-century Galician lighthouse buildings. The octagonal light tower, around 6 metres high, rises from the building's southern wall and is topped by a balcony encircling an open lantern room. From the terrace beside the lighthouse, visitors get a wide panorama over the Ría de Corcubión, one of the defining inlets of the Galician coastline, framed by hills and neighbouring fishing villages.

How do you get to Cabo Cee?

The lighthouse sits at the tip of the headland within the municipality of Corcubión, in the province of A Coruña. It belongs to the Costa da Morte, a stretch of coast famous for its cliffs, scattered lighthouses and coastal walking trails linking one headland to the next. By car, local roads lead out from central Corcubión toward the cape; the final stretch to the lighthouse itself is best covered on foot along the coastal path. The area is popular with hikers following the trails that connect the Costa da Morte lighthouses, so sturdy footwear is worth packing.

When is the best time to visit?

The lighthouse can be viewed from the outside year-round, and the view over the ría shifts with the light and the weather. Spring and autumn tend to offer calmer winds than winter, making them pleasant for photography and walking, while summer brings more visitors exploring the nearby Costa da Morte towns. Because the site sits exposed on a cliff edge, it is worth checking the wind forecast before heading out, as strong gusts are common here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? No. Like most active Spanish lighthouses, Cabo Cee still operates as a working navigational aid and is not open for interior visits. You can walk right up to the building and the viewing terrace outside.

How far is it from Corcubión town? The lighthouse lies within the Corcubión municipality, at the far end of the Cabo Cee headland, only a short distance from the town centre — an easy walk or short drive for a half-day outing.

Are there other things to see nearby? Cabo Cee sits on the Costa da Morte, a coastline dotted with lighthouses and scenic trails connecting one headland to the next, making it a good starting point for further coastal walks.

Is the lighthouse still in operation? Yes. Since its 1934 automation, it has continued to function as an active navigational light guiding vessels into the Corcubión estuary.