Cala Figuera Lighthouse

Cala Figuera Lighthouse is a small, still-operational lighthouse on the western coast of Mallorca, standing on a rocky headland above the Bay of Palma. It's far less known than the island's larger lighthouses, but it rewards travelers looking for a quiet, rugged stretch of coastline and open sea views away from the crowds.

Where is Cala Figuera Lighthouse located?

The lighthouse sits at the western edge of the Bay of Palma, in the municipality of Calvià, near the town of Son Ferrer, on Mallorca in Spain's Balearic Islands. It's surrounded by steep cliffs and the clear water typical of this part of the coast, giving the spot a raw, largely untouched character despite being close to Calvià's resort towns.

What is the history of the lighthouse?

Construction began in 1858 and was completed on May 20, 1860, with the official inauguration held on July 31 of that year. It was formally classified as a sixth-order lighthouse, though the optical apparatus actually installed was fifth-order, fitted with a fixed white light powered by a constant-level oil lamp mechanism — a common arrangement in 19th-century lighthouses. Today the lighthouse is fully automated and unstaffed.

How do you get to Cala Figuera Lighthouse?

A paved road leads to the lighthouse, but it can't be used because it runs through a military base. In practice, visitors park near Cala Portal Vells and continue on foot for roughly 3 kilometers. The trail runs through pine woods along the coastline and typically takes 40 to 50 minutes one way. It's a moderate walk, but one that pays off with views of the cliffs and open sea.

What else is there to see nearby?

The approach itself is part of the appeal — the path winds through shaded pine forest and opens onto viewpoints over the Calvià coastline. Once at the lighthouse, visitors get a wide panorama of open sea and the rocky formations characteristic of Mallorca's western shore. The lighthouse and its surroundings are often listed among Calvià's "hidden corners," better suited to hikers than to beach-goers looking for an easy day out.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Cala Figuera Lighthouse? No — it's an automated, unstaffed facility not set up for visits inside. The draw is reaching the site and taking in the views from the surrounding cliffs, not entering the building.

Can you drive to the lighthouse? Not directly. The paved access road is closed because it runs through a military base, so visitors park near Cala Portal Vells and walk the rest of the way.

How long is the walk to the lighthouse? The trail is about 3 kilometers through pine woods along the coast and generally takes 40 to 50 minutes each way.

When was the lighthouse built? Construction started in 1858 and finished on May 20, 1860, with the official inauguration on July 31, 1860.

Which municipality is the lighthouse in? It's in the municipality of Calvià, on Mallorca's western coast, near Son Ferrer.