Cervera Tower

Cervera Tower (known locally as Torre del Moro or Torre de Cabo Cervera) is a medieval watchtower standing on the Cabo Cervera headland in Torrevieja, on Spain's Costa Blanca. It sits inside a green park of roughly 23,000 square metres and ranks among the town's best-known viewpoints.

Where does this tower come from?

The site's story goes back to the early 14th century. In 1312, King James II of Aragon authorized the council of Orihuela to build a watchtower on Cape Cervera, and the first documented mention of the tower itself dates to 1320. In 1378 it was destroyed during an attack by Muslim galleys raiding the coast. It wasn't rebuilt until the 16th century, when military engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli oversaw the construction of a chain of coastal defence towers running from Alicante down to Cádiz, a direct response to the raids of Barbary corsairs who, after the Ottoman settlement of Algiers in 1516, regularly plundered coastal towns and carried off residents as slaves. The rebuilt structure took on the name Torre del Moro. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 1985, and underwent restoration work in 1994.

How do you get there?

The tower stands right on the coastal road connecting Torrevieja and La Mata, on high ground at Cabo Cervera, so it's easy to find — simply follow the coast north from central Torrevieja. The surrounding park is open to the public and is a popular spot for a walk among both locals and visitors.

What will you see there?

The tower itself has a round base and a cylindrical body, with an interior spiral staircase leading up to the top. The real draw, though, is the view: from the terrace beside the tower, the panorama stretches north as far as La Mata, Guardamar del Segura, Cape Santa Pola and Tabarca Island, south toward Punta Prima and Isla Grosa (already within sight of the Mar Menor), and east across the open Mediterranean horizon. The park around the tower also hosts outdoor sculpture displays from time to time, including pieces from the "Ciudad de Torrevieja" sculpture competition, and its wide lawns get used for walks, photo sessions, family picnics, and even weddings and other events.

When is the best time to visit?

The site is at its best around sunset, when the light brings out the texture of the stone and the colours of the sea, and outside the peak summer months, when the viewing terrace is quieter. Because it sits in an exposed coastal spot, it can get breezy, so a light jacket is worth bringing even in summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it free to visit the tower? The surrounding park and the viewpoint area are open to the public and free to visit.

Can you go inside the tower? The tower has an interior spiral staircase leading to the top, though access to the inside can vary depending on the site's current management rules, so it's worth checking locally.

What is the tower called in Spanish? It's known locally as Torre del Moro or Torre de Cabo Cervera, after the headland it stands on.

Are there similar towers nearby? Yes, along the coast near Torrevieja stands the Torre de Cabo Roig, another former watchtower that was part of the same coastal defence system.