Far de la Banya

Far de la Banya is a lighthouse standing at the tip of Punta de la Banya, the narrow sandy spit that closes off the Alfacs Bay (Badia dels Alfacs) from the south within the Ebro Delta. The site sits in the municipality of la Ràpita, in Catalonia, inside the protected area of the Ebro Delta Natural Park.

Where exactly is the lighthouse?

Punta de la Banya is a natural sand bar separating the open Mediterranean from the calm waters of Alfacs Bay. It forms the southernmost point of the delta and can only be reached on foot or by boat — no road leads to the tip itself. The lighthouse stands in an uninhabited setting surrounded by lagoons, salt flats and the seasonal floodplains typical of the delta.

The story of the first lighthouse

The original lighthouse on this spot was first lit in 1864, designed by engineer Lucio del Valle. Its tower was built of wrought iron and galvanized sheet metal, slightly conical in shape, painted a yellowish colour, topped with a polygonal lantern room and a natural-copper dome. Because of how isolated the location was — supplies arrived by sea or on a ten-kilometre walk from the Clot point whenever the route wasn't flooded — the lighthouse keepers were withdrawn as early as 1943, and the structure kept operating unattended for decades afterward. It served sailors for 114 years, until 1978. In 1984 the ironwork was dismantled and moved to the Port of Tarragona, where it was restored and can still be seen today as a piece of the region's industrial heritage.

The current lighthouse and nature reserve

Since 1978, a new lighthouse has stood at Punta de la Banya, built on the same spot as its predecessor. It is managed by the Tarragona Port Authority. The ground it occupies belongs to the Punta de la Banya Partial Nature Reserve, an area of very high ecological value that includes salt flats, lagoons and waterbird habitats. Because of this protection, the tower itself and its interior are closed to visitors year-round.

How can you visit Punta de la Banya?

Visitors can walk along the spit, but access is limited to a viewpoint at the end of the last section of the trail that remains open — beyond that point entry is restricted. The best base for the trip is la Ràpita, which also offers boat trips along the delta coastline that bring you close enough to see the lighthouse from the water. Bring water, sun protection and binoculars, since the area is one of the Ebro Delta's most rewarding spots for birdwatching.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Far de la Banya lighthouse? No. Neither the historic nor the current lighthouse is open to visitors — the surrounding land is protected, and public access stops at a designated viewpoint.

Where is the original 19th-century lighthouse now? The original 1864 structure, designed by Lucio del Valle, was dismantled in 1984 and moved to the Port of Tarragona, where it stands restored as an industrial heritage landmark.

How do you get to Punta de la Banya? La Ràpita is the most convenient starting point, offering a walking trail along the spit to the viewpoint as well as boat trips along the delta coast.

Why is access to the spit restricted? Punta de la Banya lies within a Partial Nature Reserve protecting the salt flats, lagoons and waterbird habitats of the Ebro Delta, which is why visitor movement there is tightly controlled.