Far del Cap Blanc

Far del Cap Blanc is a lighthouse in the municipality of Llucmajor, on the southern coast of Mallorca. It stands on the Cap Blanc headland and has guided ships entering the Bay of Palma from the east for over a century and a half.

Where is it located?

The lighthouse sits on the edge of a tall, pale cliff that gave the headland its name — cap blanc means "white cape." It marks the southernmost tip of this stretch of Mallorca's coastline, well away from the built-up resort areas of Llucmajor. The coordinates are 39.363528, 2.787694.

What will you see there?

The tower itself is modest, roughly 10 metres tall, but it stands on a cliff that rises to almost 90 metres above sea level, which is why its light can be seen from up to 20 nautical miles out at sea. That combination of a short tower on a very high cliff is what makes Cap Blanc stand out among Mallorca's lighthouses. Around it stretches a rugged, rocky landscape typical of the island's south coast, with open views toward the sea and the Bay of Palma. The spot is best appreciated by walkers following the coastal cliffs and by photographers looking for uncrowded sea views.

How do you get there?

Cap Blanc lies in the southern part of the Llucmajor municipality, in an area where the tourist development gives way to a wilder shoreline. The most practical way to reach it is by car or bicycle along the local roads leading toward the headland, covering the final stretch on foot if you want a closer view of the cliff and the tower. The lighthouse is an active facility maintained by the Spanish maritime authorities, so the interior of the tower is not open to visitors — the main draw here is the surrounding landscape and the views from the nearby paths.

A brief history

The Far del Cap Blanc lighthouse was built in 1862, during the Isabelline period, to a design by engineer Emili Pou. It was formally put into service on 31 August 1863 and has served as a navigational landmark along Mallorca's southern coast ever since. Over the following decades it went through several stages of technical evolution: it was first lit with olive oil, then with paraffin and petroleum, and later with calcium carbide, used until 17 October 1951. In 1966 it was converted to acetylene gas, and since 1970 it has run fully on electricity, like most modern lighthouses on the Balearic coast.

When should you visit?

Since there is no shade or shelter at the site, the best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are lower and the light works better for photographing the cliff and the sea. In summer, bring water and a hat, as the surrounding area is exposed and sunny for most of the day. Outside the high season the spot is far quieter, letting you enjoy the silence and the open sea view without the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the Far del Cap Blanc lighthouse? No — like most active lighthouses in Spain, it remains under the control of the maritime authorities and is not open to the public inside. Visitors come mainly for the surroundings and the view from the cliff.

How far can the light be seen? Thanks to the high cliff it stands on, the lighthouse's beam is visible from up to 20 nautical miles away, even though the tower itself is only about 10 metres tall.

Are there other attractions nearby? The area around Cap Blanc is a wild, rocky stretch of coastline, popular with visitors looking for quiet sea views and cliffside walking routes, away from Mallorca's main resort areas.

When did the lighthouse start operating? It was formally inaugurated on 31 August 1863, a year after the tower was built to a design by Emili Pou.