Far del Cap Gros

Far del Cap Gros is a lighthouse standing on the rocky headland of Cap Gros, right above the entrance to Port de Sóller on the northwest coast of Mallorca, in Spain's Balearic Islands. The spot around it offers one of the most recognisable views in this part of the island — the harbour bay framed by steep, pine-covered cliffs.

How did a lighthouse end up on Cap Gros?

The first structure on the site — a tower with a small outbuilding — was erected in 1842 by the Sóller town council, though it was never brought into service in its original form. A decade later, in 1852, the site was handed over to Spain's Ministry of Public Works, which carried the project through to completion. The lighthouse was officially lit on 20 February 1859, classified as a fourth-order light.

Its construction answered a very practical need: in the 19th century, the Sóller valley was a major hub for exporting oranges, and ships sailing in and out of the port needed a reliable landmark to navigate the narrow, cliff-bound entrance safely.

What makes its construction unusual?

The Cap Gros tower was built without the involvement of engineers, a common practice for smaller local lighthouses at the time. As a result, its interior layout differs from many lighthouses of the same era — the building was not designed with living quarters for keepers inside the tower itself.

How has the light source changed over time?

For its first decades, the lighthouse produced a fixed white light powered by an olive-oil lamp, later replaced by a double-wick Maris lamp. Electrification only arrived in 1944 — and even then, it faced a setback: a lightning strike in 1952 destroyed the lighthouse's cabling, forcing the keepers to rely on backup Aladdin lamps for more than a decade until the electrical system was fully restored.

Today the light is produced by 400-watt discharge lamps shining through an acrylic lens. The tower itself stands 20 metres tall, and its beam carries up to 18 nautical miles, still serving as an important navigational marker for vessels entering Port de Sóller.

Why is it worth the walk up?

Cap Gros is one of the most visited viewpoints around Port de Sóller. The path leading up to the headland rewards visitors with a sweeping view over the harbour, the surrounding cliffs and, on clear days, distant stretches of coastline. The spot is especially popular at sunset, when the light falling over the bay and the lighthouse tower creates a scene that draws photographers and casual visitors alike.

The lighthouse itself remains an active navigational aid under the Spanish maritime authority, so the tower's interior is not open to visitors — access is limited to the surrounding area and the viewpoint.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Far del Cap Gros located? On the Cap Gros headland, at the entrance to Port de Sóller, on the northwest coast of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain).

When was the lighthouse built? The first structure went up in 1842, but the lighthouse only became operational on 20 February 1859, after the Ministry of Public Works took over the project in 1852.

How tall is the tower and how far does its light reach? The tower stands 20 metres tall, and its light is visible from up to 18 nautical miles away.

Can visitors go inside the lighthouse? No — it is an active navigational lighthouse, and only the surrounding viewpoint is accessible to the public.

Is it worth visiting at sunset? Yes, it's one of the most popular spots in the area to watch the sun set over Port de Sóller.