Far d'Irta

Far d'Irta is a solitary lighthouse guarding a rocky, undeveloped stretch of coast between Alcossebre and Peñíscola, right in the heart of the Serra d'Irta Natural Park in the Valencian Community. It marks one of the few sections of Spain's Mediterranean shoreline that has never been touched by tourist construction, which is why the sight of the tower rising above the maquis scrub and cliffs is among the most unspoiled views on this part of the Costa del Azahar.

Where exactly is the lighthouse?

Far d'Irta stands within the municipality of Alcalà de Xivert, in the province of Castellón, on a high rocky headland that separates the bays of Alcossebre from those of Peñíscola. It sits inside the Serra d'Irta Natural Park, a protected area combining a mountain range that drops straight into the sea with an adjoining marine nature reserve. The park's roughly 12 km of coastline is one of the last stretches on Spain's Mediterranean coast to have escaped building development almost entirely.

History and design of the lighthouse

The lighthouse was built as part of Spain's 1985–1989 Maritime Signals Plan, with its light first switched on on 28 December 1993. It was designed by architect Rita Lorite, who — together with the Nules lighthouse — created one of only two Spanish lighthouses designed by a woman, a notable exception in a field historically dominated by male architects. The tower stands 28 metres tall, with its focal plane 33 metres above sea level. It emits a white light visible for 14 nautical miles (roughly 26 km) and is operated by the Port Authority of Castellón de la Plana, which still manages it today.

How do you get there?

No road reaches the lighthouse — it can only be reached on foot or by bike, one of the main reasons the surrounding coast has kept its wild character. The most common approach starts at Les Fonts beach (Platja de les Fonts) in Alcossebre, from where a signposted coastal path runs through the natural park, passing small pebble coves and clifftop viewpoints along the way. The one-way walk typically takes about an hour and needs no special preparation, though sturdy shoes and water are worth bringing, since the terrain is rocky and summers here run hot.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The Serra d'Irta Natural Park, declared on 16 July 2002, covers not just the mountain range and coastline but also an adjoining marine nature reserve, spanning the municipalities of Alcalà de Xivert, Peñíscola and Santa Magdalena de Pulpis. It's a landscape prized for its ecology: Mediterranean maquis scrub, cliff-lined shores and clear, pebbly coves draw hikers, snorkellers and landscape photographers alike. The lighthouse itself, though closed to visitors inside, makes a natural destination and resting point, with open sea views and, on a clear day, a distant glimpse of Peñíscola's castle silhouette.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Far d'Irta lighthouse? No — it's an active navigational aid run by the Port Authority of Castellón and isn't open to the public inside, though it can be freely viewed from the outside once you reach it on the coastal path.

How long is the walk from Alcossebre? The one-way hike from Les Fonts beach usually takes around an hour, depending on pace and how many stops you make for photos.

Can you drive to the lighthouse? No — the final stretch is accessible only on foot or by bicycle, one of the reasons this part of the coast has remained so well preserved.

When did the lighthouse start operating? Its light was first lit on 28 December 1993, as part of Spain's national Maritime Signals Plan of 1985–1989.