Faro del cabo Sacratif

Faro del Cabo Sacratif is a lighthouse in Torrenueva Costa, a coastal town within the municipality of Motril, on the Costa Tropical in the province of Granada, Spain.

Where exactly is it located?

The lighthouse stands on the Cerro del Chucho hill, at what marks the southernmost point of the entire province of Granada. From here the view opens onto the Alboran Sea, the narrowest stretch of the Mediterranean separating Europe from Africa. Its coordinates are 36.6947, -3.4682.

What's the story behind this lighthouse?

The current tower was built in 1863, designed by engineer Constantino Germán. It's a stone structure topped with a lantern room and a walkway gallery — a fairly typical layout for Spanish lighthouses of that era.

The site wasn't empty before the lighthouse went up, though. A 16th-century watchtower known as Torre del Chucho once stood on the same spot, part of a chain of coastal defense towers built to warn of pirate raids and invasions along the Granada coast. That older tower was brought down by the powerful 1803 earthquake and the aftershocks that followed, which caused serious damage across the coastline at the time. The lighthouse rose on the old tower's foundations, effectively continuing the site's role as a lookout point — no longer for defense, but for navigation.

For more than 160 years, Faro del Cabo Sacratif has guided ships along the Costa Tropical. It's managed by the Port Authority of Motril, and today the lighthouse also functions as an aerofaro — a beacon that doubles as a navigational aid for aircraft, a less common setup than a standard maritime lighthouse.

What is there to see around the lighthouse?

The standout feature nearby is a walkway suspended over the sea, part of it fitted with a glass section that gives the sensation of walking on water. It's a relatively recent addition to the area's tourist infrastructure, and it draws visitors looking for an unusual vantage point along this stretch of coast.

An easy walking trail leads to the lighthouse, starting from Playa de la Joya beach. The route doesn't require any special preparation, which makes it accessible to most visitors who want to combine a coastal walk with a stop at the tower itself.

For many people, the setting alone — cliffside coast, open sea views, and the contrast between the whitewashed tower and the rocky terrain — is reason enough to make the trip, even without going inside the building, which remains reserved for port authority staff.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the site sits fully exposed to sun and wind, it's best to walk out to the lighthouse in the morning or later in the afternoon, avoiding the hottest hours of the day. Evening light, close to sunset, tends to work best for photos — the way it hits the stone tower and the walkway over the water looks noticeably different than at midday.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "aerofaro" mean? It refers to a lighthouse that, besides its usual role guiding ships, also emits a signal used in air navigation — combining two functions in a single structure.

What happened to the earlier tower on this hill? The 16th-century defense tower known as Torre del Chucho, which predates today's lighthouse, was destroyed by the major 1803 earthquake and the aftershocks that followed.

How do you get to the lighthouse? The simplest way is via the easy walking trail that starts at Playa de la Joya beach in Torrenueva Costa.

Can visitors go inside the lighthouse? The tower is an active navigational structure managed by the Port Authority of Motril, so visits are limited to the surrounding area and the outdoor viewpoints rather than the interior.