Lighthouse of the Sisargas Islands

The Lighthouse of the Sisargas Islands rises above Sisarga Grande, the largest of the uninhabited Sisargas Islands, opposite Cape San Adrián in the municipality of Malpica de Bergantiños, on Galicia's Costa da Morte.

Where exactly is the lighthouse?

The Sisargas archipelago sits about one nautical mile off Cape San Adrián, on the northern stretch of the Costa da Morte — a coastline known across Galicia for its rugged cliffs and Atlantic exposure. The lighthouse itself stands at the highest point of Sisarga Grande, giving it a clear line of sight over the open ocean and the coast of A Coruña province. Its coordinates are 43.361111, -8.844444.

How do you get to the islands?

The only way to reach the archipelago is by boat from the fishing port of Malpica de Bergantiños. Boats dock at a small pier on the island, from which a marked path climbs roughly two kilometers to the lighthouse at the top. Malpica itself is worth a stop even before the crossing — it's a working fishing harbor, and it's where every trip to the islands begins.

What's the history behind it?

Local tradition holds that centuries ago a monk lived alone on one of the islands and kept a bonfire burning through the night to help ships navigate the treacherous coast safely. The first official lighthouse was authorized under Spain's 1847 General Plan for Maritime Lighting and was lit for the first time on July 29, 1853, as a fourth-order light. That original structure eventually gave way to the demands of the site and the Atlantic climate.

The lighthouse standing today was built between 1911 and 1915, right beside the earlier tower. Its construction was a genuinely local effort: residents of Malpica carried the building stone up the island by hand, battling the strong winds that constantly sweep the archipelago. The result is a tower with a 3.5-meter lantern that has operated automatically, without a resident keeper, since 2002.

What will you see once you're there?

A visit to Sisarga Grande is mainly about the raw Atlantic scenery of the Costa da Morte. The path from the pier to the lighthouse runs across open, wind-exposed rock with views over the ocean and the smaller islands of the archipelago. The lighthouse itself, standing next to the remains of its 19th-century predecessor, is a tangible piece of the region's maritime history. This is a destination for travelers drawn to open space, silence, and the sea rather than built-up tourist facilities.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer bring the calmest weather on the Costa da Morte, which makes both the boat crossing and the walk to the lighthouse considerably easier. This coastline is known for strong winds and shifting sea conditions year-round, so it's worth checking the forecast and boat availability from Malpica before setting out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? The lighthouse has run automatically since 2002 and, like most active lighthouses in Galicia, its interior isn't open to visitors — the appeal lies in reaching the island and seeing the tower from the outside.

How do you get to the Sisargas Islands? Only by boat from the port of Malpica de Bergantiños, followed by a roughly two-kilometer walk along a marked path from the pier to the lighthouse.

Does anyone live on the islands? No, the Sisargas archipelago is uninhabited — the lighthouse and the path leading to it are the only permanent infrastructure on the island.

Why was a lighthouse built here? The first light was lit in 1853 under an 1847 national lighting plan, and the current tower was built between 1911 and 1915 by residents of Malpica, who hauled stone up the island by hand to complete it.