Monte del Faro (Islas Cíes)

Monte del Faro is the highest point on the Cíes Islands, the small archipelago guarding the entrance to the Ría de Vigo in Galicia, Spain. Its summit, standing 178 metres above sea level, carries a lighthouse that has guided ships toward the port of Vigo for more than 170 years and remains one of the most recognisable landmarks inside the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park.

Why was a lighthouse built on this exact spot?

The decision to build a lighthouse on the Cíes Islands was taken in 1851, and the light entered service in 1853. The project was set in motion by a letter from the English consul in Galicia to the Spanish Ministry of State, prompted by British shipping agents of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, whose vessels regularly passed this stretch of coast on the way to Vigo and wanted a warning light against the archipelago's rocky shores. Choosing the islands' highest summit was deliberate: from there, the beam could be seen from far out at sea and from almost any approach into the bay.

How has the lighthouse evolved over more than 170 years?

The original light source was an oil lamp, later replaced by a petroleum lamp. The next major upgrade came in 1939, when an acetylene strobe was installed. Until 1952 the lighthouse was staffed by keepers who lived on site with their families; automation that year brought this chapter to a close, and the islands ceased to have a resident lighthouse staff. Since the 1980s, the light has run fully automatically on electricity generated by photovoltaic solar panels, making it an early example of solar power use in Spain's maritime infrastructure.

How does it compare to the islands' other lighthouse?

The Cíes Islands hold a second lighthouse, Faro da Porta, sitting considerably lower at 83 metres above sea level. Thanks to its position on the archipelago's highest point, the Monte del Faro light remains the most prominent and historically significant navigational structure on the islands. It is managed by the Vigo Port Authority (Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo), which oversees the maritime infrastructure of the whole area.

What can visitors expect at the summit?

The walk up to the Monte del Faro lighthouse is one of the most popular hiking routes on the Cíes Islands, climbing through low dune scrub and rocky slopes. The reward is a panoramic view over the entire archipelago, the mouth of the Ría de Vigo, and, on clear days, the mainland coast of Galicia. It's the vantage point that best explains why the Cíes Islands are often ranked among the most beautiful archipelagos of the Atlantic, and why this summit has served as a critical navigational marker at the entrance to one of Spain's largest bays.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Monte del Faro located? It is the highest summit of the Cíes Islands, at the entrance to the Ría de Vigo, in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia.

When was the lighthouse built? Construction was approved in 1851 and the lighthouse began operating in 1853.

Who initiated its construction? The English consul in Galicia, acting on a request from British shipping agents of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

Is the lighthouse still staffed? No — since it was automated in 1952 it has operated without resident keepers, and since the 1980s it has run on solar power.

Can visitors get close to the lighthouse? Yes, a hiking trail leads to the summit; it is one of the archipelago's most popular viewpoints.

Who manages the lighthouse? The Vigo Port Authority (Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo).