Peniscola lighthouse

Faro de Peñíscola is a lighthouse standing right inside the old town of Peñíscola, at the foot of the Papa Luna Castle, on the Costa del Azahar in Spain's Valencian Community.

Where exactly is the lighthouse?

The lighthouse sits within the walls of the old town itself, attached to one corner of the rectangular, whitewashed building that once housed its keepers. There's no need to leave the town centre to see it — it sits directly on the walking route between the beach and the castle, so most visitors pass it without even planning to.

What is the history behind it?

Construction was approved by Royal Decree on 23 April 1890, and the building works went out to tender in December of that same year. The design came from engineer Francisco Pérez Alonso, who conceived it as a coastal light meant to link the lighthouses of Oropesa and the island of Buda in the Ebro Delta. The lighthouse was inaugurated in October 1899.

At first it operated with a third-order optic, fuelled initially by paraffin and later by oil. The optic was replaced in 1920, the light was electrified in 1929, and its last major overhaul took place in 1970. It remains an active aid to navigation to this day.

What does the tower look like?

The tower is an 11-metre-tall white octagonal structure, built into a corner of the adjoining keeper's house. Its light carries up to 23 nautical miles, making it a significant landmark for shipping along this stretch of the Mediterranean coast.

What is the Papa Luna Castle, and how is it connected?

The castle beside the lighthouse was built by the Knights Templar between 1294 and 1307, making it centuries older than the lighthouse itself. It takes its name from Pope Benedict XIII, known as Papa Luna, who took up residence there after the Council of Constance withdrew recognition of his papacy. Because the two structures stand so close together, a visit to the castle naturally comes with a view of the lighthouse and the surrounding old town and coastline.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

From the terrace near the lighthouse, views open out over the Mediterranean and the rooftops of Peñíscola's old town. The area is also known as a filming location — the old town's streets and castle walls have appeared in several film and television productions, which draws visitors looking to recognise scenes from the screen.

Can visitors go inside the lighthouse?

The lighthouse remains an active navigational aid managed by the port authorities, and access to its interior is restricted. Visitors can, however, walk right up to its base and view the tower from outside, which is a standard part of exploring the old town and castle.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Peñíscola lighthouse built? Construction was approved in 1890, and the lighthouse itself opened in October 1899.

Who designed it? Engineer Francisco Pérez Alonso, who planned it as a link between the coastal lights of Oropesa and the island of Buda.

How tall is the tower? The white octagonal tower stands 11 metres high.

How far can the light be seen? Its nominal night range is 23 nautical miles.

Is the lighthouse next to the castle? Yes, it stands directly against the walls of the Papa Luna Castle, inside Peñíscola's old town.