Punta Delgada Lighthouse

Punta Delgada Lighthouse (also known as Alegranza Lighthouse) sits on Alegranza island, the northernmost point of the Canary Islands, administratively part of the Teguise municipality on Lanzarote.

Where exactly is this lighthouse?

Alegranza is the smallest and most remote island of the Chinijo Archipelago, a cluster of uninhabited islands and rocks lying north of Lanzarote. The lighthouse stands on the island's northern tip, facing the open Atlantic. Although it forms a separate island geographically, it falls under the Teguise municipality — the same one that governs the better-known La Graciosa. Its coordinates, roughly 29.40°N, 13.49°W, mark the northernmost inhabitable-adjacent point of the entire Canary Islands chain.

What will you actually see there?

The structure itself is a 19th-century lighthouse, still active and still doing the job it was built for: warning ships away from the rocky shoreline of the Chinijo Archipelago. The surroundings are stark and volcanic — black, jagged coast, no buildings, no trees, just wind, ocean, and light. It feels less like a Canarian resort island and more like an uninhabited outpost, because that's exactly what Alegranza is. The island and its surrounding waters fall within the protected natural area of the Chinijo Archipelago, which is why the land around the lighthouse has stayed so untouched — it's an important nesting ground for seabirds.

How do you get to Punta Delgada Lighthouse?

This is the question that matters most, and the honest answer is: you don't, not directly, and not as a regular tourist. Alegranza's protected status keeps public access restricted — there's no regular passenger ferry and no organized land excursions the way there are to nearby La Graciosa. The most realistic way to see the lighthouse is from a boat trip departing Órzola, on Lanzarote's northern coast, as part of a route that circles the Chinijo Archipelago; in good weather and visibility, the lighthouse is visible from the water. Failing that, viewpoints along Lanzarote's north coast can offer a distant glimpse of Alegranza's outline on a clear day.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring, summer, and early autumn tend to bring the calmest seas and the best visibility for boat trips around the Chinijo Archipelago. Winter months are often windier, which makes both the crossing and a good view of the lighthouse from the boat harder to come by. Whatever the season, it's worth checking marine conditions before setting out — the waters around Chinijo can turn quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Punta Delgada Lighthouse? No. It's a working navigational lighthouse, and Alegranza itself is a protected, access-restricted island — this isn't a site open to visitors.

Is the lighthouse still operational? Yes, it remains active and continues serving its original purpose, guiding ships around the Chinijo Archipelago.

Is Alegranza island inhabited? No, the island is uninhabited, which is part of why it has kept such a wild, untouched character.

If you can't set foot on the island, where's the best place to see the lighthouse from? Boat trips from Órzola that circle the Chinijo Archipelago give the best chance, along with viewpoints on Lanzarote's northern coast where Alegranza is visible on clear days.