Sa Mola Lighthouse

Sa Mola Lighthouse (also known as Far de la Mola) stands on the eastern tip of Formentera, the southernmost of the Balearic Islands, perched atop a cliff that rises roughly 258 meters above the Mediterranean. It's one of the island's best-known landmarks, marking the spot where the land simply stops at a sheer wall of rock.

When was the lighthouse built?

Construction began in 1860 and the lighthouse was formally inaugurated on November 30, 1861. It was designed by architect and engineer Emili Pou y Bonet, and it was the very first lighthouse ever built on Formentera — a significant addition to navigation along this stretch of the Balearic Sea, given how few natural landmarks the island otherwise offers ships passing by at night.

What does the lighthouse look like and how does it work?

The tower itself is 21 meters tall and sits right at the cliff's edge, which means its light carries a long way despite the structure's fairly modest height. The original optic was a fixed second-order catadioptric lens made by the French firm Henri Lepaute, paired with a Degrand oil-burning lamp. In 1928 that system was replaced with a twelve-panel rotating optic transferred from the Formentor lighthouse on Mallorca — the same mechanism that still operates the light today. In 1970 the old oil burner gave way to a 3,000-watt electric lamp, completing the technical modernization of the site.

What's the lighthouse's connection to literature?

Part of Sa Mola's fame comes from Jules Verne, who described the site in his novel "Hector Servadac" as "the lighthouse at the end of the world" (le phare du bout du monde). Verne drew on the real story of François Arago, a French astronomer who stayed briefly at the site in 1808 while measuring the meridian arc. A plaque near the lighthouse today references this literary connection.

What can visitors see there now?

The lighthouse underwent its most recent renovation in 2019: the façade and lower building were restored, the main courtyard was rehabilitated, and part of the complex was turned into a small museum dedicated to Formentera's maritime heritage and history. The light itself remains active and operational, while the surrounding cliff-edge grounds, with their open sea views, stay accessible to visitors year-round.

How do you get to the lighthouse?

Sa Mola Lighthouse sits at the eastern end of Formentera, in the area known as La Mola, reached by the island road that runs out from La Savina or Sant Francesc Xavier. The final stretch winds through pine groves and viewpoints that open onto sweeping panoramas of the cliffs and open sea. Late afternoon or early evening is a good time to visit — this is one of the island's most popular spots for watching the sunset.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse tower? The light tower itself, being an active navigational aid, isn't open to the public, but the lower building housing the maritime museum, opened after the 2019 renovation, can be visited.

How long should you plan for a visit? Seeing the lighthouse and viewpoint takes about 20–30 minutes, though many visitors stay longer, especially around sunset when the area draws the biggest crowds.

Is there anywhere to eat or rest nearby? Small food stalls and viewpoint terraces near the lighthouse are popular with visitors looking for a place to unwind with a sea view in the evening.

Why is the site called "the lighthouse at the end of the world"? The phrase comes from Jules Verne's novel "Hector Servadac," where he described the lighthouse in exactly those terms, inspired by astronomer François Arago's 1808 stay at the site.