Torre del Xiprer

Torre del Xiprer is a 16th-century watchtower in Alicante, standing near San Juan Beach on Camino del Ciprés. Listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (a legally protected cultural asset) in 1997, the tower is now abandoned and privately owned.

What is this place?

The tower belonged to a chain of coastal lookout points built along the Alicante shoreline in the 1500s to warn of raids by Barbary corsairs from North Africa. An inscription near the top gives the year 1565, marking when the main structure was finished. It has a rectangular footprint of roughly 4.5 by 6 metres, rises across four levels, and is built from carefully cut stone blocks — a construction style typical of coastal defence towers along the Valencian shore.

A house was added against the tower in the 17th century, followed some time later by a small chapel. The complex stood largely intact for centuries until the 1980s, when the house was pulled down. Only the tower and the chapel survive today, both abandoned, fire-damaged, and marked by vandalism, and both remain in private hands.

How do you get there?

Torre del Xiprer sits in the Playa de San Juan district, one of Alicante's best-known beach neighbourhoods. From the city centre, the easiest route is the coastal TRAM Alicante line to a San Juan-area stop, followed by a short walk inland toward Camino del Ciprés. By car, the trip from downtown takes roughly 15–20 minutes, though parking near the beach can get tight during the summer season.

What will you actually see?

The tower and its adjoining chapel are private property and closed to the public — the plot is fenced off, and both structures are in a ruined state. The visit is worthwhile as an exterior stop: despite the damage, the tower still shows its four distinct levels and the solid stonework typical of Spain's early-modern coastal defences. It makes a good addition to a self-guided tour of watchtowers along the Costa Blanca, best paired with a look at nearby examples from the same defensive network.

When should you visit?

Early morning or late afternoon works best, avoiding peak sun hours — the San Juan beach area gets busy with tourist traffic through July and August. Spring and autumn are comfortable seasons for a relaxed walk along the coast with a short stop at the tower, without the summer crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the tower? No. It's private property, fenced off, and closed to visitors. You can only view it from outside.

How old is Torre del Xiprer? It dates to the 16th century — the year 1565 carved into the upper section marks the completion of the main tower.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes, a small chapel added in the 17th century stands next to the tower, also abandoned and damaged.

Is the tower a protected heritage site? Yes, it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's category for legally protected cultural property, in 1997.