Touriñán Lighthouse

Touriñán Lighthouse is an active lighthouse standing on Cabo Touriñán, a rocky headland in the municipality of Muxía, in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, in north-western Spain. The current tower is the second lighthouse built on this site, and it is managed by the A Coruña Port Authority. The headland it stands on is often cited as the westernmost point of mainland Spain — reaching slightly further west than the nearby, more famous Cabo Fisterra (Finisterre), even though that title is traditionally associated with Fisterra instead.

What will you see?

The lighthouse rises above a rugged stretch of the Costa da Morte — the "Coast of Death" — an Atlantic shoreline in Galicia notorious for violent storms, treacherous currents, and centuries of shipwrecks along its exposed rocks. The name captures the character of the place well: open ocean, high cliffs, and unpredictable weather combine into a landscape that is stark but genuinely striking. From around the lighthouse, views stretch far out over the Atlantic, and on a clear evening this is one of the best spots on the coast to watch the sunset — as the westernmost point of the Spanish mainland, Touriñán is often the last piece of Spanish land where the sun disappears over the sea. The tower itself is not open for visitors to climb, but it remains a distinctive landmark along the coastline and a common stop for hikers and cyclists following the Costa da Morte, including the well-known Camiño dos Faros ("Lighthouse Way"), a trail linking the region's successive lighthouses.

How to get there?

The lighthouse sits within the municipality of Muxía, a small fishing town in the province of A Coruña. The most practical way to reach it is by car, following local roads that lead from Muxía out toward Cabo Touriñán through the open, rural countryside typical of this part of Galicia. The lighthouse's coordinates are 43.0533 N, 9.2983 W — worth entering into a GPS, since signage along the minor local roads can be sparse. The nearest airport is in Santiago de Compostela, roughly an hour's drive from Muxía.

When to visit?

Galicia has a wet, Atlantic climate with frequent rain and strong winds, especially in winter, which can make visiting such an exposed, open headland uncomfortable. Spring and summer are the best seasons to come, offering longer daylight hours, milder temperatures, and better odds of calm seas and clear skies — and so a better chance of catching that dramatic sunset. Even in warmer months, though, the headland tends to be windy, so a warm layer is worth packing regardless of the season.

Frequently asked questions

Is Touriñán Lighthouse still operating? Yes, it is an active lighthouse, managed by the A Coruña Port Authority.

Is this the first lighthouse built at this location? No, the current tower is the second lighthouse constructed on this headland.

Can visitors climb the lighthouse tower? No, the lighthouse itself is not generally open to visitors — its main appeal lies in the surrounding headland and coastal views.

What is the Costa da Morte? It's the stretch of Atlantic coastline in Galicia where Cabo Touriñán sits, known historically for dangerous sea conditions and numerous shipwrecks.