Maspalomas Lighthouse

The Maspalomas Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse at the southern tip of Gran Canaria, Spain, first lit in 1890. It serves as the maritime landmark for Maspalomas and the southern coastline of the island.

The tower itself is the primary attraction and sits directly adjacent to the wide Maspalomas beach and the characteristic Maspalomas Dunes. Visitors commonly combine a lighthouse visit with dune walks, beach time and the nearby resort facilities; the immediate area is largely flat and sandy with coastal vegetation.

Construction of the lighthouse was completed in the late 19th century to support maritime navigation around Gran Canaria’s southern coast. Since then it has remained an active aid to navigation while also functioning as a local landmark for tourism and coastal recreation.

Geographically the lighthouse sits at the southernmost end of the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana on Gran Canaria, within the Canary Islands. It is adjacent to the Maspalomas resort area and about 35 kilometers south of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

• Best time to visit: Early morning and late afternoon light give the best photographs of the lighthouse against the dunes, and the site is less crowded outside peak winter and holiday seasons.
• Access: A short paved promenade runs around the lighthouse base and connects to nearby beaches, making it accessible on foot from the main Maspalomas resort area.

What to See #

• Lighthouse tower: A masonry lighthouse tower completed and first lit in 1890 that marks the southern tip of Gran Canaria and the approach to the island's southern harbors.
• Dunes and beach: The adjacent Maspalomas Dunes and beach area, a distinct landscape of shifting sand and coastal habitats immediately north of the lighthouse popular for walks and birdwatching.