Faro de Maspalomas (Maspalomas Lighthouse)
Standing 55 metres tall at the very southern tip of Gran Canaria, the Faro de Maspalomas has guided ships around the island's treacherous cape since 1890. Its candy-striped silhouette against a cobalt sky is the defining image of the resort area and the ideal anchor point for any visit to the dunes.
History and Architecture
Designed by Spanish engineer Juan de León y Castillo, the lighthouse was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2001. The tower itself is not open to climb, but the surrounding plaza and keeper's cottages — now converted into a small interpretation area — are freely accessible.
The lighthouse marks the point where the Atlantic trade winds funnel between the dunes and the sea, which is why the cape has been a critical navigation waypoint for centuries of maritime traffic heading toward the Americas.
The Best Spot for Sunset
Position yourself on the rocky shoreline just west of the lighthouse around 45 minutes before sunset. The light turns the dunes apricot and the lighthouse glows white-gold against a deepening blue sky — one of the most photogenic moments in the Canary Islands.
A handful of sunbed operators and a beach bar operate on the small beach here in season, making it a relaxed place to linger with a cold Tropical beer (the local Gran Canaria lager) as the day winds down.
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