The Torredembarra Lighthouse in Tarragona province has been included for the second consecutive year in the European Route of Lighthouses, an itinerary featuring 131 monuments across twelve countries. It is the only lighthouse from Catalonia to be part of this cultural route.
Managed by the Tarragona Port Authority, the lighthouse has hosted over 18,000 visitors in the ten years since its collaboration agreement with Torredembarra Town Council began in 2015. This landmark is both the tallest and youngest lighthouse in Catalonia.
To qualify for the European Route of Lighthouses, a lighthouse must either have a cultural use, such as an interpretation centre or museum, or be accessible to the public. Torredembarra's lighthouse meets these criteria through its organised guided tours.
A Decade of Public Access
The Tarragona Port Authority has managed the Torredembarra Lighthouse since its construction. A collaboration agreement signed on 28 April 2015 with Torredembarra Town Council allowed public visits to start on 19 June of the same year. Regular renewals of this agreement have kept the lighthouse open, making it an important local attraction.
Guided tours at the Torredembarra Lighthouse offer explanations in three languages. Visitors can climb 189 steps to an interior viewpoint, 30 metres high, which provides views of the Costa Daurada. These tours are limited to groups of seven people due to the space's specific characteristics. The cost is €3, with a reduced rate of €1.50 for eligible groups.
Visitor Milestones and Future Goals
Since 2015, the Torredembarra Lighthouse has welcomed 18,618 visitors up to December 2025. A significant milestone was reached in summer 2019 with the 10,000th visitor. Last year, 1,321 people visited, and 111 have already attended programmed activities this year. The Department of Tourism and Commerce aims to reach 20,000 visitors by the end of 2026.
European Recognition for Maritime Heritage
The European Route of Lighthouses is an initiative designed to promote lighthouses through experiences at these maritime architectural structures. Led by Estonia, Germany, France, Ireland, Norway, and Portugal, the project involves twelve countries working to highlight these characteristic light towers along their coastlines. The goal is to show their historical relevance in European heritage and support their national preservation.
The route includes 131 lighthouses, with Portugal, France, and Ireland having the most entries. Spain ranks fifth with 14 lighthouses. Two-thirds of these are in Cantabria and Andalusia, with five and four respectively. Galicia has two, while the Balearic Islands, Murcia, and Catalonia each have one. Torredembarra's lighthouse is therefore the only one from Catalonia on the route.
Catalonia's Tallest and Newest Lighthouse
Lit on 1 January 2000 and opened two days prior, the Torredembarra Lighthouse is the newest in Spain. Its inauguration was symbolic, marking the turn of the century and millennium. Designed by architect Josep Llinàs Carmona, it was built to cover a 60-kilometre dark stretch between the Salou and Vilanova i la Geltrú lighthouses. It stands on the most prominent cliff of Torredembarra's rocky outcrop, known as Punta de la Galera. With a tower height of 38 metres, rising to 58 metres above sea level, it is also the tallest lighthouse in Catalonia.
