Just like the defence towers, the lighthouses line the coast of Ibiza to guide ships and each has its own particular history. The island has nine of these constructions, some of which are no longer in operation.
Botafoch Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located at a height of 31 metres above sea level and its light can be seen from 14 nautical miles away. It is a very popular lighthouse among Ibizans as it is located at the end of the Promenade of Ibiza, on an islet of the same name; a name that dates back a long time and could be translated as “sprouts fire”, because in the past fires were lit in the same location to guide ships.
Es Vedrá Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located on the northern shore of the islet of Es Vedrà, so it cannot be seen from Ibiza and is therefore one of the least known. Until 1971 it was considered a positioning beacon, but after the improvement of its lighting system it was classified as a lighthouse.
Punta Grossa Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located to the north of the island and is currently inoperative. Its position at the top of a cliff on a promontory about two and a half kilometres from the nearest access road, made its construction a painstaking process, the materials being transported by sea and then lifted to the site where the lighthouse was erected.
Sa Conillera Lighthouse
This lighthouse was built in 1857 on the largest of the Poniente islets under the supervision of the Majorcan engineer, Emili Pou, ‘father’ of most of the lighthouses that light up the Pityusan Islands. It is located 60 metres above sea level and at the end of a 400-metre path. It was the second lighthouse built in Ibiza and Formentera and has a range of 20 miles.
It has a 16-metre-high tower built in the centre of a circular-shaped building where the dwellings of the lighthouse keeper, as well as the technical installations of the lighthouse, were located.
Ses Bledes Lighthouse
This is Ibiza’s westernmost lighthouse. Although it was originally designed as a beacon, in 1967 it became a lighthouse. It can only be reached by sea.
Ses Coves Blanques Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located in Sant Antoni de Portmany, on the Paseo de Ses Variades. It is easily accessible on foot and from it you can admire one of the most famous sunsets in the world. It is now completely renovated and houses a maritime museum, but no longer operates as a lighthouse as its tower was removed.
Ibiza Harbour Lighthouse
This lighthouse receives the ships arriving at the port and is now more of a beacon than a lighthouse. It is reached by a pleasant walk to the end of the pier and is therefore one of the most easily accessible lighthouses on the island.
Faro des Moscarter
This lighthouse was built in 1978 in Portinatx and is one of the most striking constructions with its alternating oblique white and black stripes. It measures 52 metres and is one of the tallest lighthouses in the Balearic Islands. It can be reached by a 20-minute walk along the northern coast of the island from the beach of Es Portixol de Portinatx.
Tagomago Lighthouse
This lighthouse was built at the beginning of the 20th century and is located on the islet of Tagomago, to the northeast of Ibiza. It can only be reached by sea.