Name and Location

The Faro del Puerto de la Cruz, also known as the Puerto de la Cruz Lighthouse, is located in Paseo de la Explanada, CC9W+CC Puerto de la Cruz, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The coordinates are 28°25′07″N, 16°33′14″W.

2. Construction and History

The Faro del Puerto de la Cruz was commissioned on December 31, 1995, as part of a series of new port light towers built in Tenerife in the 1990s. It replaced older harbour lights to modernize and improve navigational safety in Puerto de la Cruz's harbour.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse has a functional modernist architectural style and is constructed using reinforced concrete tower and gallery. The cylindrical red tower stands at 14 meters high, topped by a small white lantern.

4. Light and Navigation

The Faro del Puerto de la Cruz emits two red flashes every 8 seconds (Fl (2) R 8s), with a nominal range of 12 nautical miles. It is an optical beacon with sectoring for the harbour entrance and serves as an active navigational aid.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse by walking along the Paseo de la Explanada, which links the harbour breakwater to the town centre. However, the tower itself is fenced and not open for interior visits. Benches, lighting, and railings are available along the promenade.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse offers a northward glimpse of the rugged coast toward La Guancha, as well as a southeast view of Mount Teide's summit on clear days. The surrounding landscape features black-sand beaches and the Atlantic horizon.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Locals value the Faro del Puerto de la Cruz for its significant improvement in night-time safety of the harbour since its inauguration. It is sometimes lit in green or white for special events, such as local festivals.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated and has no on-site keeper since commissioning. The managing authority is the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Autoridad Portuaria de S/C Tenerife), under coordination of Puertos del Estado.

9. Further Information

For more information, visit the official websites of Puertos del Estado (https://www.puertos.es) and the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (https://www.puertosdetenerife.org).