Name and Location

The La Farola de Málaga, also known as The Beacon of Málaga, sits at the outer end of the Paseo de la Farola in Málaga, Spain. Its address is Paseo de la Farola, 17–19, Distrito Centro, 29016 Málaga, and its coordinates are 36.7141676 N, 4.4145422 W.

2. Construction and History

La Farola de Málaga was constructed in the early 19th century, with its first light reportedly lit around 1817. It has been declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, Category “Monumento” by Spain's Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España (IPCE). The lighthouse is protected and overseen by IPCE.

3. Architecture and Materials

The La Farola de Málaga is a three-storey octagonal masonry tower with attached keeper’s quarters at its base. The structure is made of rendered brick or stone painted white, with classical cornices and cast-iron gallery railings. The tower height is not separately published.

4. Light and Navigation

La Farola de Málaga remains an active navigational light for Málaga Bay. Its characteristic is a group-flashing white light, pattern “Fl(3+1) W 20 s”. The sequence is: 0.2 s flash + 2.3 s dark (×2), then 0.2 s flash + 7.3 s dark (×2). It is visible full circle except obscured from bearing 047° to 243° (landward), and its range is 25 nautical miles.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The interior of La Farola de Málaga is not open to the public, but visitors can access the exterior and pier promenade freely. To reach the lighthouse, walk east along the Paseo de la Farola from Muelle Uno or Calle Larios toward the port breakwater.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The La Farola de Málaga offers panoramic vistas of Málaga Bay, the Mediterranean Sea, and the city skyline at sunset. Nearby attractions include Muelle Uno (waterfront leisure and shopping), Centre Pompidou Málaga (contemporary art museum), and Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle (historic Moorish fortress).

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

There are no notable anecdotes or folklore surrounding La Farola de Málaga.

8. Technical and Operational Details

La Farola de Málaga is managed by the Port Authority of Málaga under Spain's Comisión de Faros, and it has been fully automated since the mid-20th century. There is no resident lighthouse keeper.

9. Further Information

For further information, visit the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's “List of Lights” entry E 0062 or consult IPCE's heritage file at https://ipce.cultura.gob.es.