Favàritx lighthouse

Its charismatic figure accompanied the rugged landscape of Favàritx cape, make it one of the most visited lighthouses in Menorca.

Favàritx lighthouse is the first such construction made from concrete erected in the Balearic Islands. It stands at the extreme north-east of the island, a little over 17 km from Maó. Its tower is 28-m high, white with a black spiral band, which gives it a very intimate appearance. This fact and the harsh, lunar-like nature of its surroundings make this one of the island’s most visited lighthouses. It stands 47 m above sea level and its flashes are emitted in groups of two and then one every 15 seconds. It can be seen from 16 nautical miles away. Inside there is a permanent exhibition of maritime signalling open to schools and organized groups.

History

The shipwrecks that took place in the twentieth century motivated the construction of the lighthouses on Punta Nati and Cap de Favàritx, which completed the illumination of Menorca’s north coast. The most infamous and significant shipwrecks in the decision to erect the lighthouse were the disasters of the steamship Isaac Pereire in 1906 near Cala Mesquida and that of the Général Chanzy in 1910 just off Punta Nati and with just one survivor. The former was the mail boat that sailed between Marseilles and Algeria and it ran to ground at the same place as the steamship Ville de Rome, also belonging to the French Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, had sunk in 1898. Work on the lighthouse at Favàritx began in July 1917, but a lack of funding and problems with the land ownership meant that the building was not finished until 1922. It was not electrified until 1971 and the original catadioptric optic of its lamp can be seen today in the exhibition of maritime signalling in the lighthouse at Portopí (Mallorca).

Favàritx cape surroundings

Cap de Favàritx lies within S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park, declared in 1995. This headland is remarkable for its strangely shaped black-coloured rocks and its scant plant cover. Although most of the plants in this area such as the socarrells (Launaea cervicomis) are endemic species, one of the plants that stand out here is the Hottentot fig, an invasive species that is not native to Menorca. Just before you reach the lighthouse, you come to Cós des Síndic, a temporary pool formed by a mixture of rainwater and storm-driven seawater. Currently, its shores are closed off as a measure to help conserve this interesting habitat.

Moonrise at Favàritx lighthouse

How to get there

Cap de Favàritx is 17 km from Maó. To get there, take the road to Fornells from the quay in the Port of Maó. After 8.5 km you will find the road that heads for Favàritx lighthouse. The lighthouse is about 26 km from both Es Mercadal and Fornells. From the road between these two towns, take the road to Maó for 12.5 km until you come to the road to Favàritx off to the left.

During the tourist season, the Favàritx lighthouse area will not be accessible by private car. You’ll find a parking area about 2 km from the lighthouse. Access is only permitted by public transport, via a shuttle bus service departing from Maó bus station.

Check out bus times and frequencies.

If you want to go by bike from Maó, you can take the Camí de Tordonell. This quiet road connects to the road to Favàritx via the Plans de Tordonell in S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park. Coming from Maó, the Camí de Tordonell is off to the right, 3 km before the junction with the road to the lighthouse.

By foot you can follow the stage Es Grau-Favàritx of the Camí de Cavalls, in all 8.6 km along the east coast of S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park. There is a bus to Es Grau from Maó during the tourist season. Check out bus times and frequencies (that vary according to the season).

Map of Favaritx lighthouse

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