Punta Nati lighthouse
This lighthouse stands on the cliffs of Punta Nati in the far north-west of Menorca, 6 km from Ciutadella.
The lighthouse
Punta Nati lighthouse consists of two detached rectangular buildings and a 19-m high tower with a hexagonal base. It stands 42 m above sea level and flashes in groups of three and then one every 20 seconds. Its lamp can be seen 16 nautical miles away.
History
Built in just over a year due to pressure from the French government after the wreck of the steamship Général Chanzy in 1910, the lighthouse at Punta Nati was opened in 1913. Subsequently, the lighthouse at Favàritx was opened, which, along with the lighthouse on Cavalleria, completed the chain of lighthouses on the north coast of Menorca. The lighthouse at Punta Nati began using lamps powered by petrol gas, but in 1921 a non-automatic lamp powered by acetylene gas was installed.
Punta Nati surroundings
The lighthouse stands in a landscape known as dry Menorca, with tall cliffs that give way inland to a flat rocky landscape. The vegetation is scant and low, salt-tolerant, and with a large number of wild caper plants. The lack of built-up areas has permitted the survival of endless dry-stone walls that are only interrupted by barraques or ponts de bens, shelters built from dry stone where cattle take cover in the event of bad weather. The headland is an excellent place for wonderful sunsets, with the island of Mallorca in the background on the horizon. At dusk during the breeding season, large numbers of Cory’s shearwaters form groups out to sea before they head for their nearby breeding colonies, the largest of this species on Menorca.
How to get there
Punta Nati is 6 km north of Ciutadella. From the centre of the town, take the Camí de Son Salomó as far as a roundabout on the northern ring-road, from where the road to the lighthouse at Punta Nati heads north. If you are coming from Maó, the most direct route is to take the northern ring-road as far as this roundabout and then turn right towards the lighthouse.
The end of the road to the lighthouse is a very narrow cul-de-sac where it can be difficult to turn your car around on summer evenings. So, if you approach by car, it is best to turn it around as soon as you arrive.
Map of Punta Nati
See the map Lighthouses Menorca a Google Maps
See all the lighthouses of Menorca
Lighthouses of Menorca
-
The lonely isolated locations of the majority of lighthouses, along with their singular silhouettes, have always meant that these unmistakeable symbols of coastal areas are much appreciated by many people. Their main raison d’être is to avoid accidents and tragedies and guarantee safe sailing. -
This lighthouse is situated at the tip of the headland of Cavalleria, the most northerly point of Menorca and 13.2 km from the town of Es Mercadal. Its white tower is 15-m high and was built... -
Favàritx lighthouse 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 imposing lighthouse is situated on the highest point of L’Illa de l’Aire, a small uninhabited island (34 ha) lying just over a nautical mile offshore from Punta Prima in... -
The Artutrx lighthouse stands on the eponymous headland in the far south-west of Menorca, 7 km from Ciutadella. This lighthouse and that of Capdepera in Mallorca watch over... -
Also known as the Lighthouse of Ciutadella, Sa Farola stands on the northern side of the mouth of this town’s port. Its tower is 13-m high and has vertical black-and-white stripes. -
The original lighthouse of Sant Carles was opened in 1852 but was demolished because it obstructed the firing practice of the nearby military gun emplacement.
Hello Stephanie
There is no lighthouse where you can stay the night or hire in Menorca.
Regards
Can one stay the night or hire any of these lighthouses?