Updated May 2026 · Written by the Hostal La Mexicana team
The Cabo Mayor lighthouse, on the northern cliffs of Santander above Mataleñas, is one of the most recognisable lighthouses on the Cantabrian coast. Built in 1839, it was the first lighthouse in Spain to be lit. Since 2006 it has housed the Cabo Mayor Art Centre (CAFCM), promoted by the Port Authority of Santander. Since May 2025, guided tours of the tower allow access to the 360° circular terrace with views of the bay of Santander, the Cantabrian Sea and the mountain ridge in the background. It's a plan that requires travel from the centre (about 6 km), but has few equivalents in the region.
The art centre: what you see
The CAFCM occupies the base of the lighthouse and the adjoining buildings with three exhibition rooms. The main room holds the permanent collection of painters Eduardo Sanz and Isabel Villar, assembled over their entire professional careers. It is the only collection of this kind in Spain and in Europe. The sea and lighthouses as a cultural icon thread through the other two rooms, with painting, photography and documentary pieces on the history of maritime signalling on the Cantabrian coast.
The building itself deserves attention: the architectural complex includes the original 1839 tower, the lighthouse keeper's house and the auxiliary stores, all restored and adapted for cultural use. The clifftop setting adds context that photographs don't convey.
The tower tour (from May 2025)
The Port Authority of Santander opened guided tours of the lighthouse tower interior in May 2025. The visit includes:
- Access to the service chamber and the historical machinery room
- The antechamber of the lantern, with an explanation of how lighthouse technology has evolved
- The circular exterior terrace with 360° views of the bay of Santander, the Cantabrian Sea and the Sierra de Peña Cabarga in the background
Places are limited. Book in advance on the Port of Santander website. In high season (July and August) weekend slots sell out quickly.
Practical information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Cabo Mayor, Santander (northern tip, 6 km from centre) |
| Art Centre | Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays |
| Tower tour | Requires advance booking; limited places |
| From centre by taxi | ~15–20 min, €10–15 orientative |
| From centre on foot | ~60–70 min via coastal path (Magdalena → Mataleñas) |
| Official website | farocabomayor.com / puertosantander.es |
How to get there from the hostal
From C/ Juan de Herrera 3, the Cabo Mayor lighthouse is about 6 km away. Options:
- Taxi or VTC: 15–20 minutes, approximately €10–15. The most comfortable option with limited time or bad weather. Taxi ranks near the Ayuntamiento and at the RENFE station.
- TUS bus line 7: reaches Mataleñas, from where the lighthouse is about 15 minutes on foot. Check timetables at tusbus.com — frequency is lower than the Sardinero lines.
- On foot via the coastal path: if you've already reached Puertochico or La Magdalena, the coastal path towards Mataleñas and the lighthouse is one of the most beautiful walks in Santander. From Puertochico it's about 40–50 minutes more. The path follows the cliffs along the northern coast.
How to combine the visit
The Cabo Mayor lighthouse fits well with the Santander bay walk: if you've already reached El Sardinero (5 km from the centre), the lighthouse is another 2–3 km following the coastal path north. It's a good end to a full day of walking along the coast.
It can also be combined with the 24-hour route: morning in the centre, afternoon at Centro Botín and Puertochico, lighthouse the following day if the weather is right. Information from the Port Authority at puertosantander.es.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to the Cabo Mayor lighthouse from Santander centre?
The lighthouse is 6 km from the centre. By taxi: 15–20 minutes (€10–15 orientative). TUS bus line 7 reaches Mataleñas; from there the lighthouse is 15 minutes on foot. You can also walk from La Magdalena via the coastal path — about 40–50 minutes additional. Check frequencies at tusbus.com before setting out.
Can you visit the Cabo Mayor lighthouse tower?
Yes, since May 2025. The guided tour includes the service chamber, the antechamber of the lantern and the 360° circular terrace. Places are limited and must be booked in advance at puertosantander.es. Weekend slots in high season sell out fast.
What is the Cabo Mayor Art Centre?
The CAFCM is a cultural space opened in 2006 that occupies the base of the lighthouse and its adjoining buildings. The permanent collection includes works by painters Eduardo Sanz and Isabel Villar — the only collection of this kind in Spain. Closed Mondays. More information at farocabomayor.com.