Cape Trafalgar and Its Lighthouse, in Caños de Meca

Cape Trafalgar is a low point between Zahora and Caños de Meca, in the municipality of Barbate, with a white lighthouse at its tip. What joins it to the land is not rock but sand: it is a tombolo, a former islet linked to the coast by a double spit of sand carried by the tides, and it is protected as a natural monument. Off it, in 1805, was fought the naval battle that gave it its name. You reach it on foot over the sand, with a beach on both sides.

What you will see

The lighthouse rises on the tombolo, and around it stretch long beaches and dunes that in spring are covered with sea stock, sea daffodil and sea holly. According to the Cádiz Diputación, around the lighthouse there are archaeological sites with remains from the Bronze Age, Roman times and an Andalusi settlement.

The history that weighs on this cape is the Battle of Trafalgar: the same sheet recalls that more than 5,000 soldiers died, numerous ships were sunk and Spain, together with France, lost naval supremacy to England. In front of the lighthouse nothing recalls it other than the open sea, and that is part of the charm of the place.

How to get there

Park in Caños de Meca or in Zahora and walk towards the lighthouse along the lighthouse road and then along the sandy isthmus. In summer the car parks fill up early. Bring water and sun protection.

Walks from the cape

The GR-145 long-distance trail run by the Diputación passes through here. To the east, its stage between Barbate and the cape follows the Breña cliff and passes the Torre del Tajo. To the west, the stage from the cape to Conil runs almost entirely along the beach: Zahora, El Palmar with its Torre Nueva and the Castilnovo tower, already in Conil. You don't need to do it all: an hour along the shore in either direction is already worthwhile.

When to go

With an easterly levante wind the sand blows and the walk becomes heavy going: choose a day with a westerly wind or calm. The afternoon light is the prettiest, with the sun falling over the sea west of the lighthouse.

If you are looking for somewhere to sleep nearby, the Hotel Arohaz is in Zahora, next to the cape.