Cape Vilán and its shipwreck and lighthouse centre

Cape Vilán, about 5 km from Camariñas, is a granite headland with the lighthouse on top; it was the first electric-light lighthouse in Spain. Beside it, in the lighthouse's service building, the interpretation centre tells of the ships sunk on this coast and how lighthouses work. You cannot climb the tower, or even reach its base.

What you see inside

The building has three rooms open to the public:

• The Shipwreck, Lighthouse and Maritime Signalling Interpretation Centre, with the history of the Costa da Morte shipwrecks and of the signals that guide ships.
• An audiovisual room, where videos about the Costa da Morte are shown, and one of the climb up the lighthouse, the way to see inside the tower you cannot climb.
• An exhibition room, with a different show each month. In 2026 it has hosted, among others, a group exhibition on the O Folón and O Picón mills, the Horizonte Vilán project by Juan Lesta, the work of Jean-François Robic and, as part of the FEM festival, "Coreografías do facer", on the memory and work of women.

On the lighthouse website there are audio guides in Spanish, English, German and French to listen to during the visit; bring headphones.

Hours and price

The building is open from Easter to November. In low season and at Easter, Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 18:00, closed Monday and Tuesday. In July and August, Monday and Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 19:00, closed on Tuesday. Admission costs €2. The contact published on the lighthouse website is that of the Camariñas business association: to confirm before you go, call 647 608 158 or write to [email protected]. Turismo de Galicia also gives 662 488 253.

Getting there and what to combine

You get there by car from Camariñas along the cape road, and the centre has parking. From there short walks around the cape start, with views of the islets. In wind and heavy swell, do not go near the edge: the waves rise higher than they seem. Allow an hour for the centre and the walk.

In the town, the Museo do Encaixe explains the bobbin lace that has made Camariñas famous, and Villa de Oro, with a Bib Gourmand, is the choice for lunch; it closes on Wednesdays. To the south along the coast is the Virxe da Barca sanctuary, in Muxía. In 2026, O Encaixe no Camiño and the Festa do Marisco were held in Camariñas from 24 to 26 July.