Illa Pancha Lighthouse

The old lighthouse of the estuary

Illa Pancha is the islet that marks the entrance to the Ribadeo estuary, about 2 km from the centre of the town, joined to the coast by a bridge. The old lighthouse, a square-plan building, was built in 1857 and worked until 1983, when the new black-and-white striped tower was built next to it. The island was closed to the public from 1984 until the 2013 state plan to turn lighthouses into accommodation allowed this one to open.

Inside there are two different apartments, each for four people and with its own garden area. They have a double bedroom with television, a living room with a double sofa bed, a spacious bathroom and a full open-plan kitchen: fridge, microwave, induction hob, coffee machine, juicer and toaster. There is free wifi, a safe, private parking and local guides.

What it is like to spend the night

By day the island is not only yours. The accommodation has a bar with a large terrace over the mouth of the estuary, open also to people who are not staying there, from 12:00 to 19:30, and it is a stopping point for people walking out to the lighthouse. When the bar closes, the islet is far quieter. In spring and summer the water of the estuary is calm; in autumn and winter what you hear is the sea breaking on the rocks, and it is a good season for birdwatching, because the estuary is a stopover and wintering area.

It is a comfortable place for a family or two couples: the living room becomes a second double bed. There is no restaurant outside; you have the kitchen, a menu of products that they leave in the fridge if you ask for it, and a picnic made to order for days out. Bear in mind that washing the kitchenware is up to you. Pets are not allowed.

Booking and surroundings

You book on its own website's engine, which does not publish a fixed rate: the price appears when you choose dates. To redeem gift cards or resolve queries, call or write. With only two apartments, summer and long weekends fill up well in advance.

The As Catedrais beaches are about 8 km away, Rinlo 4 and the FEVE station, in the centre of Ribadeo, 2. From the door sets off the Blue Trail to the harbour and As Aceas, and for the As Catedrais beach at low tide you will need the car.