Estacio bridge and lighthouse, La Manga: the lifting bridge

The opening bridge and striped lighthouse on the Estacio canal

El Faro del Estacio and the lift bridge are around km 13 of the Gran Vía of La Manga, already in the municipality of San Javier. The lighthouse is at the mouth of the channel, about 700 metres from the bridge: you get there by crossing the bridge and taking the path on the right. They mark the Estacio channel, the navigable passage linking the Mar Menor with the Mediterráneo. The black-and-white striped tower is the most recognisable landmark in the north of La Manga.

A lifting bridge in the middle of the island

Many people come here looking for the Estacio bridge or simply the La Manga bridge. It is a drawbridge of about 60 metres, with two traffic lanes and two bascule spans. It is raised periodically so that yachts and boats can cross the channel between the two seas, and while it is open the Gran Vía traffic waits on both sides. To see it up close there is the Estacio viewpoint, right next to the bridge.

From watchtower to today's lighthouse

From the 16th century there was a watchtower here, one of some thirty that defended the Murcian coast from pirate raids. It was demolished to build a first lighthouse, about 14 metres tall, first lit in 1862. The current one dates from the 1970s (Turismo Región de Murcia gives 1971 as its opening year): it is a cylindrical concrete tower about 29 metres high, with its light about 32 metres above sea level, and it is still a reference for navigation on this stretch of coast. The lighthouse can be seen from outside; it cannot be visited inside.

What to see at Estacio

the lifting bridge opening and boats passing through
the canal, with Mar Menor on one side and Mediterráneo on the other
the black and white striped lighthouse
the viewpoint beside the bridge

When to visit and what to combine it with

The canal area is freely accessible at any time, all year round. As it is in northern La Manga, a visit is easy to combine with a walk around Veneziola and its Puente de la Risa, or a morning on the beaches along this stretch. At the opposite, southern end stands the area's other major lighthouse, in Cabo de Palos. Find more places like this in what to visit in La Manga.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Estacio bridge?

Around km 13 of the Gran Vía of La Manga, in the municipality of San Javier, over the channel linking the Mar Menor and the Mediterráneo. The lighthouse is at the mouth of the channel, about 700 metres from the bridge.

Why does the Estacio bridge rise?

It is a lifting bridge with two bascule sections that rise periodically to let yachts and boats through the canal between the two seas.

What time does the Estacio bridge open?

It rises periodically to let boats through, but no timetable is given in this listing. It is worth checking locally before going to watch.

When was Faro del Estacio built?

The current lighthouse dates from the 1970s (opened in 1971, according to Turismo Región de Murcia) and is about 29 metres tall. Before it there was a first lighthouse, in service from 1862, and a 16th-century watchtower.

Can you go up Faro del Estacio?

No. The lighthouse can be viewed from outside; the canal area and viewpoint are freely accessible.

Faro del Estacio (pasado el Puente del Estacio)

The opening bridge and striped lighthouse on the Estacio canal

A lifting bridge in the middle of the island

From watchtower to today's lighthouse

What to see at Estacio

When to visit and what to combine it with

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Frequently asked questions

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