The Gorliz lighthouse

There are places that are striking because of the landscape, and others that become memorable because of how you get to them. The Gorliz lighthouse belongs to both categories. Located in Cabo Billano over the cliffs at around 165 metres above sea level, it’s one of the most striking spots on the coast of Biscay and one of those visits that fits perfectly into an outing in the area.

Part of its appeal is getting there. Even though you can take a car to a car park nearby, the most popular choice is to go up by foot from the Gorliz beach. It’s a 30 to 40 minute walk. It’s a well-known route that is not too difficult and that is perfect for people looking for an outdoor plan with good views and without having to make an especially long excursion.

The lighthouse, which opened in 1990, doesn’t match the more traditional image of this kind of building. Its design, made of two adjoining white concrete bodies and finished with a glass lamp, gives it an appearance that is quite unique on the Cantabrian coast. In fact, the tourism office of Gorliz highlights it as the tallest lighthouse on the entire Cantabrian coast with a 21-metre tall tower.

However, the best thing isn’t the lighthouse itself, but everything surrounding it. From the base there is a prime panoramic view of the sea and Billano island, and very nearby there are also postwar era bunkers and other defensive remains of the Cabo Billano area. The mixture of nature, military heritage and views open to the Cantabrian make a visit have a lot more to offer than just a photo of the lighthouse.

In addition, the area clearly has a beautiful landscape. The official routes from Gorliz include it on the itineraries that go through Astondo, Cabo Billano, mount Ermua and Armintza, which lets you make your visit a short walk or a longer and more complete route depending on the time and enthusiasm you have.

One of the reasons why this spot works so well as a plan is that it combines several things at once, including a recognisable icon, a pleasant trail, spectacular cliffs and that feeling of being in a very open place on the coast. It’s no accident that the local tourism office presents it as one of the emblems of the town.

To get the most out of it, it’s worth it to wear comfortable shoes, bring some water and take time to stop at the lookouts along the trail. The route is suitable for a lot of people, even families with children, although some sections are steep and they should be done slowly.

The Gorliz lighthouse is, in short, one of those places that sums up part of the charm of Biscay very well, with the sea, cliffs, recent history and a walk that ends with one of the best views of the coast. It’s a perfect spot for people who want to find a nice, simple and very pleasant plan for any time of the year.

What makes the Gorliz lighthouse special: 

• It’s located in Cabo Billano in a setting with cliffs and open sea.
• It’s 165 metres above sea level.
• It was opened in 1990, and it’s one of the most modern lighthouses on the Iberian Peninsula.
• Its base functions as a lookout over Billao island and the coastline.
• Your visit can be completed with the bunkers and other trails in the area.

Practical information:

Location: Gorliz, at Cabo Billano

Access: By foot from the Gorliz beach or by car to the nearby car park

Estimated Walking Time: Around 30-40 minutes from the beach

Perfect For: A walk with views, a coastal getaway, photos and a short outdoor route The latter is a reasonable deduction given the kind of access, lookout points and routes described by the tourism office.