Faro de La Cerda

Faro de la Cerda sits tucked behind the Palacio de la Magdalena on the rock headland at the mouth of the Bay of Santander. The lighthouse dates back to the 1870s and has a unique design where it is built into the top of the keeper's house. The rugged setting gives you a lot of composition options to experiment with. With open sea spreading out behind it, a rugged cove in front and the bay entrance off to the side the lighthouse feels completely surrounded. Plus there is Isla de Mouro and its own lighthouse sitting just off shore. Morning is the ideal time to plan to be here. The point faces east, so first light comes straight in off the sea and lands on the tower. Stormy weather turns it into a completely different location altogether with waves pounding into the rocks under the tower and spray coming up the over the rugged headland. The lighthouse is easily accessibly from a path that runs along the clifftop from the beach, plus there are scenic views along the walk so plan on some extra time to pause and shoot before you even reach the tower. The lighthouse grounds are free and open to explore as part of a public headland park. (Santander, Cantabria, Spain)