Wednesday, 13 January 2016 09:52

Faro de Maspalomas: History & Future Of A Gran Canaria Icon

The Maspalomas lighthouse The Maspalomas lighthouse www.photosgrancanaria.com

The Maspalomas lighthouse, known as the Faro de Maspalomas, has been shining continuously for 125 years and is much older than the resort around it.

Gran Canaria decided to build a lighthouse at Maspalomas in 1860, but it wasn't finished and switched on until 1890. The project took so long because it was an ambitious and expensive design, and because south Gran Canaria was a remote wilderness at the time. The town of Juan Grande, just north of modern-day San Agustín, was known at the time as the 'gateway to the desert'

With no road access to the area, the first thing the builders did was build the jetty next to the faro; Then they shipped in all the stone and other material needed to build the lighthouse. Where did they get the stuff to build the jetty? 

Where did they get the stuff to build the jetty? Good question ;-)

Anyway, the faro is 58 metres tall and its light is visible up to 19 nautical miles offshore. It still works as a lighthouse today and is also an official cultural monument.

In the future, the house at the base of the faro will contain a tourist information point and a craft shop (due to open in 2016), and an ethnographic centre / museum (due to open in 2017). 

If the rumours are true, visitors will be able to climb the steps all the way to the top of the lighthouse.

Published in Maspalomas

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Tip of the day

  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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