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Monument · La Serena, Coquimbo
Faro Monumental de La Serena
Neocolonial lighthouse about 25 meters tall, built between 1950 and 1951 at the start of Avenida del Mar, the beachfront that links La Serena to Coquimbo. It is a National Monument and a symbol of the city.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Faro Monumental de La Serena
The Faro Monumental is at the end of Avenida Francisco de Aguirre, where La Serena's downtown meets the Pacific. It was built between 1950 and 1951 at the request of President Gabriel González Videla, as part of the Plan Serena, and inaugurated in 1953. The tower is about 25 meters high and resembles a colonial fortress.
The project was by architect Ramiro Pérez Arce. The Navy handed the lighthouse over to the city as a tourist attraction in 1985, and later it was declared a National Monument because of its neocolonial style. It receives more than 100,000 visitors a year, especially in summer.
From there begins the Avenida del Mar, a roughly 6 km seaside promenade with light-sand beaches that continues south to Peñuelas, already in Coquimbo. The boardwalk has a bike lane, restaurants and buildings facing the sea. The water is cold due to the Humboldt Current, and the sea can be rough at some beaches.
At dusk, many people walk along the sand in front of the lighthouse to watch the sun set over the sea.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half an hour at the lighthouse; half a day or more including a walk or bike ride along Avenida del Mar.
Best time
In the late afternoon, when the sun sets over the sea in front of the lighthouse. In the morning, especially outside of summer, the coast often starts the day covered by low clouds, which clear near midday.
How to get there
It is about 2 km west of the Plaza de Armas, at the end of Avenida Francisco de Aguirre. You can go on foot along the avenue's central median, by taxi or by colectivo.
Tip
Bring a jacket even in summer: the sea wind cools things down at the end of the day. On beaches with a red flag, do not enter the water.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Faro Monumental de La Serena
What is the Avenida del Mar de La Serena?
It's the roughly 6 km waterfront that runs from the Faro Monumental to Peñuelas, in Coquimbo, with beaches, a promenade, a bike path and restaurants.
Can you swim at the beaches of La Serena?
You can enter the sea, which remains cold year-round due to the Humboldt Current. Respect the flags and choose beaches with lifeguards in summer.
Does the Faro Monumental function as a lighthouse?
No. The light system was removed, and since 1985 it has been a tourist monument maintained by the city.