Very much appreciated by the people of Malaga, it was built in the 19th century, finishing its construction in 1816 during the reign of Ferdinand VII.

It has undergone several alterations during its history. The first was carried out due to the damage caused by the earthquake of 1884. In 1885, improvement works were undertaken and it was fitted with a new luminous apparatus to improve the guidance of navigators at night. In 1909, the lighthouse keeper's house was extended.

During the Civil War, although the order was given to turn off the lighthouse and paint it to make it more difficult to see, it was damaged and had to be repaired.

It is located on the promenade of the same name, in the district of La Malagueta, between the port of Malaga and the Ciudad de Melilla promenade.