Lighthouses

Lighthouses are structures that are prominent by day and lit at night to help sailors navigate, with complementary roles: to warn them to stay away, or to indicate safe passage and the way into harbour. There must be many thousands of them worldwide, if every harbour light at the end of a breakwater is counted, but this page only describes those with some kind of interior structure that you can visit.

Understand

The very first lighthouse probably began as a daymark, i.e. a prominent structure without a light. This was on the little island of Pharos just off Alexandria in Egypt, where the coast is low and featureless, and you could easily come to grief by sailing into the wrong channel. But that was no help at night or in poor visibility, so circa 300 BC a tower with a light was built, burning sheep hides soaked in olive oil and channelling the light by bronze mirrors. Pharos came to mean the lighthouse itself, and lighthouses in general, and was adapted into other languages (e.g. modern French phare with several meanings). The original tower fell into disuse by the 12th century and its stone was recycled or eaten by coastal erosion.

The ancient and medieval world largely got by with makeshift lighthouses, but sea commerce expanded greatly in the modern period, the loss of ships, lives and cargo escalated, and something better was needed. The golden age of lighthouse building was in the 18th and 19th centuries, with great towers (often heroically constructed in dangerous locations) housing not only equipment but people to tend the light, and whatever they needed to live isolated for weeks or months on end. So it's often these structures that make for the most interesting visits. They have light sources, lenses and shutter mechanisms, emitting a unique identifying pattern of flashes. They have stoves and bunks, precarious steps up from the boat landing, and great views from the top over windswept, white-capped waters.

During the 20th century lights became more reliable and compact, and other aids to navigation developed, such as radar, sonar depth-finders, radio telecommunications, radio beacons, and later satellite navigation. Existing lighthouses were made automatic, decommissioned or altogether demolished; new "lighthouse" equivalents were just metal towers festooned with aerials and dishes. Note them from a distance, there's no need to go close, the very point they're there to make. The listings below are sites that you can visit and in some sense "get inside". They may or may not be operational – if they are, visits may be suspended at short notice for maintenance. Openings may be at routine hours or on special occasions or highly dependent on the weather. If there's a tricky access by boat or cliff path, getting there is half the fun, or all the misery as you upchuck your breakfast. Many lighthouses are museums, but this listing doesn't include museums that simply contain lighthouse artefacts, because just about every coastal museum does so.

Where there was no suitable rock to build a lighthouse upon, lightships were sometimes used. With the invention of screw-pile and later caisson lighthouses, most of these became obsolete. Lightships are included below, where these can be boarded. A few act as museums in harbours.

See

The entries below just give basic details of location, facilities and access. See the linked destination articles for more about how to get there, opening hours, prices, and what's there.

India
  • 🌍 Alappuzha lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 1862. Alappuzha was one of the major trading centers and active ports in Kerala. 
  • 🌍 Kannur lighthouse (Cannanore lighthouse). Located in Kannur, Kerala (state); this active lighthouse is near the Arabian Sea. 
  • 🌍 Lighthouse, Chennai (Madras Lighthouse). This lighthouse was built in 1977 replacing the older one. It is on the east coast near Chennai in the Bay of Bengal. It is open to visitors. 

Russia
  • 🌍 Aniva Lighthouse. Built in 1939, when southern Sakhalin was under Japanese rule, and abandoned in 1990, this is an atmospheric lighthouse perched on an outcrop off the southeastern cape of the island. While in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, ask around for a tour which involves an overland trip to the village of Novikovo, and a transfer to a boat there. 

Turkey
  • 🌍 Gelidonya Lighthouse (Gelidonya Feneri). On a remote cape south of Antalya, this may be Turkey's most dramatically-sited lighthouse, overlooking an uninhabited Mediterranean archipelago. The only access is via the Lycian Way hiking trail. 
  • 🌍 Maiden's Tower, Salacak, Istanbul. Gelidonya might be the Turkish lighthouse with the most dramatic views, but the loveliest is certainly the Maiden's Tower, an ancient structure on a Bosphorus islet that has served as a lighthouse along with its many other functions throughout the centuries. 

Estonia
  • 🌍 Kõpu lighthouse, ☏ +372 5299 162, . 1 May–15 September 10:00–20:00. Built in the 16th century, the Kõpu lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses still in use, globally. It is situated on land in Hiiumaa, quite far from the shore, with restaurant and other tourist amenities close by. The newer Ristna lighthouse, built in 1874, is at the outer end of the Kõpu peninsula in the west towards the Baltic Sea proper. Also Tahkuna lighthouse is nearby, to the north, towards the Gulf of Finland. €2/1, the three €5/2. (updated Aug 2016)

Finland

Listings from east to north:

  • 🌍 Lightship Kemi (at Maritime Centre Vellamo, Kotka). Open in the summer season. Finland's last lightship, which served until 1974 and is restored to more or less her condition in the 1960s and 1970s, when she served off Kemi. Built 1900–1901. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Söderskär (tours from Helsinki or Sipoo), ☏ +358 400-502-771, . tours May–Sept. An old secluded lighthouse island in Gulf of Finland, in the outer archipelago in the middle of a bird reserve (in the nesting season only tours are permitted, arriving by own boat is allowed from August, check dates). Day trips from Helsinki or Sipoo with an hour or two on the island. 
  • 🌍 Bengtskär, ☏ +358 2 466-7227. May–September. Skerry in the outer archipelago by the mouth of Gulf of Finland, with the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries. Tours from Kasnäs in Kimitoön and from Hangö. By own boat day visits are possible in calm weather. Restaurant, sauna, accommodation etc. 
  • 🌍 Utö. Island reachable year round. Utö lighhouse marks the entrance to the fairways through the Archipelago Sea to the main ports of south-western Finland 80 km away. It stands on the southernmost year-round inhabited island in Finland, of less than 1 km² and a few dozen inhabitants. When the original lighthouse was built here in 1753 it was the first in Finland. Guided tours in the lighthouse daily in summer. Hotel, ferry connection and marina. 
  • 🌍 Märket. June–August Tu–Th 09:00 or by request. Lighthouse in the Sea of Åland, on a tiny skerry, a DXCC entity of its own (Market reef) and the smallest sea island shared by two countries. Trips of 4–5 hours (one hour each way) arranged by the Käringsund guest harbour in Eckerö. Guided tour, coffee and seal watching. Proper clothes and footwear needed. Cancelled in bad weather or with few customers (unless specially arranged). Hard to visit by own boat. (updated Dec 2015)
  • 🌍 Isokari (Enskär) (tours from Uusikaupunki and Kustavi). The lighthouse, built 1833, tallest in the Gulf of Bothnia at 49.4 m, is on an island in Bothnian Sea National Park (also Kylmäpihlaja and Säppi are in the park). It was built at the entrance of a fairway through the Archipelago Sea from the Bothnian Sea to the Baltic Sea proper, avoiding the Swedish coast (Finland was part of the Russian Empire). Quite large island, also used as pasture. Guest harbour. (updated Aug 2016)

Germany
  • 🌍 Museum im Leuchtturm (Museum in lighthouse), Kap Arkona, Baltic Sea. Three different styles of lighthouse 
  • 🌍 Lindau Lighthouse, Lindau, Lake Constance. Climb the lighthouse (33 m) built in 1856. Views are great from that height. 
  • 🌍 Westerheversand lighthouse. A lighthouse on the Eiderstedt peninsula (near St. Peter Ording) in the well-known red-white striped color scheme that has been used in TV advertisements. (updated Jan 2019)

Norway
  • 🌍 Lindesnes Lighthouse (Lindesnes). Operational lighthouse on a high cliff at the southern tip of Norway, at the entry to Skagerrak. Museum and visitor centre. 

Spain
  • 🌍 Tower of Hercules (Torre de Hércules) (A Coruña). Built in the 2nd century, this is probably the oldest lighthouse still in use. (updated Aug 2016)

Sweden

United Kingdom

It's no surprise that so many lighthouses are dotted around the coast of Britain. An island nation that was one of the first countries to industrialise, and to develop overseas colonies, its need for safe sea trade was pressing. Britain sought to "rule the waves" but this claim was challenged: there were continual wars with France, the English Channel was often unsafe for merchant shipping, and if you did chance it by hugging the shore, the Eddystone Rocks lay in wait. Vessels for the Atlantic might prefer to sail the long way round via the tip of Scotland, but this, as the Spanish Armada had discovered, was also dangerous. So lighthouses were essential, which forced the technology to enable their construction: cement that would set underwater made possible the second Eddystone lighthouse of 1755. The great name was Robert Stevenson (1772–1850), who built his first lighthouse at 19, and oversaw fifty years of their construction. So when we think of lighthouses, we think of his classic design, those tapering white or hooped towers flashing from a headland. As iconic as they were practical, they became as symbolic of island Britain as the fluted marble column is symbolic of Ancient Greece.

England

Trinity House operate all lighthouses and lightships in England, Wales and the Channel Isles. See their website for details of access, operational closures, and self-catering accommodation within lighthouses.

Scotland

The Northern Lighthouse board operates all lighthouses around Scotland and the Isle of Man. See their website for access details, operational closures, and self-catering accommodation within lighthouses.

  • 🌍 Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Arbroath. Museum in a building built in 1813 as the shore base for the Bell Rock Lighthouse. (updated Apr 2020)
  • 🌍 Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Fraserburgh. Lighthouse museum in Kinnaird Head Lighthouse which was the first lighthouse in mainland Scotland (built in 1787) inside the castle which dates from 1570. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 🌍 Start Point Lighthouse, Sanday. Operational, limited access. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 🌍 North Ronaldsay Lighthouse, Orkney. Operational, limited access. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 🌍 Sumburgh head Lighthouse, Sumburgh, Shetland. Operational, limited access. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 🌍 Ardnamurchan Lighthouse on Ardnamurchan Peninsula is operational and you can ascend the tower.
  • 🌍 Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum, Tiree. Shore station for a lighthouse built between 1838 and 1844. The lighthouse is on some rocks 12 miles away. There is an exhibition on the building of the lighthouse. Free, but donation appreciated. 
  • 🌍 Mull of Galloway, lighthouse, Drummore. Operational, limited access. (updated Aug 2016)
Wales

And see Trinity House link above.

Channel Islands

Alderney: the light guarding the Alderney race is open for viewing, limited Sundays in summer.

Ireland
  • "Hello sailor!" - You can't enter, but a special mention must go to surely the world's campest navigational markers, in Tramore, County Waterford and Rosses Point, County Sligo. Both known as "The Metal Man", they're identical 3 m statues of a sailor in Georgian garb, who points (more like minces) towards the safe navigation channel.

Aruba
  • 🌍 California Lighthouse (Faro), Northwest tip of the island of Aruba. Built in 1916. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 Willem III Toren (Fort Zoutman). Built in 1866-1868. (updated Jun 2023)

Mexico
  • Faro Punta Langosta on Cozumel island, Quintana Roo - Popular landmark near the cruise ship piers in San Miguel
  • Punta Molas Faro on the north end of Cozumel island, take a boat from the docks in San Miguel
  • 🌍 Faro Mazatlán, Mazatlán, Sinaloa.  - the lighthouse is utilitarian ugly, but sits atop Cerro Creston, a high hilltop with the best views in town. Lands around the lighthouse have been made into a nature park and a glass platform extends out from the hilltop.
  • 🌍 Faro de Puerto Morelos, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo. . The famous leaning lighthouse of the Mayan Riviera, knocked askew many years ago by Hurricane Beulah, it takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'...
California
Florida

Visiting and photographing Florida lighthouses are celebrated hobbies, and the lighthouses are popular travel destinations, as they are maintained as tourist attractions. National Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is celebrated in the US on the first weekend of August, and International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is celebrated on the third weekend. Many lighthouses are open to the public and amateur radio operators often communicate between them on these days.

  • Egmont Key Light – The Egmont Key Lighthouse lies in Central Florida, in the mouth of Tampa Bay at the opening to the Gulf of Mexico. It is only accessible by boat. There are daily ferries that leave from Ft. Desoto State park. They range in price depending on time and age of the person going.
  • Ponce de Leon Inlet Light – At 175 feet high, this is the tallest lighthouse in Florida, located in the town of Ponce Inlet. The site includes a lighthouse museum.
Maryland
  • Concord Point Lighthouse, Havre de Grace. Built in 1827, the 36-foot high lighthouse looks over the Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehana River.
  • 🌍 Thomas Point Light, Annapolis.  - The light marking Thomas Point Shoal is the last of the Chesapeake Bay screw-pile lighthouses to remain at its original location (others have been moved to maritime museums). Tours out to the lighthouse can be arranged through the Annapolis Maritime Museum.
Michigan
Minnesota
  • 🌍 Split Rock Lighthouse. Scenic lighthouse built in 1910 atop a high bluff over Lake Superior. (updated May 2023)

Uruguay
  • 🌍 The lighthouse of Colonia. 14:00-18:00. For a nominal fee you can go up to the top of the lighthouse (faro) and see most of the city and look out over the city and Rio de la Plata. On a clear day probably even Buenos Aires is visible. The lighthouse was built in 1857. UYU20 (as of May 2014). 
  • 🌍 Punta Carretas lighthouse (Faro de Punta Carretas) (Montevideo). On the southernmost peninsula of the city. You get to walk a bit to get there. For a small fee you can get up in the tower, but the view over the city across the small bay is good from the ground too. The peninsula seems to be a quite popular spot for hobby fishers. UYU20 (as of May 2014). 

Stay safe

Lighthouses are often on cliff edges which may be unfenced. Keep well back from the edge, bearing in mind that the edge may give way due to erosion.

Some lighthouse islands are accessible only in fine weather; landing can be difficult and dangerous, and unless there is a safe harbour one should get away in time if weather turns rough.

The tower of a lighthouse often has many steep steps. The railings at the top may be designed for adult lighthouse keepers, so be particularly careful if visiting a lighthouse with children.

Don't monkey with the equipment! It's either a valuable museum piece, or operational and the next life it saves might be your own.


See also
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