Set at the entrance to beautiful bays and natural harbors, lighthouses have prevented ships from running aground for hundreds of years. Sadly, however, many of them have become redundant and been replaced by more effective onboard navigational systems. The ones that remain are, for the most part, automated, and boast more powerful lights and lenses than the beacons used in the past.
As they were designed to be visible, lighthouses often make for very distinctive landmarks: their shapes and colors stand out against the surrounding landscapes. Consequently, they make for some fantastic photo opportunities and are usually set in spectacular spots along rugged coastlines or overlooking wild seas.
28. Neist Point Lighthouse, Scotland
If you’re ever on the Isle of Skye, Neist Point Lighthouse grabs your attention on the rugged coastline. It sits on the westerly tip of Skye, keeping watch over dramatic cliffs and open sea.
The walk out there is a bit steep—concrete steps and all—but the views make you forget about the climb. The white tower, built by David A. Stevenson, has been standing since 1909.
Neist Point Lighthouse still works, though you can’t go inside. The area is a magnet for sunset chasers, with huge views over the Atlantic. You might spot seabirds or just watch the waves hammering the rocks. Those cliffs really give you a taste of Scotland’s wild side.
27. La Corbière Lighthouse, Jersey
Head to Jersey’s southwest tip and you’ll see La Corbière Lighthouse perched on a little tidal island. At low tide, you can stroll out on the causeway, passing beaches and rock pools along the way.
This white lighthouse has kept watch over rough waters since 1874—actually, it was the first in the British Isles built from reinforced concrete.
No one mans it now, but its automatic light reaches up to 18 miles on a clear night. The area’s got strong tides and tricky currents, so ships really need that beacon.
26. Mouro Island Lighthouse, Spain
Just off Santander’s coast, Mouro Island Lighthouse sits alone on a rocky island surrounded by rough waters—especially when a storm rolls in. The white tower’s light still helps ships cross the Bay of Biscay.
Getting there isn’t easy; the sea can make the trip dicey or just flat-out impossible when the weather turns. That’s part of its charm—few people get to see it up close. The place feels wild and remote, especially when waves crash right over the island. On a calm day, it’s almost peaceful, but those are rare.
25. Faro della Vittoria, Italy
In Trieste, you can’t really miss the Faro della Vittoria. It rises above the Hill of Gretta, just outside the city, looking out over the Gulf of Trieste.
The white tower shoots up to 223 feet (68 meters)—one of the tallest lighthouses anywhere. Locals call it the Victory Lighthouse, and it’s not just decorative. Ships use its light when coming into the busy gulf.
You can wander around the base for big views of sea and city. Admission to explore the lighthouse area is free, so it’s a favorite for both tourists and locals.
24. Enoshima Lighthouse, Japan
On Enoshima Island near Tokyo, the Enoshima Sea Candle stands out with its modern glass look and slim shape. It’s tucked inside Samuel Cocking Garden, which makes the place feel calm and a bit hidden away.
Walk up or hop in the elevator to reach the observation decks. The view is huge—you can see the ocean, Mt. Fuji, and cityscapes all at once.
At night, the lighthouse glows with colorful LED lights that change through the seasons. People come just to catch the light show or the sunset.
The Enoshima Sea Candle works as both a lighthouse and a sightseeing tower. It opened in 2003 and quickly became a favorite spot. If you like a mix of cool architecture and pretty views, it’s a great place to check out.
23. Tourlitis Lighthouse, Greece
Tourlitis Lighthouse sits on a stone pillar just off Andros, Greece, looking like it’s barely hanging onto the rock above the Aegean Sea.
This lighthouse first lit up in the late 1800s, guiding ships to safety. The original was destroyed during World War II, but Tourlitis was rebuilt in the 1990s.
You’ll notice its twisty staircase hugging the natural rock. It’s only reachable by boat, so you really get that wild, exposed feeling.
Tourlitis even made it onto Greek postage stamps. If you’re into unique landmarks, this one’s hard to forget.
22. Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, South Africa
Right at Africa’s southernmost tip, you’ll find the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse. It marks where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans officially meet, in the tiny village of L’Agulhas, surrounded by Agulhas National Park.
This lighthouse opened in 1849, making it one of South Africa’s oldest. If you stop by, you can check out the lighthouse, a museum, restaurant, and gift shop inside.
Climb to the top for a clear view of the coast—this spot has been a shipwreck zone for centuries. The lighthouse still helps ships steer clear of danger.
21. St. Joseph Lighthouse, Michigan
St. Joseph Lighthouses sit where the St. Joseph River meets Lake Michigan. There are two: the inner and outer lights, linked by an elevated catwalk stretching out over the water.
The taller outer lighthouse stands at the end of the pier, while the shorter, round inner one sits closer to shore. They’ve guided ships since the early 1900s and sport classic black-and-white and red-and-white paint jobs.
Walking the pier, you can feel the history—the first lighthouse here went up in 1832. The lights were decommissioned in 2005, but the lighthouses still attract visitors. They’re especially striking at sunset or when winter ice coats the catwalk.
20. Cape Reinga Lighthouse, New Zealand
At Cape Reinga Lighthouse, you’re literally at the top of New Zealand’s North Island. It’s where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide—you can actually see the currents clashing.
The lighthouse is a simple white structure, built in 1941. It’s not huge, but it pops against the green cliffs and blue water. The place matters in Māori culture too; legends say spirits leave for the afterlife from here.
You can walk right up to the lighthouse for sweeping ocean views. It’s quiet, far from any city noise, and feels a bit otherworldly.
19. Bell Rock Lighthouse, Scotland
Bell Rock Lighthouse sits off Scotland’s east coast, about 11 miles from Arbroath, on a mostly submerged reef called Bell Rock in the North Sea.
Built in 1810, it’s the oldest sea-washed lighthouse still standing. Robert Stevenson, a Scottish engineer, led the build. Constructing it was a nightmare—the reef disappears underwater at high tide, so work was slow and risky.
Bell Rock Lighthouse stands 35 meters tall, and its light can reach ships up to 35 miles away. It’s still in use, warning vessels off the dangerous reef.
18. Fanad Head Lighthouse, Ireland
Fanad Head Lighthouse sits at the tip of County Donegal, between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. Its white tower and red lantern face the wild Atlantic winds.
The lighthouse was built after a shipwreck in 1811, and its light first shone in 1817. Only the ship’s parrot survived that wreck, which led locals to demand a safer coast.
Climb up for sweeping sea views. Guided tours share stories about lighthouse keepers and how the beacon kept ships safe. The rocky shores and rolling waves make it a must-see stop on the Wild Atlantic Way. Even on a rainy day, it’s got a certain magic.
17. Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Canada
In Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, you can’t miss the famous red-and-white lighthouse. It perches on a huge granite outcrop next to the village, with the Atlantic stretching out behind it.
The lighthouse has stood here since 1915 and still guides ships today. The area’s usually buzzing with travelers and photographers trying to catch that perfect shot of the dramatic coastline.
Walk along the smooth rocks, but watch your step—they’re slippery when wet. The view changes with the weather; sometimes it’s calm, sometimes wild and stormy.
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is a Canadian icon, popping up in countless photos and postcards. You get a classic lighthouse and a slice of local history all in one stop.
16. Phare Des Baleines, France
When you visit the Île de Ré on France’s west coast, you can spot the tall Phare des Baleines lighthouse rising above the shoreline. It stands at the Pointe des Baleines, marking one of the farthest points on the island.
They built the lighthouse in 1854 to help ships find their way through the tricky waters nearby. If you glance around, you’ll notice the older tower from 1682 standing close by—it’s hard to miss if you’re paying attention.
Climb those 257 steps to the top and you’ll catch a sweeping view of the ocean and beaches below. The area around the lighthouse invites you to cycle or wander on foot, and honestly, it’s hard not to linger a bit longer than planned.
Inside the lighthouse museum, you can dig into its history. Dropping by here feels like stepping right into the maritime heart of the region.
15. Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, Denmark
Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse stands on a sandy cliff called Lønstrup Klint in northern Denmark. Builders finished it in 1900 to guide ships along the coast, and at first, it ran on gas from its own little gasworks.
What sets this lighthouse apart? It’s surrounded by moving sand dunes and a coastline that’s always creeping away. The land here seems to vanish bit by bit, pushing the building closer to the sea every year.
Back in 2019, crews moved the whole lighthouse about 70-80 meters inland to keep it safe. Now, you can visit and get that odd feeling of standing in a place that never really stays the same. At 23 meters tall, it still pulls in visitors with its dramatic location.
14. St. Mary’s Lighthouse, England
St. Mary’s Lighthouse sits on a little island near Whitley Bay in North East England. You can only get there by a concrete path when the tide’s low, so it kind of feels like a secret mission every time you visit.
They built it out of stone and brick in 1898 to help keep ships off the rocks nearby.
These days, the lighthouse doesn’t guide ships anymore. Instead, you can climb up for great views of the coast or poke around the small museum and café.
If you time it right with the tides, you might catch seabirds or even seals hanging out on the rocks. Don’t forget your camera—and maybe a watch, since the causeway vanishes fast when the water comes in.
13. Farol da Nazaré, Portugal
Farol da Nazaré sits perched on a rugged cliff in the town of Nazaré, Portugal, right above the São Miguel Arcanjo Fort. From up there, you get some pretty incredible views over the Atlantic.
This place is legendary for its massive waves. Sometimes, you’ll spot surfers braving some of the biggest swells on earth. The lighthouse has guided ships since 1903, helping keep this wild stretch of coast a bit safer.
Walk around the old fort, watch the waves crash below, and just soak it in. The sea, the cliffs, the history—it all mixes together in a way that’s hard to forget. You really feel why the lighthouse matters to folks living by the ocean.
12. Cape Byron Lighthouse, Australia
If you find yourself at Cape Byron, you can’t miss the bright white lighthouse on Australia’s most easterly point. It rises above Byron Bay, guiding ships since 1901.
People love this lighthouse for more than its history—it’s the views, honestly. Every morning, folks walk up to watch the sun burst over the ocean.
You can wander the grounds and, if you’re lucky, spot whales from the cliffs. The light from Cape Byron is a true landmark for locals and travelers alike.
11. Lindau Lighthouse, Germany
In Lindau, Germany, the lighthouse by Lake Constance grabs your attention right away. Its tower has a big clock on top—kind of unusual for a lighthouse, right?
It marks the entrance to Lindau harbor, right next to the huge Bavarian Lion statue. When they first lit it up in 1856, sailors could see its beam from way out on the lake.
Climb up for wide-open views of the lake and the far-off Alps. The mix of water, mountains, and the old harbor makes this spot a favorite for photos.
Honestly, it’s no wonder people keep coming back. Lindau Lighthouse blends history and scenery, and there’s just something special about it when you’re in southern Germany.
10. Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, Argentina
Romantically referred to as the ‘Lighthouse at the End of the World’, Les Eclaireurs is located in a breathtaking spot in Tierra del Fuego, right at the southern tip of Argentina. Lying on a small rocky island in the middle of the Beagle Channel, its red and white tower stands out delightfully against the majestic mountains that rise around it.
Having guarded the sea entrance to Ushuaia ever since it was erected in 1920, the lovely lighthouse is now a popular tourist attraction. From the nearby town, lots of people take boat trips to snap photos of it from up close with the mountains behind it.
9. Galle Lighthouse, Sri Lanka
Located within the ancient walls of Galle Fort, the lighthouse of the same name has protected and the surrounding waters ever since it was first erected in 1848. While it is the oldest lighthouse in the whole of Sri Lanka, the current lighthouse’s blindingly bright white walls only date to 1939, when it was rebuilt after a devastating fire.
Nestled away on the country’s south coast, its magnificent location at the entrance to Galle Harbour with palm trees all around it makes it one of the most picturesque and photographed landmarks in Galle.
8. Makapuu Point Lighthouse, Hawaii
Perched upon the eastern tip of Oahu in Hawaii, Makapuu Point Lighthouse is set in one of the most spectacular locations imaginable, as the waters of the Pacific stretch endlessly before it. Despite only reaching 14 meters in height, the light from its tower can be seen from far and wide thanks to its prominent setting atop a rocky cliff.
Coupled with the bright blue waters of the ocean below, these enormous volcanic cliffs certainly make for an impressive sight with Makapuu Point Lighthouse hidden amongst them. Built in 1906, the lighthouse has long been of the utmost importance as it guides ships from the west coast of the US to Honolulu.
7. Lindesnes Lighthouse, Norway
Set at the southernmost tip of Norway, Lindesnes is the oldest lighthouse in the country. While the current lighthouse with its bright white walls and red top was only constructed in 1915, the earliest version of the light station dates to 1656. Ever since then, it has demarcated the North Sea from the Baltic Sea and warned sailors about Norway’s perilous coastline.
As it was commandeered by the Germans in World War II, there are now trenches, tunnels, and a small fort for visitors to check out nearby. Set atop rugged rocks with windswept waters before it, Lindesnes Lighthouse is a photographer’s dreams.
6. Cape Espichel Lighthouse, Portugal
Remarkably enough, a light has warned approaching ships about the treacherous waters of Cape Espichel ever since 1430, when monks erected a beacon on the clifftop. It was only in 1790, however, that the first proper lighthouse was built. This exhibits some delightful and distinctive architecture with its white, 32-metre-high hexagonal tower being its defining feature.
Located at the end of the Setubal Peninsular in Portugal, the lighthouse overlooks a lot of wild and wonderful coastline that once struck fear into sailors’ hearts. Due to its dramatic setting and arresting architecture, Cape Espichel Lighthouse is definitely one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world.
5. Tower of Hercules, Spain
Ever since the second century AD, the Tower of Hercules has imperiously watched out over Spain’s North Atlantic coastline. This remarkably makes it the oldest lighthouse still in use today. Such is its age that it is believed to have been modeled after the Lighthouse of Alexandria – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
First built by the Romans, the lighthouse’s 57 meter high, sturdy and square tower was repaired and renovated in 1791. In addition to its astounding age and architecture, the Tower of Hercules’ scenic location on a peninsula in Galicia certainly makes it one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world.
4. Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon
Set in a prominent and picturesque spot along the Oregon Coast, Heceta Head Lighthouse certainly is a fine sight. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean with dramatic-looking rocks below, its gleaming white tower is backed by verdant forests that tumble down the hillside.
First lit in 1894, the lighthouse is named after Bruno Heceta, the Spanish explorer who sailed up and down the Pacific Northwest in the 18th century. Now a designated state scenic viewpoint, Heceta Head Lighthouse is well worth visiting for its commanding views of the Oregon Coast and the Pacific Ocean.
3. Chania Lighthouse, Greece
Lying at the entrance to Chania in Crete’s historic harbor, this delightful lighthouse is not only one of the oldest in Greece and the Mediterranean, but in the entire world. First built by the Venetians towards the end of the 16th century, it was subsequently repaired and re-imagined by the Egyptians, Ottomans, and later on, the Greeks.
As such, the lighthouse certainly boasts an illustrious and interesting history as is evidenced by its unique design, which is reminiscent of a mosque’s minaret. It is its attractive architecture and splendid setting with the city in the background that makes Chania Lighthouse such a popular attraction.
2. Formentor lighthouse, Spain
One of the most famous and photographed landmarks in Majorca, Formentor lighthouse lies on the northernmost tip of the Balearic island. Towering some 210 meters above the sea, the lighthouse is perched on top of a lofty cliff with steep drops below it.
Known as Far de Formentor in Spanish, its blinding beacon of light has warned sailors about the dangerous Majorcan coastline ever since 1863. Due to the outstanding natural beauty around it and fantastic views out over the Mediterranean, Far Formentor lighthouse is not to be missed.
1. Portland Head Light, Maine
Looking out over the wild, wet, and windy waters of the Atlantic, Portland Head Light has guided sailors back to safety ever since 1791. The historic lighthouse is set on a craggy clifftop in Cape Elizabeth, just to the south of the busy Portland Harbor. Reaching almost 25 meters in height, its white conical tower stands out delightfully against the desolate and rugged coastline that lies around it.
Although it is now automated, visitors can stop by its adjoining maritime museum to learn all about its captivating past and hear the tragic tales of the many ships that were wrecked along the Maine coastline.
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