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The World’s Most BEAUTIFUL Lighthouses

updated October 21, 2020

The allure of lighthouses and their centuries-old purpose as beacons of light against a fogged and impenetrable shore have remained a fascination for travelers, storytellers, and artists, even as many of these legendary structures across the world have become decommissioned or abandoned.

As Virginia Woolf eloquently conveyed in her 1927 novel, To the Lighthouse, "Lighthouses are endlessly suggestive signifiers of both human isolations and our ultimate connectedness to each other."

Stories of their keepers, both historic and highly fictional, are at the center of countless other works including two prominent films in recent years, The Vanishing in 2018 and The Lighthouse in 2019. Both convey the struggles of solitary caretakers working through bone-chilling riffs of grim weather, bitter paranoia, and in the case of The Lighthouse, off the rails hallucinations.

In a society largely pre-occupied with social connectedness, these legendary tales of willing detachment are especially curious and collectively romantic, modernized by new search terms like “off-grid vacations” and “digital detox.”

With this in mind, and in the spirit of disconnecting, we’re sharing a selection of the world’s most beautiful lighthouses that still stand today. Looking for lighthouse tours? Some of these famous lighthouses can be seen up close and even offer overnight stays!

Fastnet Rock — Cork, Ireland

Located on Ireland’s most southerly point, Fastnet Rock Lighthouse is known as Ireland’s Teardrop as it was often the last sight immigrants would see when sailing to America. Visitors to the area can book one of three tour options through Cape Clear Ferries from April to October to view the lighthouse on all sides while also capturing some amazing pictures of Ireland’s most famous lighthouse, which at 177 feet is also the tallest.

Hog island — Nassau, Bahamas

The most well-known lighthouse in the Bahamas, the Hog Island Lighthouse sits on the western tip of Paradise Island on the Nassau Harbor and is also the oldest surviving light station in the West Indies. Constructed in 1817, this lighthouse is also known as either the Paradise Island lighthouse or Nassau Harbor Lighthouse, but Hog Island is the location’s former name. Plenty of travelers have been successful in walking to the lighthouse from nearby Atlantis Hotel properties, and you can read their stories and recommendations for accessing this historic location on Tripadvisor.

fox point — St. Anthony Newfoundland

Situated on the eastern side of St. Anthony Harbor in Newfoundland, Fox Point Lighthouse is a modern wooden light station built in 2003. Also known as Fishing Point, the current lighthouse is a replacement for its predecessors dating back to 1906. One of the former light stations was an iron tower that was decommissioned in the 1960s and then left to sink into the Labrador Sea where divers have found it at 40 fathoms or 240 feet below the surface. The lighthouse is currently owned and managed by the Canadian Coast Guard. Visitors can tour the grounds, although the tower itself is closed to the public. Traveling to Newfoundland? Check out a complete list of Newfoundland Canada Lighthouses before your trip.

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Lindau lighthouse, Germany

At the entrance of Lindau Harbor on Lake Constance (Bodensee in German) in Germany sits the absolutely gorgeous Lindau Lighthouse. At 108 feet tall, the Lindau Lighthouse is the southernmost lighthouse in Germany. Construction started in 1853, what is still referred to as the “new” Lindau Lighthouse was first lit in 1856 where it took over for the still-standing Mangturm Tower. An equally impressive structure, Mangturm Tower served as a lighthouse in the 12th century and is a popular draw for those visiting the city. Those looking for the opportunity to see these famous lighthouses and to make some incredible lighthouse pictures should visit both during their visit. The Lindau Lighthouse is also one of only a few in the world that features a clock in its tower.

South Haven South Pierhead light, Lake Michigan

The South Haven Lighthouse is a steel lighthouse sitting at the entrance of the Black River that was erected in 1903 and is a replacement for the first lighthouse constructed of wood in 1872. It currently sits at the end of a 1,200-foot-long pier and also features its original catwalk that connects the tower to the shore, one of only four catwalks of its kind that still remain in Michigan. Visitors can walk along the jetty to get a closer look at this popular lighthouse. How many lighthouses are in Michigan? Check out a complete list to plan your next Michigan road trip.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse, New Zealand

As if anyone needed a real reason to visit the stunning landscape of New Zealand, seated on its northern tip where two oceans meet is Cape Reinga Lighthouse. Jutting into the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, this popular landmark is also a sacred Māori site. The light was constructed in 1941 and is not open to the public, though visitors can tour the grounds. Wondering which lighthouses you can visit in New Zealand? Check out this list of Lighthouses of New Zealand for more information to plan your next getaway.

haceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon

First lit in 1894, the Haceta Head Lighthouse in Florence, Oregon is one Oregon light station you can actually stay overnight in. At the base of the lighthouse is Heceta Head Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast where guests can stay in one of the last lightkeeper’s cottages on the Pacific Coast. Its first-order Fresnel lens casts the brightest light on the Oregon coast. Haceta Head is one of the most popular destinations in Oregon and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.

Atop a 1,000-foot cliff, visitors can tour the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint during the day. For more information on tours of the lighthouse, visit the Oregon State Parks website.

castle hill lighthouse — newport, rhode island

Perched at the entrance of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, Castle Hill Lighthouse is one of 15 still active lighthouses in this small New England state. First constructed in 1898 and lit in 1890, this unique granite structure is built into the cliff base that it sits on. Its original light keeper’s quarters nearby had six rooms and an attached kitchen. The interior is closed to the public, though visitors can access the public grounds on a footpath leading to the light station. For those visiting the Newport area, the Castle Hill Inn and Resort is located adjacent to the lighthouse.

BEACHY HEAD lighthouse — EAstbourne, ENGLAND

At the base of Seven Sister chalk cliffs in East Sussex is the striking 141-foot-tall Beachy Head Lighthouse. Built in 1902 by Trinity House, it took two years and 3,660 tons of Cornish granite to complete the tower. Three lighthouse keepers maintained the station for 80 years until is was automated in 1983. More upgrades to the light were made in 2011 and 2018. While the chalk cliffs at Beachy Head are a popular attraction, getting a closer look at the lighthouse can be extremely risky. Rob Wassell, author of The Story of Beachy Head Lighthouse, shares on his website how perilous walking to the Beachy Head Lighthouse can be due to rising tides that can cut off curious explorers, strand them, and expose them to possible drowning. Needless to say, read his recommendations for visiting the lighthouse on foot before setting out.

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