30 lighthouses you have to visit in your lifetime

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Ciara AppelbaumJun 5, 2021, 21:58 IST
30 lighthouses you have to visit in your lifetime

Tourlitis Lighthouse in Greece.Lemonakis Antonis/Shutterstock

  • Lighthouses have been built in epic locations around the world, from volcanoes to sand dunes.
  • The Tower of Hercules in Spain is the oldest operating lighthouse in the world.
  • Some of these lighthouses, like Neist Point Lighthouse in Scotland, are accessible via footpaths.
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The Tower of Hercules in Spain is the oldest operating lighthouse in the world. It dates back to the late 1st century AD.

The Tower of Hercules in Spain is the oldest operating lighthouse in the world. It dates back to the late 1st century AD.
The Tower of Hercules. Anibal Trejo/ Shutterstock

This ancient Roman lighthouse has gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be found towering over the entrance of La Coruña harbor in northwestern Spain.

Perched on Lake Constance in Germany, Lindau Lighthouse even has a clock.

Perched on Lake Constance in Germany, Lindau Lighthouse even has a clock.
Lindau Lighthouse is the southernmost lighthouse in Germany. Shutterstock/ manfredxy

Lindau Lighthouse is the southernmost lighthouse in Germany. The tower was built in 1856.

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Kermorvan Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the easternmost point of France.

Kermorvan Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the easternmost point of France.
Kermorvan Lighthouse. PictureMike/Shutterstock

Kermorvan Lighthouse was built in 1849.

Diamond Head Lighthouse is located on the side of the famous Diamond Head crater in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Diamond Head Lighthouse is located on the side of the famous Diamond Head crater in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Diamond Head Lighthouse is located on the side of a volcano in Honolulu. emperorcosar/Shutterstock

The lighthouse was built in order to warn vessels to stay away from the reefs at Waikiki.

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Fanad Lighthouse in Ireland was built in 1817 following a deadly ship wreckage five years earlier.

Fanad Lighthouse in Ireland was built in 1817 following a deadly ship wreckage five years earlier.
This lighthouse is located in Donegal, Ireland. Jan Miko/ Shutterstock

Almost 100 years later, in 1917, the stunning lighthouse in County Donegal survived being struck by lightning.

Chania Lighthouse in Greece was built in the late 16th century.

Chania Lighthouse in Greece was built in the late 16th century.
This lighthouse was destroyed and rebuilt. kavalenkava/ Shutterstock

The Egyptian style lighthouse was destroyed during the Turkish occupation and rebuilt between 1824 and 1832. It sits on its original base.

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Neist Point Lighthouse, which can be found on the westerly tip of the Isle of Skye, is one of Scotland's most famous lighthouses.

Neist Point Lighthouse, which can be found on the westerly tip of the Isle of Skye, is one of Scotland's most famous lighthouses.
Can you see the lighthouse? Daniel Kay/Shutterstock

Built in 1900, it now uses an automated system and is unmanned. It can be reached via a footpath, which gives stunning views of the surrounding cliffs.

Eldred Rock Lighthouse is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska.

Eldred Rock Lighthouse is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska.
Eldred Rock Lighthouse. Richard Seeley/Shutterstock

It was built in 1905 and is the only surviving octagonal-frame lighthouse from those built at the time.

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Low Lighthouse, a small wooden lighthouse in England, is a popular photo-op thanks to its nine "legs."

Low Lighthouse, a small wooden lighthouse in England, is a popular photo-op thanks to its nine "legs."
The picturesque Low Lighthouse. ian woolcock/ Shutterstock

Low Lighthouse is the only active lighthouse in Burnham-on-Sea, England.

Bodie Island Lighthouse in North Carolina has a beam so bright it reaches 19 miles offshore.

Bodie Island Lighthouse in North Carolina has a beam so bright it reaches 19 miles offshore.
Bodie Island Lighthouse. MarkVanDykePhotography/Shutterstock

Located in North Carolina's Outer Banks, the lighthouse measures 156 feet tall.

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Bass Harbor Head Light in Maine was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Bass Harbor Head Light in Maine was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Bass Harbor Head Light at sunset. Shutterstock/ Catuncia

Located in Acadia National Park, this lighthouse was built in 1858 and stands 56 feet high.

Kovalam Beach Lighthouse in India overlooks long stretches of sandy beaches.

Kovalam Beach Lighthouse in India overlooks long stretches of sandy beaches.
Kovalam Beach Lighthouse in India. Pikoso.kz/ Shutterstock

Kovalam Beach Lighthouse is so pretty that the beach it sits on — Lighthouse Beach — was named after it. Vistors can climb 142 steps to the top to see expansive views of Poovar Island and the famous Beemapalli mosque.

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Cape Byron Light is Australia's most easterly lighthouse.

Cape Byron Light is Australia's most easterly lighthouse.
Australia's easternmost lighthouse. ian woolcock/ Shutterstock

The colonial style lighthouse, constructed in 1899, stands ‎74 feet tall.

A winding stone staircase leads up to the Tourlitis Lighthouse in Greece.

A winding stone staircase leads up to the Tourlitis Lighthouse in Greece.
Tourlitis Lighthouse. Lemonakis Antonis/ Shutterstock

Perched on top of a stone spire, this lighthouse looks like something straight out of "The Little Mermaid." Destroyed in WWII, it was rebuilt in the early 1990s, and is said to look just as magical as before.

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Cape Reinga Lighthouse on New Zealand's North Island is a place of spiritual significance for Maori.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse on New Zealand's North Island is a place of spiritual significance for Maori.
Cape Reinga. Juergen_Wallstabe/Shutterstock

While the lighthouse is not open to the public, it's nevertheless a popular tourist destination. Cape Reinga is also a significant place for Māori: When a person dies, their spirit reaches the area, where an ancient pohutukawa tree is located. Spirits leap from the tree to start their journey to their ancestors in the spiritual homeland.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse in Argentina is known for having penguins and walruses lazing nearby.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse in Argentina is known for having penguins and walruses lazing nearby.
Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is on the southern tip of Argentina. Sergio TB/Shutterstock

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse sits on the southern tip of Argentina.

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Peggy's Cove Lighthouse is a prime attraction in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse is a prime attraction in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The rocky pathway to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse. Adam Nettleto/ Shutterstock

This still-active lighthouse is one of the most popular tourist attractions the area.

Mouro Island Lighthouse in Spain sits on its own uninhabited island.

Mouro Island Lighthouse in Spain sits on its own uninhabited island.
Mouro Island Lighthouse in northern Spain. alredosaz/ Shutterstock

It's located on the north coast of Spain.

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Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse in Denmark is surrounded by sand dunes.

Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse in Denmark is surrounded by sand dunes.
This lighthouse is surrounded by sand dunes. JakubD/ Shutterstock

However, when it was built in the 1900s, there were no sand dunes nearby, and it was much further inland than it is now. Over the years, the sea encroached and wind blew so much sand on it that at times its light was barely visible.

Heceta Head Lighthouse in Oregon is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the entire US.

Heceta Head Lighthouse in Oregon is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the entire US.
Heceta Head Lighthouse. Stas Moroz/Shutterstock

This lighthouse is the brightest light on the Oregon coast. It is even home to a charming bed and breakfast.

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The Lighthouse of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy, is centuries old.

The Lighthouse of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy, is centuries old.
Venice lighthouse. Werner Spremberg/Shutterstock

The lighthouse, which is at the end of a pontoon in Venice, was built in 1813.

Big Sable Point Light in Michigan was the last lighthouse in the Great Lakes to get plumbing and electricity.

Big Sable Point Light in Michigan was the last lighthouse in the Great Lakes to get plumbing and electricity.
The lighthouse stands on Lake Michigan. John McCormick/Shutterstock

Big Sable Point Light is 112 feet tall, and stands on the stunning shores of Lake Michigan, near the town of Ludington. It got indoor plumbing in the 1940s.

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St. Mary's Lighthouse is on an island off the north east coast of England.

St. Mary's Lighthouse is on an island off the north east coast of England.
St. Mary’s Lighthouse in northeast UK. chris2766/ Shutterstock

Located on Bait Island, St. Mary's Lighthouse and its cottage were built in the late 19th century. The cottage went on sale 10 years ago for around $553,000, complete with 19th-century graffiti and gunshots in some doors.

Split Rock Lighthouse sits on top of a 130-foot cliff in Minnesota.

Split Rock Lighthouse sits on top of a 130-foot cliff in Minnesota.
Split Rock Lighthouse. Dennis O'Hara/Shutterstock

Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, it is coupled with Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, which has more than 2,000 acres of trails, waterways, and campgrounds to explore.

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Yaquina Head Light is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport, Oregon.

Yaquina Head Light is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport, Oregon.
Yaquina Head Light is accessible by hiking trails. Shutterstock/ haveseen

This lighthouse is located in Yaquina Bay State Park.

The sandy color of the Jose Ignacio Lighthouse in Uruguay blends in with the surrounding rocks and dunes.

The sandy color of the Jose Ignacio Lighthouse in Uruguay blends in with the surrounding rocks and dunes.
Jose Ignacio Lighthouse was named after a Spanish settler. Ksenia Ragozina/ Shutterstock

Named after the first Spanish settler dwelling on the shores of southern Uruguay, this lighthouse was built in 1877.

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Portland Head Lighthouse in Maine first shone its lights in 1791.

Portland Head Lighthouse in Maine first shone its lights in 1791.
Portland Head Lighthouse. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Not only did John Hancock sign the Declaration of Independence, he also signed the contract that authorized the construction of this lighthouse's Keeper's Quarters.

Hook Lighthouse in Ireland was built 800 years ago.

Hook Lighthouse in Ireland was built 800 years ago.
Hook Lighthouse was built 800 years ago. matthi/ Shutterstock

Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland and the second oldest in the world, after the Tower of Hercules in Spain.

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Boston Light in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, is the location of North America's oldest lighthouse, dating back to 1716.

Boston Light in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, is the location of North America's oldest lighthouse, dating back to 1716.
The oldest lighthouse in the US. Shutterstock/ Allan Wood Photography

The original tower was destroyed during the Revolutionary War in 1776, and it was rebuilt in 1783 — now the lighthouse is recognized as the America's second oldest, according to the National Park Service.

It is often dubbed "the ideal American lighthouse."

South Stack Lighthouse in the UK is the perfect destinations for bird lovers.

South Stack Lighthouse in the UK is the perfect destinations for bird lovers.
South Stack Lighthouse. Gail Johnson/ Shutterstock

Visitors can climb to the top and observe thousands of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and puffins. Just be wary — the lighthouse, which was built in 1809, is supposedly haunted.

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