On cliffs, rocky headlands and lonely islands, lighthouses have defied time and waves for centuries. More than landmarks for sailors, they are keepers of stories, symbols of coastal identity and eternal inspiration to travellers. In this special selection, we take you to the most beautiful lighthouses in Europe - places where light meets legend and the landscapes take your breath away
Tourlitis, Greece
The only lighthouse in Europe built directly on a sea cliff, Tourlitis is located opposite the Venetian castle in the port of Andros town. It was built in 1897 as the first automatic lighthouse in Greece. Today’s Tourlitis is a replica of the original, restored in 1994 thanks to a donation by the Goulandris family in memory of their deceased daughter Violanda. Today, although not used for commercial navigation, Tourlitis is a symbol of the island, one of the most photographed places in the Cyclades and part of the “Lighthouses of Greece” postage stamp series.
Phare du Petit Minou, France
The Petit Minou lighthouse from 1848 guards the entrance to Brest Bay, in the French region of Brittany. Standing 26 meters high, with a light located 34 meters above the sea, it was automated in 1989. It helps ships to safely enter the port of Brest, and is characterized by its position in front of the Petit Minou fortress. The red sector of the light warns of dangerous underwater rocks in its vicinity, and the bridge leading to the lighthouse is often submerged at high tide, adding to its photogenic appeal.
Cabo da Roca, Portugal
At the westernmost point of continental Europe, on a dramatic cliff above the Atlantic Ocean, rises the Cabo da Roca lighthouse. Built in 1772, with its characteristic square tower and red lantern, this lighthouse has become a recognizable symbol of the Portuguese coast. It is located at a height of 165 meters above the sea, and its light reaches up to 48 kilometres (30 miles) away. In the immediate vicinity there is a stone tablet with the famous line of the poet Luís de Camões: “Here… where the land ends and the sea begins.”
Beachy Head, England
On the south coast of England, at the foot of the famous white cliffs of Beachy Head, there is a lighthouse that looks like something from a fairy tale – low, red and white, bathed in sea foam. Built in 1902, it is located about 165 meters from the shore and replaced the previous lighthouse on the top of the cliff, which was often ineffective due to thick fog. Today, this lighthouse symbolizes the struggle against the forces of nature, and the sight of it emerging from the fog or standing against the storm is one of the most recognizable on the British coast.
Dyrhólaey, Iceland
At the edge of the world, where black beaches hug the Atlantic, on a high cliff above basalt columns and arctic winds, is the Dyrhólaey lighthouse. Built in 1927, this lighthouse, although not the tallest or oldest in Iceland, fits perfectly into the wild volcanic landscape. It is also one of the most famous nesting grounds for seabirds, especially puffins, which makes it important in an ecological context as well.
St. Mary’s Lighthouse, England
Located on a small island off the northeast coast of England, St. Mary’s with its elegant white tower rises above the sea and creates a distinctive sight. Built in 1898, the lighthouse has been a key navigational point for ships in the challenging waters of the North Sea for decades. Today, it is a popular tourist destination accessible by a road that is only passable at low tide. It also serves as an educational centre and viewpoint with permanent exhibitions on local flora and fauna.
Lindesnes, Norway
In the very south of Norway, at the southernmost point of the country, stands the Lindesnes lighthouse, built in 1655. Its red and white silhouette rises above the wild waves of the Atlantic, and the light it first emitted in 1656 was the first to illuminate Norwegian shores. Although automated today, this lighthouse remains an indelible part of Norway’s maritime tradition, a guardian of the sea and a symbol of resistance to the natural forces that shape this rugged coastline.
Kallur, Faroe Islands
On the edge of the island of Kalsoy, surrounded by cliffs that tumble into the sea, the Kallur lighthouse looks more like a scene from an epic legend than a real place. Inaccessible to cars and accessible only to the persistent, it rewards every visitor with a view that remains etched in the memory forever.
