Lighthouse sights in Europe
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Trinity Buoy Wharf
London's only lighthouse, built for Michael Faraday in 1863, is located at this brown field site about a mile northeast of Canary Wharf. Also here is the unusual Container City, a community of artists' studios made from brightly painted shipping containers, stacked side by side and one on top of the other. The web designers, architects and other creative tenants even have their own balconies.
Also here is the much loved American-style Fat Boy's Diner (tel: 7987 4334; 09:30-16:30 Mon-Sat).
The wharf is open to the public daily and is clearly signposted from the East India DLR station; along the 20-minute walk you'll pass a bird sanctuary at East India Dock Basin.
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Lindesnes Fyr
Rising above the cape is the evocative Lindesnes Fyr, a classic lighthouse. In two of the buildings you’ll pass as you climb to the cape there are exhibitions on the history of the lighthouse, while the visitors centre next to the gate has more plus an informative video about the site. The first lighthouse on the site (and the first in Norway) was fired up in 1655 using coal and tallow candles to warn ships off the rocks. The current electrical version, built in 1915, is visible up to 19½ nautical miles out to sea. Be wary of strong winds: one Lonely Planet author lost his sunglasses in a sudden gust.
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Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli
Pilgrims and art-lovers flock to the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli for two reasons: to see St Peter’s chains and to see Michelangelo’s tomb of Pope Julius II. The church was built in the 5th century specially to house the chains that bound St Peter when he was imprisoned in the Carcere Mamertino. Some time after St Peter’s death, the chains were sent to Constantinople for a period before returning to Rome as relics. They arrived in two pieces and legend has it that when they were reunited they miraculously joined together. They are now displayed under the altar.
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Kõpu Lighthouse
Hiiumaa's best-known landmark is the inland Kõpu lighthouse, the third-oldest, continuously operational lighthouse in the world. A lighthouse has stood on this raised bit of land since 1531, though the present white limestone tower was built in 1845. At 37m high, it can be seen 55km away.
East of here, near the 61km highway mark, is the 1.5km Rebastemäe nature trail, which takes in forest paths along the highest (therefore oldest) parts of the island. You can get more information at the small information booth next door to the restaurant near the lighthouse base.
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Lighthouse
At the furthest, northern extremity of the island of Godøy, is the picturesque 1876 lighthouse in the fishing station of Alnes. For that end-of-the-world feeling, climb to the circular balcony via the five floors of this all-wood structure, each displaying the canvases of renowned Norwegian artist and Godøy resident, Ørnulf Opdahl. Don’t leave without sampling one of the delightful cakes, baked on the spot by Eva, the lighthouse custodian.
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Eigerøy Fyr
Eigerøy Fyr, the majestic 1855 lighthouse on Midbrødøy, is near the southwestern tip of Eigerøy island. Still one of the most powerful lighthouses in Europe, it has great views at any time, but especially on stormy days. Take the Nord Eigerøy bus from the Rutebilstasjon and get off at the sign ‘Eigerøy fyr’ on the Rv502 (Nkr27, 15 minutes). From there, it’s a 30-minute walk down the Fyrvegen road to the lighthouse.
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Torre d'es Cap de Barbaria
A narrow sealed road heads south out of the capital through stone-walled farmlands to Cap de Barbaria, the island's southernmost point. It's a pleasant ride to the lonely white lighthouse at the road's end, although there ain't much to do once you get there, except gaze out to sea. From the far (lighthouse) a track leads east (a 10-minute walk) to the Torre d'es Cap de Barbaria, an 18th-century watchtower.
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Goleulong 2000 Lightship
Near the Norwegian Church on the harbour is the bright-red Goleulong 2000 Lightship, which used to be stationed off Rhossili, warning sailors away from the Helwick Swatch, a treacherous sandbank. It now houses a Christian centre with bookshop, café and exhibitions; you can also check out the neat little cabins and climb to the top of the light tower for the view.
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Baily Lighthouse
Howth is essentially a very large hill surrounded by cliffs, and Howth Summit (171m) has excellent views across Dublin Bay right down to Wicklow. The 1814 Baily Lighthouse at the southeastern corner is on the site of an old stone fort and can be reached by a dramatic cliff-top walk. There was an earlier hilltop beacon here in 1670.
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Pampelonne Lighthouse
This rocky cape, Cap Camarat, is dominated by France's second-tallest lighthouse, operational since 1831, electrified in 1946 and automated from 1977. The hike up its 84 steps rewards with fabulous views of St-Tropez, this rich green peninsula and the Med.
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Faro
Rising above Punta Carena, Capri's rugged southwesterly point, is the Faro, Italy's second-tallest and most powerful lighthouse. From Anacapri a bus runs to the Faro every 20 minutes in summer and every 40 minutes in winter.
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Ristna Lighthouse
A lighthouse stands at the western end of the peninsula near Ristna (Stockholm is just over 200km west of here). It was brought to Hiiumaa by freighter from Paris, where it was made, together with the lighthouse at Tahkuna.
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Andenes Fyr
The town's landmark red Andenes Fyr, automated for many years, opened in 1859 and still shines on. Guided visits require a climb up 40m and 148 steps. They take place hourly, on the hour between noon and 16:00.
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Pampelonne Beach
Welcome to the golden sand of France's most chic beach. Pampelonne stretches for 9km from Cap du Pinet to Cap Camarat, a rocky cape dominated by France's second-tallest lighthouse.
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Lighthouse
There’s a beautiful 100m-wide beach on the sea coast, 1km north of town, and you can visit the 42m-high brick lighthouse.
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Kiipsaare Lighthouse
At the northwestern tip of Tagamõisa Peninsula is the striking Kiipsaare lighthouse, which leans at a steep angle towards the sea.
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Iso Mustasaari Church
The church on Iso Mustasaari was built in 1854 and doubles as a lighthouse - the original gaslight beacon is now electric.
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Lighthouse
Willing to burn calories for a superb panorama? Try climbing the 271 stairs to the top of the lighthouse, built in 1848.
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Punta
The historical 'point' of Piran, still has a lighthouse, but today's is small and modern.
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South Stack Lighthouse
Further west, you feel as if you've reached the end of the world, with a cliff overlooking crashing waves and the lone South Stack Lighthouse. Located down 400 steep steps and across a narrow bridge over a deep-water channel, the lighthouse was built for around £120 and the station's oil lamps were first lit in February 1809. It was withdrawn from service in 1984 and is today managed from the Trinity House Operations Centre in Harwich.
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