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There are 21,600 lighthouses in the world, very few of which are still inhabited. Many lighthouses are now automated and no longer operated by humans, thus repurposing them as unique tourist attractions.
Tower of Hercules, A. Coruna, Spain
Overlooking the North Atlantic coast, Spain's Hercules Lighthouse is the world's oldest continuously operating lighthouse, built by the ancient Romans nearly 2,000 years ago. The tower is not only a National Historic Site but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 2009.
The Tower of Hercules, built on the rocky hill of Punta Euras on a peninsula about 2.4km from the center of A Coruna, has seven levels and currently stands 55m tall.
The tower is named after the god Hercules, associated with legends of giants, and was inspired by the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
As a remarkable structure with a long history, the lighthouse possesses an ancient beauty reminiscent of the once mighty Roman Empire. Visiting the Tower of Hercules, you'll have the opportunity to stay very close to it in the Blue Ocean penthouse – where you can take in the entire magnificent natural landscape and the majestic lighthouse. Besides enjoying the tower's ancient beauty from the outside, you can also climb to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the vast ocean.
Fanad Head Lighthouse, Letterkenny, Ireland
This stunning tower is situated in a picturesque location and has stood since 1917, surrounded by miles of rugged coastline where you can admire the majestic scenery and feel peaceful as you listen to the waves gently lapping against the rocks.
Fanad Head is run by a local non-profit organization and features three houses that once housed the lighthouse keepers. It's the perfect destination if you want to enjoy a romantic night out like in a movie.
Fanad Head has been voted one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world.
Besides its tourism value, Fanad Head is also a maritime icon in Ireland. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the science behind lighthouses, hear the story of the lighthouse keeper, and climb to the top of the tower to admire the spectacular views of the sea and land.
To make the visit more enjoyable for visitors, the new Visitor Center at the lighthouse will complement the experience of viewing this beautiful historical site with guided tours, and self-catering facilities within the lighthouse are now available to support visitors.
Galle Fort Lighthouse, Galle, Sri Lanka
Galle is a wonderful destination if you want a peaceful holiday. The scenery here has an ancient, harmonious beauty, like an old European village. The beaches in Galle are famous for their pristine sandy shores and clear blue waters. You can find Sri Lanka's oldest lighthouse, surrounded by the walls of Galle Fort.
The Galle Lighthouse is located about 4km from the center of Galle, built on ramparts and rising about 6 meters above street level at the high point of Point Utrecht Bastion.
Although built by the British in 1848, the original lighthouse was destroyed in a fire, so the current one is the result of restoration in 1940. The lighthouse and the rest of the fort were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
You can plan to watch the sunrise and sunset on the coast, which could be a fantastic experience in Galle. However, unlike other places, you are not allowed to climb to the top of the lighthouse here, meaning you can only experience that thrill after obtaining permission from the local authorities.
Villa Aurora, a beautiful house located opposite the lighthouse, would be the ideal place to stay, offering stunning views of the towering lighthouse and expansive vistas of the Indian Ocean.
Chania Lighthouse, Crete, Greece
The Venice Lighthouse is a landmark of the city of Chania and one of the oldest lighthouses in the world.
The lighthouse was damaged by bombings during World War II, but it was renovated in 2005 and still looks like new today.
What many visitors find regrettable is that the lighthouse is closed, meaning no one can climb the tower; they can only walk along the coast and view it from the outside. The walk from Venetian harbor to the lighthouse was considered a pleasure for locals from Crete and tourists alike.
If a stroll along the coast to the lighthouse isn't enough to fully appreciate the scenery, you can stay at Ambassador's Residence Boutique Hotel – a renovated villa dating back to the 1890s, situated next to the town's harbor.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Fishmonger, California, USA
To help ships navigate more easily in the rocky and treacherous waters of the Pacific Ocean, Pigeon Point was built in 1871 in the central waters off California.
Pigeon Point is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States.
The lighthouse keepers' house at the foot of the lighthouse has been completely renovated, transforming it into a popular stop for tourists. Besides the ideal vantage point, visitors have the opportunity to admire a variety of marine life, such as seals and whales, as they glide across the waves.
Diamond Head Lighthouse, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Diamond Head, built in 1899, is one of the most famous lighthouses in the Pacific Ocean.
Diamond Head is one of the most popular tourist attractions.
Diamond Head shines from a U.S. Coast Guard base on an extinct volcano at the southern tip of Oahu, east of Waikiki Beach. Although not open to tourists, the scenery surrounding the lighthouse remains one of the world's top tourist attractions due to its breathtaking beauty. In addition to visitors, Diamond Head welcomes locals daily for walks, jogs, and surfing.
The lighthouse is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. You can spend a night nearby at Lotus Honolulu in Diamond Head, which offers views of the lighthouse and is just steps from Kaimana Beach.
