5 Famous Lighthouses From Around the World

Tap a lighthouse to see its story.

Lighthouse of Alexandria 🇪🇬

Once counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this lighthouse lit the Mediterranean for over a thousand years before it was eventually destroyed by earthquakes.

Eddystone Lighthouse 🇬🇧

Built on a reef notorious for violent waves, it was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times before reaching its final form — an iconic site in the history of British lighthouse engineering.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 🇺🇸

The tallest lighthouse in the United States, famously moved entirely inland after coastal erosion put it at risk of collapse.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse 🇳🇿

A lighthouse of deep symbolic significance, built at a site regarded in Māori mythology as the departure point for spirits journeying to the afterlife.

Fastnet Lighthouse 🇮🇪

Located at the westernmost tip of continental Europe, nicknamed "Ireland's Teardrop" because it was the last sight of home for many Irish emigrants.

A Lighthouse Is More Than Just a Structure

In the era before GPS, a lighthouse was the only safety device protecting the lives of countless sailors. Today, most lighthouses have been automated and their practical role has diminished, but they remain beloved as iconic landmarks in their regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Lighthouse of Alexandria still stand today?

No — it was eventually toppled by a series of earthquakes, and a fortress built in later centuries now stands on the site.

Are lighthouses still staffed by people today?

Most modern lighthouses are automated and operate unmanned; the traditional lighthouse keeper who lives on-site is very rare today.