Explore the world’s best lighthouses

It’s hard to resist a lighthouse. Appealing to admire from afar, their purpose as boating beacons that could make the difference between a safe passage or a shipwreck, literally life or death, means they’re often found in the most dramatic coastline locations. Here are some of the best lighthouses to see around the world…

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Built on the rocky edge of José Ignacio’s peninsula, the town’s lighthouse divides its two distinctive beaches, the calmer Playa Mansa and the more rugged Playa Brava. Built in 1877, the lighthouse is an iconic sight in this formerly sleepy fishing village that’s now a favourite spot for creatives to keep cool during Uruguay’s summer months. Make your way to the top of the lighthouse using its winding stairs, where you’ll be rewarded with wind-whipped views of José Ignacio’s wild coastline.

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This distinctive candy-striped landmark in Cape Town is the oldest operational lighthouse in South Africa. Sitting on Mouille Point, the lighthouse is surrounded by a pristine lawn and palm trees, making for an immaculate frame around its squat shape. Stroll around nearby Green Point Park and then venture out to the edge of Mouille Point to take in the panoramic coastal views.

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The oldest surviving lighthouse in the world, the Tower of Hercules was built in the 1st century. Just a couple of kilometres from the centre of La Coruña in Galicia, the Tower of Hercules is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has its very own sculpture garden. Many a myth has been told about the lighthouse’s origins, with some featuring a mixture of Celtic and Greco-Roman touches. You’ll have to visit for yourself to determine which myth most inspires you.

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Proudly perched on Australia’s most easterly point, Cape Byron Lighthouse looks out over Byron Bay. Still in operation today, you can visit Cape Byron Lighthouse and its Maritime Museum to delve into the history of the town. The lighthouse is also a renowned spot for whale watching, with thousands of playful humpback whales migrating by between June and November each year.

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The beguiling, sand-coloured Al Ayjah Lighthouse lies in the city of Sur on the eastern coast of Oman. Originally built by the Portuguese and used as a defence tower, Al Ayjah was later turned into a lighthouse used to safely guide wooden dhows (Arab sailing boats) as they set sail for trade between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Overlooking the Gulf of Oman, Al Ayjah Lighthouse is a key landmark to visit when in Sur to learn more about Oman’s cultural heritage and maritime history.

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This bright, chalky-white lighthouse on Japan’s Honshu Island is the tallest in East Asia. The imposing Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse guarantees endless panoramic views out to the Sea of Japan and as far as the Oki Islands, but only if you can brave the 163 steps to get up there. Just a short drive from the lighthouse is the renowned Izumo-taisha, an impressive Shinto shrine dating back to the 8th century.

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Jutting out of the easternmost point of Long Island, Montauk Point Lighthouse proudly overlooks Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The oldest lighthouse in New York State, Montauk Point is built from sandstone and today has its very own museum and gift shop. The white and rust-hued lighthouse sits on vibrant green grass which contrasts with the azure ocean waters below; it’s a medley of natural colours making for an inspiring visit.