There are seven official lighthouse installations in the Madeira archipelago, although only three stand on the main island of Madeira and just two are practical visitor stops. In this updated guide: find the complete west-to-east lighthouse list, understand the difference between a lighthouse and a smaller beacon, and plan the best viewpoints by car, hiking trail or boat. You will also learn which sites can be visited inside, and which are visible only from a distance because they stand on protected offshore islands.
How many lighthouses are there in Madeira?
The Portuguese Navy’s lighthouse service counts seven lighthouses in the Madeira autonomous region. They are spread across Madeira Island, Porto Santo, the Desertas and the Selvagens rather than forming a simple road-trip circuit.
For most visitors, the answer is more straightforward: there are three major lighthouse landmarks on Madeira Island—Ponta do Pargo in the west, São Jorge on the north coast and São Lourenço off the eastern peninsula. Ponta do Pargo and São Jorge can be reached by road; São Lourenço is on an offshore islet and is best viewed while walking PR8.
The remaining installations make the complete archipelago list more interesting. Porto Santo has the historic Ilhéu de Cima lighthouse and the smaller light on Ilhéu de Ferro, while the protected Desertas and Selvagens have remote navigation lights that are not ordinary sightseeing stops.
Complete Madeira lighthouse map: the seven official sites
Use this list as a practical map, beginning on Madeira’s far west, moving around the main island, then continuing to Porto Santo and the outer islands. “View from land” does not necessarily mean that you can enter the lighthouse itself.
| Lighthouse | Location | Established | Best way to see it | Can visitors enter? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse | Ponta da Vigia, west Madeira | 1922 | Drive to the lighthouse viewpoint | Yes, on designated public-visit sessions |
| São Jorge Lighthouse | Ponta de São Jorge, north Madeira | 1959 | Drive via São Jorge village | Yes, on designated public-visit sessions |
| São Lourenço Lighthouse | Ilhéu de Fora, east of PR8 peninsula | 1870 | See it from the Ponta de São Lourenço walk or by sea | No public land access |
| Ilhéu de Cima Lighthouse | Off south-east Porto Santo | 1901 | Boat view from Porto Santo | No independent public access |
| Ilhéu de Ferro light | Off north-east Porto Santo | 1959 | Boat view or distant coastal view | No independent public access |
| Ilhéu Chão Lighthouse | Northern Desertas | 1959 | See from an authorised Desertas boat trip | No general public access |
| Selvagem Grande Lighthouse | Pico da Atalaia, Selvagens | 1977 | Only on authorised expedition or conservation visit | No casual visitor access |
There are also smaller farolins or beacons around the archipelago, including lights on Bugio and Selvagem Pequena, plus harbour lights. They are important aids to navigation but are not counted among the seven principal lighthouse installations in this guide.
The two lighthouse stops worth adding to a Madeira road trip
Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse is the essential stop. It occupies Ponta da Vigia, Madeira’s westernmost cape, on cliffs more than 300 metres above the Atlantic. The white tower is only 14 metres high, but its setting creates the drama: look north towards the cliffs of Achadas da Cruz and west into uninterrupted ocean. There is a small museum space beside the lighthouse, and the viewpoint is an easy addition to a west-island driving day.
The Portuguese Navy includes Ponta do Pargo among the Madeira lighthouses open for public visits. Standard open sessions are on Wednesdays, excluding public holidays, with free admission during the published visiting period. Operating requirements can change at short notice, so treat entry as a bonus and plan the stop for its scenery rather than solely for an interior visit.
São Jorge Lighthouse is the quieter alternative. It stands at 271 metres above sea level on the north coast, with a ribbed cylindrical tower and broad views over a much greener, steeper landscape. It is not a major museum-style attraction, but it is a rewarding detour if you are travelling between Santana and São Vicente, or exploring the coast around Faial. Like Ponta do Pargo, it is listed for public visiting sessions, but check availability locally before making a special journey.
São Lourenço, Porto Santo and the remote island lights
São Lourenço Lighthouse is Madeira’s oldest lighthouse, first lit in 1870. It sits on Ilhéu de Fora, the small islet beyond the end of the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula—not at the end of the footpath itself. You may spot its white tower from higher sections of PR8, especially in clear weather, but you cannot walk across to it. The PR8 route is a protected-area walk, and the entry fee for visitors aged over 12 is €4.50.
On Porto Santo, Ilhéu de Cima Lighthouse is the grander landmark. It has served navigation since 1901 and stands on the protected islet south-east of the main island. It is normally appreciated from the water rather than visited on land. The smaller Ilhéu de Ferro light, operating since 1959, is likewise on a protected offshore islet and is not a self-guided destination.
The lighthouse on Ilhéu Chão and the one on Selvagem Grande belong to protected nature reserves. A boat trip to the Desertas may give you a distant view of Ilhéu Chão, but landing permissions and routes are tightly managed. Selvagem Grande is much farther south and is visited only through authorised, weather-dependent conservation or expedition arrangements.
Practical planning and photography tips
- Choose Ponta do Pargo for sunset: it is the easiest lighthouse to reach and the strongest all-round coastal viewpoint.
- Do not rely on lighthouse interior visits: public access is operationally dependent, even at Ponta do Pargo and São Jorge.
- Use a car for the main-island pair: Ponta do Pargo and São Jorge are realistic stops on separate west- and north-coast driving days.
- See São Lourenço from PR8, not as a destination: the lighthouse is offshore; the reward is the volcanic peninsula and ocean panorama.
- Respect protected-island rules: do not arrange unofficial landings on Porto Santo’s islets, the Desertas or the Selvagens.
- Carry wind protection: exposed headlands can feel considerably cooler and windier than Funchal, even on a sunny day.
If you are building a scenic self-drive itinerary, combine Ponta do Pargo with the west coast, Porto Moniz and highland stops around Paul da Serra. For a contrasting mountain drive, see our guide to Encumeada’s viewpoints, walks and driving conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse inside?
Yes, it is among the Madeira lighthouses designated for public visits. Sessions are normally held on Wednesdays, but access can be cancelled or shortened for operational reasons, so confirm before travelling.
Which is the oldest lighthouse in Madeira?
São Lourenço Lighthouse is the oldest on Madeira Island. It began operating on 30 September 1870 and stands on Ilhéu de Fora beyond Ponta de São Lourenço.
Can you walk to the São Lourenço Lighthouse?
No. The PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço trail reaches the peninsula, while the lighthouse stands on an offshore islet. You can see it from parts of the route and from the sea.
Are Porto Santo’s lighthouses open to visitors?
Not as normal self-guided attractions. Ilhéu de Cima and Ilhéu de Ferro are on protected offshore islets, so they are best seen from a boat or from distant viewpoints on Porto Santo.
Facts and prices verified in October 2026. For more ideas around the island, explore our Madeira attractions guides, plan a scenic route with Madeira’s highest bridges and viaducts, or add coastal adventure with our guide to coasteering in Madeira.
