Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in L'Agulhas, South Africa
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is a 27-meter cylindrical tower with red and white stripes located at Africa's southernmost point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge. The structure was built from local limestone and includes a viewing platform accessed by climbing 71 steps.
Colonel Charles Michell formulated plans for this lighthouse in 1837, which led to the mobilization of international funding for its construction. The tower was completed in December 1848 after more than a decade of planning and building work.
The keeper's quarters have been converted into a museum space that displays maritime equipment and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks along this coast. Visitors can learn how sailors once depended on this light to navigate one of Africa's most treacherous waters.
The climb to the viewing platform requires moderate effort since the stairs are narrow and steep, so take your time and hold the railings firmly. From the top you can see up to 30 nautical miles across the ocean on clear days, making for sweeping ocean views.
The design of this structure drew inspiration from the ancient Egyptian Pharos, the legendary lighthouse of the ancient world. This connection to one of history's most famous beacon towers gives the building an unexpected classical heritage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
