Bjargtangar lighthouse

Bjargtangar is a white two-story building standing on the outer Látrabjarg cliffs in western Iceland. The structure was built specifically to guide ships along this dangerous coastline and continues to operate as an active navigation aid today.

The lighthouse first operated in 1913 to protect westbound maritime traffic. The current two-story building dates from 1948 and replaced the original structure.

The name comes from the bird cliffs - 'Bjargtangar' means 'bird cliff' in Icelandic. Today, visitors experience the dramatic mixing of maritime safety and wildlife, as seabirds nest around the working lighthouse structure.

The site sits on a rugged coastline with strong winds and unpredictable weather. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and approach the cliffs carefully, as access is partly unprotected and paths can be slippery.

The building marks Europe's westernmost point outside the Azores and sits at one of the world's best locations for watching puffins and other seabirds. The cliffs provide a natural nesting ground for millions of these birds, especially during breeding season.