Lighthouse Hoek van 't IJ

Lighthouse Hoek van 't IJ is a white conical tower with a red band that rises 19.5 meters and contains five levels with an enclosed top floor. The structure stands on a small island at the entrance to the IJ river, serving as a navigation marker in this maritime area.

The lighthouse was built in 1893 according to designs by architect Adrianus Cornelis van Loo, replacing an original square tower erected in 1701. The earlier structure had guided ships coming from the Wadden Sea.

The lighthouse earned both Rijksmonument status and UNESCO World Heritage designation, marking its importance in Dutch maritime navigation history.

The island became accessible by bridge in 1996, allowing visitors to walk directly to the lighthouse. Access is straightforward and the location can be visited in any season.

The structure originally used a paraffin lamp for its light before switching to electrical lighting. The beacon was temporarily deactivated between 2001 and 2005 before returning to service.

Location: Amsterdam

Inception: 1893

Height: 19.5 m

GPS coordinates: 52.37182,5.01406

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:27