Cabo de São Vicente Lighthouse

Cabo de São Vicente Lighthouse is a cylindrical stone tower standing 28 meters high with a lantern and gallery perched above a three-story keeper's building. The structure sits on steep coastal cliffs and overlooks one of the busiest shipping routes along the Iberian Peninsula.

A basic lighthouse structure existed on the cape from 1520, and the current tower was built starting in 1846 on the ruins of a Franciscan monastery. This transition reflects how the site shifted from religious to maritime purposes.

The lighthouse takes its name from Saint Vincent of Saragossa, and this religious connection shaped the site's development over centuries. You can still see traces of this spiritual heritage in the structures and layout around the tower.

Access is on foot via a well-marked path, and the view from the gallery is best on clear days. Expect strong winds and wear proper footwear, as the paths are rough and the cliffs are exposed.

The lighthouse was built at a geographically extreme point where two ocean currents meet, making navigation particularly challenging in these waters. This strategic location makes it one of the most important navigation points for ships rounding Europe's southwestern corner.

Location: Sagres

Inception: 1846

Height: 28 m

Made from material: stone

Part of: Fortaleza de São Vicente

GPS coordinates: 37.02292,-8.99640

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:25