Cabo Raso Lighthouse

Cabo Raso Lighthouse is a maritime lighthouse in Cascais, Portugal, located within Fort São Brás on the coast. The cylindrical metal tower features a red exterior, a lantern room, and an observation balcony for vessel navigation along the Atlantic.

Operations began in 1894 with a fixed oil light system and were upgraded to the current iron tower structure in 1915. This transformation improved the reliability and visibility of guidance for vessels navigating past the Portuguese coast.

The lighthouse and adjacent fort reflect Portuguese maritime engineering and defensive structures built along the Atlantic coast during the late 1800s. You can sense how these facilities were part of a larger system protecting the region's coastline.

The lighthouse is accessible via a walking path through the fort complex and offers views over the coastline. You get the most out of a visit during clear weather when sightlines to the beacon and surrounding landscape are unobstructed.

The original light source was mounted in a wooden carriage on rails inside the keeper's house before being relocated to the present tower. This detail shows how maritime technology transformed fundamentally over just a few decades.