Lighthouses open between 18 and 21 May, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Portuguese lighthouses will be open to the public between 18 and 21 May, as part of the Navy Day celebrations, from 2pm to 5pm, the National Maritime Authority has announced (AMN).
"The lighthouses are opening their doors free of charge so that all visitors have the opportunity to live this experience and learn about their importance in safeguarding navigation," says AMN.
Lighthouses open for visits
On the mainland, from 2pm to 5pm, the following lighthouses will be open to the public: Montedor, Leça da Palmeira, Aveiro, Cabo Mondego, Penedo da Saudade, Cabo Carvoeiro, Cabo Espichel, Cabo Sardão, Alfanzina and Santa Maria
In the Azores, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Ferraria, Arnel, Cintrão, Ponta da Garça, Gonçalo Velho, Contendas, Ponta da Barca, Ponta da Ilha, Lajes Flores and Ponta do Topo lighthouses will be open to the public.
On Madeira, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the lighthouses of Ponta do Pargo and São Jorge are open.
Lighthouses closed to visitors
According to AMN, the lighthouses of: Berlenga, Cabo da Roca, Cabo de S. Vicente, V. R. S. António, Albarnaz are closed to visits, indefinitely, due to operational issues or requalification works.
This initiative (which began in 2011), has shown a great adhesion by the public, with the number of visitors increasing every year. In this scope, during 2019 the national lighthouses were visited by 85 806 people.
The opening period for visits may be cancelled or shortened, without prior notice, for lighthouse operational reasons, as lighthouses are functioning maritime signalling equipment whose main mission is to ensure the safety of navigation.