When contacted by The Portugal News to confirm whether the lighthouse had been reopened to the public, The National Maritime Authority responded by saying that the Cabo de São Vincente Lighthouse is currently closed to visitors due to improvement and requalification works in the areas affected by the visitation circuits and operational areas, namely inside the lantern and pre-antechamber.

Adding that, “The maintenance works follow the major intervention carried out the exterior of the Lighthouse that was completed earlier this year. This process has implications for the capacity to receive the public, both indoors and outdoors, whose opening we hope to resume as soon as possible, however, no date has yet been set.”

The National Maritime Authority also shared that “Alternatively, the lighthouses of Alfanzina and Cabo de Santa Maria can be visited in the Algarve every Wednesday, between 2 pm and 5 pm (summer time) or from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm (winter time). Admission is free and no appointments are made, only on-site registration will be required. Regarding the Cabo de Santa Maria Lighthouse, there is also the possibility of this schedule being adjusted weekly in order to reconcile the visits with the availability of the teams on duty at the lighthouse, requiring a confirmation at the lighthouse itself.

We also clarify that lighthouses are equipment related to coastal maritime safety, so their opening to visits is only made in lighthouses whose safety, technical-operational and availability conditions are met, and need to be periodically interrupted for maintenance actions of equipment and infrastructures, in order to ensure the availability and compliance with the provision of public service within the scope of maritime signalling.”

The National Maritime Authority’s official website also lists the following lighthouses as also being closed:

  • Cabo da Roca Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to renovation works.
  • Vila Real de Santo António Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to requalification works.
  • Albarnaz Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to renovation works.
  • Berlenga Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to operational issues.
  • Ponta da Barca Lighthouse closed to visitors, from June 1, 2023, for an indefinite period, due to requalification works.
  • Cintrão Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to operational issues.
  • Penedo da Saudade Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to requalification works.
  • Leça Lighthouse closed to visitors, due to operational issues, until December 14, 2023.
  • Cabo Sardão Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to operational issues.
  • Cabo Carvoeiro Lighthouse closed to visitors, for an indefinite period, due to operational issues.
  • Ferraria Lighthouse closed to visitors, from November 15, 2023 to February 15, 2024, due to renovation works.


For more updates please visit the National Maritime Authority’s website https://www.amn.pt/.

Author

Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK, Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism, where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years. Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news.

Cristina da Costa Brookes