Azeda Lighthouse

Azeda Lighthouse (Farol da Azeda) stands in Setúbal, Setúbal District, on the grounds of the former Quinta da Azeda. It is a slim cylindrical tower 31 metres tall that has guided shipping near the Sado estuary and the Arrábida coast since 1940. Unlike most lighthouses it is not on the shore: it sits about 3 kilometres inland on high ground above the city.

How did the Azeda lighthouse come about?

The light entered service on 6 June 1940. At first the lamp sat in a small hut on a hill and showed a fixed red light with a range of 8 nautical miles, raised to 10 later that same year. In March 1985 the fixed light was converted to flash. New housing then spread across the area and blocked the view of the lamp, so in 1996 the current 31-metre tower was built.

How does it work today?

The light flashes yellow, with a three-second flash repeating every six seconds. Its range is 22 nautical miles, roughly 40 kilometres. The tower has a second job as a water tower supplying Setúbal. That makes it more of a working utility than a classic sightseeing lighthouse.

What will you see?

You view the lighthouse from the outside. It is a modern 1990s structure with no period details, but it is easy to spot from many parts of town. Coordinates: 38.5387 N, 8.8785 W. The tower has no heritage protection, is not a museum and does not run regular interior visits. Combine it with a drive or walk through the eastern side of Setúbal, or see it after dark when the yellow flashes begin.

How do you get to Azeda lighthouse?

By car or taxi from central Setúbal; the hill is a short ride away, usually a quarter of an hour or so. Enter Farol da Azeda or the coordinates above in your navigation app. From Lisbon, the A2 motorway reaches Setúbal in about an hour, after which you head for the hills above town.

When should you go?

Morning and late afternoon light flatter the tower, but the lighthouse is most distinctive after dark, when the yellow flashes are visible. Setúbal's climate suits a visit for most of the year, and summers are dry and sunny.

Frequently asked questions

Is Azeda lighthouse on the coast? No. It stands about 3 kilometres from the sea, on a rise in Setúbal.

Can you climb the tower? No regular public access to the interior is documented. The structure serves navigation and the water supply, so visitors see it from outside.

What is the light's range? The current yellow flashing light reaches 22 nautical miles.

How tall is it? The tower is 31 metres high and dates from 1996.

Is it the same as the lighthouses in Oeiras, Porto or the Azores? No. This is a separate lighthouse in the city of Setúbal, inland, south of Lisbon.