Lyngør Lighthouse

Lyngør Lighthouse (Norwegian: Lyngør fyr) stands on the island of Kjeholmen in the Lyngør area of Tvedestrand Municipality, in Agder county on Norway's southern coast. Its white tower with a red top guides vessels through the archipelago and is one of the most recognisable landmarks on this stretch of coast.

Where is Lyngør Lighthouse?

The lighthouse sits on the southern tip of Kjeholmen, just east of the densely built, historic part of Lyngør. Administratively it belongs to Tvedestrand in Agder. The coordinates are roughly 58.636° N, 9.148° E. The site lies where rocky islets meet the open sea, which is why it has long served as a navigation mark for coastal shipping.

What does it look like, and since when has it operated?

The light was established in 1879, at the same time as the Homborsund lighthouse station, during a period of expansion of Norway's navigation network. The structure is a white, square concrete tower with a red top holding the lantern, attached to a keeper's house of two and a half storeys. The tower is 16.9 metres tall, and the light is placed 21.3 metres above sea level. The original third-order Fresnel lens is still in place, and the foghorn diaphone has also been preserved.

Is there still a lighthouse keeper?

No. The station has been automated and nobody is permanently stationed there. The light remains active as an aid to navigation for sailors. In 1997 the site was listed as a protected monument, which safeguards the historic station buildings.

Can you stay overnight?

Yes. The former keeper's residence has been converted into accommodation run by the Aust-Agder branch of the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). It is available all year round, so you can spend a night where lighthouse keepers once lived and worked. It offers a rare chance to see the archipelago from the viewpoint of the station's own staff.

How do you get to Lyngør?

There are no cars in the village of Lyngør. Most visitors arrive by boat from the Gjeving landing, or sail in on their own vessel. The village was a parish centre until 1960 and was named Europe's best preserved small town settlement in 1991. A walk along its narrow lanes between white wooden houses is a natural complement to a visit to the lighthouse.

Frequently asked questions

When was Lyngør Lighthouse built? The light has operated since 1879.

Is the lighthouse protected? Yes, it was listed as a protected site in 1997.

How tall is the tower? The tower is 16.9 metres tall, and the light shines from 21.3 metres above sea level.

Can I stay overnight in the lighthouse? Yes. The keeper's house operates as DNT Aust-Agder accommodation and is open all year.

Can I drive to Lyngør? No. The village has no cars, and access is by boat, for example from Gjeving.