Montedor Lighthouse

Montedor Lighthouse (Farol de Montedor) sits on a headland in the parish of Carreço, in the municipality of Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal. It is the country's northernmost lighthouse, and its beam carries far out over the Atlantic.

What is Montedor Lighthouse?

The stone tower rises on high ground right above the ocean, a few kilometres from the mouth of the Lima River. It stands about 4 nautical miles north of the Lima estuary and about 7 nautical miles south of the Minho, the river that marks the border with Spain. The tower is roughly 28 metres tall and the lamp sits about 103 metres above sea level. The light reaches 22 nautical miles (around 41 km). It shows white, in a pattern of two flashes every 9.5 seconds, through a third-order Fresnel lens.

When was it built?

The light was first lit on 20 March 1910. Plans for lighthouses along this coast go back much further: the Marquis of Pombal signed a licence for several of them in 1758, yet Montedor only got its tower more than a century and a half later. A building put up in 1939 housed a radio beacon from 1942, switched off in 2001 once it no longer mattered for navigation. The lighthouse has been automated since 1987.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse is on the coast north of the city of Viana do Castelo, near Carreço. Driving from Viana is the easiest option. Walkers can use the local trails the municipality has marked around Carreço (routes PR6 and PR7). Check current access rules before you go, because the tower is not open all the time; lighthouses are occasionally opened to visitors during Portuguese Navy Day events.

What is there to see nearby?

The headland is all about the coastline: cliffs, rocky beaches and open Atlantic. Close by is the Praias Antigas do Alcantilado de Montedor natural monument, a set of ancient beaches preserved in the cliff that geology fans will appreciate. On a clear day you can follow the coast toward the Minho estuary. The ocean wind blows here all year, so bring a warm layer even in summer.

When should you visit?

Late afternoon gives the best light for photos, with the tower against the evening sky. Summer is the driest and most comfortable season for the trails. In winter the sea can be dramatic, but keep well back from the cliff edge.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the northernmost lighthouse in Portugal? Yes, Montedor is the most northerly lighthouse in the country.

When was it built? It was inaugurated on 20 March 1910.

How tall is it? The tower is about 28 metres, with the lamp roughly 103 m above sea level and a range of 22 nautical miles.

Can you go inside? Not always. The station is automated and access depends on current rules, so check before visiting.