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About this place
Ponta de São Jorge Lighthouse (Farol da Ponta de São Jorge) sits on the north coast of Madeira, in the municipality of Santana, perched on a clifftop above the Atlantic. It is a working aid to navigation that has guided ships along the island's rugged northern shore since the late 1950s.
What is this lighthouse and when was it built?
The design dates to 1948, and the light entered service in April 1959. The tower itself is only about 14 metres tall, but the site does the work: the light burns at 271 metres above sea level, one of the highest-set lighthouses on the island. Its coordinates are roughly 32.8345 N, 16.9062 W.
How does it work?
Halogen lamps were fitted in 1995, giving the beam a range of about 15 nautical miles (around 28 km). The station also has a supervisory role: it remotely controls the São Lourenço lighthouse on Madeira's eastern peninsula.
What will you see here?
The appeal is the setting. Tall sea cliffs, open ocean to the horizon and the green slopes of the north coast dropping steeply to the water around São Jorge make a very different picture from the drier, sunnier south of the island. This is an operating lighthouse, not a museum, so come for the view and photographs rather than an interior tour or set opening hours.
How do you get there, and what else is nearby?
The lighthouse is in the São Jorge parish of Santana municipality, on Madeira's north coast. Driving is the easiest option, using the regional road along the northern shore; from Funchal the route crosses the island through hilly, scenic country. In São Jorge itself, the Miradouro da Vigia viewpoint offers a wide panorama of the west coast. Santana is also known for its traditional triangular thatched houses.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ponta de São Jorge lighthouse still active?
Yes. It has operated since 1959, and its light carries about 15 nautical miles.
How tall is it?
The tower is about 14 metres high, and the light sits 271 metres above sea level.
Can you go inside?
No public access to the interior or visiting hours are listed. Treat it as an exterior viewpoint.
Is it the same as the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse?
No. Ponta do Pargo is at Madeira's western tip and has its own viewpoint and museum. Ponta de São Jorge is on the north coast near Santana.
Is this the lighthouse on the Azores?
No. Despite the similar name, this one is on Madeira, not on São Jorge island in the Azores.
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