Santa Marta Lighthouse

Santa Marta Lighthouse (Farol de Santa Marta) stands in Cascais, just south of the town centre, where the Tagus estuary meets the Atlantic. A white tower with blue horizontal bands and a red lantern, it is one of the most photographed spots along the seafront. A lighthouse museum sits right beside it.

What is this lighthouse?

The tower is a square-section masonry structure clad in white tiles. It rises about 20 m, with the light about 25 m above sea level, and the beam reaches roughly 18 nautical miles (over 30 km). It lights up Cascais Bay and guides boats into the town's new marina. The site is the former Santa Marta Fort, a 17th-century defence built to guard the approach to Cascais from the sea. A small light tower with a red lamp went up in 1868 (some sources give an earlier date), a fog signal followed in 1949, and automation in the early 1980s ended the need for a resident keeper.

What can you see here?

The former keepers' houses hold the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, which opened in July 2007. It was set up jointly by Cascais council and the Portuguese Navy. Two exhibition rooms and an auditorium explain how lighthouses work and tell the story of this stretch of coast. Outside, a terrace looking over the bay can be enjoyed without entering the museum.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse is on the seafront promenade, a 10-15 minute walk from Cascais railway station and the old town. Trains for Cascais leave Lisbon's Cais do Sodré station and take about 40 minutes. The nearest beach is Praia de Santa Marta.

When should you go?

The terrace and surroundings are best on a clear day or around sunset, when the bay and cliffs catch the light. Museum opening hours and tower-visit arrangements have changed over the years and sources differ, so check the current details with Cascais council before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the museum? Yes, it occupies the former keepers' houses. Check opening times and ticket price with Cascais council or by phone before visiting.

Can you climb the tower? Tower climbs have been offered on occasion, for example during museum events. It is not a regular attraction, so ask ahead.

How tall is the lighthouse? The tower is about 20 m high, with the light about 25 m above sea level.

Is the lighthouse still working? Yes. It still serves shipping in Cascais Bay and at the marina entrance, but it has been automated since the 1980s.