The island is named after its main feature, the lighthouse. The Lighthouse Island, in Portuguese, Ilha do Farol. To get there one has to take a ferry. Easy pie. The pier is located just outside the old walls of Faro’s citadel. However, boats are available only from late May to the end of September. Ticket costs 5 Euros, both ways.
It’s a short stroll from the pier to the lighthouse. A visit can and should be combined with a swim at the beach. The nearby beach is great and you can walk on the golden sand as much as you like. It’s 7 km to the end of the island.
A curiosity: the village around the lighthouse in the southernmost inhabited place in Portugal.
The official name of the lighthouse is Farol do Cabo de Santa Maria. It was built in 1851 under the supervision of Ipácio Vielle and was equipped with a Fresnel lens of second category (700 mm focal distance). Its tower was 35 meters tall and its light reached 15 miles.
In 1922 the tower was raised by 22 meters, reaching the current height of 47 meters. Its optical system was upgraded. At this time, its light would flash four times every 15 seconds. In 1925 the source of the light was changed to a petroleum steam system.
Then, in 1929, an awkward vibration started to be felt in the lighthouse and for safety reasons the whole structure was reinforced.
Electricity arrived in 1949. Previously the light was produced with petroleum but from this moment on electrical power took over. This lighthouse made use of the four light source technologies available along its lifespan: olive oil, petroleum, petroleum steam and, finally incandescent electric bulb.
Between 1995 and 1997 deep works took place. During the execution a temporary system was assembled on the top of a scaffold structure. The lighthouse was fully automated and currently it has a reach of 46 km.
Hold on, the best is yet to come: it’s actually possible to visit the lighthouse. And for free! It’s open to the public on Wednesdays, from 14:30 to 17:00. Additionally it’s also open on the first and third Sundays of each month, from 10:00 to 12:30. This applies to several lighthouses in Portugal. Get ready to climb the 220 steps and enjoy the amazing views from the top of this lighthouse!
Due to COVID-19 pandemic the open lighthouses program is suspended until further notice.
