Iceland is a country of spectacular landscapes and natural beauty with many breathtaking sights. The original role of lighthouses was to direct sailors to safe routes and ports, preventing them from hitting the coast or reefs at night or in bad weather. But now the lighthouse is one of the famous tourist attractions.
Lighthouses are also used to mark dangerous places and bays at sea, and as markers of national borders and territories. The first lighthouses were constructed of wood, stone, and other available materials, and burned with open flames, oil lamps, or candles.
As technology developed, lighthouses gradually adopted more modern lighting equipment, such as mercury lamps, gasoline lamps, and electric lights, to improve the safety and reliability of navigators.
Here are nine of the most beautiful Icelandic lighthouses:
1. Icelandic Lighthouse: The lighthouse on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland, built in 1908, is about 30 meters high. The lighthouse is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes such as underwater hot springs, craters, and glacial lakes.
2. Hofn Lighthouse: Located in Hofna Harbor in southeastern Iceland, it was built in 1928 and is about 15 meters high. From the top of the lighthouse, you can overlook the glacier and fjord.
3. Bakkanes Lighthouse: Located in Skutulsfjordur in eastern Iceland, it was built in 1912 and is about 16 meters high. The lighthouse sits on a beautiful beach with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and fjords.
4. Ystanes Lighthouse: Located in Westman Islands in southern Iceland, it was built in 1878 and is about 20 meters high. Located in a spectacular caldera, this lighthouse is one of the most popular attractions on this small island.
5. Melrakkaslétta Lighthouse: Located on the Melrakkaslétta in northern Iceland, it was built in 1905 and is about 23 meters high. The views near the lighthouse are spectacular, including glaciers, beaches, and coastline.
6. Snartarstaðir Lighthouse: Located in Hafnafjordur Bay in eastern Iceland, it was built in 1939 and is about 15 meters high. This lighthouse is uniquely designed to offer stunning views of the bay and surrounding mountains.
7. Svínoy Lighthouse: Located in Isafjörður Bay in western Iceland, it was built in 1931 and is about 10 meters high. The lighthouse sits on a stunning beach with views of the bay and surrounding mountains.
8. Skagaströnd Lighthouse: Skagafjord Bay in northern Iceland.
If you plan to go to Iceland to visit the lighthouse, here are some travel tips, hope will help you:
Lighthouse Locations: Find out exactly where each lighthouse is before planning your itinerary. In Iceland, most lighthouses are located in remote places and need to be reached by car or public transport.
Best time to travel: The best time to travel is summer in Iceland (June to August) because the weather in this season is relatively warm and lasts forever, which is the best time for lighthouse sightseeing.
Food and lodging: There are usually no restaurants or hotels in the area near the lighthouse, so make sure you have enough food and lodging before your trip. Both camping and camping are affordable ways to stay in Iceland.
Self-drive tours: Self-drive tours are one of the most popular ways to travel in Iceland. If you plan to drive to the lighthouse, make sure your vehicle is capable of navigating the rough roads and rock piles and be careful.
What to bring: When traveling to the lighthouse, please bring the necessary items such as waterproof clothing, hiking shoes, a flashlight, a camera, etc. with you.
Lighthouse Hours: Some lighthouses allow interior visits but have limited hours, so check lighthouse hours and admission prices before heading.
Respect for nature and culture: During travel, please respect local nature and culture, abide by local regulations and moral codes, and do not leave garbage or cause damage to the lighthouse or surrounding areas.
Hope the above tips can help you plan a pleasant trip to the lighthouses in Iceland!
