The Most Beautiful Lighthouses of Brazil

As guardians of our coasts, the lighthouses rise in their originality and architectural beauty in historic ports, on small islands or rocks in the middle of the sea. They shape the landscape with their unmistakable profile, defying the forces of nature and offering a special feeling of protection. Where there is a lighthouse, there is safety.
These indispensable instruments for navigation remind us of our history as a nation of sailors. Today, lighthouses are above all tourist attractions and historical heritage and an indispensable and beautiful element of our coasts. Also on a trip to Brazil, you can discover many lighthouses along the 4,654 miles (7,491 kilometers) of coast. Today, we will show you which are the most beautiful lighthouses in Brazil for us.

The fortress on which stands the lighthouse of Barra, the oldest in South America, was built in 1698. The lighthouse itself was built in the middle of the 19th century. The lighthouse and the fortress are especially popular among tourists and are therefore one of the most visited attractions in Salvador. Since 2011 the interior of the lighthouse is open for public visits. Inside, the Nautical Museum of Bahia (Museu Náutico da Bahia) is located.

A beach walk to the Itapuã lighthouse is the perfect change to splash around and relax. The lighthouse is located on the beach of Itapuã, about 14 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of the lighthouse of Barra. The lighthouse is 69 feet (21 meters) high and is a cast-iron channel tower standing on a concrete base. It is connected to the beach by a bridge. If you look through the arches of the bridge towards Salvador, you can enjoy an impressive view of the skyline of Salvador.

Humaitá Lighthouse is one of the smallest lighthouses in the world. It is located in the Baía de Todos os Santos, the Bay of All Saints, near the Ribeiras district. As with Farol da Barra, there is always something going on here and many come to watch the sunset. The lighthouse was built in 1935 to guide ships safely past the southern end of the Itapagipe peninsula. Today it is a monument that decorates the historical site of Humaitá. It is 33 feet (10 meters) high and has a range of 11 nautical miles.

The lighthouse of Morro is located on a 207 feet (63 meter) high hill on the Ilha de Tinharé. The construction works were completed in 1855 and at that time it was the most modern lighthouse on the Brazilian Atlantic coast. From the lighthouse, you can see the village with its alleys and the paradisiacal beaches with crystal clear water and coconut trees. Thanks to its location and beautiful views, it is one of the most beautiful destinations in Bahia and is also a great photo motif.

The Abrolhos Lighthouse is located in the Brazilian state of Bahia. It stands on the tip of the island of Santa Bárbara, the largest island of the Abrolhos archipelago, which is part of the Abrolhos National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos). It is one of the most powerful lighthouses in the world with a range of 51 nautical miles (59 miles). This is only exceeded by the lighthouse Air Tetuan in Morocco with a range of 54 nautical miles.

The lighthouse of Preguiças, also called Farol do Mandacaru, is located in the village of Mandacaru in the state of Maranhão near the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. The nearest town is Barreirinhas. Today the lighthouse is one of the historical attractions of the region. From the top of the lighthouse, you can see the whole region, the village Mandacaru and the mouth of the Rio Preguiças into the Atlantic Ocean. To do this, you have to climb 160 steps inside the lighthouse, but the effort is rewarded with a beautiful view.

The Conchas Lighthouse was built in 1872 by order of Dom Pedro II and still guides sailors entering the bay of Paranaguá. It is located on the top of the Morro das Conchas (English "shell hill"), from where you have a fantastic view over the whole island. The perfect destination for a short photo break. Access to the lighthouse can be made by a hiking trail from Brasília beach (1 mile - about 30 minutes) or Encantadas beach (4 miles - about 3 hours).

The lighthouse of Santa Marta is a true paradise on the south coast of Santa Catarina. The region around the lighthouse of the same name belongs to the municipality of Laguna, in the extreme south of the state. From the top of the lighthouse hill, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view. Especially the beaches near the lighthouse are fantastic and some of them are ideal for surfing. Inaugurated in 1891 and 95 feet (29 meters) high, the lighthouse was designed by Frenchmen. It is still considered one of the largest in the world with a range of 46 nautical miles (53 miles).

The Cabo Branco Lighthouse is located on the cliffs of the homonymous district in João Pessoa, Paraíba. It is located about 2,624 feet (800 meters) north of Ponta do Seixas, the easternmost point of the Brazilian mainland. The architects had the intention to represent a sisal plant in the design of the lighthouse. Sisal is one of the permanent economic pillars of the state of Paraíba.

Our selection shows you only some of the beautiful lighthouses that you can explore along the Brazilian Atlantic coast during your Brazil vacation. Don't forget your camera to take some great souvenir photos with a lighthouse in the background. And one thing is for sure, at sunset, the atmosphere around the lighthouse is even more beautiful!

Sources: www.desviantes.com.br, www.guiadepraias.com, www.guichevirtual.com.br, www.wikipedia.org