LIGHTHOUSES

Safe passage to shore

In 1655, Lindesnes lighthouse, located at the southernmost tip of the Norwegian mainland, was lit for the very first time. It was the first of more than 200 lighthouses that have guided ships and vessels on the Norwegian coast for centuries.

Today, many lighthouses have been closed or automated, and the last staffed government-run lighthouse was shut down in 2006. But that doesn't mean that there's no life in these historic buildings. Lighthouses remain extremely popular to visit, and their unique location right by the dramatic coast also makes them a sought offer location to snap a photo.

Spend an unforgettable night

The government still owns most of the lighthouses, and co-operate with local groups to keep them open for visits, tours, and accommodation. Others are privately owned and commercially operated.

If you want to spend the night in one of Norway's cool lighthouses, you have about 60 to choose from along the entire coast of Norway. You can easily combine your stay with fun outdoor activities in the area. That's one of the best things about an overnight in a lighthouse: you're pretty much as close to the forces of nature as you can get! At the lighthouse at Kråkenes, at the westernmost and most windy point of Norway, you can even stay in the Storm suite!

You usually don't stay in the lighthouse itself, but rather in the lighthouse keeper's house, although some lighthouses have been transformed into super cool bars and lounges you can visit. The accommodation standard varies from rustic, cosy, and quite basic, to refurbished luxury, such as one finds at the Lofoten lighthouse on Værøy or the stately Høyevarde lighthouse at Karmøy, just outside Haugesund. Molja, in the city centre of Ålesund, has been transformed into a comfortable hotel room.

You can book accommodation at some lighthouses during winter as well, which will really give you a feeling of the power of mother nature.

A good tip is to book your stay early. Lighthouse stays are really unique, and therefore popular!

Easy to get to

Some of Norway's lighthouses are more accessible than others, like the famous Lindesnes lighthouse, Norway's oldest. The lighthouse is located a 45-minute drive from Mandal in Southern Norway, and you can park nearby. It has a visitor centre, and you can stay in the lighthouse keeper's house, just beside the lighthouse.

The area is also perfect for exploring on foot. There are several other lighthouses in the area where you can spend the night too.

If you're visiting Lindesnes fyr you should plan your visit to experience the foghorn! It sounds every Sunday at 12:00 from early March to late September, unless it's foggy out there.

Dine with a view

You don't have to spend the night in a lighthouse to visit one. Take a day trip and enjoy a delicious coffee, lunch, or dinner instead! Some of Norway's lighthouses are home to restaurants and cafés, where you can eat and drink with a stunning view. Some have art galleries too, including Alnes lighthouse just outside Ålesund, Obrestad lighthouse in Jæren in the Stavanger region, and Ryvarden lighthouse in Fjord Norway.

At Tranøy lighthouse, in Hamarøy in Northern Norway, you can dine at the restaurant Naustet Mat & Drikke in an old boathouse. Here, they serve local specialities like homemade fish cakes, lighthouse fish soup, and its speciality: grilled stockfish.

If you want to have a drink in an old lighthouse tower, you should visit Stangholmen lighthouse outside Risør. The lighthouse is located on Stangholmen island and you can get there by ferry in summer.

Unique locations

Some of Norway's lighthouses are located on tiny, remote islands. These are excellent for those seeking a bit more privacy, but be aware that your visit might involve some additional planning. It will be worth it!

At Litløy Lighthouse in Vesterålen in Northern Norway, where you will have the unique feeling of being alone on an island in the ocean. The hosts also arrange your transport.

Most lighthouses have websites with everything you need to know about how to get there. Many can be reached by ferries or by boat.