The 19th-century lighthouse guided ships heading into Lisbon
Built in 1868, on the site of a 17th-century fort which complemented the citadel in the protection of Cascais and the entrance to Lisbon, this lighthouse was restored in 2006 to become a museum. It tells the story of lighthouses in Portugal, whose coastline has always guided ships throughout history.
Inside the lighthouse museum
The three separate areas that make up the museum include small all-white contemporary additions, but the main attraction is the tower, which was extended in 1938, and is 36 meters (118 feet) tall. Visitors may head to the top, via a spiraling staircase, for bird’s-eye views of Cascais and the Atlantic (this part closes on stormy days).
View from the top of the lighthouse
The exhibition space displays the tools and equipment that make a lighthouse work, and shows all the lighthouses that exist from north to south of Portugal.
Rua do Farol de Santa Marta
Admission and Tickets to the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum
Tickets are €5 and include admission to Casa de Santa Maria next door.
It's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Attractions Nearby
Casa de Santa Maria - This romantic construction was built for an aristocratic family in a style meant to be the most perfect example of a Portuguese house. Don’t miss it -- it’s included in the ticket to the lighthouse.
Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum - A castle-like residence of a count, now open to the public as a museum.
Praia de Santa Marta - Tiny beach in the shadow of the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, with crystal-clear waters.