Arnel’s Lighthouse: The oldest of the Azores

The Arnel’s Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful architectural elements of the Azores archipelago and is located on the island of São Miguel, on the tip of Arnel, in the extreme northeast of the island.

It was the first lighthouse to be set up in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and went into operation on November 26, 1876. Built at the end of the 19th century in a context of modernization and structuring of the Northeast region, it was planned and built by the hands of António Alves de Oliveira. Over the years, the Arnel’s Lighthouse was the target of some improvements and maintenance works, which allowed it to maintain its functions and constitute a landmark of the county’s heritage. Today, it is one of the most privileged visiting cards of the Azores, the island of São Miguel and the county of Nordeste itself.

The Arnel Lighthouse is at an altitude of 66 meters and has an octagonal tower of 15 meters high, which was built on the building that houses the lighthouse keepers. It is a coastal lighthouse; its light reaches 25 sea miles and works through white lightning with a duration of 5 seconds.

In this area, you can also admire the beautiful Northeast slope, on the left side of the lighthouse, the Ponta do Arnel waterfall, on the right side of the lighthouse, and also, at the end of the road, the Northeast fishing port.

(watch image gallery below)

The road that gives access to the lighthouse and the fishing port has a steep slope (between 30 and 35%) and the curves are very narrow, so it is recommended to leave your vehicle in the parking lot next to the Regional Road and do the rest on foot.

The lighthouse keeper structure presents guided tours throughout the year, so visitors can get to know the activity of the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper, as well as all its history and heritage. In addition, inside the lighthouse can be appreciated a permanent exhibition about the history of the lighthouses of the Azores.

After visiting the lighthouse, itself, go straight on the Regional Road until you come across the Vista dos Barcos Viewpoint. In this place, you will have a complete view of the Arnel Lighthouse and the Fishing Port, as well as a panoramic view of the immense blue sea that surrounds the coast of the Northeast.

Vista dos Barcos Viewpoint.