Lighthouses Open to the Public Across Greece

On Sunday, 29 lighthouses across Greece will be made accessible to the general public. The one-day event presents a rare opportunity for visitors to learn more about the contribution of lighthouses to maritime safety and navigation.

The lighthouses are being opened to the public to celebrate World Lighthouse Day, which has been held every year since 2003 on the third Sunday in August. Some of the lighthouses that will be opened to the public are of notable historical significance. For example, the Lighthouse of Akrotiri on Santorini is one of the oldest in the country.

Owing to its vast coastline, myriad of islands, and proud nautical traditions, lighthouses have played an important role throughout the history of Greece.

29 lighthouses to open in Greece

The lighthouses will be open to visit from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00 on Sunday. What sets these lighthouses apart is not only their sheer number but also the diverse personalities they possess. Each lighthouse has a unique architecture, design, and historical significance, serving as a testament to Greece’s maritime heritage. The full list is as follows:

1. Aghios Nikolaos the island of Kea
2. Akrotiri on Santorini
3. Arkitsa in Fthiotida
4. Moudari on the island of Kythira
5. Vryssaki in Lavrio
6. Gerogombos on the island of Kefalonia
7. Gourouni on Skopelos
8. Drepano in Chania
9. Kassandra in Halkidiki
10. Kastri on Othoni
11. Shinari on Zakynthos
12. Kranai in Gythio
13. Megalo Emvolo in Thessaloniki
14. Melagavi in Loutraki
15. Plaka on Limnos
16. Korakas on Paros
17. Kokkinopoulos on Psara
18. Alexandroupolis in Alexandroupoli
19. Tenaro in the region of Lakonia
20. Koprena in Arta
21. Kaki Kefali in Halkida
22. Monemvasia in the region of Lakonia
23. Lakka on Paxi
24. Vassilina on Evia
25. Pappa on Ikaria
26. Spathi on Serifos
27. Doukato on Lefkada
28. Katakolo, Ilia region
29. Koghi on Salamina

Maritime tradition

Lighthouses form an important part of Greece’s rich maritime traditions. For a country of seafarers, it has always been important to ensure the safety of seaborne vessels – something lighthouses have been doing since antiquity.

Boasting a grand count of 1,600 lighthouses, Greece is among the countries with the most lighthouses in the world. With an average age of approximately two hundred years, each of these lighthouses possesses a distinct personality and a captivating historical narrative.

According to the Lighthouse Authority of the Hellenic Navy, the Greek network of lighthouses extends 18,400 km along the coast of Greece.

Today, the 1,297 torches maintained by the Lighthouse Authority are estimated to fully cover the lighting needs of an extremely large number of islands, islets, and rock islands (9,835) as well as 1,345 bays and coves, 161 straits and channels, and 520 ports.