Discover Cascais

Visit Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum

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Discover the greatness of maritime navigational traditions as you immerse yourself in the history and atmosphere of the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum. From its origins to modern times, the Santa Marta Lighthouse has been a symbol of safety and an important element of Portugal’s maritime history. 

Explore the interior of the Santa Maria House Museum to understand the role lighthouses played in navigation and keeping seafarers safe. Set in the beautiful setting of Cascais, the museum offers an unforgettable experience, imbued with maritime spirit and cultural heritage.

Tourist Information

The Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum is not only an iconic safety site for seafarers but also a cultural heritage of Portugal. This historic complex is located on the site of an old fort built in the 17th century and includes a lighthouse tower characterized by its unique blue and white striped design. 

Inside the museum, you will find interactive exhibits about the development of lighthouse technology and optics, as well as the profession of a lighthouse keeper. Multimedia presentations complement the experience. 

A visit to the museum is especially attractive due to its location on the terrace of the fort, which offers magnificent views of the cliffs of Cascais. Here you can also enjoy a great atmosphere in a small cafe, enjoying drinks and snacks surrounded by the sea breeze and picturesque scenery. 

The place is ideal to visit at any time of the year, but during the summer you can enjoy more vibrant and picturesque views and spend time outdoors on the fort’s terrace.

Interesting Facts

The Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, located in Farol de Santa Marta in Cascais, is an important cultural and historical site. Rising on the site of an ancient 17th-century fort, the lighthouse was restored and turned into a museum in 2006. This historic site represents the importance of maritime navigation to Portugal, and its displays allow visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history of the country’s lighthouse service.

The main attraction of the museum is its tower, built in 1868 and expanded in 1938 to a height of an impressive 36 meters. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the beautiful landscape of Cascais and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

The museum displays a rich collection of tools and equipment used in lighthouse work, as well as information about the lighthouses located along the Portuguese coast. In addition, the exhibition is dedicated to the profession of a lighthouse keeper and his role in ensuring the safety of navigation.

A visit to the Farol de Santa Marta Cascais museum is recommended in the warm season when you can enjoy the bright sun and beautiful views from the fort’s terrace. Next to the lighthouse there is a cozy cafe where you can enjoy snacks and drinks while enjoying the pleasant atmosphere and views of the ocean.

Open Hours

The Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, except on Sundays when it is closed to the public. This schedule ensures that the museum can be visited throughout the week, excluding weekends, giving guests ample flexibility in planning their visit.

Tickets

Santa Maria house museum tickets cost €5 and also include entry to the Casa de Santa Maria, which is nearby. This combination ticket gives you access to two attractions for one price, making it an attractive choice for tourists.

Address

Address: Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália, 2750-800 Cascais, Portugal

How to Get to Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum

To get to the Santa Marta Lighthouse you have several options: you can take a taxi or rent a car and drive in 6 minutes from the center of Cascais. You can also walk from the city center, it will take about 10 minutes. There may be bus routes or excursions that include a visit to the lighthouse.