Lighthouse at Praia da Barra, Aveiro region

Lighthouse at Praia da Barra - Aveiro region, Portugal winter 2016

Let me share one of my hidden gems with you, a visit to the lighthouse at Praia da Barra in the Aveiro Region.

View from the lighthouse

         View from the lighthouse

The lighthouse is open to the public for three guided visits on Wednesdays starting 13:30, last visit starts at 16:00. I recommend it if you are somewhat fit, because it implies climbing the staircase of the 62 meter tower. So, all in all, more than a couple hundreds steps up... More information...

staircase at the lighthouse

I am afraid of heights and the visit was a challenge to me, but in spite of my fear of heights it was worth all the excitement and the stair climbing. The guide knew a lot about the light house and explained all the history and technicalities fluently in a couple of languages and kept the group's interest all the way.

(details from the lighthouse) 


Just make sure you are there early on high season because there is a limit to the number of visitors due to safety reasons. The views are gorgeous, and that was on a bad weather day. Besides you can take a gelatto on the ice cream cafe or shop on the cafes and shops on the "praça" (square) outside the lighthouse and the main street.

One of the shares surrounding the lighthouse

You can also surf on the beach to the left of the lighthouse or have a quiet sea bathing on the shelter beach (Praia da Meia Laranja) in front of the lighthouse, take a walk on the "paredão", fly a kite... Well, there are so many things you can do there. The only downside is the parking, but as it is manly bad on weekends on a Wednesday you should find a good parking place. By the way the gelatti on the ice cream cafe are delicious. ;-)