Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse – Nordeste, São Miguel

Located at the northeastern tip of São Miguel Island, in the Azores Archipelago, the Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse is another tourist attraction that impresses with its beautiful construction and incredible location, standing out above the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The path to the Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse is quite steep, but the descent is worth it in the end.

Farol do Arnel
Fotografia de Nuno

The lighthouse tower is octagonal in shape, and the building includes a section intended for the keepers who live there. Nearby, there is a small and welcoming fishing village.

As an alternative to descending to the lighthouse, you can enjoy the area by visiting the Ponta do Arnel Viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the ocean and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. This is also a great spot for photography, so don’t forget to bring your camera!

Farol da Ponta do Arnel
Fotografia de Bruno Sousa

History of Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse

The Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse began operating on November 26, 1876, and is considered the first lighthouse built in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Its construction took place at the end of the 19th century, incorporating modern ideas from the great builder of the time, António Alves de Oliveira.

Ponta de Arnel
Fotografia de Nuno Vieira

The total construction cost was 21,000 réis, according to existing documentation.

Over the years, the lighthouse underwent several improvements and adaptations to maintain its preservation and provide an excellent option for tourists to visit, becoming a landmark in the heritage of the Nordeste municipality.

Farol do Arnel
Fotografia de Jorge Rodrigues

An interesting fact: In 1990, the lighthouse’s optical device was replaced due to the abandonment of acetylene gas as a fuel. A “hybrid” device was installed by the Lighthouse Directorate, featuring dioptric ring panels arranged on an automatic rotating pedestal.

Currently, the lighthouse emits simple white flashes every 5 seconds and has a range of 25 nautical miles. Its tower is 15 meters high, with an altitude of 66 meters.

Interesting Facts

The access road to the Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse is very steep, with a 35% incline, and there is no parking available. Therefore, although it is possible to drive down to the lighthouse by car or motorcycle, it is recommended to make the 500-meter journey on foot.

If you prefer to drive, you should park on the Regional Road near the descent towards the fishing harbor. The path is very narrow, and there is a risk of encountering vehicles coming in the opposite direction. Be careful and drive with caution!

Ponta de Arnel
Fotografia de Nuno Vieira

The Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse also offers visitors a permanent exhibition detailing the history of the lighthouses in the Azores. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the region’s heritage and history.

In the Netflix series “Rabo de Peixe”, one of the scenes was filmed in this location.

Visiting the Lighthouse

Opening Hours

Summer: Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Winter: Wednesdays from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Admission is free, and no prior booking or reservation is required.

Location on the Map

Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel
Fotografia de Nuno

Don’t miss visiting the Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse in the Nordeste municipality. It will certainly be a great place to discover during your trip to São Miguel Island.