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Felgueiras Lighthouse

Fl 10s🇵🇹Porto, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Felgueiras Lighthouse

Also known as: Felgueiras (Rio Douro North Breakwater)

The Felgueiras lighthouse, built of stone and first lit in 1886, is a round tower standing 10 meters tall with a focal height of 17 meters. Its hexagonal stone structure is topped with a lantern and gallery. Located at the end of the original breakwater on the north side, it marks the entrance to the Rio Douro and the traditional harbor of Porto. The light emitted a red flash every 5 seconds and had a geographic range of 12.4 nautical miles. Although its light became inactive in 2009, the site remains open to visitors, offering views of the Atlantic and the city.

Why it matters: This lighthouse was established to guide ships entering and departing the Rio Douro, serving the traditional harbor of Porto.

Background
The Felgueiras Lighthouse , also known as the Farol de Felgueiras, Farolim do Molhe de Felgueiras, or Farolim Cabeça de Molhe, is a lighthouse on the Portuguese Atlantic coast, situated on a jetty or mole on the right bank of the Douro River, at the point where the river meets the ocean. It is situated in the parish of Foz do Douro, in the Porto municipality.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl R 5s
Focal Height
17m
Light Range
9NM (16.7 km)
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1886

Significant events: Inactive since 2009, light replaced by new breakwater light

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
red
Material
stone

Structure: hexagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Porto
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Region
Porto
Sea Region
Entrance to the Rio Douro and the traditional harbor of Porto, at the end of the original breakwater on the north side
Latitude
41.1468°
Longitude
-8.6773°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Oporto(0.5 km)
Admiralty No.
D2046
NGA No.
3252
ARLHS No.
POR-070
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q10280208 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Felgueiras Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 17 meters and a nominal range of 9 nautical miles (approximately 16.7 km), Felgueiras is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Felgueiras Lighthouse at night?+
Felgueiras displays the characteristic Fl 10s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area.
Which ports and harbors does Felgueiras Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Felgueiras Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Porto at 1.6 NM to the E. Other ports served include São Pedro da Afurada (2.1 NM ESE), Leixões (2.4 NM NNW), Matosinhos (2.4 NM NNW), Senhora da Hora (2.5 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Felgueiras Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Felgueiras Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Felgueiras Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Felgueiras Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.