The Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse (Farol da Ponta do Pargo) stands on Ponta da Vigia, the westernmost cape of Madeira, on a cliff about 290 m above the Atlantic. It has been in service since 5 June 1922; the tower is 14 m tall and its light sits 312 m above sea level. It is in the parish of Ponta do Pargo, in the municipality of Calheta, and it is the natural stop for anyone who wants to see the island's western edge and the sea beyond it.
Where is the Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse?
The lighthouse is at the end of the road in the parish of Ponta do Pargo, on the far west of Madeira. The World List of Lights (ARLHS MAD-005) gives its position as 32.8139° N, 17.2631° W. Visit Madeira describes the site as close to Achadas da Cruz; administratively, Wikipedia places Ponta do Pargo in the municipality of Calheta, west of the Calheta town and south-west of Porto Moniz.
A road links the parish with Porto Moniz, Santana and Funchal. Visit Madeira publishes no written directions for the lighthouse, only a map link, so the practical way is to put the coordinates above into your sat nav. We found no verified bus information, so we do not give any; check the operator before relying on public transport. Our guide to driving in Madeira covers the west-coast roads.
What is the lighthouse like?
According to Wikipedia, the tower is a grey-white concrete cylinder with eight ribs, a balcony and a lantern with a red roof. The light is a second-order Fresnel lens with the characteristic Fl(3) W 20 s (three white flashes every 20 seconds) and a nominal range of 26 nautical miles, about 48 km.
Some milestones from the sources:
- 1922: the lighthouse starts operating on 5 June.
- 1989: it is connected to the public electricity grid.
- 1999: the Regional Government classifies it as a Property of Local Value.
- 2001: a small museum space is created with items about the lighthouses of Madeira, plus photographs and documents.
It is also among the most visited lighthouses in the country. The Portuguese Wikipedia, citing national press, says it received 14,232 visitors in 2017 and the English one reports 15,301 in 2018. Expect company in high season.
Can you go inside, and what are the opening hours?
Visit Madeira does not publish opening hours or an entry fee for the lighthouse, and we could not find an official source that does. The museum space and the grounds may therefore be open at different times, or not on a given day. Treat the outside viewing area as the part you can count on and confirm locally if you want the museum. We do not state hours we could not verify.
When is the best time to watch the sunset?
The lighthouse faces the open Atlantic to the west, so the sun sets over open sea with nothing in the way. In November, for example, Funchal's sunset is at about 18:17 on 1 November and about 18:02 on 30 November (sunrise-sunset.org); times at the western tip are very close to these. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes earlier to see the light change.
Two caveats:
- Cloud and fog. English Wikipedia notes that fog sometimes covers the headland. The cliff-top is at altitude, so it can be in cloud while the coast further south is clear. Look at the sky to the west before driving.
- The drive back is after dark for much of the year. Plan the return on the narrow country roads, and see our guide to Madeira in November for sunset times in that month.
What is there to do nearby?
Ponta do Pargo is a working village, not a resort. The parish church of São Pedro, at Sítio do Salão, is listed as a building of municipal interest. The mid-20th-century public washhouses at Sítio do Amparo were designed by the architect Chorão Ramalho. According to Portuguese Wikipedia, local specialities are mixed grilled meats and espada (scabbardfish) in wine and garlic, and the village has a tea house, Casa de Chá O Fio.
For the wider west of the island, see the west region guide. The Porto Moniz natural pools and the Rabaçal trails such as Levada das 25 Fontes are on the same side of Madeira; check the road and distance on a map before combining them in one day. For more viewpoints, browse Madeira photography spots.
What do visitors commonly misjudge?
- It is not on the way to anywhere. Ponta do Pargo is at the end of the road; allow time for the return drive.
- The weather at the headland differs from the coast. The cliff sits at about 290 m and faces the open sea.
- Hours. Do not assume the museum is open when the grounds are.
