Best Lighthouses
Maine's most iconic and photogenic lighthouses along the coast. These beacons have guided mariners for centuries.
Portland Head Light
Commissioned by George Washington, this is Maine's oldest and most photographed lighthouse, set in the stunning Fort Williams Park.
View Portland Head Light GuidePemaquid Point Light
A white tower with a black lantern room above spectacular striated rock formations. Bristol charges $4 for adults and children 12 and over, $1 for children 5 to 11, and nothing for children 4 and under. Bristol taxpayers and residents are free with a renewed annual park pass. The park is open 9am to 5pm daily from mid-May to mid or late October, the closing date varying by year. Climbing the tower carries a separate $1 suggested donation, collected at the tower by the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.
View Town InfoBass Harbor Head Light
Perched on a sea cliff, this is the most famous sunset spot in Acadia National Park.
View Town InfoWest Quoddy Head Light
The candy-striped tower at the easternmost point of the United States. The coastal trail here offers views of Canada.
View Town InfoRockland Breakwater Light
Unique because you have to walk nearly a mile on a massive granite breakwater to reach it.
View Rockland Breakwater Light GuideWith over 60 lighthouses guarding its jagged coast, Maine offers endless opportunities to view these maritime icons. They stand as stoic reminders of a time when the sea was the only highway, and keepers lived solitary lives to protect mariners from the granite teeth of the coast.
Icons and Hidden Gems
Portland Head Light is the superstar — easy to visit, spectacular to photograph, and steeped in history. But further afield, lights like West Quoddy Head (with its candy stripes) and Pemaquid Point (featured on the state quarter) offer dramatic settings with fewer crowds.
The Challenge of Access
Not all lighthouses are easy to reach. Some, like Boon Island or Mount Desert Rock, are offshore and can only be seen by boat. Others are located on private property or active Coast Guard stations. The ones listed here are the best for visitors, offering public access, museums, and stunning vantage points.
Explore More of Maine
Looking for more inspiration? Browse our full directory of towns or explore by region.