The Alexandroupoli Lighthouse
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The Alexandroupoli Lighthouse

0 km from the center

About

The Lighthouse of Alexandroupoli is the city's most recognisable monument and one of the most distinctive landmarks of all Thrace. It stands right on the seafront, in the square that bears its name, and is an inseparable part of Alexandroupoli's image.

The lighthouse is directly linked to the great growth of Dedeagach in the second half of the 19th century, when the city was developing into a major port and railway hub of the Ottoman Empire.

One of the City's Symbols

Its construction began around 1850 by the Administration Générale des Phares de l'Empire Ottoman, the French lighthouse administration/company of the Ottoman Empire, and was completed several years later. The Lighthouse was inaugurated and put into operation on 1 June 1880, and has operated continuously ever since.

It stands 18 metres tall and is visible from a distance of about 24 nautical miles, roughly 44 kilometres. The lighthouse is built of stone and has an internal staircase leading up to the lamp room at the top.

From Oil to Electricity

For many decades the lamp ran on oil. In 1973 the old system was replaced, and the lighthouse switched to electric power.

The lighthouse's operation is no longer merely a historical memory. It remains an active maritime aid, while the structure itself has been officially designated a monument by the Ministry of Culture.

Its Relationship With the Port and the City

The Lighthouse's creation should be seen within the wider development of Dedeagach. The city was growing rapidly thanks to the port and the railway, while the lighthouse's presence secured an important navigation point for ships approaching the area.

It is therefore no accident that the Lighthouse stands exactly where the city, the seafront avenue and the sea meet today. Its location is part of its story.

The Square and the Seafront

The area around the Lighthouse is today one of Alexandroupoli's most distinctive public spaces. This is essentially where the experience of the seafront city begins, with the pedestrian walkway, dining spots and views over the Thracian Sea.

The square in front of the Lighthouse is also a point from which one can start a walk towards the seafront zone and the port, or towards the western part of the city.

In 2026 the Ministry of Culture approved the use of part of Faros Square for cafe seating, with specific restrictions to keep access walkways clear and preserve unobstructed views of the monument and the sea.

Can You Go Inside?

The Lighthouse's interior is not a permanently visitable museum or sight. It isn't open to visits on a permanent basis, though special activities occasionally take place, such as on World Lighthouse Day, allowing the public to visit the interior and climb up to the lamp room.

A Must-See for Every Visitor

Even without going inside, the Lighthouse is one of the things no visitor to Alexandroupoli should miss.

The best experience is to visit it in the late afternoon, when you can combine: Lighthouse to Faros Square to a walk along the seafront to sea views to coffee or a meal on the waterfront.

And of course, it is one of the city's most distinctive photo spots, especially at sunset.

Contact

  • Πλατεία Φάρου, Αλεξανδρούπολη

Useful Information

Weather in Alexandroupoli

Live
20°CCloudy
Feels like 18°C 10 km/h 44%

From April to June and from September to October you get warm days, calm sea, and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy along the seafront, while winters stay mild but rainy.