August 24th, 2026
5 Italian lighthouses worth visiting for a weekend getaway A little-known way to discover and experience the best of the Italian coast
In 2015, the Agenzia del Demanio, the Italian public agency that manages and enhances the State's real estate assets, launched the Valore Paese-Fari project, putting out to tender 11 lighthouses and other publicly owned coastal buildings, offering them for concession for up to 50 years to encourage their recovery and reuse. These were largely disused structures, but they shared the common trait of being located along some of the country's most spectacular stretches of coastline. The goal of the project was to restore these buildings and enhance their value by transforming them into new tourist destinations.
About a decade later, some of the sites involved in the Valore Paese-Fari project have indeed been converted into charming hotels and restaurants – much loved by tourists and local residents alike. Here, then, are five of these lighthouses to consider for a weekend stay, discovering an unusual way to experience Italy's coastal heritage.
Brucoli Lighthouse — Augusta (Syracuse)
On the Sicilian Ionian coast, next to the Aragonese Castle, the Brucoli lighthouse has been transformed into a "lighthouse accommodation" with a view of Mount Etna, the result of a restoration aimed at preserving the original essence of the 1911 building. The restoration work favored historic materials from the local area, keeping the lantern intact – still functioning – at the top of the panoramic terrace. The structure, spread over two levels, houses a living area and a kitchen on the ground floor, and three bedrooms on the first floor.
Capel Rosso Lighthouse — Giglio Island (Grosseto)
At the southern tip of Giglio Island, the Capel Rosso lighthouse has been restored through a careful renovation that has successfully highlighted the area's historical and natural heritage. The suites inside the structure feature clean, essential design interiors. Besides the rooms, the structure offers a restaurant, a planetarium, a historic library, and a museum, making it as much a place to stay as a small cultural hub. The lighthouse, also famous for being one of the filming locations for Paolo Sorrentino's film The Great Beauty, is reached via a short walk through the Mediterranean scrub.
Capo d'Orso Lighthouse — Maiori (Salerno)
@_mars.85 Maiori, faro di capo d’orso… . . . . #amalficoast #maiori #italy #lighthouse #campania #travel #capodorso Interstellar on Piano - Andy Morris
The Capo d'Orso Lighthouse, perched on the Amalfi Coast and overlooking the Gulf of Salerno, has undergone a redevelopment project aimed at combining tourism with environmental protection: the project included the restoration of interior spaces for educational and cultural activities, a small refreshment point and a small lodging, as well as the upgrading of the trail and the creation of scenic viewpoints. The area surrounding the lighthouse also preserves an important natural heritage, which extends to the seabed of this stretch of coast – where red coral can be found.
Punta Fenaio Lighthouse – Giglio Island (Grosseto)
@eletravelblog Siete mai stati a cena in un faro? Lo puoi fare alFaro di Punta Fenaio, Isola del Giglio Solo su prenotazione, partendo dalla località Scopeto, trasportati da una jeep, si arriverà in questo posto magico, dove potrete gustare un fantastico aperitivo al tramonto e una cena romantica al lume di candela #isoladelgiglio #faro #tuscany #farodelfenaio #lighthouse #vlog #vlogs #vlogger #sunset #sunsetlover #aesthetic #landscape #fyp #perte Find a melody to this piece - Andrea Vanzo
On the northern tip of Giglio Island, the nineteenth-century Fenaio lighthouse is now an exclusive resort – getting there is already part of the experience: a roughly 1.5 km trek through the Mediterranean scrub, with views over the Maremma coastline. The structure has several rooms and suites with private terraces overlooking the sea, furnished with soft colors and natural materials. The in-house restaurant offers a cuisine that reinterprets traditional Tuscan gastronomy; guests of the structure can also enjoy a private cove.
Punta Imperatore Lighthouse – Forio (Ischia)
@ischiaofficial Ci sono luoghi che non si limitano a stare sulla mappa. Ci sono luoghi che diventano simboli. Il Faro di Punta Imperatore non è solo il punto più occidentale di Ischia. È una sentinella che da oltre un secolo osserva il mare, le tempeste, i tramonti e le vite di chi ha scelto di guardare oltre l'orizzonte. Qui ha scritto la sua storia anche Lucia Capuano, la prima donna guardiana di un faro in Italia, esempio di coraggio e determinazione in un'epoca in cui certe scelte sembravano impossibili. Ogni volta che arriviamo fin quassù, dopo la salita tra vigneti e macchia mediterranea, ci ricordiamo una cosa semplice: i panorami più belli non si regalano, si conquistano. E forse è proprio questo il segreto di Punta Imperatore. Qual è il vostro ricordo più bello legato a questo luogo? Faro di Punta Imperatore, Forio d'Ischia
audio originale - Eccellenze Ischitane
Perched on the island's western promontory, the Punta Imperatore lighthouse dominates one of the most striking spots on Ischia. The structure was converted by the German company Floatel, with an investment of around 2 million euros, opening its doors to guests in July 2023. The offering is deliberately limited: just four rooms, a kitchen, and a rooftop bar. Inside the structure is also the restaurant Lucì, led by chef Antonio Monti, offering contemporary cuisine that fully showcases local ingredients and products.
