Bengtskär Lighthouse is one of those rare places that grabs your attention the moment you hear its name as standing tall on a lonely rock in the middle of the sea Bengtskär Lighthouse tells stories of storms, sailors and survival like no other as it is not just the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic region but also one of Finland’s most unforgettable landmarks and when you plan your Finland tour packages make sure Bengtskär Lighthouse is on your list because this island is more than just a sightseeing stop as it’s an experience that connects you to Finland’s wild sea, history and calm beauty as from its dramatic wartime past to its peaceful present as a museum and guesthouse Bengtskär Lighthouse captures the heart of everyone who visits.

What & Where: The Basics of Bengtskär Lighthouse

• What is Bengtskär Lighthouse?
  Bengtskär Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse built in 1906 on a rocky islet (the skerry of Bengtskär) in the Archipelago Sea, Finland as it’s the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries.
  
  
• Where exactly is it located?
  It lies about 25 km southwest of Hanko as out in the Gulf of Finland / Archipelago Sea as the nearest inhabited island is Rosala, approximately 18 km north as
  Administratively the islet is part of Kimitoön (Kemiönsaari) municipality in Southwest Finland.
  
  
• How tall is it?
  52 meters above sea level is the often-cited “height” you see in promotional materials but technically the tower’s vertical height is about 46 meters with its lantern/focal height reaching ~51 m or so.

So when you see “52 m,” that’s the beam height above sea level as when you climb inside expect ~46 m of structure.

Why Bengtskär Lighthouse Was Built and Its Incredible Story

Between the Archipelago Sea and to Hanko, the seas were perilous for sailors as there were a number of dozens of shipwrecks stranded on hidden reefs in the area around Bengtskär through decades.

Particularly on the New Year’s Day of 1 January 1905 the SS Helsingfors grounded near the skerry to loss as that loss was caused by the construction of a lighthouse.

The National Romantic style lighthouse was planned by Florentin Granholm the construction began in March 1906 and was completed in December of the same year as nine months earlier than programmed.

They quarried islet granite as imported nearly half a million bricks and imported provision for laborers, storage and dwelling space onto that rocky wasteland.

The light was first turned on 19 December 1906.

Life on the Skerry: How People Lived at Bengtskär Lighthouse

Because Bengtskär Lighthouse stood remote, life there was intense and tightly knit.

• At peak times 32 people lived on the islet (keepers, families, children).
  
  
• There were multiple apartments: a senior keeper, an engineer, three lighthouse keepers and their families.
  
  
• They ran a small school so children didn’t have to leave.
  
  
• The keepers and their wives handled rotating duties as tending the light, maintaining equipment, cooking and housekeeping, etc.
  
  
• In winter or storms the islet might be isolated for weeks at a time.
  
  

By 1968 the lighthouse operations were automated and full-time residents were phased out.

The Battle of Bengtskär Lighthouse in 1941: High Drama at Sea

There’s perhaps the most exciting story in the history of Bengtskär Lighthouse as the Battle of Bengtskär in July 1941 in the Continuation War (Soviet Union against Finland).

• Finland had already agreed in March 1940 to cede Hanko to the Soviets in a peace treaty. Hanko was seized by the Soviet troops. Bengtskär was a Finnish lookout tower close to it.

• The Soviet troops on 26–27 July 1941 attempted to surround 60 men on Bengtskär with the intention of overrunning and destroying the lighthouse.

• There were approximately 38 Finnish defenders within the lighthouse.
  
  
• The defenders held on by radioing for help; coastal artillery, navy and air support joined the fight as over the morning, Finnish reinforcements arrived.
  
  
• The result: Finland held the lighthouse as on the Soviet side, estimates are ~60 dead; on the Finnish side about 32 men died (some sources vary).
  
  
• The next day a Soviet plane bombed the lighthouse again doing further damage.
  
  

Evidence of war damage and concrete bunkers all around is now evident.

After the war, the lighthouse was repaired through the 1950s.

Restoration and Tourist Era of Bengtskär Lighthouse

Post-war, life at Bengtskär Lighthouse languished as the structure fell into disrepair thanks to weather, neglect and vandalism.

In 1992, the University of Turku’s Centre for Extension Studies took over a lease for restoration.
Between 1992 and 1995 major renovations were done to restore the structure, preserve historical elements and prepare it for public access.

In 1995, the lighthouse opened to visitors.
Rooms formerly used by keepers became hotel rooms as the ground floor houses the museum, exhibitions on the Battle of Bengtskär, a café, a chapel and a souvenir shop.

Today, 13,000 to 15,000 visitors come each year.

What to See and Do at Bengtskär Lighthouse

When you visit Bengtskär Lighthouse as here are highlights and must-dos:

1. Climb the tower
   There are 252 steps plus a few ladders as the view from the lantern is breathtaking open sea as islands and sky meeting water.
   
   
2. Visit the museum & exhibitions
   On the ground floor you’ll find the first lighthouse museum in Finland as an exhibit on the Battle of Bengtskär and displays about life on the islet.
   
   
3. Explore war relics
   Bunkers, war damage scars and steps with blast marks all still visible as they bring a flashlight for darker tunnels.
   
   
4. Relax in café, send a postcard
   On site is a café serving snacks, drinks and local archipelago fare as you can send postcards stamped with the special Bengtskär postmark.
   
   
5. Stay overnight
   There are seven hotel rooms (about 25 beds in total) in former keeper quarters as guests also get access to the lantern room and the sauna (in granite).
   
   
6. Sauna & meals
   If you stay overnight then you’ll enjoy archipelago cuisine and the sauna tradition as the sauna is granite-built and over a century old.
   
   
7. Birding & nature
   The islet gets many migratory birds in May and September as tours highlight the arrival and departure of eider ducks.
   
   
8. Photography & atmospherics
   The light change, sea, rocks and shadows as all make for dramatic photography as the isolation gives a mood you’ll remember.
   
   

How to Visit Bengtskär Lighthouse: Getting There and Best Time to Go

Routes & Boats

• From Kasnäs (Kimitoön / Kemiönsaari)
  This is a common route as tour boats depart usually ~1 hour to reach Bengtskär.
  
  
• From Hanko (Eastern Harbour / Itäsatama)
  In summer as cruises depart from Hanko to Bengtskär.
  
  
• Via Rosala (on Archipelago Sights Route)
  Some cruises combine Rosala Viking Centre and Bengtskär.
  
  
• By private boat / taxi boat
  The piers on Bengtskär are small; depth is limited (northern pier ~2.5 m, southern ~1.5 m) as anchoring on the north side is prohibited due to underwater cables.
  
  
• Helicopter
  There is a helipad on the island, but landing must be pre-arranged with staff (only one helicopter at a time).
  
  

Schedule & Seasons

• The main tourist season is May–September.
  
  
• Day visits generally run June through August as with set departure and return times.
  
  
• In May (spring) and September (autumn) as weekend tours might run which focus on seasonal nature phenomena like bird migration.
  
  

Tickets & Prices (2025)

From official “How can you get to the lighthouse”:

• Spring eider duck safari (2.5–31 May): from ~ €71 (adult), ~ €42 (child 3–12 yrs), ~ €7 (child 0–2 yrs) includes entrance, guide/support, lunch.
  
  
• Archipelago Sights Route (1 June–31 August): from ~ €77 adult, €39.50 child (4–14 yrs), €7.50 child (0–3 yrs) including entrance, guiding, lunch.
  
  
• From Hanko (M/S Summersea route): from ~ €78 adult, €42 child (4–14 yrs) including lunch and guiding.
  
  
• Entrance fee if arriving by private or taxi boat: ~ €11 adult, ~ €5.50 child.
  
  

Prices may change, so always check the official site before your trip.

Useful Tips and Practical Advice for Visiting Bengtskär Lighthouse

• Book in advance especially for overnight stays or peak summer tours as rooms fill fast.
  
  
• Check weather & sea conditions as if the sea is rough or wind is strong and visits may be canceled for safety.
  
  
• Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing as the island is rocky and exposed; wind is common.
  
  
• Bring a flashlight or headlamp for exploring bunkers and darker corridors.
  
  
• Mind the stairs. 252 steps + ladders as not for those with serious mobility issues.
  
  
• Respect the wildlife. In spring and autumn as many migratory birds nest here so keep distance stay on designated paths.
  
  
• Camera & backup battery. The scenery is intense.
  
  
• Combine with Rosala Viking Centre when possible via the Archipelago Sights route.
  
  
• Email or call ahead if arriving by private boat or planning helicopter arrival.
  
  
• Stay overnight for the full experience. Seeing the lighthouse by night which hears the silence and sea as that’s something few get to taste.
  
  

What Makes Bengtskär Lighthouse Stand Out from Other Lighthouses

Many existing articles cover the basics (location, height and history) as what I’ve tried to emphasize or add:

• The exact differentiation between tower height and beam height.
  
  
• The full daily life dynamics on the islet (school, families and isolation).
  
  
• Clear modern restoration timeline and how it turned into a tourist site.
  
  
• War damage you can still see today and bunkers you can explore (with caveats).
  
  
• Detailed ticket pricing & scheduling breakdown (2025 official) to avoid outdated info.
  
  
• Exact modes of arrival & pier depths for private boats as many gloss over that.
  
  
• Tips & cautions (weather, mobility and wildlife) so you’re not caught off guard.
  
  
• A narrative style as walking you through the experience rather than listing facts.
  
  

Who Should Visit Bengtskär Lighthouse and Who Should Skip It

Best for you if you:

• Love maritime history, war history or lighthouses
  
  
• Enjoy rugged nature, isolation and dramatic scenery
  
  
• Are okay with some physical activity (stairs and walking on rock)
  
  
• Want offbeat experiences and not crowded beach resorts
  
  

Might reconsider if you:

• Have serious mobility constraints (stairs and ladders)
  
  
• Are extremely sensitive to wind/sea motion
  
  
• Don’t like unpredictable transport schedules
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions About Bengtskär Lighthouse

Final Thoughts on Visiting Bengtskär Lighthouse

Bengtskär Lighthouse is not just a monument but it is a living memory of Finland’s sea, strength and spirit as visiting this iconic place feels like stepping into another world where time slows down, waves whisper stories and history stands tall in stone and whether you climb its 252 steps, stay overnight by the lantern’s glow or simply watch the endless sea Bengtskär Lighthouse leaves you with a feeling that stays long after you leave as if you are planning your next trip with Finland tour packages don’t miss the chance to explore this beautiful island gem as a visit to Bengtskär Lighthouse is more than a journey as it’s a story you will carry forever.