Bengtskär is the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic Countries. This exciting tourist attraction in Southern Finland has seen ghosts and war battles. Book your trip now!
The massive and impressive Bengtskär lighthouse measures 52 metres from the ground level. The lighthouse is located on the outernmost islet on the Archipelago Sea, facing the open Baltic Sea in the Southwestern Finnish coast. This popular visiting spot attracts thousands of visitors annually.
There are scheduled boat connections to Bengtskär islet from Hanko town and from Kasnäs port in Kemiönsaari. The boat ride itself is already a fabulous attraction. The two-hour ride crosses the Archipelago Sea – on clear summer days the Finnish archipelago shows its beautiful face. There are numerous birds nesting on the islands, and one can even see a grey seal bathing in the sun on the rocky cliffs.
Ghosts of the past
A visit to Bengtskär takes the visitor back to the old ways of living. The lighthouse keepers lived here with their families until the lighthouse was automated in the 1960s. The lighthouse keeper's tasks were to take care of the light and the fog horn as well as keep a guard and observe the ships and boats passing by. The families lived on the islet all year around, and children were attending homeschool on the islet.
Old stories also claim there's a ghost present at the lighthouse. She appears in the night to howl on the cliffs and warns of the oncoming storm.
Spend a night and dine on Bengtskär
Nowadays there's a hotel on the islet in the lighthouse building. And it is truly a remarkable place to spend the night. The views and the atmosphere are unique and spectacular. The restaurant serves local arcipelago delicacies, and the cafeteria has fresh bread and bakings always available. There's a sauna building behind the lighthouse.
War history at Bengtskär
During the second world war Bengtskär had a significant role, when it was used as fire command center for the Finnish military. The battle of Bengtskär was a battle during the continuation war, and the lighthouse museum chronicles these dark events in Finlands history with accuracy.
There are guided tours taking the visitors around Bengtskär, but also self-guided trips on the islet and in the lighthouse are allowed. Climb to the lighthouse tower and feel how the old lighthouse keeper's have felt in the old days.
