Lighthouse West Schouwen Haamstede

The lighthouse of Haamstede, officially called the West Schouwen or Westerlicht Tower, is one of the most famous lighthouses in the Netherlands.

What makes the lighthouse of Haamstede so special?

• Location: Situated in the dunes near Nieuw-Haamstede, this impressive tower is both a striking landmark and a photogenic hotspot for every visitor to Schouwen-Duiveland.
• Rich history: Since 1837, this tower, designed by Leendert Valk (1794 – 1867), has guarded shipping on the North Sea.
• Impressive dimensions: With a height of 53 metres and a light height of 58 metres above sea level, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the country.
• Powerful light: The beam reaches nearly 40 kilometres and produces a characteristic pattern of 2+1 flashes every 15 seconds.
• Recognisable appearance: The red-and-white spiral painting was added in 1934 to improve visibility for pilots. These colours and shape make the tower unique and easily recognisable from a great distance.
• Famous from the banknote: The tower once featured on the Dutch 250-guilder banknote, designed by graphic artist Ootje Oxenaar (1929 – 2017), gaining national fame.
• Popular photo spot: The lighthouse is the most photographed object on Schouwen-Duiveland. Whether walking through the surrounding dune landscape or cycling past, it is always worth a picture.
• Not accessible: Unfortunately, the lighthouse is not open to the public, but it remains impressive from the outside.

Features

• Name: Westenschouwen
• Year of construction: 1837
• Tower height: 50.0 m
• Light height (above sea level): 58.0 m
• Floors: 2
• Steps: 226
• Manned: No
• Accessible to the public: No, unfortunately the lighthouse is not accessible and cannot be visited.

A Must-See during your Visit to Schouwen-Duiveland

Although you cannot visit the interior of the lighthouse, a visit to this iconic beacon is highly recommended. The combination of history, engineering, architecture and the surrounding nature makes it one of the highlights of the region.

Get your camera ready and admire the pride of Nieuw-Haamstede: the lighthouse!

Furthermore Lighthouse West Schouwen Haamstede is near the following sights: Blue Spa Haamstede (±1,5 km), Lookout Tower Slapershil (±2,0 km), Viewing Platform Zeepeduinen (±3,0 km), Vleugelbunker (±3,4 km) & Burghse School (±3,5 km).

For information

Vuurtoren 1, Burgh-Haamstede