Kõpu LighthouseKõpu Lighthouse at a Glance
About Kõpu Lighthouse
Kõpu Lighthouse is located on the Kõpu Peninsula of Hiiumaa island in Hiiu County, Estonia. It is one of the world’s oldest lighthouses with documentary references dating to the early 16th century.
Visitors commonly climb the tower and use the observation level to view the surrounding coastline and the Baltic Sea; the tower height is about 36 metres. The lighthouse complex includes historic keeper’s buildings and is a focal point for coastal walks on Kõpu Peninsula.
A navigational light at Kõpu is recorded from the early 1500s and the site has been maintained and rebuilt in successive periods to serve maritime navigation. The structure and its optics were modernized over centuries but the location has been in continuous use since the early modern period.
The lighthouse stands on the western tip of Hiiumaa, an island off Estonia’s west coast in the Baltic Sea, within Hiiu County and accessible by road from the island’s main settlements.
- Age and continuity: Recognised as one of the oldest continuously operating lighthouses in the world, with documentary references from the early 16th century.
- High focal height: Because the tower stands on high ground, the light sits at more than 100 metres above sea level, improving its range along the Baltic coast.
What to See#
- Tower and observation level: The stone tower rises approximately 36 metres and contains an internal stair that leads to an observation level for coastal views.
- Keeper’s houses: Associated keeper’s houses and service buildings lie adjacent to the tower and form part of the visitor precinct on the Kõpu Peninsula.
Best Time to Visit Kõpu Lighthouse
Best visited in summer (June-August) for mild weather and easier coastal access; shoulder seasons are quieter but windier.
Weather & Climate near Kõpu Lighthouse
Kõpu Lighthouse's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -5°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (632 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 0° | -8° | 46 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| February | Poor | -5° - -1° | -9° | 40 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| March | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 38 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Acceptable | 0° - 6° | -1° | 32 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 4.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.2h |
| May | Good | 5° - 12° | 6° | 34 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.6h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.9h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 19° | 16° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.2h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 19° | 16° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.1h |
| September | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 66 mm | overcast | 82% | 5.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 10° | 4° | 70 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 5° | -2° | 78 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 2° | -6° | 63 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.2h |
How to Get to Kõpu Lighthouse
Kõpu Lighthouse (Kõpu tuletorn) is on the Kõpu peninsula of Hiiumaa island. To reach it take the mainland-island ferry Rohuküla-Heltermaa (operated by TS Laevad) from Rohuküla (near Haapsalu) to Heltermaa on Hiiumaa. From Heltermaa or from Hiiumaa’s main town Kärdla drive southwest across the island along local roads to the Kõpu peninsula (the drive from Kärdla is roughly a few dozen kilometres); there are also seasonal local bus services toward Kõpu. The lighthouse is reached by a short walk from the parking/road end at the peninsula.
Tips for Visiting Kõpu Lighthouse
- Visit early in the morning in summer to climb the tower with fewer visitors-Kõpu Lighthouse's tower and hilltop offer wide views of Hiiumaa and the Baltic that get busy later in the day.
- Check seasonal opening times before you go: the lighthouse's interior and tower access are limited to the warmer months and organized opening hours, so plan around the summer schedule to ensure you can climb.