Maine Lighthouses Map: The 15 Best Lighthouses In Maine

The lighthouses of Maine are full of history and they have amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, so we took a big road trip across the entire state recently to see some of the best Maine lighthouses. This travel guide is the result.

There are a grand total of 65 historic lighthouses in Maine stretching all along the rocky coast of the state and its outer islands, and 55 of these buildings still have working lights maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Many of these have been guiding ships into safe harbor for hundreds of years, and each one has a human story.

Some of the lighthouses can only be viewed and photographed from a distance, while others will let you look inside and climb to the top of the light tower. Some places will even let you rent the keeper’s house and stay overnight at the lighthouse, which is a great experience!

There are several famous lighthouses in Portland Maine that are easy to visit, and there are a few good lighthouses near Acadia National Park as well. With a bit of exploring, you can also find some hidden gems that aren’t as busy with tourists.

I hope you enjoy this map and list of the best Maine lighthouses! This is not a complete list of every single one, but these are just some of the top ones to visit in my opinion. These ones are especially accessible, photogenic, or interesting!

Maine Lighthouses Map

First of all, here’s a Maine lighthouse map you can use to plan your own trip. You can click the icons to get directions and more info for each point of interest, but keep in mind some of the locations on this map may be approximate.

Best Lighthouses In Maine

1. Portland Head Light

Of course, Maine’s most famous lighthouse — the beautiful and photogenic Portland Head Light!

This is the most photographed lighthouse in America, and probably the world. It has everything you’d expect from a classic Maine lighthouse, with a dramatic rocky shoreline, crashing waves, and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you only have time to visit one lighthouse in Maine, it should be this one. Portland Head Light is also the easiest lighthouse to visit in Maine since it’s located just a 15 minute drive from the city and the airport. The park is open to visitors year round from sunrise to sunset.

There are lots of interesting stories behind the Portland Head Light. It was first commissioned by George Washington in 1787, and then the building was finished in 1791, making it the oldest lighthouse in Maine.

You’ll want to budget at least a couple hours to walk along the coastline and take pictures, see the museum and gift shop, eat lobster rolls from the food trucks, and stroll around the grounds at Fort Williams. If you look closely, you can also catch a glimpse of another lighthouse, the Ram Island Ledge Light, in the distance.

The Portland Head Light is free to visit, and parking is also free if you don’t mind the short walk from the overflow parking area. There’s a small fee for the museum, which you can check on their website (and it also has a handy map).

2. Spring Point Ledge Light

Located just a 10 minute drive from the Portland Head Light is another lighthouse called the Spring Point Ledge Light. It’s the only caisson-style light station in the United States that visitors can walk to.

This lighthouse was built in 1897 to protect ships coming into Portland Harbor from a dangerous ledge or obstruction near the shipping channel, which was causing boats to run aground. 

3. Portland Breakwater Light

Also known as the Bug Light, this little lighthouse holds the record for being the shortest lighthouse in Maine. It’s also located conveniently close to the other lighthouses in Portland Maine, including the famous Head Light.

This lighthouse was first built with a wooden design in 1855, but it was replaced in 1875 with the current design and its decorative Greek columns, after which the lighthouse served as a marker for the end of the rocky breakwater shielding Portland Harbor.

Like the other lighthouses in Portland, this one free to visit and it’s open daily. It’s supplemented by a nice pet-friendly park where you can enjoy a picnic or fly a kite!

4. Cape Neddick Light

Also known as the Nubble Light, this is a photogenic lighthouse near Portland Maine that you can easily visit on a day trip from the city. It’s less than a 1 hour drive south of Portland.

The Cape Neddick Light was built in 1879, and it’s still in use today, although it was automated in 1987. The lighthouse and grounds of the ‘Nubble’ aren’t open to the public, but you can still enjoy amazing views from the parking area and along the coast.

The Nubble Lighthouse is a famous American icon, and it’s one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. The scenery here changes dramatically with the seasons, and sunrise or sunset can also be a wonderful time to visit. I saw the most spectacular sunrise of my life here one morning in October!

Cape Neddick is free to visit, and the parking is also free. There’s a gift shop and lots of parking space, but it fills up quickly because it’s very popular. This is definitely one of the best lighthouses in Maine to see on your next trip!