Farol da Ponta de Fiura, on Sal’s northern tip, is a remote lighthouse on ancient lava, with dramatic views, constant wind and an end-of-the-world atmosphere. Hard access, zero services, a perfect experience for patient explorers.
Farol da Ponta de Fiura – Sal Island
Farol da Fiura: the end of the island, the start of “what am I doing here?”
There are places in Sal where you feel comfortably on Earth. And then there’s Farol da Ponta de Fiura, where you look around and think that if the world ever ends, this is probably where it will kick off. Just volcanic rock, wind, endless ocean and a lighthouse standing in the middle of nowhere as if someone forgot to pick it up.
General description
Farol da Ponta de Fiura —also known as Farol da Ponta Norte— sits on the northernmost tip of Sal Island. It’s a raw, remote and surprisingly photogenic spot where three eras of lighthouse history overlap: the original 1897 iron tower (long gone), the masonry tower built around 1940 (now in ruins) and the modern metal tower, short and functional, which is the one currently in use.
Everything stands on an ancient lava delta, a wide black platform open to the Atlantic. No shade, no services, no noise. It’s the very definition of “the middle of nowhere”.
How to get there
Getting here is half excursion, half trust exercise with your GPS:
- From Espargos: drive north and, at the last junction, simply continue straight along a dirt track. A 4×4 or high-clearance car is highly recommended.
- From Buracona / Blue Eye: possible, but the tracks form a maze of quarries and random paths. Easy to get lost.
- Via Fata Morgana (Terra Boa): a scenic and surprisingly direct route if you know where you’re going.
The final 300–500 metres are usually done on foot over volcanic rock. Google Maps helps with orientation but is not reliable: many visitors end up in dead ends or miles away from the lighthouse.
What to do
You don’t come here for activities. You come to be here:
- Observe the ruins of the old lighthouse beside the modern one.
- Walk across the lava field and coastline while the Atlantic pounds the rocks.
- Feel one of the strongest isolation vibes on the island.
- Take striking photographs of the landscape.
- Catch an epic sunset if you time it right.
No crowds, no tours, no noise. At most, another car as lost as you.
Practical tips
Bring a proper vehicle: a 4×4 makes life easier.
Don’t rely solely on GPS: ask for directions before you go.
Closed shoes: volcanic rock is unforgiving.
Water and food: absolutely nothing around.
Wind is constant: sunglasses highly recommended.
Trash: the area gets ocean-washed plastics; take everything you bring.
Best time to visit
Morning: cooler and clearer.
Afternoon: stunning light and powerful sunsets.
Avoid arriving late with little time: getting lost here after dark is not ideal.
Is it worth it?
If you want comfort, services or easy access, no — this is not for you.
If you enjoy remote places, rough landscapes and standing at the northern edge of the island staring at the open Atlantic, yes, you will love it.
Harsh, remote, silent. That’s exactly why it stays with you.
