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Sylvanian
Bengtskar is the tallest lighthouse in Nordic countries and one of the most impressive I have ever seen. Located on a small granite island well off the coast of Finland it used to cover a large area that was not served by other lighthouses with its 7 meter wide fog horn and a large light. The lighthouse also has a relatively large keepers' house that hosted families of four keepers with many children. In a good Summer weather, I highly recommend a visit from Hanko, 1.5 hour boat trip among small islands and open sea, great island to explore, sunbathe on granite, and swim, a lighthouse with a museum to visit, a homely cafe with fresh baked buns... And Hanko is just 1:40 from Helsinki along a good highway. A perfect summer outing.
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JannikJohansen
Exciting tour with a very interesting guide to tell the story of thus outpost to the sea and the battles around it.Very well worth the daytrip.,
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CarefreeRetiree2002
We would never have had this experience without our very good Finnish friends! This lighthouse is located off the coast of SW Finland. You take a ferry to reach the island, and the best way to experience it is to spend a night. After the daytime visitors leave, you remain to watch a great sunset and eat authentic cuisine from this geographical region that was commonly served during the decades that the lighthouse was home to a number of families. The island is very small with 360 degree views of the ocean all around you. There are about a half-dozen rooms for guests, and you book your private time in the sauna built in 1905. Totally unique experience, and, of course, you can climb the lighthouse tower to admire the view from the top. If you are visiting Finland and want a unique experience, spend the night at Bengtskar Lighthouse Packages are available that include the ferry, a room for the night, and all meals and snacks.
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SusuAbo
Overnighting on the island of Bengtskär is a unique experience. It is located on a lonely rock in the middle of the Baltic Sea where there is nothing but you, the lighthouse and the waves... Boats taking visitors to the lighthouse leave either from Hanko or from Kasnäs. If you take the boat from Hanko, there are almost no islands along the route before reaching Bengtskär, so you basically see just water around you before you can spot the lighthouse in the horizon. The boat tour organized from Kasnäs includes a visit to the Rosala Viking village en route to the lighthouse. Both boat tours include lunch (salmon soup and archipelago style bread), entrance to the lighthouse and guiding in Bengtskär. Please note that the guiding does not mean a guided tour IN the lighthouse but rather a short lecture about the building of the lighthouse, what it was like living there and about a famous WWII battle taking place on the island.You have approximately 2 hours to view the lighthouse if you make the day trip. Enough time to see the lighthouse with its small chapel and museum rooms. There are two small cafes in the lighthouse selling coffee, soft drinks, snacks and souveniers. Do explore the cliffs - the former residents and visitors have made interesting rock engarvings around the island. Also, it might be a good idea to take a swimming suit with you if it is a warm day, the water is crystal clear there in the outer archipelago and wonderful to swim in!I strongly recommend booking a room in advance and overnighting in the lighthouse, if you have the time. The day time in Bengtskär is often very busy with several visitors bustling about. At evening the island quiets down, making it a perfect place for relaxing, enjoying the scenery and sunset, spotting passing ships in the distance, bathing in the old lighthouse keepers' sauna. Price for overnighting in the lighthouse includes an excellent evening meal, sauna, breakfast and lunch the next morning, linen and towels.
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MaaritS_12
Sunny day, the wiew, the lighthouse, the history. Only can imagine how the people used to live in the island ? Also how it is there when it is stormy. Wow.
