Is it possible to live in a lighthouse?

There are those who flee the city, those who dream of a slower pace of life, and those who seek refuge in places where time seems to stand still. In recent years, an increasing number of people have embraced alternative ways of living: affordable houses to renovate in depopulated villages, sustainable treehouses, and converted vans. Yet among all these, one option continues to captivate the imagination: living in a lighthouse.

It isn’t just about romance, but often the appeal of a simpler existence, lulled by the sound of the waves and carried by the sea breeze. Tom Sherbourne, the protagonist of M.L. Stedman’s bestselling novel The Light Between Oceans, knows this well. He finds solace in a lighthouse on a remote island, and for him, it was enough “to be on his island, with the wind and the sea for company”, as if that suspended world were all he needed.

Today, many Italian lighthouses have been transformed into exclusive resorts or handed over for private management through public tenders, to those who have chosen to change their lives and live as lighthouse keepers. Some can be rented for a single night, others for fifty years. Just like in the novels where a lighthouse becomes a refuge or a place of new beginnings, in real life too it’s possible to live that way, suspended between the sea and the wind. Let’s explore where and how to live in a lighthouse.

How to become a lighthouse keeper?

It was once a solitary and essential profession. The lighthouse keeper, also known as a farista, lived in isolation, responsible for keeping the lantern lit every night. Today, thanks to remote control systems, the role has almost entirely disappeared. In fact, fewer than a hundred farista remain across Italy, now tasked only with occasional maintenance. For those interested in following this path, it is possible to attend training courses to join the Lighthouse Service of the Italian Navy. However, living in a lighthouse today does not necessarily mean being a keeper.

Can you live in a lighthouse?

In Italy, some of these structures have been made available through public tenders or announcements, much like the case cantoniere, once reserved for railway workers. Technology has replaced the role of the lighthouse keeper, eliminating the need for a permanent presence and opening the door to new possibilities. As a result, several lighthouses have been transformed into homes, guesthouses, cultural centres or tourist accommodation. Initiatives such as Valore Paese Italia – Fari were launched to breathe new life into these places.

So, the dream of living in a lighthouse can become a reality, even if only for a weekend or a season. That said, one must come to terms with humidity, wind and solitude: a price many are willing to pay to live suspended between sky and sea.

How to rent a lighthouse

These solitary sentinels of the sea are owned by the State, specifically by the State Property Agency or the Ministry of Defence. They fall under cadastral category E/6, along with signal towers and structures historically used to house municipal clock winders, people who once lived there to keep public clocks running.

Since 2015, some lighthouses have been leased for periods of up to 50 years to private individuals, associations, or businesses through public tenders. Typically, those awarded a lighthouse are responsible for its restoration and management, following principles of sustainability and environmental compatibility. The specific requirements are outlined in the official tender documents.

Although no tenders are currently open, in recent years lighthouses have been assigned across Italy, from Sicily to Tuscany.

How many lighthouses are there in Italy and how to find those available to rent

The national network of maritime signals, managed by the Italian Navy, covers the coasts of the peninsula, the islands, and the main ports of national interest. In total, it includes 874 navigational aids, comprising 147 active lighthouses and 727 beacons, including buoys and lighted markers. Most remain under the control of the Navy, but many have been granted under concession. For those interested in renting one, it is advisable to keep an eye on the official websites of the Agenzia del Demanio and Difesa Servizi, and to sign up for their newsletters to receive updates on public tenders.

Where can you sleep in a lighthouse in Italy?

While living permanently in a lighthouse depends on public tenders, spending at least one night in one is within reach for many. Several lighthouses are currently being restored, from the Tremiti Islands to Elba, passing through Ustica, Syracuse and the Egadi Islands. Others have already been transformed into exclusive resorts in breathtaking settings. Here are some of the most remarkable places where it is possible to stay in a lighthouse:

• Faro di Capel Rosso (Tuscany): a period residence offering suites within the lighthouse, which can only be reached on foot on Giglio Island.
• Faro di Punta Fenaio (Tuscany): located at the northern tip of Giglio Island, this lighthouse boasts panoramic sea views and has been converted into an exclusive resort.
• Faro delle Formiche (Tuscany): a stay on a tiny island with natural thermal waters and wellness facilities, accessible by dinghy or helicopter.
• Faro Capo Spartivento (Sardinia): this historic lighthouse has been transformed into a luxurious five-star hotel, complete with swimming pools and high-end services.
• Punta Imperatore (Campania): a century-old lighthouse on the island of Ischia, now a hotel featuring rooms with sea-view terraces and a gourmet restaurant.
• Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia (Sicily): managed by the Tasca d’Almerita family, this lighthouse offers accommodation set among vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean, with suites facing Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands.
• Faro di Brucoli (Sicily): located near Syracuse, this lighthouse is available to rent as a villa with a terrace above the lantern.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

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Curiosities

Landlord and Tenant

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