Community

This is the most beautiful lighthouse in New England, according to Boston.com readers

"Plain and simple, it’s iconic and the most recognizable."

Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Maine Office of Tourism

By Kristi Palma

May 10, 2023

What's the most beautiful lighthouse in New England?

Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine

36%

Nauset Lighthouse, Massachusetts

15%

Stonington Harbor Lighthouse, Connecticut

Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island

Other

39%

New England is teeming with gorgeous lighthouses, and Boston.com readers say Maine’s Portland Head Lighthouse is the most stunning of them all.

TravelMag.com named the 20 most beautiful lighthouses in America and included four in New England: Nauset Lighthouse in Eastham, Mass.; Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Stonington Harbor Lighthouse in Stonington, Conn.; and Rose Island Lighthouse in Narragansett Bay off Newport, R.I.

When we asked readers to choose the most beautiful of the four, 137 people responded. Forty-six chose Portland Head Lighthouse, 20 chose Nauset Lighthouse, six chose Stonington Harbor Lighthouse, and four chose Rose Island Lighthouse.

Also, because our lighthouse cup runneth over here in New England, 61 readers chose lighthouses that didn’t make the TravelMag’s list. We’ll share those with you below.

First, here’s what readers wrote about Portland Head Lighthouse:

“I have visited many times, I believe that it is the absolute best example of what a lighthouse should be,” wrote William T. from Maine. “Absolutely beautiful location.”

“It’s colorful and in such a beautiful location,” wrote Peter M. from Scarborough, Maine about Portland Head Lighthouse. “The rocky coast with the waves crashing is spectacular.”

“Plain and simple, it’s iconic and the most recognizable,” wrote Matthew M. from Cranston, R.I.

“It’s beautiful from land or the water,” wrote Frank C. from Maine. “Always recommend folks go there. It has a ‘rugged’ setting that has withstood time.”

“Portland Head Lighthouse is just wonderful to look at,” wrote Michael from Portland. “Whether while having a picnic lunch within the grounds overlooking the pounding surf of the ocean, or miles away. One of the most recognizable landscapes of the northeast.”