Blankenese Low Lighthouse

Blankenese Low Lighthouse stands on the Elbe river near Hamburg’s Blankenese district. It is a steel tower 33 metres tall, painted with red and white stripes and topped by a white lantern house. The lighthouse sits about 30 metres offshore and 100 metres from the pier. A 7.5-metre-high staircase deck surrounds its base, and inside a helical staircase winds up to the top. The lantern house has portholes and a door at the higher podium floor.

The lighthouse works with Blankenese High Lighthouse to guide ships upriver. Together they have the longest range on the lower Elbe—8.4 kilometres. Controlled remotely from Seemanshöft Pilot Centre, it belongs to the Hamburg Port Authority. A concrete caisson foundation extends 10 metres below the water surface, built to keep the tower steady. The lantern house was lifted into place by a floating crane during construction.

Visitors reach the lighthouse by walking along the riverside path from Blankenese pier. The striped tower stands out against the wide Elbe and distant ships. The staircase deck at the base offers a place to pause and watch the river traffic. From the pier, the lighthouse appears close but remains separated by water. The red and white stripes make it easy to spot even from a distance.