Portland Head Light Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Portland Head Light. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour With a Real Local

• Discover Portland City and Lighthouse Tour

• Portland Explorer| Maine History, Culture, & 3 Lighthouses Tour

• Harbor Lights and Sights Cruise

• Port City Lights Cruise

It’s free to visit the grounds around the Portland Head Light within Fort Williams Park; however, the lighthouse tower itself is typically not open to the public. An on-site museum is housed in the former Keepers' Quarters, which requires a US$2 entry fee for adults and US$1 for children. Parking within the park starts at US$6 for the first two hours and US$2 for every additional hour. Tours that visit the lighthouse and other Portland attractions start at around US$55.

Yes, it's worth visiting the Portland Head Light when sightseeing in Portland, Maine. While it's a little outside the city, the lighthouse is an important historical landmark, which you can learn more about at its museum. However, reconsider visiting if you only want to see what it's like inside—the lighthouse only opens to the public one day a year.

Per one customer who booked the Discover Portland City and Lighthouse Tour, "Dorothy was a great guide. She was kind and genuine. She has a lot of knowledge of the area. The drive was absolutely beautiful, and I loved looking at all the houses and neighborhoods. Of course, the highlight is the lighthouse. It's stunning! I took some amazing pics. I only had 1 day to spend in Maine, and this tour was perfect!"

The Portland Head Light is located in Fort Williams Park, a pretty place to walk, explore the beach, have a picnic, fly a kite, take photos, and enjoy the playground and children’s garden. There’s also an arboretum, a museum, and seasonal food trucks selling ice cream, lobster rolls, and sandwiches.

Portland Head Light is famous as one of the United States' most photogenic (and photographed) lighthouses. It also has a long and interesting history. The lighthouse has long protected this coastal area, and it was initially built in 1790 in a spot where guards had been posted to warn local people of imminent British attacks.

Sunrise and sunset are generally the best times of day to photograph the Portland Head Light because of the light conditions and because it’s less crowded then. The lighthouse is photogenic throughout the day and in all seasons, but it’s also very popular, meaning it’s hard to take photos during the day without people getting in the way.

Yes, you can climb the Portland Head Light, but the opportunities are limited. The lighthouse is closed to the public on all but one day of the year, the Maine Open Lighthouse Day in September. On that day, around 300 tickets are made available on a first-come first-served basis, providing access to the tower.

There are more than 85 steps in the Portland Head Light. However, most visitors won’t need to worry about climbing them because the lighthouse is closed to the public every day except for the annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day in September. Then, would-be visitors can vie for the 300-odd tickets to the tower.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Portland Head Light. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Portland:

• Casco Bay

• Fort Gorges

• Eastern Promenade

• Kittery Premium Outlets

• Victoria Mansion

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Portland.