The lighthouse of Vila Real de Santo António was made operational in January 1923, after many years of investigation into the construction method as it is located in an unstable and sandy area. The tower, circular, was 40 metres high and made of reinforced concrete. The installed flashing light was produced by the oil of incandescent steam, with a 33 mile stretch. Still today it uses a Fresnel lenticular optical device which was the 3rd in the original order. In 1927 it was electrified with generators, and in 1947 it was connected to the public electricity grid. In 1960 an elevator was installed to access the tower.
In 1983 the lamp was replaced by one with 1000W power, while in 1989 it was fully automated, so there is currently no caretaker. The lighthouse is located near the mouth of the river.
