The Mogadishu Lighthouse stands on a rocky promontory at the southern edge of the old city, marking the northern entrance to the harbour that made Mogadishu one of the most important ports on the East African coast for centuries. The current structure dates from the Italian colonial period, replacing earlier navigational aids. Its white tower is visible from the sea and from much of the southern part of the city.
The lighthouse is no longer accessible as a tourist viewpoint — security restrictions apply to the harbour area — but the view of the lighthouse from the old city streets, with the Indian Ocean behind it, is striking. The harbour it guards has been busy with commercial traffic again in recent years, handling container ships and fuel tankers in growing volumes as Mogadishu's economy slowly rebuilds.