The invention relates to a lighting unit with at least one light source and at least one optical waveguide following the light source, said waveguide having at least one light transmitting surface. To this end, the lighting unit has at least one reflector. In addition, at least one light transmitting surface of the optical waveguide faces the reflector.A lighting unit with an optical waveguide which has a large illuminated area and requires only a small space is provided.