The Tower of Hercules is a lighthouse that has fulfilled its maritime signaling function since Roman times. When the Romans built the Farum Brigantium in the late 1st century AD, its history began as a lighthouse and landmark at the entrance to the port of Coruña. It is the only fully preserved Roman lighthouse still used for maritime signaling. Ancient construction history and orientation around the harbor come together here.

City history between the harbor and the old town

The English Way also begins at the port of Coruña. From there, it heads south through the province of A Coruña toward Santiago de Compostela. Its section through Coruña covers 6.8 kilometers and ends in O Portazgo in Culleredo; 68 kilometers remain to Santiago. The sculpture park at the Tower of Hercules offers a different perspective: its paths bring art and nature together by the sea.

In the Ciudad Vieja, the city’s medieval and Baroque past can be seen in its cobbled streets, squares, churches, manor houses and gardens. Castillo de San Antón tells the story of the different uses of a historic building: the fortress, built in the 16th century, served as a defensive structure and a prison from the 16th to the 18th century, later as an infirmary, and finally as a museum. Its collection includes archaeological objects from prehistory, the Megalithic period and the Bronze Age, as well as items relating to the Castro culture, Romanization and the history of the city.

Jardín de San Carlos is designated a historic-artistic site and lies within the walls of the 1843 San Carlos fortress. The Mercado Municipal de San Agustín, opposite Plaza del Humor, offers a very different perspective on architectural history. The traditional food market was designed in 1932 by municipal architects Santiago Rey Pedreira and Antonio Tenreiro. Its distinctive parabolic roof made it a symbol of Coruña’s modernity in the 1930s. Along Avenida de la Marina, white-glazed galleries dating from the 19th century define well-known architectural views; they are associated with the nickname “Ciudad Cristal.” The Ruta Picasso, meanwhile, leads to places connected with Picasso’s almost four-year stay in Coruña.

Museums, science and marine life

The museums each have a different focus: at Domus, the human being is the centerpiece of an interactive museum with more than 150 exhibits. Aquarium Finisterrae features more than 300 marine animal species across four exhibition halls; the collection numbers may change. The aquarium also includes the Nautilus room, in a tank holding more than five million liters of water. Large outdoor terraces and a pool with a colony of seals round out the exhibits.

In Parque de Santa Margarita, Casa das Ciencias combines interactive displays with exhibitions on science, physics and astronomy. These include a Foucault pendulum, as well as astronomy exhibitions, workshops and activities about science and the sky. Visitors interested in different approaches to a subject will find a contrast here with the historical collections at Castillo de San Antón: there, the focus is on archaeological finds and the history of the city; here, on scientific phenomena and the sky.

Walks and getting around

Monte de San Pedro was once a defensive point and was converted into a park for residents and tourists in 1999. From here, views extend across the Atlantic Ocean and the coast as far as Arteixo, as well as to the Illas Sisargas. Together with the paths of the seaside sculpture park, the site reveals two different aspects of the landscape: sweeping views from a former defensive point and the connection between art and nature along a path.

Distances between attractions in Coruña are relatively short, and the waterfront promenade and city center are well suited to walking. Public buses and readily available taxis are among the transport options for visitors. Coruña also has more than 50 kilometers of cycling paths. BiciCoruña offers more than 500 bicycles for use at 52 stations. Transport services, availability and infrastructure figures may change; check current information before your trip.

You can also combine local cuisine with a market visit: the food tour “Sabores de A Coruña: ruta gastronómica y visita al mercado” starts at Mercado Plaza de Lugo and includes tastings of Galician chorizo and creamy cheeses. Check whether the tour is available before your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Parada, Santa Mariña, Caldelas, Rúa De Francos, Tabeaio, Pantiñobre, Oca De Abaixo, O Coto, A Coruña, Bergondo, Cedeira, Neda, Pontedeume, Santiago De Compostela, Oza, Miño, Teo, Porto Do Son, Ribeira, Santa Comba, Puebla Del Caramiñal, Padrón, Oroso, Oleiros, Narón, Mazaricos, Laxe, Finisterre, Ferrol, Dodro, Culleredo, Cee, A Capela, Betanzos, Arzúa, Arteixo, Outes, Valdoviño, Ordes, Mugardos, Corcubión, Negreira, Curtis, Sobrado, Ortigueira, Sada, Carnota, Cabanas, Val Do Dubra, Cariño, Rianxo, Camariñas, Muxía, Monfero, Vedra, Ponteceso, As Pontes De García Rodríguez, Boiro, Trazo, Dumbría, Abegondo, Ames, Tordoia, Carral, Vilarmaior, Cerdido, Vimianzo, A Baña, Muros De Noia, Cabana De Bergantiños, Boqueixón, Brión, Zas, O Pino, Noia, Cerceda, Paderne, Lens, Melide, Bertamiráns, Cabana Moura, Visantoña, Marselle, Cambre, Leira, O Mesón Do Vento, Coirón, Queo De Abaixo, Carballo, Coristanco, Granxa, Nemiña, Sedor, Ambroa, O Sisto, Cruces, O Milladoiro, Gondollín, Merelle, A Laracha, Tambre, Quintáns, Cuíña, Loiba, Sesa De Abaixo, Xalo, A Igrexa, Manón, O Bosque, Basoñas, Ares, Bas, Oca, Marcelle, O Pindo, Seoane, Fosado, Piñeiro, Outeiro, Teixeiro, Santiso, Lira, Santaia, Biduído, Artes, Castro, Foro, Rois, Reguengo, Condomiña, Reborido, Baiobre, Coucieiro, San Paio, Andeade, Paizás, Altamira, Bergantiños, Prospes, Lavacolla, Dormeá, Vilarrodís, Esteiro, Porto do Barqueiro, Tarrío, Arcos, O Campo de Berdeogas, Guitiriz, A Enfesta, San Mamede, Donas, Arriba, A Ramallosa, Fadibón, Mallas, Queiruga, Figueiroa, San Andres de Teixido, Ouces, Caión, Seráns, Dor, O Cabo de Area, Nantón, As Virtudes, Braño, Pardaces de Arriba, Calo, Verdes, Bandón, Corrubedo, Vilar, Castrelo, Campolongo, A Boeira, Beres, Extramundi de Abaixo, O Carballal, Os Fornos, Boimorto, Pasarela, O Alto, Miñortos, Mouromorto, Touriñán, Remesal, Mondego, Redonda, Serra de Outes, Viseo, Cesuras, Vilacoba, Calvos, Insua, As Restrebas, Vachao, Vila Da Area, Brión de Arriba, Boaño, A Aldea Vella, Valmaior.

For the broader travel overview: Galicia.