The Tower of Hercules is the world’s oldest working lighthouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In A Coruña, it stands in a protected coastal landscape where cliff paths, city beaches, old-town history and museums reveal different sides of a stay.
Coast around the Tower of Hercules
The area around the Tower of Hercules is of exceptional landscape, historical, ethnographic and archaeological value. It can be explored on foot along paths near the cliffs. At the foot of the tower is As Lapas beach, which is 70 metres long; from there, you can look out over the millennia-old monument. The lighthouse, cliff landscape and beach provide a tangible focal point for a coastal stay.
A Coruña has six city beaches and several other coves. They are ideal for swimming, walking, sports or simply enjoying the sea. There are more than two kilometres of beach in total, where water sports can be enjoyed year-round: surfing, sailing, windsurfing, diving, rowing and canoeing. The seafront promenade offers another perspective on getting active by the sea. It is more than 13 kilometres long and has a dedicated cycle path; there is also a separate running lane. Walking, cycling, skating and running are among the activities available there. The city’s cycle network covers more than 35 kilometres, of which more than 13 kilometres run along the seafront promenade.
Old town and routes through the city
In the Ciudad Vieja, churches, noble houses, gardens and small squares bring A Coruña’s medieval and Baroque past to life. Traffic regulations are also important for getting around: most central streets are reserved for pedestrians or residents, and this applies to the entire old town. As access rules can change, check the current regulations before your trip.
The English Way to Santiago de Compostela begins at the Church of Santiago in the historic centre. Its route through A Coruña is 6.8 kilometres long and ends in O Portazgo in Culleredo. From there, 68 kilometres remain to Santiago. This clearly distinguishes the urban section from the remaining distance to the destination.
Picasso, science and beer culture
The Casa Museo Picasso recreates the typical 19th-century home where Pablo Picasso lived during his stay in A Coruña. On display are reproductions of works Picasso created in the city, as well as an original artist’s print. The visit thus connects the history of a home with Picasso’s artistic work in A Coruña.
The other museums each focus on a distinct theme. MEGA is the first and only museum in Spain dedicated to beer culture. At the interactive House of Science, exhibitions, interactive modules and a planetarium explore topics in science, physics and astronomy. Domus was the world’s first interactive museum devoted entirely to humankind. Those looking to focus their trip on cultural discoveries will find a range of perspectives here, from art and city history to beer culture, science and humankind.
Views from Monte de San Pedro
Monte de San Pedro was once a defensive position and has been transformed into a park for residents and visitors since 1999. From there, the views stretch across the Atlantic and the coast to Arteixo and the Illas Sisargas near Malpica de Bergantiños. The panorama also includes the city, the Costa Ártabra, the Ría de A Coruña with Mera, Santa Cruz and the coast of Oleiros, as well as the Rías of Betanzos, Ares and Ferrol, extending to the outer harbour coast. The view from Monte de San Pedro therefore complements the nearby coastal scenery with a wide perspective across the city and region.
Discover more destinations: Carral, Dor, Vedra, Miñortos, O Coto, Corcubión, O Campo de Berdeogas, Teixeiro
For the broader travel overview: Coruña.
