Coruña between the Lighthouse and the Old Town

At the entrance to the port of A Coruña stands the Tower of Hercules, a structure that connects past and present with unusual immediacy: it has served as a lighthouse and landmark since the late 1st century AD. At the time, the Romans built the Farum Brigantium. Today, the Tower is the only fully preserved Roman lighthouse still used for maritime signalling. For culture lovers, its continued function is just as defining as its Roman origins.

By the sea, paths in the Tower of Hercules Sculpture Park bring art and nature together. They offer another perspective on a visit to the landmark: alongside the history of the lighthouse, there is an outdoor route where art and landscape are considered together.

Old Town and Architecture

The Ciudad Vieja offers a glimpse of Coruña through its cobbled streets, squares, churches, manor houses and gardens, all connected with the city’s medieval and Baroque past. The Santiago Church also tells of a historic connection across the sea: it was originally dedicated to pilgrims who arrived in Compostela by sea. Together, these aspects make the old town a place where the city’s history and pilgrimage tradition meet, without telling the same story.

Another perspective on the architecture can be found along Avenida de la Marina. Its white, glass-enclosed galleries, dating from the 19th century, are among A Coruña’s best-known architectural sights and give the city its nickname, “Ciudad Cristal.” Jardín de San Carlos adds another historical note: it is designated a historic-artistic ensemble and lies within the walls of San Carlos Fortress, built in 1843.

The Mercado Municipal de San Agustín is also a striking building. The traditional food market is opposite Plaza del Humor. Its parabolic roof made it a symbol of modernity in A Coruña in the 1930s. The market was designed in 1932 by city architects Santiago Rey Pedreira and Antonio Tenreiro.

Museums about People, the Sea and Science

Domus is an interactive museum about human beings, with more than 150 exhibits. Aquarium Finisterrae, by contrast, focuses on the sea: across its four exhibition halls, it showcases more than 300 marine animal species. The number of species may change over time. The aquarium also has large outdoor terraces and a pool with a colony of seals. The Nautilus room is located in a pool containing more than five million litres of water.

Casa das Ciencias in Parque de Santa Margarita features interactive modules and exhibitions on science, physics and astronomy, including a Foucault pendulum. Astronomy exhibitions, workshops and activities about science and the sky are also part of the programme. In this way, different subjects sit side by side in Coruña: people at Domus, marine animals at the aquarium, and science and astronomy at Casa das Ciencias.

History can also be explored at Castillo de San Antón. The museum is housed in a 16th-century fortress. It served as a defensive structure and prison from the 16th to the 18th century, later as an infirmary, and eventually as a museum. It houses archaeological objects from prehistoric times, the megalithic period, the Bronze Age, the Castro culture, the Romanisation period and the city’s history. The collection thus spans a broad sweep of time, while the fortress itself reveals its different historical uses.

Walks, the Pilgrimage Route and Planning

The English Way begins at the port of A Coruña and heads south through the province of A Coruña towards Santiago de Compostela. Its section through A Coruña is 6.8 kilometres long and ends in O Portazgo in Culleredo; 68 kilometres remain to Santiago. Check the route details before planning. The seafront promenade and city centre are also good for walks; distances between the sights are relatively short.

For getting around the city, transport options include a public bus system and readily available taxis. As services and availability can change, check the latest information before your trip. Cycling is another way to get around: A Coruña has more than 50 kilometres of cycle paths, and BiciCoruña offers more than 500 bicycles for use at 52 stations. These infrastructure and fleet figures may change.

A food tour listed in August 2026 under the name 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.

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