Tower of Hercules

What is the Tower of Hercules?

By Mark Jeavons

The Tower of Hercules is the oldest known extant Roman lighthouse in the world and is a popular landmark in the city of A Coruña (also called La Coruña or just Coruña) in the northwest of Spain. Dating back to the 1st century AD, it is named after the famous hero from Greek and Roman mythology. 

The tower as it exists today is about two-thirds Roman-built, with an additional one-third that was added in the 18th century. The Roman section is square, while the later addition on top is octagonal. The foundations and a small building next to the lighthouse are also Roman constructions.

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Why is the Tower of Hercules a UNESCO World Heritage site?

The Tower of Hercules is a UNESCO World Heritage site precisely because it is the oldest known functioning lighthouse in the world and for retaining its structural integrity since it was built in ancient times. It illustrates the use of lighthouses in ancient Rome and their importance in shipping on the Atlantic as established by the Romans and continuing and developing since then.

What can you expect on a visit to the Tower of Hercules?

I visited the Tower of Hercules on a trip to A Coruña several years ago and was very impressed by the building’s size and architecture. The tower stands on the very edge of a rocky peninsula. Its surroundings are quite beautiful, with a dramatic coastline looking out to the Atlantic Ocean. 

It is situated within a really interesting sculpture park, and walking through the park to reach the tower is quite fun as you pass through several quirky and quite strange-looking sculptures. Inside the tower there is a small museum on the ground level that details the history of the building, which is interesting as well. 

You can climb a series of spiral steps all the way to the very top of the tower, which was quite challenging and exhausting for me (and I consider myself to be in good physical shape!). The tower is 57 metres high (187 feet) and the views from the top are breath-taking to say the least. 

Is the Tower of Hercules worth visiting?

Yes, I would say that the Tower of Hercules is quite a must-see travel destination in Spain. If you find yourself in the delightful city of A Coruña, then making time to visit the Tower of Hercules is unquestionably worth it. 

I didn’t know what to expect but was totally blown away not only by the sheer size of the tower, but also the surrounding area and, of course, the incredible coastal views from the top of the tower. 

I would recommend setting aside between one and two hours to visit the tower, which will give you enough time to enjoy the park, the scenic views, the museum and, of course, the climb to the top of the tower if you’re feeling up for it. You could spend a lot longer exploring the park, depending on how nice the weather is. 

What sorts of travelers would like the Tower of Hercules?

Anyone with a passing interest in ancient history will absolutely love a visit to the Tower of Hercules. And if you want to see some incredibly dramatic coastal views and you enjoy walking in nature to reach the tower, then it is definitely for you. 

Tips for visiting the Tower of Hercules

I would advise travelers to only climb to the top of the tower if they are confident of being in good physical shape, as it can be quite an exhausting climb. Be aware that A Coruña is known for being quite a windswept and oftentimes a rainy place, so check on the weather conditions on the day of visiting the tower. 

I also recommend spending time exploring the sculpture park on the way to the tower as the sculptures are quite interesting and the whole park is a photographer’s paradise. And consider taking a walking tour or even a tuk-tuk tour of A Coruña while you’re there.

Visiting the tower could be combined fairly easily with the UNESCO site of Santiago de Compostela, about an hour to an hour and a half away by train or car. If you’ve arrived in A Coruña on a cruise ship, you can take this tour to Santiago.

Use the map below to find accommodations in A Coruña:

If lighthouses are of particular interest to you, take a look at Cordouan Lighthouse in France too.

Where is the Tower of Hercules?

The Tower of Hercules is situated just on the outskirts of the city centre of A Coruña, about 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the centre. There are several buses that run from the city centre daily to the Tower of Hercules, most notably bus number 5, which takes only 10-15 minutes and costs less than 2 Euros. 

For more information about the Tower of Hercules, its opening hours and admission fees, see its official website.

Have you been to A Coruña and/or the Tower of Hercules? If so, do you have any additional information or advice about this UNESCO World Heritage site? Please add your comments below!