La Coruña, Spain

Hercules Tower

The Tower of Hercules is the city’s main attraction-a lighthouse built on its northern side and operating continuously since the 2nd century AD. This architectural masterpiece is the only and the oldest Roman lighthouse included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The tower is 55 meters tall, and any visitor who pays the entrance fee of 2 euro (children and pensioners can enter for free) and climbs the 242 steps can reach the viewing platform, where breathtaking views of the ocean await.

Maria Pita Square

In the heart of La Coruña there is a magnificent square surrounded by ancient buildings. The square is named after the national heroine María Pita, who defended La Coruña from the English in 1589. During the landing of the English fleet off these shores, María actively took part in the defense of the city. She managed to prevent the British flag from being raised over the fortress of La Coruña. On the square there is a monument to María, depicting the heroine during the assault on the city. In addition, the magnificent city hall building, designed in the neo-Renaissance style, overlooks the square. Nearby there is another palace in the Baroque style. And along the perimeter of the square, there are cozy street cafés.

Fort of Saint Antonio

The calling card of La Coruña is the Castle of Saint Anthony. It is located on a small island in the Bay of La Coruña. Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the fortress was designed primarily for defense. Today, the building is home to the Museum of Archaeology and History. Of particular interest is the collection of gold and silver jewelry from the Bronze Age.

Beaches of La Coruña

The city beach of La Coruña is that rare kind of option when the beach in the very center of the city is truly beautiful. It’s great not only for sunbathing and swimming (please note that the water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean rarely rises above 20 degrees), but also just for strolling-collecting shells and watching the seagulls. The beach has all the necessary amenities. The city beach is artificially divided into beaches Orzán and Riazor. For water quality and swimming safety, Orzán was awarded the Blue Flag-an international accolade. There is another, smaller beach in the city. It’s called Las Lapas and is located near the Tower of Hercules. The beach also has a Blue Flag. There are showers, toilets, and a lifeguard cabin on the premises.

Finisterre Aquarium

For marine inhabitants in the La Coruña Aquarium, the conditions of their natural habitat have been recreated, since all the pools are connected to the Atlantic Ocean. Like the Domus and the Museum of Science, the Aquarium is an interactive museum: some residents of the House of Fish can not only be viewed, but also touched (for example, starfish). But not the sharks, which live in the “Nautilus” aquarium, designed in the style of Captain Nemo’s cabin. Here you can also stroll in the botanical garden, watch the seals, learn where royal shrimp live, and operate a remote-controlled underwater submarine.

Sculpture Park

The park on the shore of the bay begins at the foot of the Hercules Tower and extends over 47 hectares along the coastline. It’s definitely worth coming for the scenery and the contemporary sculptures installed throughout the entire park. Unusual installations reminiscent of Celtic dolmens, figures of heroes from local legends, and enormous sea shells-these surreal sculptures capture attention no less than the sea and the rocks. There are also comfortable, almost lounge-like benches, a soft night lighting scheme, and straight, well-kept paths. In short, the sculpture park is an ideal place for meditation, solitude, or romantic walks.

Science Museum

Science Museum - the first interactive state science museum in Spain. On three floors you’ll find a planetarium with 30 projectors, an exhibition about the laws of physics, the Foucault pendulum, demonstrating the Earth’s daily rotation, and an incubator where the very real chicks hatch. The museum is organized on the principle of “Please Touch”, meaning that it’s not only possible, but also necessary to press the buttons, move the levers, and take part in scientific experiments. The famous writer Umberto Eco called the Science Museum in La Coruña the most astonishing museum in the world.

City Tour in A Coruña

You will walk through the picturesque quarters of the Old Town, starting your city tour at Maria Pita Square, home to one of the most beautiful municipal buildings in Spain. A stroll through the historic part of the city will let you admire unique architectural landmarks: the Romanesque Church of St. James from the 12th century (the oldest church in A Coruña), the Santa María de Campo church, and the San Carlos garden. On the Bars Street, you will learn about A Coruña’s gastronomic traditions. After exploring the historic part of the city, you will visit the Tower of Hercules-the oldest functioning lighthouse in the world, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Once you climb to the top of the lighthouse, you will enjoy a wonderful sea panorama and views of the city. As a finale to the tour, you will take a walk through the sculptural park along the coast, which begins at the foot of the Tower of Hercules and stretches for 47 hectares along the shoreline. Unusual installations reminiscent of Celtic dolmens, figures of heroes from local legends, and giant sea shells-these surreal sculptures capture attention no less than the sea and the rocks.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can view it after booking your cruise in your “Customer Personal Account”.