A Coruña, Spain

Ancient History & Ruins

A lighthouse at the harbour entrance since the late first century AD, when the Romans built the Farum Brigantium — and, in UNESCO's words, the only lighthouse of Greco-Roman antiquity to have retained a measure of structural integrity and functional continuity, still used for maritime signalling. It is 55 m tall on a 57 m rock: 34 m of Roman masonry beneath 21 m of Eustaquio Giannini's 18th-century restoration. Inscribed in 2009. It stands at the northern end of the Paseo Maritimo, in the Sculpture Park.

Ancient History & Ruins

The city's main square, with the City Hall and arcaded terraces where the tourism board points visitors for polbo a feira. The medieval and baroque Ciudad Vieja opens directly off it — the churches of Santiago and Santa Maria, museums, and the Archive of the Kingdom of Galicia created in 1775. Together this is the core of an independent day.

Beautiful Scenery

The seafront promenade runs from the city centre north to the Tower, passing Riazor and Orzan beaches, and is lined at night with the red lampposts the city enamelled with scenes from its own history. On the harbour side, the galerias of A Marina are the glazed white balconies A Coruna is named for. The walk is the sight, which is why this port rewards going on foot.

Recommended visit duration

5-6 hours — enough for the centre, the Old Town and the Paseo to the Tower on foot

Crowds

The Old Town and Maria Pita concentrate arrivals; the Paseo absorbs almost any number. Walking the promenade outward rather than taxiing to the Tower and back is the simplest way to avoid both a queue and a fare.