As La Coruña, Spain’s most iconic architectural landmark, the Torre de Hércules, or Tower of Hercules, is a must see. Initially built in the 1st century, it’s the oldest known surviving Roman lighthouse in the world. The earliest known reference of it appears in Historiae adversus Paganos by Paulus Orosius, written around 415–417 AD. Standing at 187 feet (57 meters), it’s the second-tallest lighthouse in Spain, surpassed only by the Faro de Chipiona. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, the Tower of Hercules welcomes around 150,000 visitors annually. Overlooking the North Atlantic, the lighthouse watches over a coastline notorious for shipwrecks, an area the Romans affectionately nicknamed Costa da Morte… or “Coast of Death.”
Built during the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan (AD 98–117), the exact year of the towers construction remains debatable, although most agree it dates back to the 1st century. Modeled after the famed Lighthouse of Alexandria, its base features a cornerstone inscribed with: “MARTI AVG. SACR C. SEVIUS LUPUS ARCHITECTUS ÆMINIENSIS LUSITANUS. EX. VO”, which credits the tower’s design to the architect Gaius Sevius Lupus, who dedicated it as an offering to Mars, the Roman God of War.
In continuous use since the 2nd century, the original base has withstood the test of time; however, the tower’s upper section had to be rebuilt around 1788, as the core structure required restoration. Therefore, the towers structure is somewhat different, as the original Roman tower was shorter and broader, whereas the restored version is taller and more slender.
Numerous legends and myths surround the Tower of Hercules. One tale claims that after slaying the giant tyrant Geryon, Hercules buried his head beneath the earth and ordered a city to be built on the site, a.k.a. present day La Coruña. According to this legend, the lighthouse stands atop a skull and crossbones, symbolizing the buried head. Another legend appears in the 11th-century Irish text Lebor Gabála Érenn (“The Book of Invasions”). It tells of King Breogán, who built a towering structure so tall that his sons could see the distant green shores of Ireland from its top. Inspired by the sight, they journeyed to Ireland, and their descendants became the Celtic ancestors of the present-day Irish people. Today, a statue of King Breogán stands proudly at the base of the lighthouse.
While reaching the lighthouse isn’t exactly challenging, it’s quite removed from the city center of La Coruña (as lighthouses often are) making it a slight journey if you’re arriving by cruise ship or staying downtown. Technically walkable, the distance is about 2.5 miles (4 km) and can take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour on foot. While low-cost bus transportation stops near the lighthouse, navigating the route can be challenging for non-Spanish speakers. We only managed it with the help of a very kind local at a bus stop. Taxis are available, but as is common in many parts of Europe, they must be called in advance or picked up from designated taxi areas. Flagging one down on the street is virtually impossible and mostly an American concept. Just some things to keep in mind when planning your visit!
The Tower of Hercules is open to the public 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm September 16th to June 15th and from 10am to 9pm June 16th to September 15th. The last admission is at 3:45pm and 7pm, respectively.
‼️ Access to the tower is only possible with a pre-purchased ticket. ‼️ We made the poor rookie mistake of not researching in advance that tickets are required to climb the lighthouse. This was super unfortunate, as they only allow 20 visitors inside every half hour, starting at 10:15am. Because of this very limited capacity, tickets often sell out days in advance, with the daily quota sometimes filled well before closing time. While it is possible to purchase tickets the day of your visit, this is a major gamble. Since we arrived about an hour before the ticket sales window closed, we could not get tickets and missed out on the climb. So, it’s best to purchase your tickets a few days in advance, guaranteeing you actually secure a ticket and your preferred time slot.
An important note: the tower will be closed to visitors on days with strong winds, regardless of whether you have a purchased ticket.
Admission costs €3.09 for adults and €1.55 for the following groups: children under 16, adults over 65, holders of the International Student or Teacher Identity Card, legally unemployed individuals (with documentation), members of large families, and groups of more than 20 people on a scheduled visit (with proper accreditation). Free admission is granted to children aged 3 and under, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, teachers accompanying educational groups, journalists, and other designated categories.
Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Centre (CIAV) starting at 9:45am or online via the following link: https://www.coruna.gal/the-tower/en/visit/book-tickets-online. Admission is free on Mondays, but visitors must still collect tickets at the CIAV ticket counter.
Overall, if you ever visit the beautiful city of La Coruña, Spain, a visit to the Tower of Hercules is practically mandatory. Its historical and cultural significance makes it a must-see, even if you can’t climb to the top, like us. However, now that you know what’s required to access the tower by reading this blog, you won’t miss out 🫡! The bottom line is, for any traveler and history lover, experiencing the oldest standing and still-operating Roman lighthouse in the world is an absolute must. Periodus. 👌🏼
