Tower of Hercules, Spain

From series “The most interesting UNESCO sites in Spain”

8 out of 15 - Caves in Atapuerca Mountains, Spain

10 out of 15 - Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Spain

12 out of 15 - Cordoba City Center, Spain

13 out of 15 - Santiago de Compostela, Spain

14 out of 15 - Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Spain

Year: 1 century A.C.. Height: 55 m.

The old active lighthouse is one of the main attractions of the Spanish city of La Coruna. It is called the Tower of Hercules. This lighthouse was built during the Roman Empire. It is considered the oldest lighthouse on the planet today. The tower is located on a rocky peninsula. The height of the peninsula is 57 meters above sea level. The height of the lighthouse is 55 meters. According to historical data, the lighthouse was built at the turn of the 1st-2nd centuries A.D. It was continuously used until the early Middle Ages.

It remained in disrepair for more than a hundred years afterward. Residents had an interest in the old lighthouse only by the beginning of the 15th century. The city of La Coruna had the status of a major port during this period. It needed a powerful lighthouse for the regulation of Maritime navigation. The lighthouse owes its current name to a beautiful legend. According to it, Hercules fought the giant Geryon on the rocky peninsula for three days.

Hercules decided to build a tower on the peninsula after he finally defeated his enemy. He brought people from Galatia here after that. They founded the first city near the peninsula afterward. The ancient lighthouse has irrevocably lost some of its original design elements over hundreds of years of existence. Its first wooden staircase was replaced with a stone one. The fourth floor was added to the lighthouse in the late 18th century. It increased its height by 21 meters. Some elements have been preserved after almost 2,000 years. The granite walls of the lighthouse are among them. Their thickness is more than two meters.

Next - Cordoba City Center

Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Spain

Cordoba City Center, Spain

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Tower of Hercules - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'Cajero automático Caixabank' located in 1.16 km (

check the route on the map).

Car rental office: 'Automóviles Lorga Ford Coruña' is located in 0.89 km (

on the map).

Fuel station: 'Repsol' in 1.14 km

Supermarket: 'Manuel Mourelle Antelo' in 0.7 km

Parking: 'Parking BUS' in 0.52 km

Apotheek: 'Mª Dolores Prieto Nieto' in 0.69 km

Police station: 'Policía Local da Coruña' in 1.45 km

Cafe/restaurant: 'Restaurante Aquarium Finisterrae' in 0.26 km

Railway station: 'A Coruña' in 3.71 km

Nearest airports:
» A Coruna Airport LCG - in 9 km

» Santiago de Compostela Airport SCQ - in 54 km

» Peinador Airport VGO - in 130 km

» Asturias Airport OVD - in 192 km

» Chaves Airport CHV - in 199 km

Photo gallery: The most interesting UNESCO sites in Spain

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Cities nearby

» Guide to A Coruna

» Cuisine & restaurants

» Traditions & mentality

» Culture & art

» Attractions & nightlife

» Apartments

» Hostels

» Car rent in A Coruna

» Cabriolets

» Guide to Santiago de Compostela

» Cuisine & restaurants

» Culture & art

» Attractions & nightlife

» Tips for tourists

» Hotels in Santiago de Compostela

» Guest houses

» Bed & Breakfast

» Apartments

» Hostels

» Car rent in Santiago de Compostela

» Cabriolets

» Guide to Ourense

» Cuisine & restaurants

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» Attractions & nightlife

» Tips for tourists

» Hotels in Ourense

» Car rent in Ourense

Best hotels near Tower of Hercules

Pensión Residencia Alborán

Located in 1 km from Tower of Hercules
Route on the map:

Rooms: 30

Featuring a private bathroom, all the rooms in Pensión Residencia Alborán have a flat-screen TV and central heating. Some of them have a balcony … More: photo, rates and booking

Hotel Maycar

Located in 2 km from Tower of Hercules
Route on the map:

Rooms: 54

Featuring wooden floors, all rooms have a private bathroom with a shower. There is also a desk, wardrobe and telephone. A laundry service is … More: photo, rates and booking

Hotel Adelia

Located in 3 km from Tower of Hercules
Route on the map:

Rooms: 24

All heated rooms feature simple décor and come with flat-screen TV, telephone and a private bathroom. Bed linen and towels are included. The hotel … More: photo, rates and booking

Hotel Carris Marineda

Located in 4 km from Tower of Hercules
Route on the map:

Rooms: 113

Set in the Grela-Bens Business Park, the hotel is next to a bus stop and taxi stand. Alvedro Airport is 7 km away and the hotel is a 10-minute drive … More: photo, rates and booking

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

0 km - Torre de Hercules

From the series 'Top 15 Most Fascinating Lighthouses'

The oldest lighthouse in the world is situated in La Coruña, Spain. Torre de Hercules was built at the time of the Rome Empire. The height of the oldest lighthouse in the world is 55 meters. The name it has received thanks to a fabulous myth about Hercules. After he …

57 km - Santiago de Compostela

From the series 'The most interesting UNESCO sites in Spain'

A unique historical area with many incredible attractions is also preserved in the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela. Obradoiro Square is usually the starting point of sightseeing programs. Several outstanding historical sites are located right on the square. A …

168 km - Las Medulas Mine

From the series 'Famous Spots of Gold Mines Reminding the Gold-Rush Times'

The Las Medulas Mine, located in Spain, is one of the ancient Roman mines. This deposit is located in the north-western part of the country. Scientists managed to establish that the development of the mine began in the first century BC. And lasted more than 300 years. …

173 km - Playa de Ballota

From the series 'The Hidden and Hard-To-Reach Beautiful Beaches'

In the Asturias, in Spain is Playa de Ballota - the enchanting beach, one of the most united and most beautiful in the country. If you look at these coastal stretches surrounded by the inaccessible rocks, from the bird's perspective, their outlines recall the small …

216 km - Stone House

From the series 'The Most Bizarre and Fancy Living Houses'

The hikers can see the unique stone house in Portugal. In contrast to millions of other houses, it was not built 'out', but 'in' the stone. The house is located in the picturesque mountain area, not far from Fafe city and was still built in 1974. The …

248 km - Santa Catarina Street

From the series 'Top 13 Most Fantastic and Colorful Streets and Quarters'

There is a street in Porto that is worth attention of the most experienced and discerning travelers. It's called Santa Catarina. The main feature of this historic street are beautiful buildings decorated with traditional white and blue tiles, azulejos. Buildings …

Top destination around Tower of Hercules - A Coruna

Young travelers will surely appreciate Aquapark Cerceda. The complex is small but very spacious, the smallest ones will like this place more than others. However, not only children can find entertainment for themselves - all kinds of water rides are available here for people of any age category. The water park is unique of its kind and is considered the best in Galicia. That is why here you can spend a whole day without even noticing how it flew by so fast. The park houses a cafe where amazingly delicious pizza and ice cream are served. Here you can also find Jardin Botanico Cerceda, a great place to contemplate and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

Another place that kids will surely love is Aquarium Finisterrae. The most valuable "artifact" of the aquarium is the "Nautilus" room where instead of the walls there are panoramic windows behind which fish swim. In total, the center has four exhibition halls and a biological collection including more than 300 fish species. In addition, interesting rides, many interactive exhibits, as well as seal shows, are offered to children of all ages.
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