Parque de la Torre

Parque de la Torre is a coastal sculpture park in A Coruña, wrapped around the city's famous Tower of Hercules lighthouse on the northwestern tip of Galicia. Spread across roughly 47 hectares of grassy headland, rock, and open Atlantic views, it brings together around eighteen sculptures tied to myth, history, and the maritime identity of the region.

What will you see in the park?

The park works as an open-air sculpture gallery, with pieces from several artists grouped into three recurring themes: mythological, historical, and nautical. The best-known work is the Puertas de Hércules (Gates of Hercules), created by Francisco Leiro in 1992 — the first sculpted doors of their kind in Galicia, referencing the legend of Hercules founding the city after defeating the giant Geryon. Nearby stands the 1995 statue of Breogán by José Cid, portraying the legendary Celtic chieftain that 19th-century historians linked to the origins of both the tower and the city.

Look out too for the Ártabros group, three granite-and-bronze figures — a woman, a sailor, and a warrior — honoring the Artabri, the ancient people who once inhabited this coastline. Another highlight is Los Guardianes, a set of three figures by Soledad Penalta that stand as symbolic guardians of the shore. Other pieces draw on King Charles III and Celtic symbolism, reinforcing the layered identity of the site: myth, history, and sea woven together.

How do you get to the park?

The park occupies the Punta Herculina headland, right next to the Tower of Hercules, A Coruña's UNESCO-listed landmark. From the city center, the easiest options are a city bus or a bike ride along the seafront promenade — walking the coastline takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Drivers will find parking near the tower's entrance.

When is the best time to visit?

The park is open around the clock and free to enter, so you can time a visit for sunrise or sunset, when the light plays best across the sculptures and cliffs. Spring and early autumn offer the calmest conditions for walking, since Atlantic winds tend to be milder than in winter. Summer brings larger crowds, mostly visitors combining the park with a climb up the tower.

How much time should you set aside?

Walking the grounds and stopping at the main sculptures usually takes an hour to ninety minutes. If you plan to also climb the Tower of Hercules or visit nearby spots such as the San Amaro cemetery or Playa de las Lapas beach, budget half a day.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? Yes, access to Parque de la Torre is free and the site is open 24 hours a day.

Is there a fixed route through the park? No, there's no single marked trail — paths run loosely along the coastline, and sculptures are scattered across the grounds, which makes exploring at your own pace easy.

Is the park suitable for a walk with children? Yes, most of the terrain is flat and grassy, though care is needed near the cliff edges, especially on windy days.

What connects the park to the Tower of Hercules? The park surrounds the Roman-era lighthouse and echoes the legends around its founding, which is why sculptures of Hercules and the Celtic chieftain Breogán feature so prominently.