Aquarium Finisterrae & the Domus Museum
Most visitors to A Coruña make a beeline for the Torre de Hércules and overlook two genuinely exceptional museums sitting side by side on the waterfront: Aquarium Finisterrae, one of Spain's finest marine aquariums, and the Domus, a science museum dedicated entirely to the human body. Both were designed by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and together they form one of the most architecturally
Aquarium Finisterrae: The Atlantic Up Close
The aquarium focuses exclusively on the marine ecosystems of the Galician coast and the Atlantic, which makes it far more coherent — and more surprising — than generic aquariums. The centrepiece is a vast tank replicating the rocky subtidal zone of the Rías Altas, where conger eels, turbot and spider crabs move through kelp forests in near-darkness.
A dedicated touch pool lets children handle starfish and sea urchins under supervision, and the upper-floor exhibition on the traditional Galician fishing industry — complete with original boat hulls and net-weaving demonstrations — adds genuine cultural depth to the visit.
The Domus: A Museum About You
The Domus opened in 1995 and was one of the world's first interactive science museums focused on human biology. Its curved stone sail of a building — clad in Galician slate — leans dramatically into the sea wind and is itself worth the trip.
Inside, over 400 interactive exhibits cover genetics, perception, emotion and the mechanics of movement. It's thoughtfully designed for adults as well as children, with enough depth in the genetics and neuroscience sections to hold an informed adult's attention for two hours or more. Temporary exhibitions rotate every six months and maintain a consistently high standard.
Aquarium Finisterrae & the Domus Museum on video
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