Capital of the province of the same name, A Coruña in Spain is a beautiful city on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It is an ideal place to explore on foot, while enjoying each of its streets, urban beaches, modernist buildings and traditional recipes. Beyond the sights to see in A Coruña and its gastronomy, this city has a great atmosphere and incredible vibrancy. With its seafaring atmosphere and distinctly Galician character, A Coruña will turn your visit to Galicia into an experience for the senses.
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Things to see in A Coruña
Tower of Hercules
Without a doubt the most symbolic monument to see in A Coruña Spain is the Tower of Hercules. This tower was built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and has a working lighthouse, which is the oldest in the world and the only Roman lighthouse still standing. From this lighthouse we can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Galicia.
In the same area we also find the Sculpture Park of the Tower of Hercules, a 45 hectare open-air museum. It is made up of statues that represent the city’s close relationship with the sea. The Tower of Hercules was also declared a World Heritage Site in 2009.
Rosa Dos Ventos
The Rosa Dos Ventos is located just below the Tower of Hercules and is a huge mosaic that represents the nautical compasses. It has been linked to different meanings of ancient Celtic legends, hence it is considered a very special spiritual place where positive energies converge. Many people come to this place to enjoy the silence and the sea breeze. It is a peaceful place where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets, with panoramic views of Riazor beach.
Plaza de Maria Pita
This is the hub of the city. This square is dedicated to the heroine of A Coruña, Maria Pita, who defended the city from the English attack. In this square, in addition to the statue of Maria Pita, we can highlight the modernist Municipal Palace building. This is an essential stop to make in A Coruña due to its importance for the city.
Ciudad Vieja of A Coruña, Spain
Another place to visit in A Coruña is its old town. Take a walk through its streets, and relive the stages of history in this medieval and baroque city. Here you will find churches and palatial houses full of history from the medieval and baroque past. In addition, the medieval quarter of Ciudad Vieja is characterised by its cobbled streets and temples, such as the collegiate church of Santa María do Campo. This is without a doubt the heart of the city and the place to get to know the vibrancy of A Coruña Spain.
Galerías de la Marina
Walking from the Plaza de María Pita you will reach the port. Here you will find the best views of the famous Galerías de la Marina, which reflect the sun’s rays at sunset. These galleries are the largest set of glass buildings in the world, which is why A Coruña is also known as “The City of Glass”.
Seafront Promenade
The Paseo Marítimo stretches from the Castillo de San Antón, and is the longest promenade in Europe. Along its 10 kilometres you will find important buildings and discover its urban beaches: Riazor Beach and Orzán Beach. Whilst in this city you have to take a leisurely stroll along the promenade while enjoying the scenery and its undeniable charm.
Riazor Beach
Located in the centre of town, this beach is one of the busiest and most popular in A Coruña Spain, both for its location and its beauty. It is 610 metres long, making it the second longest beach in the city. La playa de Riazor is a shell-shaped beach with moderate waves. This beach is the ideal place to go surfing and do other water sports.
Orzán Beach
Next to Riazor Beach, and located in the Orzán inlet, we find Orzan beach. This beach is 780 metres long, making it the largest beach in A Coruña, Spain. Like its neighbouring beach, this beach is centrally located and you will find wind and moderate waves from the Atlantic.
Las Lapas Beach
This beach is located at the foot of the Tower of Hercules and has a more intimate and cosy vibe. At 70 metres long, this beach is surrounded by a natural environment, so its waves are lower than the rest of the city’s beaches and it is a nice place to enjoy a quiet afternoon on the sand.
Castle of San Antón
This 16th century fortress has served as a defensive building, a prison and a quaratnine station. Today it is the Archaeological and Historical Museum of A Coruña, Spain. The castle of San Antón is in a beautiful setting at the entrance to the city’s port. It has been a Historic-Artistic Monument since 1994.
The museum exhibits pieces of enormous value, ranging from the origins of civilisation in Galicia to the more modern history of the city and its province. You can find a time tunnel as you stroll through to discover the old rooms of the fortress.
Monte de San Pedro Park
This viewpoint park is the place to go to admire the city from above. Monte de San Pedro has an exceptional location where the natural surroundings are also a peaceful place to stay and enjoy the view. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb up to this haven and see the beautiful sights. This is without a doubt one of the places you cannot miss on your visit to A Coruña Spain.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Towns to see in and around A Coruña Spain
Muros
Muros is a town located at the northern end of the estuary of Muros and Noia. It is a town with great historical wealth and impressive surroundings. It also has an original urban structure of great architectural and archaeological interest. Its important heritage led to it being declared a Historic-Artistic Monumental Site in 1970. That is why, if you have enough time, you should not miss the opportunity to visit Muros.
Malpica
Malpica de Bergantiños is in A Coruña, just 52 km from the capital. In Malpica de Bergantiños you will find great attractions to suit all tastes. From beaches, lighthouses and islands, in this town you can also do different hiking routes, and get to know the cliffs that delimit the Galician coast. Another stop well worth seeing if you travel to A Coruña, Spain.
What to see in A Coruña Spain in one day?
With a day in A Coruña you can discover the unique charm of this city by the sea. You will discover the most important places in the town and enjoy the atmosphere of its streets. Here is a possible itinerary so that you can use as a reference during your visit to the city.
- Ciudad Vieja
- Plaza de Maria Pita
- Galerías de la Marina
- Seafront Promenade
- Riazor Beach or Orzán Beach
- Tower of Hercules
What to see in A Coruña Spain in two days?
If you really want to get to know the essence of A Coruña, you have to explore its squares and monuments, wander through its streets and explore its natural spaces. Don’t miss this tour of the city and get ideas for your trip.
Day 1:
- Ciudad Vieja
- Plaza de Maria Pita
- Galerías de la Marina
- Seafront Promenade
- Riazor Beach
- Orzán Beach
- Tower of Hercules
Day 2:
- Las Lapas Beach
- Castle of San Antón
- Monte de San Pedro Parl
- Discover the village of Malpica or Muros
Tips for your trip to A Coruña, Spain
- A Coruña has mild temperatures throughout the year. In summer temperatures are around 20ºC.
- The city currently has free internet connection points in municipal facilities, such as libraries and public centres throughout the old town.
- Organise your travel route around the city of A Coruña with the Passporter App. Discover the magic of having your travel itinerary organised on your mobile.
How to organise what to see in A Coruña, Spain?
If you have doubts about how to get organised before travelling, and you don’t really know how to plan your itinerary, you can take this post as a reference and combine it with the suggestions in the Passporter App. There you will also find a wide range of ideas and inspiration on what to see and do in A Coruña Spain.
Thanks to the App you can sort your spots in order of preference and organise it by days, creating your ideal travel itinerary quickly and easily. If you don’t have the Passporter App yet, download it! And if you have any doubts about how to use it, read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions
You can get to A Coruña from other cities in Spain by plane, train, bus or private transport. Depending on where you’re starting and the time available, the most recommended means of transport varies.
The best way to get around A Coruña is on foot, discovering the monuments and museums that fill in its streets. If you need to travel longer distances, you can always use public transport.
A Coruña has excellent food, with Galician octopus as the crown jewel. Likewise, mussels from the estuary, tetilla cheese and Arzúa cheese are other delicacies not to be missed in Galicia. Betanzos omelette, padrón peppers, barnacles and empanadas are other dishes that will make you want to return to A Coruña.
The restaurants in A Coruña perfectly reflect the city’s traditional gastronomy. Here are some of the most renowned restaurants in A Coruña for you to try the best versions of Galician products and recipes. You will find restaurants with a wide range of prices, but all of them of the highest quality.
– Árbore da Veira
– Artabria
– Asador Coruña
– Arallo Taberna
– A Pulpeira de Melide
– A Pulpeira Rompeolas
– Tira do Playa
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