Visit A Coruña, Spain

A flourishing, modern city with a rich maritime history, A Coruña sits in the north of Galicia. Overlooking the wild Atlantic Ocean, the city boasts the oldest working Roman lighthouse in the world — Hercules Tower — and a warren-like medieval old town of narrow streets and Romanesque architecture. Its more modern attractions include Domus, an interactive science museum dedicated to the human body, housed in a striking building designed by post-war Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki.

Sitting on the Golfo Artabro peninsula, A Coruña takes full advantage of its oceanic setting, with a long seafront promenade ending in impressive urban beaches such as Riazor and Orzán. It’s a city known for its cuisine, with seafood an obvious highlight. You can pair this with notable wines from the nearby Rías Baixas region. As the second largest city in Galicia, A Coruña is a vibrant base for exploring the region.

Walking through time: the architecture of A Coruña

A Coruña’s architecture reflects its maritime heritage and Roman roots, and walking the city will give you a fascinating insight into this evolving architectural heritage. Dominating the city is the Hercules Tower, which has served as a key location marker for Atlantic navigation since the rule of Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ciudad Vieja (old town) is a maze of medieval streets and plazas encircled by the coastline. Its streets emanate from the Plaza de Mariá Pitar, named after a local heroine who defended the city from a British Armada attack in 1589. You’ll find Romanesque churches dotted across the city, including the oldest — the 12th-century Iglesia de Santiago. You’ll also see the notable 19th-century Galerías buildings, with their glass-enclosed balconies, designed to protect against the harsh Atlantic winds.

Pulpo and pimientos: gastronomic A Coruña

A Coruña offers a rich gastronomic experience, built around fresh seafood and traditional Galician cuisine. Pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus) served with paprika, olive oil, and sea salt is a local highlight. The region is also known for its empanadas gallegas (filled pastries) and pimientos de Padrón (small green peppers).

The city’s coastal location means you’ll find perfectly fresh seafood at local markets like Plaza de Lugo. We can arrange for you to have a cooking class here with a local market visit, where you’ll pick the freshest ingredients and learn to prepare some traditional Galician delicacies. Regional wines, such as the crisp, zesty Albariño, and fruity, herbal Ribeiro, pair well with the dishes on offer in the city.

Discovering Costa da Morte

Exploring the area around A Coruña gives you access to some of Galicia’s main sites. You might visit Betanzos, with its medieval heritage, or Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia and spiritual goal of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

Close to A Coruña itself, you’ll find the native Atlantic riverside forest of Fragas do Eume Natural Park, and the dunes and lagoons of the Dunar de Corrubedo and Lagunas de Carregal y Vixán. A Coruña sits on the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) — so called for its treacherous waters and rocky coastline, which have caused numerous shipwrecks over the centuries. You’ll find a wild, dramatic beauty here, featuring craggy landscapes, secluded beaches, and picturesque fishing villages.

Best time to visit A Coruña

A Coruña benefits from a Mediterranean climate tempered by wild Atlantic storms. The city is at its most lively between June and September, when the weather is warm and fiestas abound. Our specialists recommend visiting in June or September, when the sea and air temperatures are pleasant, but the beaches are less crowded.