A Coruña
42 places in and around A Coruña, 8 of them among my favourite picks.
Chapter One
The story of A Coruña
A port city on the Atlantic that is home to the Tower of Hercules, the oldest Roman lighthouse still in operation (a World Heritage Site), and famous for withstanding the English expedition of Drake in 1589 CE.
Figures of A Coruña
- 1565–1643
María Pita
The heroine who defended the city against the English fleet in 1589. The main square bears her name and has her statue, and her house is a museum.
- 1851–1921
Emilia Pardo Bazán
A pioneering novelist born in A Coruña, whose house there is a museum.
- 1869–1968
Ramón Menéndez Pidal
The doyen of Spanish historians and philologists, born in A Coruña, who wrote foundational studies of the epic of El Cid and the origins of Spanish.
- 1881–1973
Pablo Picasso
He lived in A Coruña as a boy (1891–1895) and studied art there; his family home is today the Casa-Museo Picasso.
Chapter Two
Places in A Coruña
42 places I chose, arranged in chapters. A gold star marks one of my favourite picks.
Heritage and monuments
3Torre de Hércules
The oldest Roman lighthouse still in operation in the world (1st–2nd century CE), and a World Heritage Site. Arab geographers such as al-Idrisi mentioned it as the “Idol of Brigantium”, one of the wonders of the world.
My tip
Book your climb in advance; the stairway has 234 steps, and the coastal walk around it is wonderful.
MUNCYT – Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
A huge free museum in a glass building, whose highlight is the nose of a real Boeing 747 that you can walk into, as well as cars and inventions from four centuries.
My tip
An hour and a half; free; closed on Mondays; luggage lockers.
Castillo de San Antón – Museo Arqueológico
A 16th-century fort on a rock at the entrance to the harbour. It was once a prison and is now an archaeology museum, with Celtic gold treasures and Roman pieces from the Tower of Hercules.
My tip
One hour; a nominal ticket; closed on Mondays; the last stop on the seafront walk from the port.
Restaurants and cafés
16A Mundiña
A refined seafood restaurant on Calle Real near the Marina, attached to the famous fish market, and known for red prawn rice.
- One of the best-known and most highly regarded seafood addresses in A Coruña. Prices are high, but the quality is exceptional.
TryCarabinero prawn rice, scallops, grilled lubina, lobster salad
Booking essential · Suits families and children, business meetings and couples
As Garzas
A Michelin-starred restaurant suspended over the ocean at the port of Barizo near Malpica, with every table overlooking the sea.
- The most beautiful sunset on the north coast and refined seafood cooking; ideal for a romantic dinner or a tasting experience.
Signature dishTasting menu (Menú degustación)
Booking essential · Suits couples and business meetings
Restaurante Miramar
A seafood restaurant in the village of Corme, home of Spain's most famous rock barnacles (percebes).
- The ideal place to taste the legendary Corme percebes, with a view of the small beach. Two dining rooms, one of them more elegant.
Signature dishCorme percebes (percebes de Corme)
Booking advised · Suits families and children and couples
Mesón O Pote
A traditional restaurant in central Betanzos, famous for the best soft Spanish “tortilla” in the country.
- The award-winning Betanzos tortilla (no onion) with zamburiñas. It gets crowded, so book ahead.
Signature dishBetanzos tortilla (tortilla de Betanzos)
Booking advised · Suits families and children and friends and groups
Árbore da Veira
Refined Galician cuisine on Monte San Pedro, with views over the Atlantic. Closed on Tuesdays.
- ★ Michelin
- With a view
- Romantic
TryTasting menu
Booking essential · Smart casual · Suits couples and business meetings
Taberna da Penela
Traditional Galician cooking in María Pita square: empanada, squid in its ink, octopus. Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- A classic restaurant in A Coruña from the Penela group, recommended by Repsol and the local press.
- With a view
TryEmpanada, calamari in its ink, octopus
Booking advised · Casual · Suits families and children and friends and groups
Nature and walks
7Paseo Marítimo de A Coruña
One of the longest urban seafronts in Europe (about 13 km), wrapping around the whole peninsula from the port to the Tower of Hercules, the beaches and Monte San Pedro, with distinctive red lampposts.
My tip
Rent an e-bike or walk a section of it; sunset is the most beautiful time; suitable for pushchairs.
Parque del Monte de San Pedro
A park on a high headland above the ocean, with old coastal guns and a glass viewing dome, reached by a panoramic glass lift.
My tip
Take the glass lift up from the promenade; it is windy up there, so take a coat.
Parque Natural Fragas do Eume
· A Capela
One of the best-preserved coastal Atlantic forests in Europe: a damp forest of oak, chestnut and fern on both banks of the Eume river, with the Romanesque monastery of San Xoán de Caaveiro perched on a rock at its heart.
- Moderate effort · needs a car
- By car to the visitor centre; in summer, cars are banned beyond it and a free shuttle bus runs to the monastery. The trails are moderate. A small café near the monastery.
My tip
In summer a free bus runs from the visitor centre to the monastery; bring cash for the small café nearby.
Playas de Riazor y Orzán
Two connected beaches in the heart of the city along the seafront, with golden sand, sunset views and many cafés, loved by surfers.
My tip
Watch out for rip currents, and swim only where the lifeguards are; best for a stroll and for sunset.
Fragas do Eume – Mosteiro de Caaveiro
· Pontedeume / A Capela
One of the best-preserved Atlantic forests in Europe, with ferns and mosses along the banks of the Eume river, and a 10th-century Romanesque monastery on a rock. A riverside path and suspension bridges.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- The Fragas do Eume visitor centre (Pontedeume). In season: a free bus, with booking, to Caaveiro; a car park nearby outside it. Go and return along the river.
- Distance
- 5 km · 150 m climb · 2 hours
My tip
In summer and on holidays a free bus runs from the visitor centre to the monastery; book the guided tour of the monastery.
Casa Castiñeira
· Muxía (Costa da Morte)
A stone country house on the Costa da Morte near Muxía, with a devoted hostess and a safe garden for children.
My tip
Close to the lighthouses of Finisterre and Muxía and the Ézaro waterfall; ideal for a week on the Galician coast.
Day trips
1Betanzos
· Betanzos
A medieval town at the confluence of two rivers, once one of the capitals of the old Kingdom of Galicia, with glazed balconies, Gothic churches and paved squares. Famous for its almost runny “tortilla”.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 25 minutes by car or train from A Coruña; steep, paved lanes.
My tip
The old town is on a hill, so it is best to park below and climb on foot. Try the “Betanzos tortilla” in its famous restaurants.
Experiences and family
5Garita de Herbeira (Acantilados de Herbeira)
· Cariño / Cedeira
Among the highest sea cliffs in mainland Europe (about 600 m above the ocean), in the Sierra da Capelada between Cedeira and Cariño; an old stone lookout over the Atlantic, with wild horses grazing around it.
My tip
Fog is common — check the weather. Combine it with the village of San Andrés de Teixido and the Cabo Ortegal lighthouse (30 minutes). The wind is strong, so take a jacket.
Aquarium Finisterrae
An aquarium of marine life on the seafront; its highlights are the “Nautilus” room underwater and the seal pools overlooking the Atlantic.
My tip
Combine it on foot with the Tower of Hercules; the seal feeding time is an experience for children.
Faro de Cabo Ortegal
· Cariño
A rocky headland where the Cantabrian Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, with the rocky islands of “Os Aresteiros” in front of it. Beneath it are rocks among the oldest on the Earth's surface (about a billion years old) — a geological site of world importance.
My tip
The view at sunset is magical, and dolphins are sometimes seen. The road is narrow at the end. Combine it with the Herbeira cliffs.
Domus – Casa del Hombre
The world's first interactive museum of the human body, in a building by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki that looks like a sail above the ocean. Interactive exhibits for children and a splendid view.
My tip
An hour and a half; a combined ticket with the city's science museums; some exhibits may be out of order.
Casa de las Ciencias y Planetario
An interactive science museum in a palace inside the Santa Margarita park, with a planetarium dome and fun physics experiments for adults and children; a nominal ticket.
My tip
2–3 hours; dome shows at set times; the garden has play areas for children.
Where to stay
5NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre
- One of the city's best hotels
A five-star hotel on the seafront next to the old town, with a club and seawater pools.
My tip
Ask for a room with a bay view.
Meliá María Pita
- One of the city's best hotels
Right on Riazor–Orzán beach, with rooms overlooking the ocean and balconies.
My tip
Book a room with a sea view; there is underground parking.
Noa Boutique Hotel
· Oleiros
- Boutique
A modern boutique hotel on Santa Cruz bay, opposite a small castle out at sea. Every room overlooks the sea, and the pool is on the roof. About 10 minutes by car from central A Coruña.
My tip
It has a late-night bar at weekends; ask for a room away from it.
Hotel Alda Galería
- Boutique
A small boutique hotel in the old quarter near the port and the famous glass balconies of the Galerías. An excellent location for walking.
My tip
The rooms are small and reception is not always open; suitable for a short stay as a couple.
Hotel Eurostars Ciudad de La Coruña
A four-star hotel near the Tower of Hercules and the seafront promenade, with spacious rooms, some with ocean views. Quiet, with a free and convenient car park.
My tip
A little outside the centre; ask for a room facing the sea, as the price difference is small.
Shopping
2Coruña The Style Outlets
· Culleredo
An elegant, quiet outlet near A Coruña airport, the largest in Galicia, with Nike, Adidas and Mango, and men's suits. A comfortable atmosphere, with sofas in the walkways.
My tip
Usually closed on Mondays and Sundays; the third Thursday of every month has extra discounts.
Mercado de la Plaza de Lugo
The city's main market on two floors: the ground floor for fish and fresh Galician seafood, and the upper floor for meat and fruit.
My tip
In the morning, before noon; close to the shopping streets (Juan Flórez and Calle Real); half an hour.
Relaxation
3Plaza de María Pita
The main square of A Coruña, with the modernist town hall at its heart, its three domes and the statue of the heroine who repelled the English fleet in 1589. Behind it are the Galerías de la Marina, the famous glass façades.
My tip
15–30 minutes; walk to Calle de la Marina to see the glass balconies; cafés all around.
Fragas do Eume
· Pontedeume
One of the best-preserved Atlantic forests in Europe, in the valley of the Eume river; a lovely riverside trail leads to the old Caaveiro monastery. Picnic areas near the visitor centre.
- Moderate effort · needs a car
- About 45 minutes by car from A Coruña via Pontedeume. The walk to the monastery is 8 km (or take the bus); dense shade.
- Barbecue
- Not allowed: no fires or barbecues at all; picnic with ready food only.
My tip
In summer, car access is regulated and a free bus runs to the monastery; check in advance. E-bike hire is available. Take your rubbish with you.
Área recreativa de Gabenlle (A Laracha)
· A Laracha
A green area on the banks of the Anllóns river near A Coruña, with a barbecue corner, many benches and an easy riverside walkway suitable for pushchairs. One of the best-known family picnic spots in the area.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- About 30 minutes by car from A Coruña; the walkway is flat and suitable for pushchairs. Take your rubbish with you.
- Barbecue
- Permitted under conditions: in Galicia the high-risk season runs from 1 July to 30 September. Cooking is only allowed in the recreational areas set up for it and outside high-risk zones, and it is banned on days of high risk warnings. Outside the season, fixed “churrasqueiras” are used. Bring charcoal.
My tip
It gets crowded on sunny days and parking is limited; arrive early. Dogs must stay on a lead.
Chapter Three
When to go to A Coruña
Pick a month to see its weather and events.
Among my best months An event or holiday
January
No events listed in January. A quiet month, and prices are often lower.
Chapter Four
Where to stay in A Coruña
Hotels I recommend in A Coruña
- NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre ★★★★★
- Meliá María Pita ★★★★
Chapter Five
What to bring home
What deserves to come home with you from A Coruña: the genuine article, and what carries a protected origin.
Galician-style octopus
Pulpo á feiraOctopus boiled in copper pots, chopped onto a wooden platter and sprinkled with paprika, coarse salt and olive oil.
Barnacles
Percebes de la Costa da MorteRare rock barnacles, harvested at risk from the rocks of the “Coast of Death” near A Coruña. One of the most expensive seafoods in Spain; their flavour is pure sea.
- IGP
Turnip tops
Grelos de Galicia IGPGreen turnip tops with a gentle bitterness; their season is winter. Order them boiled in olive oil, away from the pork dish “lacón con grelos”.
Carral bread
Pan de CarralA large rustic Galician loaf with a thick crust from the nearby town of Carral; moist inside, and it lasts for days.
Galician empanada
Empanada gallegaA large pie filled with tuna, mussels or scallops; ask about the dough, as some bakeries use pork fat (“manteca”), and choose one made with olive oil.
Chapter Six
Getting around A Coruña
- Radio Taxi Coruña+34 981 243 333
- Tele Taxi+34 981 287 777
Apps that work here
CabifyBolt
Last reviewed1 October 2026