4 Things to See and Do in A Coruña, Spain
Stayed in A Coruña, Galicia | June 17–23
When I planned my road trip through Galicia, A Coruña was meant to be one of the final stops before heading home. I expected a pleasant coastal city with good seafood and a few interesting sights, but I didn't expect it to become one of my favourite places of the entire trip.
I ended up spending almost a week here, which gave me plenty of time to explore beyond the main tourist attractions. Between long walks beside the Atlantic, afternoons wandering through the Old Town, and evenings discovering some fantastic restaurants, A Coruña quickly settled into a slower pace that was incredibly easy to enjoy. It's a city that doesn't ask you to rush. Instead, it invites you to take your time, look around, and appreciate everything that's right in front of you.
If you're wondering where I stayed during my visit, I also wrote about the hotel that made exploring A Coruña incredibly easy. You can read it here: https://www.golfingwithchris.com/blog/5-star-hotels-in-galicia-that-made-the-perfect-ending-to-my-road-trip.
Whether you're visiting for a weekend or have several days to explore like I did, these are the four places I genuinely think deserve a spot on your itinerary.
1. Tower of Hercules: Standing Beside Nearly 2,000 Years of History
Image courtesy of Torre de Hércules.
Av. Navarra, A Coruña | UNESCO World Heritage Site | Around 10 minutes by car from NH Collection A Coruña
No visit to A Coruña feels complete without seeing the Tower of Hercules. Rising above the Atlantic Ocean on a rugged stretch of coastline, it's the city's most recognisable landmark and one of the reasons many visitors make the journey to Galicia in the first place.
What makes it even more remarkable is that it isn't simply an ancient monument. Built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, it remains the world's oldest working lighthouse and continues to guide ships safely into the bay. Standing at its base, it's difficult not to think about how many generations have looked up at this very same tower while arriving on the Galician coast.
While climbing the lighthouse is certainly worthwhile, I actually found the surrounding landscape just as memorable. The wide grassy headland, dramatic cliffs and constant sound of waves crashing against the rocks make this one of the most beautiful places in the city. Walking the coastal paths around the lighthouse offers incredible views in every direction, and there are plenty of benches where you can simply stop and admire the Atlantic stretching towards the horizon.
If the weather is clear, I'd recommend arriving later in the afternoon. The softer light makes the coastline even more beautiful and creates some fantastic photo opportunities. Once you reach the top of the lighthouse, you're rewarded with panoramic views across A Coruña, its beaches, marina and the endless Atlantic beyond.
It's easy to spend an hour or two here without feeling rushed, and for me it was one of those places that perfectly captured A Coruña's connection to both history and the sea.
Allow: Around 1–2 hours.
Best for: History lovers, photographers and anyone wanting the city's best coastal views.
2. Plaza de María Pita: The Heart of the City
Image courtesy of Plaza de María Pita.
Praza de María Pita | Around 15 minutes' walk from NH Collection A Coruña
Every city has a place where people naturally gather, and in A Coruña that place is Plaza de María Pita.
Named after the local heroine who famously defended the city against the English fleet in 1589, the square is surrounded by elegant arcaded buildings, lively cafés and the impressive City Hall, whose grand façade dominates one side of the plaza. Despite its size, it never feels overwhelming. Instead, it has a welcoming atmosphere that encourages you to slow down and simply enjoy being there.
I found myself walking through the square almost every day. Sometimes it was simply because I was heading towards the Old Town, while other times I deliberately stopped for a coffee and watched locals go about their day. It always seemed to have a different atmosphere depending on the time. Mornings felt calm and relaxed, while evenings brought families, visitors and friends together as the terraces gradually filled.
One thing I enjoyed most was how central everything feels from here. Within just a few minutes' walk, you can reach the marina, shopping streets, restaurants and many of A Coruña's most famous landmarks. It became my natural starting point whenever I headed out to explore another part of the city.
Even if you only spend twenty minutes here, Plaza de María Pita gives you a real sense of A Coruña's character. It's elegant without feeling formal, lively without being chaotic, and the perfect place to experience everyday life in the city.
Allow: 30–60 minutes.
Best for: Architecture, cafés and soaking up the city's atmosphere.
3. Wander Through the Old Town (Ciudad Vieja)
Image courtesy of Turismo de A Coruña.
Old Town (Ciudad Vieja), A Coruña | Around 15 minutes' walk from NH Collection A Coruña
One of my favourite memories of A Coruña doesn't centre around one famous landmark.
Instead, it comes from simply wandering through the city's Old Town, known locally as Ciudad Vieja. This is the oldest part of A Coruña, where centuries of history are woven into narrow cobbled streets, charming squares and beautifully preserved stone buildings.
Leaving the bustling waterfront behind, the atmosphere changes almost instantly. The streets become quieter, inviting you to slow down and explore at your own pace. Around almost every corner, I discovered another hidden plaza, colourful façade or historic building that made me stop for a closer look.
Rather than following a set route, I found it much more enjoyable to wander without a plan. That's one of the best things about the Old Town. Every street seems to reveal something different, whether it's a small local boutique, a cosy café or another piece of A Coruña's history.
Along the way, you'll come across several of the city's most important landmarks, including the Church of Santiago, the Colegiata de Santa María del Campo, the peaceful Jardín de San Carlos, and Plaza de Azcárraga, one of the oldest squares in the city. Each adds another layer to A Coruña's fascinating past while giving you plenty of reasons to pause and explore.
Compared with many historic centres across Europe, A Coruña's Old Town still feels refreshingly authentic. It hasn't been overwhelmed by souvenir shops or large tour groups, allowing you to experience the city at a much more relaxed pace.
If you enjoy exploring on foot and discovering places that aren't always listed in the guidebooks, I think you'll find yourself spending far longer here than you originally planned.
Allow: 2–3 hours.
Best for: Historic architecture, photography and discovering the oldest part of A Coruña.
4. Walk the Paseo Marítimo
Image courtesy of Turismo de A Coruña.
A Coruña Seafront Promenade | Easily accessible throughout the city
One thing that surprised me throughout my stay was just how connected A Coruña is to the Atlantic Ocean.
The city's seafront promenade stretches for around 13 kilometres, making it one of Europe's longest urban waterfront walks. Whether you're out for an early morning stroll, an afternoon walk between attractions or simply looking for somewhere to watch the sunset, it's difficult to find a better place.
During my stay, I found myself returning here almost every day. The promenade links many of A Coruña's biggest attractions together, passing beaches, parks, sculptures, viewpoints and cafés along the way. Instead of feeling like a separate attraction, it becomes part of how you naturally experience the city.
One detail you'll quickly notice are the distinctive red lampposts that line the promenade. Each features artwork inspired by A Coruña's history and maritime heritage, adding another layer of character to what would already be a beautiful walk.
As the Atlantic breeze rolls in and waves crash against the shoreline, it's easy to understand why locals spend so much time here. It doesn't matter whether you're walking for ten minutes or two hours. The scenery never really gets old.
For me, this became the perfect way to begin or end each day in A Coruña.
Allow: As long as you like.
Best for: Walking, cycling, sunsets and enjoying the Atlantic coastline.
Four Experiences That Made Me Love A Coruña
One of the things I appreciated most about A Coruña was how effortlessly everything came together.
You could spend the morning climbing a Roman lighthouse that's still guiding ships today, wander through centuries of history in the Old Town, enjoy lunch overlooking Plaza de María Pita, and finish the evening walking beside the Atlantic as the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.
There was never any pressure to rush from one attraction to the next. Instead, A Coruña rewarded taking your time. The city's relaxed atmosphere, beautiful coastline and fascinating history made every day feel different, even after almost a week of exploring.
If you're planning a trip through Galicia, I'd recommend giving A Coruña more than just a day or two. I certainly didn't regret staying longer, and by the time I left, it had become one of the highlights of my entire road trip.
