How I Spent Six Days in A Coruña, Spain. The Places I'd Recommend to Anyone Visiting
Stayed in A Coruña, Galicia | June 17 – June 23
After three days exploring the medieval streets of Santiago de Compostela, I headed north for the final city of my Galicia road trip. Compared to Santiago, A Coruña immediately felt different. The city has a much more modern energy, yet it never loses its connection to the Atlantic. Long waterfront promenades replace narrow stone laneways, locals spend their evenings walking beside the ocean, and fresh seafood seems to appear on almost every menu.
I quickly found myself settling into a slower routine. Mornings started with a walk along the marina, afternoons were spent exploring the Old Town or discovering another stretch of coastline, and evenings always seemed to end with dinner overlooking the sea.
For this stay, I checked into NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre, one of the city's best-located five-star hotels overlooking the marina. Being able to walk almost everywhere while still enjoying the hotel's pools, gym and waterfront setting made it an easy base for exploring A Coruña.
If you're interested in the hotel, you can read my full review here:https://www.golfingwithchris.com/blog/5-star-hotels-in-galicia-that-made-the-perfect-ending-to-my-road-trip
Although A Coruña often gets overlooked by visitors heading to Santiago de Compostela, I honestly think it deserves several days. It's a city where history, beaches and incredible food all come together, and unlike many popular destinations, it still feels like a place where locals outnumber tourists.
Of course, no trip is complete without finding somewhere for a great coffee, a memorable lunch and a dinner you'll still be thinking about long after you've left. Along the way, I also treated myself to a massage after weeks of driving around Galicia, something I probably should do more often.
Before getting to the food, there were two places that I think every first-time visitor should see.
Two Places You Shouldn't Miss
Tower of Hercules
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
No visit to A Coruña is complete without seeing the Tower of Hercules. Standing proudly above the Atlantic Ocean, it's recognised as the world's oldest working Roman lighthouse and has been guiding ships for almost 2,000 years. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Galicia's most recognisable landmarks.
I arrived in the morning before the larger tour groups, which meant the surrounding coastal paths were still relatively quiet. The walk around the headland is just as impressive as the lighthouse itself, with dramatic cliffs, crashing Atlantic waves and panoramic views stretching in every direction.
If you're comfortable with stairs, it's worth climbing to the top. The views across A Coruña and the coastline are spectacular, particularly on a clear day.
Allow at least an hour here, longer if you enjoy photography or simply want to sit and watch the ocean.
Paseo Marítimo & A Coruña Marina
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
One thing I loved about A Coruña was how connected the city feels to the sea.
The Paseo Marítimo stretches for around 13 kilometres, making it one of Europe's longest waterfront promenades. Whether you're walking, cycling or simply sitting on one of the benches watching the Atlantic, it's the sort of place that encourages you to slow down.
I found myself returning here almost every evening.
Starting near the marina, I'd wander past the harbour, watch sailboats coming and going, before continuing along the coastline towards Orzán and Riazor beaches. As the sun started setting, locals filled the promenade with runners, cyclists and families enjoying the cooler evening air.
It's a simple experience, but one that captures the relaxed lifestyle A Coruña does so well.
1. Café de Macondo: My Favourite Morning Coffee in A Coruña
Image courtesy of Café de Macondo.
Rúa Santo André, 106, A Coruña | Daily | Around 15 minutes' walk or 4 minutes' drive from NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre
Finding a good coffee shop has become part of every trip I take.
Some cities make you work for it, while others seem to have great cafés on almost every corner. A Coruña definitely belongs in the second category, but Café de Macondo was the one I kept coming back to.
Located just beyond the marina in the city centre, Café de Macondo has built a loyal following among locals thanks to its speciality coffee, homemade pastries and relaxed atmosphere. It consistently ranks as one of the highest-rated cafés in A Coruña, and after one visit, it wasn't difficult to understand why.
From the outside, it has a clean, understated look that doesn't try too hard to stand out. Inside, however, the café feels warm and welcoming. Light timber furniture, exposed brick walls, shelves lined with coffee beans and soft natural lighting create a modern Scandinavian-inspired space that's equally suited to catching up with friends or sitting quietly with a laptop for an hour.
I arrived shortly after opening and found a table beside the front window. Watching the city slowly wake up while enjoying a good coffee has become one of my favourite travel rituals, and Café de Macondo was the perfect place for it.
Coffee is clearly the star of the show. The café works closely with speciality roasters and takes real pride in every cup they serve. Whether you're ordering a flat white, filter coffee or espresso, it's prepared with genuine care rather than simply rushed out from behind the machine. Since I normally drink decaf, I ordered a decaf flat white, something that's often overlooked in speciality cafés. Thankfully, it was every bit as smooth and well-balanced as a regular coffee.
For breakfast, I chose avocado toast served on artisan sourdough with poached eggs, alongside one of their freshly baked cinnamon rolls. The sourdough had a crisp crust with a soft, airy centre, while the avocado was perfectly ripe and lightly seasoned with olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper. The poached eggs arrived with beautifully runny yolks, adding plenty of richness without making the dish feel heavy.
The cinnamon roll was another highlight. Soft, buttery and generously filled with cinnamon, it paired perfectly with the coffee without being overly sweet. Looking around the café, the homemade cakes and pastries also seemed incredibly popular, especially the Basque cheesecake and almond croissants displayed beside the counter.
Breakfast here generally costs between €8 and €18, depending on what you order, while speciality coffees range from €2.50 to €4.50.
For the quality of the food, coffee and atmosphere, I thought it represented excellent value. By the time I finished breakfast, every table had filled with a mix of students, professionals and visitors, creating a lively atmosphere without ever becoming noisy.
If I lived in A Coruña, this would absolutely become my regular coffee shop.
What I ordered: Decaf flat white, avocado toast on artisan sourdough with poached eggs and a homemade cinnamon roll.
Price: Around €12–18 per person.
Best for: Speciality coffee, beautifully prepared breakfasts and one of A Coruña's best independent cafés.
2. O Lagar da Estrella: Traditional Galician Cooking in the Heart of the Old Town
Image courtesy of O Lagar da Estrella
Rúa Estrella, 14, A Coruña | Lunch & Dinner Daily | Around 12 minutes' walk from NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre
After spending the morning walking through the Old Town and along the marina, I was ready for a proper Galician lunch. O Lagar da Estrella had been recommended by both locals and fellow travellers, and it quickly became one of those places I knew I'd happily return to.
Tucked away on a narrow street in the historic centre, the restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere from the moment you walk through the door. Exposed stone walls, timber beams, wine bottles lining the shelves and soft lighting give it the feel of a traditional Galician tavern, but with a slightly more refined touch.
Although there are a handful of outdoor tables, I chose to sit inside where I could watch the open kitchen and soak up the lunchtime atmosphere. The dining room gradually filled with local families, business lunches and couples enjoying long meals, which is usually a good sign that you've found somewhere authentic.
The menu focuses on classic Galician cooking using fresh local produce, with everything from octopus and seafood rice to slow-cooked meats and locally sourced beef.
I couldn't visit Galicia without ordering Pulpo a la Gallega one more time. Served over sliced potatoes with smoked paprika, sea salt and generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, it was beautifully tender and packed with flavour. The simplicity of the dish allows the quality of the octopus to shine, and this was one of the best versions I enjoyed during my trip.
For my main course, I ordered the Galician beef cheek, slow-cooked for hours until it was incredibly tender. Served with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and a rich red wine reduction, it was exactly the sort of comforting meal that suits Galicia's cooler coastal climate. The portions were generous without being overwhelming, and every plate arriving at neighbouring tables looked equally impressive.
To finish, I couldn't resist the homemade cheesecake, which had a wonderfully creamy texture and just enough sweetness to end the meal without feeling too heavy. Lunch here generally costs between €25 and €40 per person, depending on your choice of dishes and whether you order wine.
For the quality of the ingredients and generous portions, I thought it offered exceptional value.
What I ordered: Pulpo a la Gallega, slow-cooked Galician beef cheek with mashed potatoes and homemade cheesecake.
Price: Around €25–40 per person.
Best for: Traditional Galician cooking in a relaxed setting using outstanding local ingredients.
3. Árbore da Veira: A Dinner Worth Planning Your Evening Around
Image courtesy of Árbore da Veira
Monte de San Pedro, A Coruña | Dinner | Around 10 minutes' drive from NH Collection A Coruña Finisterr
Every trip deserves one memorable dinner. For my final evening in A Coruña, I drove up to Monte de San Pedro, home to one of the city's most celebrated restaurants, Árbore da Veira.
The location alone is enough to make the drive worthwhile. Perched high above the Atlantic Ocean, the restaurant enjoys sweeping views across A Coruña's coastline. Arriving just before sunset, I was treated to one of the best dining settings of my Galicia road trip, watching the evening light slowly disappear over the water while the city began to glow below.
Inside, the restaurant is elegant without feeling intimidating. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure the Atlantic remains the star of the evening, while natural timber, neutral tones and beautifully spaced tables create a calm, sophisticated atmosphere. Although many people come here to celebrate special occasions, I never felt out of place dining alone. The staff struck the perfect balance between attentive and relaxed, allowing me to enjoy the experience at my own pace.
The menu showcases modern Galician cuisine using seasonal ingredients sourced from across the region. I began with hand-dived Galician scallops, delicately prepared with seasonal vegetables and a light citrus beurre blanc. Every bite highlighted the freshness of the seafood without masking its natural flavour.
For the main course, I chose aged Galician beef fillet, served with potato pavé, roasted shallots and a rich beef jus. The steak was cooked perfectly medium-rare, with a beautifully caramelised crust and an incredibly tender centre. It was one of those dishes that reminds you why Galician beef has become so highly regarded throughout Spain. Dessert was a contemporary take on the classic Tarta de Santiago, presented with almond ice cream and a delicate citrus cream that gave the traditional recipe a fresh, modern twist.
Dinner here is certainly more of an occasion than a casual meal, with tasting menus and à la carte options typically costing between €70 and €150 per person.
It isn't somewhere I'd visit every week, but for one special evening in A Coruña, I thought it was absolutely worth it.
What I ordered: Galician scallops, aged Galician beef fillet and a modern Tarta de Santiago.
Price: Approximately €70–150 per person.
Best for: Fine dining, exceptional Galician cuisine and some of the best views in A Coruña.
4. Metropolitan La Solana: The Perfect Reset After Two Weeks on the Road
Image courtesy of Metropolitan La Solana
Paseo del Parrote, A Coruña | Located beside NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre
After more than two weeks driving around Galicia, hiking coastal trails and spending hours exploring cities on foot, my body was definitely ready for a break.
One of the biggest advantages of staying at NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre is its direct connection to Metropolitan La Solana, one of the city's premier sports and wellness centres. While many people use the facilities for the gym, swimming pools and tennis courts, I decided to book a 60-minute sports massage, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made during the trip.
The wellness centre immediately feels calm. Natural lighting, contemporary interiors and professional staff create an atmosphere that's relaxing without feeling overly luxurious or pretentious. It caters just as much to local members as hotel guests, giving it a much more authentic feel than many hotel spas.
Before my treatment, I spent some time enjoying the sauna and indoor relaxation areas, which helped ease tired muscles after days of walking. The massage itself focused on releasing tension through my back, shoulders and legs, exactly where weeks of travelling had started to catch up with me. Rather than being a gentle relaxation massage, it was firm enough to work through the tightness without ever becoming uncomfortable.
By the end of the session, I genuinely felt refreshed. Sometimes when travelling, it's easy to forget to slow down. Booking a massage here gave me an hour to completely switch off before continuing my trip, and I'd happily do it again. Treatments vary depending on the type and duration, with massages generally starting from around €70.
If you've been travelling for a while, I think it's money well spent.
What I booked: 60-minute sports massage.
Price: From approximately €70.
Best for: Recovering after long days of sightseeing, road trips or outdoor adventures.
The City That Quietly Won Me Over
Before arriving, I expected a pleasant coastal city where I'd spend a few relaxing days before leaving Galicia. Instead, I found somewhere I'd happily return to for much longer.
It has everything I enjoy in a destination. A beautiful waterfront, excellent food, fascinating history, walkable neighbourhoods and a pace of life that encourages you to slow down rather than rush between attractions.
Whether I was enjoying breakfast at Café de Macondo, lingering over a traditional Galician lunch at O Lagar da Estrella, watching the sun set from Árbore da Veira or unwinding with a massage at Metropolitan La Solana, every day seemed to find its own rhythm.
If you're planning a trip through northern Spain, don't make A Coruña a quick overnight stop.
Give it a few days.
I think you'll leave wondering why more people don't talk about it.
