Best things to do in La Coruña, Spain

Best places to visit in La Coruña

La Coruña is an ideal city in which to disconnect. Our best hotel in La Coruña, NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre, will be the perfect base from which to venture out whenever the opportunity arises. By taking just a few steps around the port, you will quickly see why it has become known as the 'Ciudad de Cristal' (the Glass City). 

Thanks to the beautiful galerías lining Avenida Marina, which were once the homes of local fishermen who could keep an eye on the bay, the multitude of windows and enclosures allow the sunlight to reflect back, creating an incredible effect. 

This combined with that intoxicating aroma of sea air will clear your senses as you stroll. Another way to enjoy the Bay Area is to turn your hike into a bike ride. Plan a route and take in the sights while pedaling along the city’s streets with your friends. Note that boat trips, 4×4 adventures, abseiling and much more are also on offer. 

The town hall of La Coruña is recognized as one of the most beautiful buildings in northern Spain and is located in the spacious Plaza de María Pita, in the heart of the Old Town, not far from the galerías. Standing proud in its center is a statue to the woman herself and after admiring the buildings that surround you and and before continuing with this list of things to do in La Coruña, why not grab a quick coffee or bite to eat in one of the cafes there. 

As we’ll touch on more later, Galician food is well known to, and very much appreciated by, people from all across the country and if you’re in the mood for something sweet then you must try the Tarta de Santiago: a delicious sponge cake made with almonds. And why not buy a little more of this taste of the region as a surprise for anyone back at home. 

Moving on from the square, wander along to Casa Museo Maria Pita to get an understanding of who this heroine of the city really was. There you’ll uncover, among many revelations, how she took on the Elizabethan English sea captain Francis Drake at the end of the 16th century. 

Taking your cultural insights further, as well as giving you a chance to gaze out over the Ría de Coruña, stroll in a southerly direction, passing the Xardín de San Carlos and crossing the connecting bridge, until you reach the Castillo de San Anton. Why not visit this castle, which is now home to the Museo Arquelógico e Histórico and gives you an insight into the history of this intriguing city and region. 

Once you’ve had your fill of knowledge, and a refreshing moment overlooking the water. It’s worth noting that San Carlos' garden is a rather original location with magnificent views out over the bay, a fine mix of tree varieties, war memorials and a nearby garrison to catch the eye, inspiration will not be far away.

Other sights and sounds of La Coruña

An essential visit within this guide on things to do in La Coruña, Spain, is the Torre de Hércules, the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world still in operation. Sitting atop a luscious green World Heritage Site (declared by Unesco in 2009) its light continues to guide thousands of ships on their route, safe from the coastline rocks. 

Feeling energetic? Needing a challenge? Try climbing the 240 stairs to the top and be rewarded with the panoramic views that await you. Weather permitting you may also enjoy a stroll, or even a lie down, on one of the city’s many beaches. 

This is a city full of culture. As well as the aforementioned Museo Arquelógico e Histórico, why not take a trip to one of the three great 'houses of science': Domus (all things human), Aquiarium Finisterrae (all things marine life) or the Casa de las Ciencias where you will be blown away with its planetarium. Among the things to do in La Coruña, also worth highlighting is the Kiosko Alfonso, formerly a cinema and now a modernist exhibition center. 

As a bonus, assuming your schedule permits, in the evening head to Monte de San Pedro and witness an often quite spectacular sunset. As the colors and light fade into the horizon it gives the impression that the Atlantic Ocean is absorbing the falling star. There are, of course, beautiful photos for you to purchase in the town but, as you’ll hopefully see, they never do it quite the justice it deserves.

Where to eat in La Coruña

As we have already mentioned throughout this list of things to do in La Coruña, Galician cuisine is revered across Iberian Peninsula and beyond and seafood naturally takes pride of place on the majority of menus. Plaza de María Pita offers you some of the most iconic restaurants of the region. 

We also recommend you book a table at Pablo Gallego or La Penela. Their lush settings are ideal to create a good vibe, while serving up dishes to justify the price. Not far from there, on Plaza de España, you have the similarly classy options of A Pulpeira de Melide and La Sartén. 

Really looking to push the boat out for someone special? Then La Coruña offers you the chance to dine with Michelin stars in both Alborada and Árbore da Veira. You’ll need to book well ahead of time but an evening here is certain to clinch any deal, or provide the backdrop to an experience that will live long in the memory. 

Maybe you would enjoy a meal at one of the city’s modern, trendy venues. Restaurants by the names of Peculiar, Boca Negra, Arallo and O Lagar da Estrella will be exciting with their menus and the atmospheres they create for their guests. 

You’re in Spain so tapas are always a pleasing, and cheaper, alternative to a larger, more formal meal setting. Keep an eye out on your travels around the city for the dainty selections, which will invariably include fresh seafood, as well as wonderful, homemade empanadas (filled pastries), local cheeses and wines, and a selection of other flavors that are worth a taste at least. 

Here is a summary of things to do in La Coruña, so you can get an idea of everything the city can offer you on your next trip. We hope you can live this experience in La Coruña very soon!