10 Essential things to see and do in Coruña
Coruña, the city where no one is a stranger, also known as the “Crystal City” is one of the most populated cities in Galicia.
This coastal city is situated on a rocky peninsula and is the capital of the province. Known as one of the most attractive cities in Galicia, it is also one of the reference places if you are passing through northern lands. A perfect balcony to the Atlantic that encompasses history and culture through all its streets.
From North Flats we want to recommend 10 essential things to see and do in Coruña.
1 - Visit the Tower of Hercules
We could not start this list in any other way without recommending a visit to the most emblematic place in the city. Since 2009, this Roman lighthouse has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands 55 meters tall and looks out over the North Atlantic Ocean like a sentinel.
It was originally built in the 2nd century AD. and it is the oldest Roman lighthouse still in operation. If you wonder why its facade does not seem so old, it is because it was almost completely rebuilt in the 18th century. One of the obligatory stops in the city!
This would be the first of 10 essential things to see and do in Coruña, let’s continue …
2 - Stroll through the city center and through the Plaza de María Pita
Without a doubt, the largest and most significant of the city’s squares is that of María Píta. It is the heart of modern Coruña, but also a symbol of its past.
María Píta was a 16th century woman from A Coruña who became the heroine of the city when she was attributed the death of an English soldier and the incitement to a counterattack by the Coruña forces against the English Navy led by Sir Francis Drake. Visiting the square, the town hall and the nearby streets of the city center are, of course, an almost obligatory walk.
3 - Enjoy the best Galician gastronomy
In the same way that Galicia has a great gastronomic tradition, Coruña is no exception. Being able to enjoy the most typical dishes of Galician cuisine is a hallmark of the city.
In Coruña you can find both inns and typical food houses, as well as restaurants awarded with international awards. Where and how you want to enjoy your meals is up to you. If you need to recharge your batteries after a good walk, we are sure that you will be able to enjoy the best fresh products anywhere in the city.
4 - Culture at its best
Coruña is a city where culture is the order of the day. If you are a person who enjoys visiting museums, in Coruña you can find a great variety.
From the network of scientific museums in A Coruña made up of the Aquárium Finisterrae, the “Domus”, also called the House of Sciences and the Planetarium.
These three interactive museums have numerous activities and include exhibitions, workshops, courses, conferences or unique events. A perfect option to enjoy with children.
And if you are still hungry for culture, you can always stop by the Museum of Fine Arts, the Emilia Pardo Bazán House-Museum, the Military History Museum or the MEGA, the first museum in Spain dedicated to beer, built in the Estrella factory. Galicia.
5 - A whole day at the beach without leaving the city
Another thing you can do in Coruña (weather permitting) is go to the beach. Throughout the entire city you can find sandy beaches such as Lapas beach, Matadero, San Amaro or Orzán beach, without forgetting the favorite of the people of Coruña, Riazor Beach.
Shell-shaped and one step away from the center. And if you visit the city in winter, don’t worry: you can simply walk around and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the city.
6 - Visit an authentic Celtic Castro
Just 5 km from the center of Coruña is the Castro de Elviña.
These remains of an old pre-Roman fortified town, typical of the Castro culture of this part of Spain, are the perfect excuse to feel history on the surface.
We recommend that if you want to visit it, first enter its official website, because you will need an appointment. A free guide will tell you everything you need to know about this military settlement.
Of all the 10 essential things to see and do in Coruña, this is one of the most demanded by tourists.
10 Essential things to see and do in Coruña
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7 - Feel the Atlantic along its Promenade
If Coruña is the “window to the Atlantic” it would be a real shame to leave the city without seeing the sea. The city has a 15-kilometer promenade that winds through the entire old town, from Orzán beach to the marina next to María Píta square.
The Paseo Marítimo de Coruña not only has unobstructed views of the sea, but also guides visitors directly to many of the attractions that we have recommended from North Flats before, such as the Tower of Hercules, the Aquarium Finisterrae, the Domus or several of the urban beaches.
8 - Spend an afternoon shopping at Marineda City
With an average of 17 million visitors a year, Marineda City has established itself as the reference shopping center in the city. It is the largest shopping center in Galicia, the second in Spain, and the fourth in Europe.
Among its more than 176,000 m2 of surface you can find a complete shopping experience that also adds several leisure and restaurant proposals. About 200 stores and brands such as Ikea, Decathlon, Media Markt, El Corte Inglés, Hipercor, Leroy Merlin or Primark make it a commercial and tourist attraction pole. It has extensive free parking and you can also get there by urban bus from almost anywhere in the city.
9 - Discover why Coruña is called the "Crystal City"
Avenida de la Marina, very close to the center and Plaza de María Pita is the place where you can discover the reason for the city’s nickname. Along the entire avenue there are large buildings with huge windows that seem to be made entirely of glass.
The galleries of La Marina have represented for decades one of the most classic sights of the city. Did you know that these glazed galleries make up one of the largest glazed ensembles in the world?
10 - Drink a beer inside an old factory
Listening to how a “estrella” or a “Thousand Nine” is requested in any of the bars in the city is something more than common and typical of the city. But did you know that you can enjoy this beer inside what was once its factory? You can drink a “Estrella Galicia” at the Cervecería de la Estrella, located in the Cuatro Caminos neighborhood. The place has been reconverted until 1972 there was the original factory of this beer.
We hope that these 10 essential things to see and do in Coruña that we recommend from North Flats have seemed at least curious and that they have made you want to enjoy the city. If you want to spend a few days in Coruña, remember that from North Flats we offer you the best holiday apartments, so that you can live a few days in Coruña safe and with all the comforts.
This will not be the last of the 10 essential things to see and do in Coruña simply because the list would be endless.
