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Published July 16, 2026 • 10 min read
A Coruña packs an extraordinary amount of culture, history, and natural beauty into a compact peninsula. From a 1,900-year-old Roman lighthouse that still works to some of Spain's best urban beaches, the city offers a diverse range of experiences. Here's our complete guide to the best things to do in A Coruña.
The Tower of Hercules is the oldest working Roman lighthouse in the world, built in the 1st century AD and still guiding ships into A Coruña's harbour after nearly 2,000 years. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and the undisputed symbol of the city. The tower stands 55 metres tall and sits on a small hilltop park with stunning views over the Atlantic and the city skyline. You can climb to the top via the internal spiral ramp — the Romans designed it so horses could ride up. The park surrounding the tower features Celtic-inspired stone carvings, sculptures by contemporary artists, and a small museum. Allow 1.5-2 hours for the full visit. Entry is €3, free on Sundays.
At 13 kilometres, the Paseo Marítimo is one of Europe's longest urban seafront promenades. It runs from the port around the entire western edge of the peninsula, passing Riazor Beach, Orzán Beach, the Aquarium, and the Monte de San Pedro viewpoint. The walk is flat, fully accessible, and takes about 2.5 hours end-to-end at a leisurely pace. It's popular with walkers, runners, rollerbladers, and cyclists. The best section is between Riazor Beach and the Millennium Obelisk, where the glass-sided galerías of the city's famous architecture shimmer in the afternoon sun. Numerous cafés and bars along the way offer perfect pit stops.
Two golden-sand beaches stretch for over a kilometre along the city's western flank. Riazor is the more famous, backed by the Hotel Finisterre and a lively promenade. Orzán is slightly quieter and favoured by local surfers. Both have Blue Flag status for water quality, cleanliness, and facilities. The beaches are lifeguarded in summer and have showers, toilets, and beach bars. Water temperatures peak at 18°C in August — bracing but refreshing. The waves are moderate, making it good for beginner surfers. Sunsets from the beach, with the sun sinking into the Atlantic, are spectacular.
A Coruña's Old Town is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, medieval churches, and hidden squares. Start at the Collegiate Church of Santa María del Campo, a 12th-century Romanesque church with a beautiful rose window. Then wander through the streets to the Santiago Church (13th century) and the Jardines de Méndez Núñez, a peaceful park overlooking the harbour. The Old Town is also the best area for tapas — Calle de la Estrella and the Plaza de las Bárbaras are lined with traditional bars serving free tapas with drinks. The area comes alive in the evening as locals fill the tables spilling out onto the cobblestones.
Monte de San Pedro is a hill on the peninsula's western edge offering the best panoramic views of A Coruña. Reach it via a glass elevator that rises from the Paseo Marítimo — the ride itself is an attraction, offering expanding views as you ascend. At the top, explore the former military installation with restored gun batteries pointing out to sea. The park features manicured gardens, sculptures, and a café with a terrace. On clear days, you can see the entire coastline from the Costa da Morte to the Rías Altas. The elevator costs €1.80 return.
One of Europe's best coastal aquariums, the Aquarium Finisterrae sits right on the seafront. Highlights include the enormous Atlantic Ocean tank with a walk-through tunnel, the seal colony in naturalistic pools, and the touch pools where kids can handle starfish and crabs. The aquarium focuses on the marine ecosystems of the Atlantic, with particularly good exhibits on Galician fisheries and conservation. Allow 2-3 hours. Family tickets are available. The adjacent Domus museum, an interactive science centre housed in a striking modern building, is also worth a visit.
Santiago de Compostela is just 65 kilometres south of A Coruña, making it the perfect day trip. The train takes about 30 minutes on the high-speed service. Santiago's UNESCO-listed Old Town is centred on the magnificent Cathedral, the supposed burial place of Saint James the Apostle. The city is the terminus of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and has a unique atmosphere, with pilgrims from around the world filling its medieval streets. Visit the Cathedral, explore the narrow streets of the Old Town, sample the local Tarta de Santiago, and soak in the spiritual atmosphere. Train tickets cost around €15-20 return.
MEGA — the Museum of Estrella Galicia — is a state-of-the-art brewery experience in the A Grela district, about 10 minutes from the city centre. The tour takes you through the history of Galicia's most famous beer, the brewing process, and includes a generous tasting session in the modern taproom. The museum is highly interactive, with exhibits on Galician beer culture, design, and innovation. The on-site restaurant serves excellent food paired with Estrella Galicia beers. Tours cost €12-15 and include two beers. Book in advance for weekends.
The Castle of San Antón is a 16th-century fortress built on a small island connected to the mainland by a short bridge. Originally built to defend the city from pirate attacks (Sir Francis Drake attacked the city in 1589), it now houses the Archaeological Museum of A Coruña. Exhibits cover Galician history from the Palaeolithic era through the Roman period and the Middle Ages. The castle's location, surrounded by sea on all sides, makes it one of the city's most photogenic spots. Entry is €2, free on Sundays.
The Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) stretches west of A Coruña for about 150 kilometres, named for the hundreds of shipwrecks along its treacherous coastline. It's one of Galicia's most dramatic landscapes — rugged cliffs, secluded beaches, and historic lighthouses. Key stops include the Cape Vilán lighthouse (the first electrified lighthouse in Spain), the Ézaro waterfall where a river plunges directly into the sea, and the beautiful Beach of the Cathedrals with its natural rock arches. A day trip by car takes 4-5 hours with stops. Many tour companies in A Coruña offer guided excursions.
A Coruña's main food market is a feast for the senses. Housed in a beautiful 19th-century iron-and-glass building, the market is a hub of local life. The ground floor is dominated by seafood stalls displaying glistening piles of fish, shellfish, and octopus. Upstairs, you'll find cheese, charcuterie, bread, and wine. Several bars serve fresh seafood and wine — grab a seat at the bar for oysters and a glass of Albariño. The market is busiest in the morning and is a great place to buy Galician products to take home.
For a truly unique Galician experience, take a guided tour to see how percebes (goose barnacles) are harvested. Several companies in A Coruña offer boat trips to the rocky coastline where skilled percebeiros brave the Atlantic swell to collect these prized crustaceans. The tours typically include a demonstration of the harvesting technique, a boat trip along the coast, and a tasting of freshly cooked percebes. It's expensive (around €50-70 per person) but unforgettable. The tours operate from spring to autumn when conditions allow.
One Day in A Coruña: Morning — Tower of Hercules and park. Lunch — Tapas in the Old Town (try O Gato Negro). Afternoon — Walk the Paseo Marítimo from Riazor to the Millennium Obelisk. Evening — Seafood dinner at Casa Pardo then drinks at Plaza de María Pita.
Two Days in A Coruña: Day 1 as above. Day 2 — Morning at the Aquarium Finisterrae and Monte de San Pedro. Lunch at the Mercado de la Esperanza. Afternoon exploring the Castle of San Antón and the Old Town. Evening — Estrella Galicia brewery tour.
Three Days in A Coruña: Days 1-2 as above. Day 3 — Day trip to Santiago de Compostela (30 minutes by train) or the Costa da Morte (car hire recommended).
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