24 Hours in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain: Top Things to Do in One Day

If you’ve only got 24 hours in A Coruña, don’t worry—you can still soak up the best of this coastal gem in Northern Spain.

From its historic streets and delicious Galician food to breathtaking seaside views, this city is full of charm and surprises.

Here’s how to make the most of your day!

How To Spend 24 Hours in A Coruña, Spain

Have a typical Galician-style breakfast

Start your day off in A Coruña with a typical Galician-style breakfast to fuel your day.

Galicia is known for its wide range of rustic-style bread, including Pan Gallego (crusty bread with a slightly acidic flavor), Pan de Maíz (cornbread), or Barra Gallega (Galicia-style baguette).

Because bread is such a huge staple in Galicia (as it is in the majority of Spain), a toasted slice of bread with jam and butter or oil, with a cup of fresh juice or cafe con leche (Spanish latte), is the way to start out right.

I visited Galicia with a friend, and we stepped inside Farinarium, a local bakery chain offering traditional and rustic toast breakfast with juice and coffee options.

Wind through the streets of Old Town

Galicia is a city, but it’s not big, so exploring it is best done on foot and just roaming around the city to see it for yourself, starting at the historic center.

Start at the City of Glass on Avenida de la Marina, home to one of the world’s largest collections of shiny glass-fronted buildings, which are actually balconies.

The balconies are covered so that people can enjoy their balconies and fresh air without getting rainwater in, as Galicia is one of the rainiest cities in Spain.

Next, don’t miss the Church of Santiago de A Coruña, a beautiful Romanesque church known as one of the resting places of Saint James, one of Jesus’ apostles, which is rare today.

The Praza de Constitution is the city’s main square, filled with tons of history. It is sometimes open with cultural activities to check out and even an open-air museum, similar to the Pazo de Cornide.

Next, check out the Praza de Azcárraga, a public plaza, with a fountain in the middle called the Fuente del Deseo (Fountain of the Wish) where you can sit down in one of the benches under the tall trees surrounding the small plaza.

Lastly, the Colegiata de Santa María do Campo is a historic and active church from 1302! Inside, you can check out a small religious museum.

Explore María Pita Square

When visiting A Coruña, visiting Maria Pita Square is a must!

The historic plaza honors Maria Pita, a local heroine who, in 1589, defended the city against an English invasion.

Today, you can see her bronze statue in the middle of the square, holding a spear she used to rally the locals.

The building that the bronze statue of María Pita is facing is called the Concello da Coruña (City Hall).

Around the plaza, you’ll see beautiful buildings, most of them housing cafes and restaurants with lively terraces.

💡Pro tip: Check out the steps on the right from city hall for this colorful photo op!

Go shopping at Zara

Did you know that Zara was founded in Galicia? The first Zara store ever opened was actually in A Coruña in 1975.

Since Zara is notoriously a popular clothes store in Galicia and throughout Spain that many tourists, especially Americans, visit when visiting Spain, shopping for a little something at Zara can be justified while visiting A Coruña.

Today, the biggest Zara store in the world is in Madrid, which makes sense considering the impressive shopping scene in Madrid worth exploring.

The address of the first Zara in A Coruña: Calle Juan Florez 64-66, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Try Galicia-style octopus

A food item you have to try while visiting Galicia is, hands down, the Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician-style octopus).

I love seafood; however, I’ve never given octopus a chance enough to know if I liked it, but after trying it in Galicia, I have to say it’s a must-try.

The octopus is simple but so tasty as it’s boiled, sliced, and served with a drizzle of olive oil sprinkled with some paprika and sea salt.

I had to try it si o si when I was visiting Galicia, so we went to a local restaurant called Pulperia de Arzúa.

We had Galician octopus, with some Padron peppers, fried calamari, house white wine, and for dessert, membrillo y queso (fruit paste with cheese). It was delicious!

Pulperia de Arzúa address: Rúa Francisco Catoira, 8, A Coruña, Spain

Take a walk around the seaside promenade (Paseo Maritimo)

Torre Hercules (Torre de Hércules)

Another must-visit sight when exploring A Coruña is to visit the historic Torre de Hércules (Hercules Tower).

The ancient lighthouse (the oldest functioning lighthouse in the world), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has guided sailors to the northwesternmost point of Spain for over 2,000 years.

Aside from the historic tower, the views and walks around the tower of the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) are truly worth the visit.

Don’t miss the nearby Rosa dos Ventos, a huge compass that marks the tower’s spot at the edge of the Atlantic.

You can see different countries on the compass, reminding you of where you stand in the world, which is so cool!

It’s a place I enjoyed exploring a lot, plus the walk to the area where the tower is also accessible by foot if you follow the Paseo Marítimo (Maritime Walkway) along the beach.

It’s a great place to explore a bit of Galicia’s important maritime history while admiring more glass balconies, the beach, and the city.

Get impressive views of A Coruña from San Pedro Hill (Monte San Pedro)

If you’re lucky to get a clear day in A Coruña, you must visit Monte San Pedro (Saint Pedro Hill) for incredible views of Galicia, the coast, Hercules Tower, and more.

At the top, you’ll find the historic cannons, which have been there since 1933 as part of the city’s coastal defenses.

The cannons are a reminder of the city’s history and a popular photo spot if you visit A Coruña.

Go tapa hopping on Calle Estrella, Calle de la Barrera, Calle Galera and Calle Olmos

Towards the end of the day, you’ll want to head out to go tapa hopping in A Coruña, and one street in particular you’ll always hear about is Calle de la Barrera.

Calle de la Barrera is known for its narrow streets lined with wine bars, tapa restaurants, and plenty of restaurants offering the best seafood you can get in Galicia.

Nearby streets Calle Estrella, Calle Galera, and Calle Olmos also have tons of great tapas bars to enjoy, so make sure to head there and see what catches your eye.

Have ice cream at Bico de Xeado

Bico de Xeado is a popular local ice cream shop that started in A Coruña and has expanded throughout Spain, known for its grand selection of good quality ice cream using farm fresh milk.

Stop by at their location on Avenida Marina, 21, and check out Spanish flavors from

• Cafe de Pota – A type of coffee from Galicia, Portugal, and Brazil, typically made in a special pot.
• Turrón – Spanish nougat dessert
• Natilla – Spanish custard
• Licor Cafe de Gomariz – Speciality coffee liquor made in Galicia

Address: Avenida Marina, 21, 15003 A Coruña, Spain

Enjoy a traditional drink and local nightlife at Atlántico 57

• Atlantico 57 – For good drinks and beautiful views of the Praia de Riazor (beach), check out this bar/restaurant. I went with my friends for drinks at sunset, and the views (even on a cloudy day) and the ambiance were great. Address: Avenida Buenos Aires, 1, 15011, A Coruña, Spain.
• Bar Priorato – A mix between a bar and a cozy tavern, Bar Priorato is one of the oldest bars still in business in A Coruña, located in the middle of the historic center. It’s a hole-in-the-wall type of space, so look closely for it. I tried sweet wine from a traditional “porron” wine vessel that must be handled in a certain way to drink out of it spilling all over, with some peanuts you can throw on the ground. Address: Rúa Franja, 16, 15001, A Coruña, Spain.
• Estrella Galicia – Although you can visit the Cerveceria Estrella Galicia bar/cafe while you’re in A Coruña, if you don’t go there, at the very least, it’s only appropriate to have one of Spain’s most popular beers from Galicia, in Galicia.

Want to explore more? Here are more great things to do in A Coruña

Explore local Art and Cultural museums

• MEGA Mundo Estrella Galicia – Discover the world of Spanish beer at MEGA Mundo Estrella Galicia! Learn about the rich history of the beer in the city where it was born, plus explore the modern brewery with its interesting exhibits and, of course, a few tastings. You can purchase tickets in advance to ensure your visit and book a tour to get an even better experience.
• Casa Museo Picasso – Although Picasso is from Málaga, he lived for 5 years in A Coruña as a child, and today, you can visit the apartment where he lived. Best of all, it’s free to enter! If you’d like, guided tours in Spanish are available for a better experience understanding this famous painter’s home life and childhood.
• Casa Museo Maria Pita – Learn about the city Heroin, María Pita, who led the city to victory during British attacks in 1589 by visiting her home and learning more about her story and courage. Entry is free.
• Domus/House of Man – Located on the Maritime Walkway, the Domus/House of Man is an interesting museum that piques visitors’ curiosity with reflective expositions and stimulating and thought-provoking questions about humankind. General admission tickets are 2 euros, and the 3D theater (inside) tickets are an additional 4 euros.
• Aquarium Finisterrae – Explore the different fish species and ecosystems near Galicia and other sea creatures living in the water through fascinating aquarium-style exhibits and a few interactive ones. General admission tickets start at 10,30 euros.
• Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes) – Looking for an art break? Check out the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses everything from paintings to engravings, drawings, and other decorative pieces by renowned Galician artists. Entry is free.
• Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Muncyt) – With over 10,000 objects inside, the Museum of Science and Technology brings forth cool advances in STEM while blending in a few historical, geological, biological factoids and more. Entry is free.
• Planetarium and Science Museum – Learn more about astrology, climate change, and social responsibility inside the Planetarium and Science Museum. Explore the digital planetarium, where you can see star constellations, planets, and other curiosities of space. General admission is 2,06 euros.
• Museo Histórico Militar de Coruña – Learn about the military history in A Coruña and other historical wars in Spain, in and around Galicia, that have shaped the province and country. Entry is free.
• Explore Mercado de San Agustin – Go for the historic architecture, and stay for the food at the Mercado de San Agustin (market). Enjoy locally produced foods and snacks under one roof to get an idea of what local treats dominate this part of Spain. Entry is free.
  • Praza do Humor – Stop by for a quick picture of the statues at Praza do Humor, dedicated to 2 Galician authors, and a few sketches on the ground of famous artists, from Cervantes to Shakespeare and more.
• Castelo de San Antón – Explore the ancient 16th-century fortress, equipt with exhibits and other displays showing weapons and other interesting archaeological artifacts. Check out the amazing water views, A Coruña, and nearby beaches. Entry is 2 euros.
• Enjoy the city’s best beaches
  • Riazor Beach – how to get here
  •  Playa de Orzán – how to get here
  • Santa Cristina Beach – how to get here
  • Praia das Lapas – how to get here
  • Praia De San Amaro – how to get here

Where to stay in A Coruña

Zenit Coruña – Located downtown, breakfast buffet, a few blocks from Riazor Beach, the historic center, and the historic Hercules Lighthouse.

NORO Plaza – This is an apartment-style accommodation close to the historic center with your own space, balcony, pet-friendly, air conditioning, and kitchen amenities.

Hotel Lois – Room service, 5 minutes away from Riazor Beach, an on-site restaurant serving traditional Galician cuisine, the Domus and Hercules Lighthouse is nearby.

How to get around A Coruña

Walking is the best way to get around, especially if you stay near the center.

A Coruña is a pretty small city, and the public transport includes buses to get around the city.

Uber is available in A Coruña.

When to go to A Coruña

The best time to visit A Coruña is sometime between June and September when rainy and cloudy days are not too common, plus the city has plenty of outdoor activities and festivals.

However, I visited in the middle of October, and I did experience some rainy days but also a few sunny days, so it’s a bit of a mixed bag but not too bad.

Tips for Travelers visiting A Coruña

• Pack comfortable shoes as there will be lots of walking. 
• Bring sunscreen to protect yourself from sun exposure. 
• Carry cash in case some places do not accept credit cards. 

How To Spend 24 Hours in A Coruña, Spain – Q&A

How many days to spend in A Coruña?

I spent 3-4 days in A Coruña, and I think that’s more than enough to explore leisurely the city and a few must-see sights.

If you even have 1 day to visit, that should be enough to explore it well, especially in the summer when the days are longer.

Is A Coruña worth visiting?

Absolutely! Similar to Santander, if you’re looking for a Spanish city that isn’t as popular with tourists as Madrid or Barcelona and want to explore more Spanish culture, A Coruña is definitely worth visiting!

A Coruña has a beautiful coast, the historic Hercules Tower, delicious seafood, pretty architecture, and a peaceful vibe.

It’s a city with community vibes, which I mean in a good way.

You’ll get a taste of local, authentic Spanish city vibes with a good list of things to do and explore.

How do you spend a day in La Coruña, Spain?

You can easily spend the day walking along the coast, stopping for some Galician-style octopus, stepping into a few museums, and walking around the historic center.

There are plenty of things to do even in 1 day, which makes this destination a great add-on to your Northern Spanish travel itinerary.

What is A Coruña in Spain known for?

Historically, A Coruña is known for its port, which was important during Roman times. This was when the Hercules Lighthouse was built, and in time, it became the city’s symbol.

Currently, the city is known for its food, like Galician-style octopus and other seafood dishes, the beer Estrella Galicia, its coast, and being the hometown of Inditext. This company owns brands like Zara, Stradivarius, Bershka, Oysho, and other popular Spanish clothing brands.

Does A Coruña have an airport?

Yes, it does! It’s called A Coruña Airport (LCG), only 4 miles from the city.

The Wrap-Up: 24 Hours in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain: Top Things to Do in One Day

A Coruña is such a cool mix of history, good food, and amazing views.

Whether exploring Old Town, trying Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician-style octopus), or walking along the breathtaking coast to the Hercules Tower, there’s so much to appreciate about this city.

It’s the perfect place to explore for the day as you enjoy the northwesternmost point of Spain.

Are you going to explore A Coruña soon?

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