If you do not know what to see in La Coruña and you are passing through this Galician city, we will tell you the places that you cannot miss. La Coruña is a magical city that we are sure will catch you. La Coru, as some Galicians affectionately call it, has a beach, parks, emblematic places and full of history.
Essential places to see in La Coruña
1. The Tower of Hercules
One of the places to see in La Coruña that you cannot miss is the Tower of Hercules. We tell you that it is the oldest working lighthouse in the world. Historically, it was built by the Romans in the 1st century and has a height of 55 meters; 36 of these meters were built by the Romans, while the remaining 19 date from a restoration made in the 18th century. The Tower of Hercules has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.
The lighthouse has a quadrangular plan and, according to mythology, in the lands surrounding the hill on which it stands the head of the giant Gerion is buried. Legend has it that Hercules came to these shores and buried the head of the terrible giant. Another story tells that once, in these lands, there was the mythological Torre de Breogán, belonging to Celtic beliefs.
2. Tower of Hercules Sculpture Park
Next to the Tower of Hercules is a wonderful 47-hectare open-air museum that covers the grounds of the tower, Punta Herminia, O Acoroado and Cabal de Pradeira. In the Torre de Hércules Sculpture Park, there are sculptures scattered across green pastures that create a unique optical illusion. This park is made up of the works of multiple artists who have tried to create sculptures inspired by the myths that revolve around the iconic Tower of Hercules.
3. Maria Pita Square
If there is a place to see in Coruña that you cannot miss for any reason, it is Plaza María Pita. It is the nerve center of the city and a point of reference for the people of A Coruña. The square dates from 1877, has a rectangular shape and an area of more than 10,000 square meters. At one end is the City Hall Palace, surrounded by numerous buildings with traditional Galician galleries. In the center of the square is the statue of María Pita, heroine in the defense of La Coruña in 1589 by the English troops.
It is one of the city’s favorites and must-sees due to the wide range of hotels present in the arcades of the square. The María Pita Palace, seat of the City Council , is also something worth seeing; construction was completed in 1914.
4. Port of A Coruña
If you go to La Coruña, you cannot stop approaching its port. It has more than six kilometers of docks and is one of the most important points in the city. Here multiple products land on a daily basis and we recommend that you come to visit it. You can stroll through the dock, built in 1907 and used as an anchoring site for recreational boats.
In the city’s port there is also a cruise ship dock, which was created in 1991 and through which more than 65 cruise ships pass each year. Its extension is 484 meters.
5. Old town, one of the basic things to see in La Coruña
La Coruña also has its old town or old town , which is distinguished by preserving the homes of aristocratic families and which, as is known, is currently occupied by prominent personalities. The Old City is characterized by its stone buildings, carpentry and glass (galleries). In the old area there are some of the essential places to see in La Coruña . For example, the churches of Santiago, Santa María and Santo Domingo.
Visiting every corner of the old area of La Coruña will take you a whole day. Here you can go to the House-Museum of Emilia Pardo Bazán, which shares a building with the Royal Galician Academy. You will also find the Plaza de Azcárraga, formerly known as Praza da Fariña where all kinds of ceremonies and festivals are currently held. In this part of the city you will find the Casa de Rosalía de Castro (between 1870 and 1879), on Principe Street.
6. Castle of San Antón
The Castillo de San Antón , whose main objective was the defense of the city, was built in the 16th century. Inside you can visit the Archaeological and Historical Museum of La Coruña. It receives its name from an old hermitage dedicated to San Antón that was on the site where we can currently see the castle. In fact, it stands out in historical chronicles for its important and heroic defense during the attack of the English Navy in 1589 (the same attack in which María Pita was the heroine).
On the ground floor of the castle-museum you can find pieces dating from Galician prehistory; there are also pieces dating from the Bronze Age.
7. Mirador de San Pedro
Monte de San Pedro Park is one of the best viewpoints in the city. Here you will see the city in all its splendor, including the visual spectacle offered by the Tower of Hercules, guiding the ships to the port of La Coruña. It has an area of 78,339 square meters and, in addition to green areas, you will be surprised to find immense war cannons that were used to defend the city from English attacks.
At the Mirador de San Pedro, one of the essential places to see in La Coruña , you can enter an impressive English labyrinth designed with Italian plants. There is also a pond with ducks, so you can relax after a long day of walking around the city and even an exhibition room with military pieces. But that is not all. The park also stands out for its panoramic elevator, which reaches a height of 63 meters; in the grounds of the viewpoint there is an observatory and a cafeteria-restaurant.
8. Riazor Beach, one of the favorite places to see in La Coruña
Riazo r Beach is one of the favorites of the people of Coruña. It is an urban beach in Ensenada del Orzán that the inhabitants can approach after a busy day at work. In front of this beach are the Riazor hotel and Orzán beach (another of the beaches that we advise you to visit). Thanks to being located in the city, the beach is very crowded during the summer months, as well as because it offers excellent services. Here, for example, you have showers, toilets, lifeguards, first aid, sun lounger rental and even bars and cafes with terraces.
9. Star World of Galicia
If you are a beer lover, you cannot miss a visit to the Estrella de Galicia Factory or Mundo Estrella Galicia. Here you can arrange a guided tour of the factory of one of the most important beers in Spain (and one of the most delicious). You can do the visit alone or request a tasting as well. They have a lot to offer you!
If you are not very interested in the beer manufacturing process, we tell you that you can come to the Estrella de Galicia Brewery. A unique place!
10. The Store That Shouldn’t Be Named: Not Muggle-Friendly
For the wizards and witches who pass through La Coruña, and who are looking for what they need to return to Hogwarts, nothing like going through The Store that should not be named. If Diagon Alley is too far for you and you are visiting the city, this is your store. You can get there using the flu powder network, portkey, broom (they have parking for broom) or by public transport, if you want to try a muggle experience.
In this boutique, specialized in magic, you will find everything you have always wanted to buy in the Hogwarts Express candy cart; You can also get butterbeer or exchange Gringotts coins, buy wands, robes, books, notebooks and everything you need as an inhabitant of the magical world. It is the only store of its kind in Galicia.
