A Coruña
A Coruña is located in Galicia, Spain.
Get in
The A Coruña airport (Alvedro) is located in the Culleredo municipal limits, 8 km (5 mi) from A Coruña. It has national and international connections and is used by Iberia, Vueling, Air Europa and TAP Air Portugal. There are some international connections (to London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, and to Lisbon) and frequent national connections (mainly to Madrid and Barcelona, several flights a day, but also to Seville, Bilbao and the Canary Islands). You can get to the airport by local bus (departing each 30 min.) or taxi. The (larger) airport of Santiago de Compostela (Labacolla) is an alternative, 50 km (31 mi) from A Coruña.
The train station (San Cristóbal) is close to the bus station. The train service is operated by RENFE, and there are long distance services to Madrid, Barcelona and the French border. Local services connect A Coruña with most other important Galician cities.
The bus station has numerous connections both international (operated mainly by ALSA) as well as numerous local services, operated by (among others) Arriva Noroeste, Autos Cal Pita or Monbus. Some local connections include the immediate metropolitan area (municipalities of Oleiros, Culleredo, Sada, Betanzos...), as well as most of the Costa da Morte area, Ferrol/Rías Altas. There are relatively frequent connections with the Lugo coast (Ribadeo, Viveiro, Foz...).
Get around
If you want to go along the seafront promenade (paseo marítimo) you can use the tram for €2, which will carry you from the football stadium (Riazor) to the other side of the city, near the town hall.
Taxis are white, with a green light on the top showing they are free. A ride from the centre within the city might cost you around €5-€7, depending on the traffic.
See
In the Cidade Vella, you can find (among others):
- Castelo de San Antón. This Castle holds an interesting Archaeological museum. It used to be located in an island.
- Church of Santiago. Located in the Old Town, the church is originally medieval, but has seen major changes.
- Colexiata de Santa María. Now hosting the Museum of Sacred Art
- Museo Militar. The Military Museum holds collections of weapons, uniforms, maps and so on.
- Museo Emilia Pardo Bazán. A museum dedicated to one great Spanish writer of the XIX century. The building also houses the Galician Language Academy
- Xardín de San Carlos. A beautiful and romantic garden. Often used for wedding photoshoots, and where the remain of Sir John Moore (a British General that fought in the Elviña battle during the Napoleonic wars) lie.
Some other sights:
- Torre de Hércules—Roman lighthouse. Apparently, this is the oldest lighthouse in the world that is still in use. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Castro de Elviña—Castros are Roman or pre-Roman settlements. This particular castro has been neglected for a long time, and is undergoing major archaeological work. Many findings are on display on the Castelo de San Antón.
- The port
- Casa de las Ciencias—Science Museum
- Domus—Another science museum, dealing with the human body.
- Aquarium Finisterrae—An aquarium, very close to the Domus.
- Picasso's home which you cannot visit; there is simply a small plaque to identify it.
- María Pita´s square, with the Council Building
- Fine Arts Museum
Do
- Beaches. The beaches of Orzán and Riazor (situated on the Western side of the peninsula) provide a nice sandy beach within the city itself. However, if you are used to swimming in the Mediterranean, you might find the water slightly cold.
- Paseo Marítimo. The seafront promenade that surrounds the peninsula provides an opportunity for nice strolls. Starting by the La Marina, you can proceed on to the Castelo de San Antón, the Dique de Abrigo, towards the Torre de Hércules, Casa de los Peces, Casa del Hombre, Orzán and Riazor beaches, Millennium monument, and proceed towards the area known as O Portiño, on the flanks of Monte de San Pedro. This last bit of the promenade is outside the main city.
Buy
Eat
You will find a huge selection of typical Spanish cafeterias. Most restaurants offer sea food dishes of good quality.
You will also find a good number of hamburgueserias, a few Italian restaurants/pizzerias and at least one typical Mexican restaurant.
Prices are similar to the rest of Spain.
Drink
The local beer is called Estrella Galicia.
- La Gloira (Tea Bar la Gloira), calle San-Francisco. In the old city. a lovely tea bar with a miscellaneous accumulation of objects as an unlikely decoration. Drinking a mint tea in this place sat on sofas or cushions is a real pleasure.
- A Repichoca, Orillamar, 13. One of the best places in town to have a truly Galician night. Drink licor café, buy handmade crafts or just enjoy one of the spontaneous parties that happen every now and then with people bringing their own instruments to play and dance to traditional Galician music.
- Momos, Santo Domingo 16. A great little restaurant with a witches’ theme. A good place to drop in for a drink and complementary tapas. The Menu del Dia (€8) offers several choices, quality food and unbeatable value. You may have to queue or reserve a table but it’s well worth it.
Sleep
- NH Atlántico. Jardines Méndez Núñez, 15006, +34.98.1226500. This is the best option when visiting La Coruña thanks to its perfect location, 5 minutes away from the Orzán Beach and just in front of the brand new conference palace of La Coruña.
- Hostal Nogallas. C/ Julio Rodriguez Yordi, 11 15011, +34.63.9227538. Budget accommodation located next to Estadio Riazor.
Go next
- Santiago de Compostela, an ancient place of pilgrimage for its magnificent cathedral, is an easy day trip by bus or train and well worth it.