Coast · Galicia

A Coruña

A seafront city with glassed balconies, a Roman lighthouse still in use, city beaches and some of the best seafood in Spain.

Populationabout 250,000
Cost of living€€€€
EnglishLittle
AirportA Coruña (LCG), 15 minutes; Santiago (SCQ) 45 minutes
TrainsTrains to Madrid in about 3h30

A Coruña sits on a peninsula with beaches on one side and the port on the other. Its 13 km seafront promenade is one of the longest in Europe, and the Tower of Hercules is the oldest working Roman lighthouse.

It is a prosperous city (Inditex, owner of Zara, is based nearby) with modest costs.

Climate: Atlantic: mild, windy, with cool summers and wet winters.

Visiting A Coruña

How long: 2 days

Don’t miss

  • Tower of Hercules
  • Riazor and Orzán beaches
  • Galerías on the Avenida da Mariña
  • Plaza de María Pita
  • Paseo Marítimo

What to eat

  • Seafood platters
  • Pulpo
  • Empanada

Tip: The wind can be strong; summer evenings are cool, so pack a layer.

Plan a visit

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A perfect first day

  1. Morning: walk the seafront promenade to the Tower of Hercules, the world’s oldest working Roman lighthouse.
  2. Afternoon: the glassed galleries of the Marina and the old town.
  3. Evening: seafood around the Calle de la Estrella.

Easy day trips

Santiago de Compostelaabout 30 minutes by train
Betanzosabout 30 minutes by car

Where to stay as a visitor

Centro

For walking and food.

Riazor

For the beach.

More of A Coruña

Fiestas

Living in A Coruña

Best for: People wanting a seaside city with jobs and low costs.

Neighbourhoods and areas

Centro and Ciudad Vieja

Historic and central.

Riazor

Beachfront.

Matogrande

Modern, family-friendly.

Pros

  • Beaches in town
  • Affordable
  • Good food

Cons

  • Rain and wind
  • Sea too cold for some

Cost tiers compare places within Spain (€ = among the cheapest, €€€€ = among the most expensive). Rents change quickly: check current listings for the exact area before you decide.

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in A Coruña?

2 days is enough for the main sights: tower of hercules, riazor and orzán beaches, galerías on the avenida da mariña. The wind can be strong; summer evenings are cool, so pack a layer.

Is A Coruña expensive to live in?

On our scale it is moderate (€€). Costs are around or below the Spanish average.

How do I get to A Coruña?

By air: A Coruña (LCG), 15 minutes; Santiago (SCQ) 45 minutes. By rail: Trains to Madrid in about 3h30.

Have you been to A Coruña?

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Also in this region

Galicia

Santiago de Compostela

Where the Camino ends: a granite old town, a vast cathedral, a big university, great food markets and Galicia’s green countryside.

€€€€ 2 days