La Coruna, Spain was the first city I have ever lived in abroad. Locally and officially, you will often see it written as A Coruña, so I’ll use both depending on context. After graduating from college with a minor in Spanish, I was looking for a way to move to a Spanish speaking country. After all, I saw that as the best way to become truly fluent.
I had an amazing Spanish professor, and she had recently learned about a program in Spain called Auxiliares de Conversación. Americans with college degrees can apply to teach English and North American culture to students in public schools in Spain as teacher’s assistants. They pay you a monthly salary and offer a special visa to participate in the program.
I applied and excitedly awaited the results, careful not to get my hopes too high. But inside, I really wanted it to work out. When I was selected to participate I was beyond happy. During the acceptance process, I needed to choose my top three choices of where I would want to go. I purposefully avoided large cities because I wanted to steer clear of English speakers. I googled the list of options and based on photos alone I fell in love with the idea of going to La Coruña.
I did no research, and really had no idea what was in store. But for some reason, I knew it was right for me and thankfully the program accepted my request to be placed there.
Where is La Coruna Spain
Spain is divided by regions, the same way the United States is divided into states. La Coruña is located in the region of Galicia. Galicia sits in the northwest of Spain, above Portugal and along the Atlantic coast.
There are five regions of Spain that have their own regional language and Galicia is one of them. Their regional language is “Gallego,” or Galician in English. At one point in Spain’s history, all of the regional languages were banned. Today they are taught in schools and celebrated.
Most people living in A Coruña spoke Spanish, and many also spoke Galician. In my experience, younger people were more likely to know some English. Many in the small town I worked in, Betanzos, spoke Spanish and Gallego interchangeably. Young people in general pretty much always spoke in Spanish.
As a coastal city, A Coruña is situated along the coastline. The waters are cold, and the beaches are lined with cliffs and constant waves. Between the striking views and amazing food, there is a lot to do in La Coruña.
What to Do in La Coruna Spain
1. Eat Regional Dishes: Seafood & More
Every region of Spain has its speciality, and in Galicia, the incredible seafood is a must-try. Pulpo a la Gallega is a must-try dish, as it is one of the most famous dishes from the region. The ocean’s conditions in this area create the perfect conditions for the best tasting octopus. Be sure to try Zamburiñas, scallops cooked in their shell, Churrasco, Spain’s version of BBQ, the tortilla from nearby small town Betanzos which is a Spanish omelette cooked to where it is solid on the outside and liquid on the inside, and cocido and grelos during the winter, which is a whole cooked pig served with a dish similar to collard greens.
For classic Galician food in A Coruña, look into A Pulpeira de Melide for pulpo, O’Fiuza for seafood, and A Mundiña for a more elevated seafood meal. If you take the short trip to Betanzos, Mesón O’Pote is one of the legacy spots people specifically seek out for tortilla de Betanzos.
2. Go to a Queimada
Queimada is an old tradition in Galicia rooted in witchcraft. To this day they do queimada performances in La Coruña as more of an entertaining show and nod to tradition and culture. I stumbled upon this on accident, but it was unforgettable. A man dressed in straw lit a bowl of an alcoholic drink on fire as he loudly chants in Gallego and the crowd screams “lume” in response which essentially means light it up. Then the drink is served in cups. Visually it is a wow moment and something cool to observe.
On a personal note, I didn’t really seek this out, we stumbled upon it, and I was glad we did as a moment to experience. I am Christian and do not believe in or support witchcraft, so I did have mixed feelings about it but in the end didn’t take it too much to heart. Keep this in mind if it something that would bother you.
3. Walk/Bike La Coruna’s Coastline
Galicia is uniquely beautiful for its greenery, stark cliffs and deep blue ocean. La Coruña’s coastline is a great place to take a long walk, bike, soak up the ocean views and stop by a cafe for a coffee and snack while you’re at it. If you want to stop by the beach, bring a towel to sit on, a bottle of wine, and a good friend. You’ll experience moments you simply won’t forget!
4. Explore María Pita & Calle de los Vinos
María Pita is the primary plaza in La Coruña. Praza de María Pita is located in the historic center, in front of A Coruña’s city hall. You will find historic architecture, quaint cathedrals, and nearby restaurants to try. While walking the main city area of La Coruña, you must visit Calle de los Vinos to have tapas and wine.
Calle de los Vinos is not one single formal attraction as much as a beloved tapas-and-wine area around the old town, especially near Rúa Franja, Rúa Barrera and the surrounding streets. Tapas are small servings of food, like little appetizers that you can order to try a variety of items and share with friends.
Tapa-hour is usually around 9PM, and was one of my favorite parts of Spanish culture. It makes food exploratory and social.
5. Go Surfing
Due to the natural waves of La Coruña, surfing is a popular sport. This is the first and only destination where I tried surfing, and I absolutely loved it. Although the water is cold, the wet suit and movement keep you pretty warm. Don’t fret if you never achieve standing on the board, I definitely didn’t! Either way I had an amazing time, and so will you.
6. Visit the Estrella Galicia Brewery
Estrella Galicia was my favorite beer from Spain, and the brewery happens to be in La Coruña. Take advantage of this and explore where and how the beer is made, and of course try some at the end of your tour!
The official visitor experience is MEGA Mundo Estrella Galicia, located at Rúa José María Rivera Corral, 6, 15008 A Coruña. You can check tickets and current tour options through the MEGA Mundo Estrella Galicia website before going. The museum opened in 2019 and is built around the history, ingredients and brewing culture behind Estrella Galicia.
7. La Hora Del Vermut
Something I adore about Spanish culture is that there are pre-set times that are culturally reserved for specific drinks or foods. This creates little things to look forward to throughout the day, and makes socializing a natural part of daily life. La Hora del Vermut is a tradition where between 12:00 & 2:00 PM, people gather at local bars to have a vermut which is always served with chips, olives, or a small salty treat of some kind to snack on. More than the drink itself, soak in what it feels like to have this culture.
8. Go to Zara at El Corte Inglés
Zara is a fashion store that has gained intense international fame, and it all began in La Coruña, so whether you are ready to shop or just want to stop by as a tribute to Zara’s beginnings, it is worth it either way!
Zara began in A Coruña province, with the first Zara store opening in A Coruña in 1975. While you are there, take a look around El Corte Inglés. It is a mall you will find throughout Spain. In A Coruña, El Corte Inglés is located at Rúa Ramón y Cajal, 57, 15006 A Coruña. The bottom floor also has a market and restaurant that are worth visiting, too.
9. Experience the Nightlife
If this is your first time in Spain, you must experience the Spanish version of a night out. While here in the U.S. we typically go out from 10 PM – 3 AM, Spaniards are usually out from 12 AM – 6 AM.
A night out can begin with tapas around 9PM along with wine or beer. People take their time, socialize, and hop from place to place, too. From there, that can lead to casual bars for some cocktails, and then finally ends at the “discoteca” or club for dancing or even techno music with a live DJ.
People often walk home with a view of the sunrise. Even if your going out days are behind you, this is a must-try experience at least once!
10. Try Churros con Chocolate
Try churros con chocolate, and do so at many different spots so that you can see the difference in the experience depending on the way the dough and chocolate are prepared! Churros con chocolate is one of Spain’s most famous desserts. It is simple, comforting, and a cozy dessert to grab at a cafe almost any time of day.
For a classic churros con chocolate stop, look for traditional churrerías and cafés with long-standing local reviews rather than trendy dessert shops. In Spain, the best experience is often the simple neighborhood spot where locals go for breakfast or merienda.
11. Visit la Torre de Hércules
This is the oldest Roman lighthouse still in operation, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. The view from the top is incredible. This is a great spot to take photos, especially if you can catch some on a sunny day when it isn’t too windy out.
Address: Avenida Navarra, s/n, 15002 A Coruña. If you want to climb inside, check the official Torre de Hércules website ahead of time because hours and access can vary by season.
La Coruna Spain Weather
The weather in A Coruña, Spain varies. In general, this is a very cloudy and rainy part of Spain that is chilly in the winter, but can be quite sunny and warm during the summer.
I would highly recommend bringing a rain jacket with a hood to cover your hair, and waterproof walking shoes. I brought a really cute Kate Spade umbrella, but it ended up quickly getting broken by the strength of the wind. For that reason, I don’t really recommend bringing an umbrella.
La Coruna Spain Transportation
You will find that in Spain, public transportation is commonly used and walking and biking are also daily forms of transport.
Find a city bike station to rent a city bike, walk throughout the city or catch a bus. They even have buses that go out to the smaller towns like Betanzos. I used that for commuting to work, it worked out great.
For city buses, check the official Tranvías Coruña website or the iTranvías app before relying on a specific line, especially on Sundays or holidays. The city’s red buses are a normal part of daily life in A Coruña and are usually the easiest way to get across town. For regional trips, buses connect A Coruña with nearby towns like Betanzos, and trains can also be useful depending on the route. If you are visiting MEGA Mundo Estrella Galicia, check the bus route before going, since routes and schedules can change.
Helpful websites to check before your trip include the official Torre de Hércules website, MEGA Mundo Estrella Galicia, Tranvías Coruña for city buses, and Spain’s train website Renfe if you plan to visit nearby towns or other cities.
Is La Coruna Spain Worth the Visit?
Absolutely! Galicia is a hidden gem, and La Coruna is such a key place to visit. Trust me, it is a spot you will never forget. Whether you are stopping for a day trip during a cruise, moving here temporarily as I did for the English teaching program, or simply planning a trip to Spain, add this city to your bucket list, and consider combining it with other nearby key cities like Santiago de Compostela (48 min car ride), Oviedo, Asturias (2h car ride) and even Porto, Portugal (3h car ride).
