Galicia

What to see in La Coruña in one day, City of Glass. A walk to enjoy

La Coruña is known as the Crystal City. Do you want to take a walk to enjoy the most important things to see in La Coruña in one day? And by the way, you will discover why it is known as the City of Glass.

If you are traveling in Galicia, visiting La Coruña in one day is possible. Get ready to walk and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

The main thing to see in La Coruña in one day

1. The Galleries of La Marina

What to see in La Coruña - La MarinaWe recommend starting our walk through La Coruña during the day on Avenida de la Marina, located in front of the Port and from where you can admire the Galleries, it is usually one of the most typical images of La Coruña, and for which the city is known. Known as the City of Glass.

They were built to let in light and protect themselves from the many rainy days in A Coruña.

Although these 19th century buildings with wooden balconies and large windows can not only be found here but in other parts of the city and even in other Galician cities, such as Ferrol, the first city where they were installed.

2. Maria Pita Square

La Coruna - Maria Pita SquareJust behind the Galleries is the Plaza de María Pita, the nerve center of the Old City.

In the Plaza de María Pita, one of the best places to visit in La Coruña is the modernist style Town Hall building, built in 1897 and where you can admire its galleries, its arcades and its three domes.

It is without a doubt one of the main exponents of modernism in the city, but the only one to see in La Coruña.

3. The Old Town of La Coruña

galicia-la-coruna-collegiate-santa-mariaOn one side of the town hall there is a street that takes you to the Baroque-style Church of San Jorge, where the first homosexual marriage attempt took place in 1901. From there you can start wandering around and discover every street, every corner, every church and every square.

One of them is the Plaza de la Constitución, where the oldest civil building in Galicia, the Captaincy General, is located, as well as the back of the Church of Santiago, built in the 12th century in Romanesque style. A few meters away we find the Plaza de Azcárraga, one of the main squares in the city, where you can rest on a terrace before heading to the Collegiate Church of Santa María, also in Romanesque style.

The collegiate church that has a Museum of Sacred Art that you cannot miss. Like the Casa Museo de María Pita, which is very close, and the neighboring Plazas de Santa Bárbara and Santo Domingo, where there are two convents with the same name as the plazas where they are located.

4. The Castle of San Anton

La Coruna - San Anton CastleAt one end of the Old City is the Castillo de San Antón, another of the main places to see in La Coruña in one day. It dates from the 16th century and was built for defensive purposes in the same place where a hermitage dedicated to San Antón used to be, although it underwent subsequent reforms.

The Castle of San Antón was very important in the siege of the city by the English Army in 1589, resisting attacks even though it was not yet finished, something that happened in 1590.

Although it has had different uses, including a prison, it currently houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum and is a very interesting visit.

5. The Promenade and the Beaches of La Coruña

One of the best things to do in La Coruña may be to walk along the Paseo Marítimo, which stands out for its red lampposts and the stone benches from which you can gaze at the sea and rest before continuing on the walk.

And it is considered the longest promenade in Europe.

Along the way we come across different gardens until we finally reach the Torre de Hércules Sculpture Park, where we can visit the Menhirs for Peace, the Moorish Cemetery or the Monument to the Fusilados de la República.

At the end of the Paseo Marítimo are the 2 largest and most famous beaches in La Coruña, Playa de Orzán and Playa de Riazor, next to which is the football stadium of the same name. These spectacular beaches have a blue flag and all the services that urban beaches can offer you.

6. Tower of Hercules

Finally we arrive at the main monument to see in La Coruña and the best known.

The Tower of Hercules is the main monument to see in La Coruña. It dates from Roman times and is the oldest lighthouse that is still in operation, which gives it a very special charm and is why you cannot leave La Coruña without visiting it.

Its 58 meters high make it the third tallest lighthouse in Spain and you can climb to the top thanks to the 235 steps.

From the top of the Tower of Hercules you have great views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean and the park below. It should be noted that although it is now a square-shaped building, it was originally round but underwent some modifications.

7. Monte de San Pedro and the Atlantic Dome

A Coruña - Monte San PedroMonte de San Pedro, located to the west of La Coruña, is another place to go if you want to enjoy a leisure and recreation area widely used by families.

There you have a panoramic elevator that takes you to the top of the mountain and from which you can take some great images of the city and several viewpoints, among which the Atlantic Dome stands out.

In addition to enjoying its gardens and viewpoints, you can be amazed by one of the best sunsets you can have in Galicia if you go late in the day. One of the best things to do in La Coruña.

Do you have more days? What to see in La Coruña in 2 days

From our experience, we believe that it is possible to visit La Coruña in one day and get to know the most interesting points of the city. But if it is your second visit or you are staying in the city and want to know more places, we give you some recommendations.

  • If you have walked along the Paseo Marítimo, you will have passed by the Domus, a museum dedicated to the human body, passing first by the Aquarium Finisterre, with an interesting exhibition of animals from the Atlantic Ocean.
  • The MUNCYT is another option to visit La Coruña in 2 days. It is next to the beaches.
  • Another option is to take a tour of the Modernist City, which you will have surrounded. The Plaza de Lugo or the Méndez Núñez Gardens are not to be missed.
  • Across the bay is the municipality of Oleiros, where the Castillo de Santa Cruz, a castle situated on an islet, is located.

You can find more information about the best things to see in La Coruña on the official tourism page.

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