Sail Away Stories: One Day in La Coruña

La Coruña (also known as A Coruña) is a port city located in the Galician region in the northwest of Spain. It was the first stop on our 2 week Mediterranean cruise from Southampton. With just 7 hours to explore, here’s how we spent our one day in La Coruña.

We sailed on a two week Mediterranean cruise departing from Southampton in May/June 2024. I’ll post more about each destination over the coming weeks but our itinerary also included stops in Palma de Mallorca, La Spezia, Marseille, Barcelona and Cádiz.

**This blog post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you go on to make a purchase or booking after clicking through one of my external links, then I may make a tiny bit of commission, at no extra cost to you!**

A Quick Beginners Guide to La Coruña

Other than their football team, Deportivo de La Coruña, I’d never really heard of the city. Yet La Coruña is a city of much maritime importance. It is here that the Spanish defeated Sir Francis Drake in 1589. This was in no small part due to María Pita, a Galician heroine who helped defend La Coruña from the English Armada. Her spear-wielding statue stands proudly in the centre of the square bearing her name.

The Romans arrived in the city in the 2nd century BC; indeed, it was a base for Julius Caesar himself in 62BC. The Roman influence is significant, and can be seen around La Coruña today, not least the Torre de Hercules lighthouse, dating from 2AD. In the Middle Ages, it was an important departure point for great expeditions. Today, it is a charming mix of old and new town.

Fun Fact: La Coruña is the closest European port to New York!

Our La Coruña Travel Diary

By the time we emerge for breakfast, we have arrived in La Coruña. From our vantage point aboard Arvia, we spy a battalion of sparkling buildings lining the harbour-front, glass windows reflecting the sunshine. It’s little wonder that the city’s nickname is the city of glass.

We assemble at our meeting point in the Grand Atrium, ready to enjoy our one day in La Coruña. After a day at sea, with a rough passing through the Bay of Biscay, we’re giddy to be exiting Arvia. Ma Lee and Mr Fletche are glad to be on dry land, and its nice not to be staggering around like drunks at a Lee family wedding.

You can find all my thoughts on sailing on P&O Arvia in my detailed review here! I have also blogged separately about the drinking and dining options aboard.

The cruise terminal, Muelle de Trasatlánticos, couldn’t be closer to the city. Just a five minute walk and we’re strolling though the cobbled streets of the Old Town. There’s no need for a cruise shuttle transfer, or to get to grips with public transport. Today we’re exploring on foot.

Our first stop is Plaza de María Pita, a magnificent porticoed square surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. It is dominated by the imposing Town Hall on one side, and Iglesia de San Jorge on the other. I can imagine it being a bustling hub of an evening, but this Tuesday morning it is quiet. We linger for a while, enjoying the warm sunshine on our pasty skin. It’s been a while since we saw any sun in Birmingham. Some of us take advantage of hooking up to a local data plan to complete the day’s Wordle.

Our loose plan is to cut through the Old Town, emerging at the urban beaches lining la ensenada del Orzán. We don’t take the prettiest route, and there are one or two steep hills for Ma Lee’s dodgy knee to contend with. But the sweeping view is worth the effort as we emerge on Rúa Matadero, waves crashing against the rocks below and the shimmering blue Atlantic laid out before us. It’s a pleasant 20 minute walk along the coast to our next stop – Torre de Hércules. On the way we can easily spot the distinctive scarlet lamp posts which line the route along the seaside promenade.

Visiting the world’s oldest functioning lighthouse in La Coruña

Torre de Hércules is the world’s oldest functioning lighthouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 1st century by the Romans, it sits majestically on the ragged tip of the peninsula within an outdoor sculpture park showcasing works by Galician sculptors. A large statue of the Celtic King Breogan greets visitors, considered to be the founder of the city.

Ma and Pa Lee don’t fancy the 234 step climb to the top, so its tickets for two. Timed admission tickets are €3,09pp and can be purchased online or from the visitor centre. We have time for a quick ice cream before the ascent. There’s a small museum on the ground floor, and a narrow staircase which ascends four floors to the viewing platform. The views are pretty, but undoubtedly the best snaps of La Coruña are the ones which have the Torre de Hércules as the star.

Public Service Announcement: There are public toilets at the base of Torre de Hércules, just walk clockwise from the entrance. You don’t need an admission ticket to access, but you do need to climb up a gently inclining hill.

We meet up with Ma and Pa Lee, who have been enjoying a stroll around the sculpture park. They too have found the toilets. We decide to wind our way back inland, finally finding our way to the Old Town – Cidade Vella. It’s a maze of pretty streets, with cute shops, interesting architecture, quaint tapas bars and a multitude of churches. Look out for Praza do Humor, a small plaza with cartoon carvings on the ground. Pa Lee found his soul mate here.

Time for lunch in La Coruña

I know the perfect place for a spot of lunch. La Bombilla on Rúa Torreiro is highly recommended for its cheap tapas, perfect for washing down with a crisp Estrella Galicia, La Coruña’s signature beer. I spin around on the spot, Google Maps telling me it’s around here somewhere. And then I spot the sign. Yes, we’re in the right place, But sadly La Bombilla are on their own holidays for a couple of weeks. I’m out of ideas now. Until we come across La Sifonería Gastrobar on Rúa Franja.

It looks like a craft beer bar, and to be honest, we all want a drink more than food at this point. All the tables are reserved, but we’re offered a table for an hour, more than enough time for us to be rehydrated with a Alhambra Reserva Roja. And then they bring out a complimentary dish each to accompany our drinks. Three of us are very excited by the mysterious and creamy seafood and mushroom soup. Ma Lee is not. After all, she is not a fan of seafood. Or mushrooms. But she has purchased a big floppy hat from a street vendor, so her day is not all bad.

Ma and Pa Lee make their way back to Arvia for a late lunch onboard. Mr Fletche and I have another quick wander around, debating whether to stop for a drink on Avenida de la Marina, before returning with plenty of time to spare before our 5pm sailaway.

Getting Around La Coruña

The city centre of La Coruna is compact and walkable. It sits on a peninsula so you can take a stroll overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or cut through the Old Town from one side to the other. The coastal path is relatively flat, and perfect for cycling – there are clearly marked dedicated cycle lanes which stretch along the 13km Paseo Marítimo.

Buses #3 and #5 leave from close to the cruise terminal towards Torre de Hércules, but most buses stop a little way away from the entrance, with a 5-10 minute walk.

Other Things to See and Do with One Day in La Coruña

Immediately as you disembark your cruise ship, you’ll be on Avenida de la Marina with its iconic galeria fronted buildings. Fisherman used to live in these buildings, and would keep their boats tied up in the arcades below. The wooden-framed, glass-enclosed balconies protect from the harsh Galician weather, whilst letting in as much light as possible. The marina side of the buildings is actually the rear.

Castillo de San Anton is a 16th century fortress located at the waters edge, part of a network of strategically built defensive forts. Nowadays it is an archaeological museum with a huge cistern underneath it.

La Coruña has a number of museums, such as the Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Muncyt) and the interactive Domus (House of Man). Domus is the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to the human body. It has an impressive sail-shaped façade, made up of over 6,500 pieces of slate. There’s also a Planetarium and Science Museum and the free-to-enter Museo Histórico Militar de Coruña. Animal lovers may want to visit the seal colony at Aquarium Finisteraae; for art historians there’s the Picasso Museum in the home that Pablo Picasso and his family lived during his childhood. If you want to find out a little more about Maria Pita, there’s a free admission museum explaining her story and her integral part in the downfall of Sir Francis Drake and the English Armada.

The beaches are a popular spot for locals and visiting sun-seekers alike, and the Paseo Marítimo is 13km of coastal pathway around the tip of the peninsula, hugging the Atlantic coast. Walking a section is a great way to stretch the legs after a day or two at sea. Or there are clearly marked cycle paths all along the trail if you’d prefer to explore on two wheels.

Praia das Lapas is a stunning cove, overlooked by the majestic Hercules Tower. Follow the coastal path and you’ll come to Playa del Orzán, a popular spot with locals for volleyball and surfing. Visit the wide golden sands of Praia de Riazor; the home ground of Deportivo La Coruña visible at one end. Bring a towel and swimwear if you fancy a dip, but be warned that the water will be cold! If you carry on walking – and lets face it, with these views its hard not to – you’ll be rewarded with the Octopus of La Coruña! Praia De Santo Amaro is another popular swimming spot; if you’re not fond of the sea then there’s an outdoor pool here too!

Trips & Tours during your one day in La Coruña

If you prefer to take an organised tour during your day in La Coruña how about one of the following? All are under 3 hours so should give you ample time before you have to return to the ship.

If you’ve visited La Coruña previously, or want to travel a little further afield, consider a trip to Santiago de Compostela. Many cruise lines will run excursions to this famous pilgrimage city and reputed burial place of James the Apostle. If you’re visiting La Coruña on a cruise and you’re planning to travel outside of the city it’s a good idea to book through your cruise company – there’s peace of mind that the ship won’t go without you if there are any delays returning! Our departure from La Spezia was delayed when the coaches from Florence & Pisa arrived late due to an accident en route!

If you do book a trip independently, remember it is your responsibility to get back to the ship on time. Your cruise ship won’t wait for you – don’t be one of these guys:

Final Thoughts: One day in La Coruña

A single day is barely enough to scratch the surface of a larger city, but I felt that we had sufficient time to see the main sights of La Coruña. It’s not a huge city with a mass of must-see attractions. But it does have rock carvings, a pretty Old Town, a stunning coastal path, the world’s oldest lighthouse and a sculpture park. It was surprisingly quiet when we arrived, with very few locals in sight; the greatest number of people could definitely be found milling around Torre de Hércules.

Here’s a link to our one day in La Coruna itinerary map!

We visited La Coruña as part of our 2 week cruise on P&O Arvia, also stopping in Palma De Mallorca, La Spezia, Marseille, Barcelona and Cadiz. You can find similar P&O Mediterranean cruises here!

After exploring La Coruna, it’s time to head back to Arvia. We’re ready to travel to our next destination – Palma de Mallorca. But first, we have a relaxing couple of sea days ahead.