A Coruña is one of the most touristy regions in Spain. Thousands of tourists visit this coastal city in Galicia, so accommodation is one of the first things every traveller looks for before any trip. That is why we will give you a few tips on where to sleep in A Coruña.

This rocky peninsula draws every traveller in with its natural and architectural landmarks. It is also a central spot from which to reach other nearby towns where you can discover many more of the tourist places that Galicia has to offer.

The sea, the food, the culture and the history of these regions are the most sought-after attractions. The city has plenty of spaces to stay in so you can make the most of the best tourist spots. Where you sleep, however, will depend on the places you plan to visit.

There are many places to eat in the Rías Baixas and, given the sheer number of restaurants, choosing is no easy task. That is why some research is needed to find the option that best suits your tastes and needs.

On the Galician coast, the large number of seafood restaurants where you can enjoy the finest dishes with shellfish and fish from the sea is one of the highlights.

There are many places to eat in A Coruña — this is one of the perfect cities for a great weekend. It offers all kinds of options to enjoy while you get to know the city, from a lovely spot in the historic centre to an outstanding place by the beach.

Visiting A Coruña is enjoying the destination through its food and getting to know the best city in Galicia. You can savour exquisite tapas on an evening stroll, but you cannot miss out on the finest seafood that this city — with its important maritime port — has to offer.

This city gives you a whole range of culinary opportunities, which is why the sea produce on offer varies so much. You can also enjoy the delights of the meats, which are essential to the gastronomy of A Coruña.

Drinks are also an important point: there are typical local pours that anyone visiting A Coruña simply has to try.

Galicia cruises are among the most enjoyable activities you can do in this part of Spain. They not only let you glimpse the magnificent blue coastline but also invite you to adventure and fun under the warm sun and in the company of many marine species.

Where are Galicia cruises held?

Most tourist cruises take place at sea and cross several countries or the most attractive coastal areas of a single country. The voyage can last a full day, several days or even weeks, but in those cases the vessel is large.

Galicia is a privileged region in Europe, with a beautiful coast, beaches of soft sand, cliffs and small mountain ranges. That is why cruises are run in many ways — on large ships, on small boats, for several days or for just a few hours.

The possibilities are many and will depend on where you want to go, how long you want to enjoy the trip and the season. Remember that tourism in this region is growing, so it is best to book with a tour agency.

A cruise along the Rías of Galicia

The Lower Rías, better known in Galician as Rías Baixas, are an extension of Galicia’s coast. They cover from Finisterre to the Vigo estuary. The ría is an arm of the sea that pushes inland when the tide rises, leaving the river mouths submerged.

For that reason, at some times of the year the flow of cruises and boats is greater. However, Galicia cruises run all year round, and you can even sail on large ships in any month.

In total, there are seven Rías in Galicia, each with a fishing port, marinas, architectural remains and beautiful tourist beaches. Each town also has its own attractions, so tours give travellers several hours to explore on land.

Whale and dolphin watching in the Rías Baixas

One of the natural wonders of the Galician coast is that every year it welcomes hundreds of dolphins and whales. This happens almost all year, but most frequently during the low season.

Most often the playful dolphins put on a show for tourists with impressive leaps and graceful swimming between the waves. Whales are a little shyer and breach over the blue water further out.

Even so, it is a sight worth photographing, and there are several kinds of whales you can spot, including the legendary blue whale. For years, due to relentless hunting, this species imposed its own exile, which it broke on its own in 2017.

On any of the Galicia cruises you may be lucky enough to see these magnificent animals, especially out at sea. Just watch the movement of the waves: when you least expect it, they will come out to greet you.

A cruise on the Ría of Ferrol

On the north coast of Galicia you will also find many activities on the water, cruises included. In fact, in Ferrol, during the summer, tour companies offer day-long cruises.

It is a pleasant, calm and history-rich route. While you are at sea you can glimpse two military forts, shipyards and Mugardos, one of the most popular fishing villages thanks to the octopus served in its dishes.

Sailing to Cape Ortegal: a day of adventure

If you love sailing but want a faster experience than a cruise, you can step aboard a sailboat at Cape Ortegal. This is one of the most adventurous experiences, not only because of the kind of navigation, but also because you cross two seas.

In Galicia the waters of the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean both wash the coast — these two bodies of water meet on land. In the north of the region, by taking a sailboat, you can cross from one to the other and see the difference in the water.

But the trip does not end there. It carries on to Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. In other words, you reach very close to the northern edge of the region with its beautiful view of the coast in Coruña.

Galicia cruises are a luxury trip everyone can afford. This magnificent experience is, in fact, within reach of every budget, taste and preference. You just need to hire a good travel agency to help you choose the plan that fits you best.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a cinematic sea adventure, on your next holiday try Vigo cruises — an unmatched experience. This Atlantic city is one of the ideal provinces to leave dry land and drift on the waves toward a world of fun.

Vigo cruises: all welcome aboard

In 2023, Vigo is expected to become a strategic stop for hundreds of cruise ships and sport boats. Themed ships for families and adults-only boats. Many options to choose from — boats with slides, cinema and water sports. This year the coast even welcomes a Guinness World Record-winning ship for its viewpoint, the Ovation of the Seas.

The port has incomparable natural beauty and the city is cradled by green protective mountains. The view from any ship’s deck is photo-worthy and will push you to come ashore and explore.

Sea tourism: how Vigo cruises work

The main way to reach Vigo is by ship. The city can be the destination itself or part of the journey.

The Cruise Terminal

Vigo’s port is the largest in any Spanish ría. Because of its huge tourist appeal, it has become a Cruise Terminal — notable for its Trasatlántico Pier.

The former Maritime Station, now the Cruise Terminal, offers all the services of a terminal — comfortable waiting hall, free internet, travel agency info, customer service and more.

Here begins the magic of Vigo cruises: you can start the cruise of your choice. The alternative is to disembark and enjoy the various activities programmed for tourists.

Tours for cruise passengers

Cruises spend many hours at sea, but there’s room in the itinerary for on-land fun. The city has services and routes for cruise passengers. Stroll the A Laxe shopping centre — clothes, gifts, toys and electronics. Plus great bars and restaurants and a small museum.

Start a cruise across the Atlantic

If you plan to depart on a Vigo cruise, consider a transatlantic. You’ll travel and see different European coasts with all the comforts a ship can offer. Vigo’s location makes it a major tourist crossroads — a meeting point between Galicia and Northern Portugal, so you can easily enjoy both regions.

Gastronomy: dishes you won’t find at “Seven Seas”

Vigo’s tourism, fishing and trade are not new, nor is its cuisine. All ingredients from the sea served in fine dishes. The city safeguards seafood and fish preparations rarely found elsewhere — both the recipe heritage and the quality of the raw materials are unique to this region.

Entertainment, attractions, history and food make Vigo cruises memorable. The best way to enjoy this trip is via a tourism agency that helps you choose the best package.

Galicia is known for beautiful landscapes and beaches, but beyond the best-known tourist sites, there are countless Galician experiences less talked about that can make your trip unique and unforgettable.

The Rías Baixas, the Camino de Santiago and the charm of small coastal villages are perfect settings for an unbeatable holiday. Solo or with a group — each city and village holds hidden treasures.

Enjoy a seafood feast on a boat in the Rías Baixas

Food is a major draw. Beyond the famous dishes, one of the best lesser-known experiences is a seafood meal with Albariño wine on a boat ride through the Rías Baixas. Several boat tours offer this — an unforgettable meal in a one-of-a-kind landscape.

Celebrate Samaín in Ribadavia

If your dates fall on this pagan festival the last weekend of October, don’t miss it. Every Halloween, Ribadavia fills with magic — witches, the dead and spells. A castle becomes a creepy passage that draws thousands. Family-friendly with games for kids.

Walk the Lighthouses Route

One of the most popular experiences. Go off-season (October–November and February–April) to avoid summer crowds. Always check the weather.

From Santiago to Fisterra

Most travellers’ goal is the Camino, but the long route worries some. From Santiago to Muxía there are three key stops: Negreira, Olveiroa Ponte Maceira and Cee-Fisterra. Enjoy the Costa da Morte with hostels and beautiful landscapes.

Visit the 18 monasteries of the Ribeira Sacra

The Ribeira Sacra attracts many visitors. The monastery route — along the banks of the Miño, Cabe and Sil rivers — features 18 monasteries, including Santo Estevo de Sil and San Pedro de Rocas.

Galicia has everything needed to become a film location. With its impressive landscapes, cities and villages, vast coastline, surf beaches, tall mountains and beautiful historic stones, it has often served as a set for every genre.

Galicia is magical and filmmakers know it — directors increasingly come to film these four provinces. International directors like Roman Polanski and Spanish names like José Luis Cuerda (a lover of the land), Alejandro Amenábar or Pedro Almodóvar — productions that are now part of celluloid history.

Many Spanish actors and actresses have come, as well as international stars like Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra and Sophia Loren.

Films featuring Galician landscapes

Don’t miss these films featuring Galician corners that are now part of the big screen’s history.

Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside), Alejandro Amenábar (2004)

Almost entirely shot in Galicia, with some sequences in Madrid or Catalonia. Beach of As Furnas, places in the Arousa estuary, Muros and Noia, and the A Coruña town hall. The story of Ramón Sampedro, left tetraplegic after an accident, and his fight for legal euthanasia and a dignified death.

Los Girasoles Ciegos (The Blind Sunflowers), José Luis Cuerda (2008)

Shot entirely in Ourense — its old town and the San Clodio monastery hotel in Leiro. Set in 1940s Spain, an adaptation of Alberto Méndez’s novel.

Butterfly (La Lengua de las Mariposas), José Luis Cuerda (1999)

Set in Civil War Spain, this Spanish cinema masterpiece shows inland Galician landscapes — the Sil canyons, Ribeira Sacra monasteries and the medieval villages of Ribadavia and Allariz.

The Enchanted Forest (El Bosque Animado), José Luis Cuerda (1987)

A magical world among trees. Cambre’s fraga, the rural inland landscapes and the village of Sobrado, together with Alfredo Landa.

Elisa y Marcela, Isabel Coixet (2019)

Set in late-19th-century Galicia, based on a true story — the first known precedent of same-sex marriage in Spain. Isabel Coixet’s film.

Días Azules (Blue Days), Miguel Santesmases (2006)

Filmed and set in the Ferrol area, especially Doniños beach. Three siblings spend a last summer at the family home. Soundtrack by Galician artist Iván Ferreiro.

Bad Education (La Mala Educación), Pedro Almodóvar (2004)

Shot in places like Ortigueira, A Coruña.

The Skin I Live In (La Piel Que Habito), Pedro Almodóvar (2011)

Begins on one of Santiago’s most central streets. Also Ponte Ulla in A Coruña and Pazo de Oca in A Estrada, Pontevedra.

Mondays in the Sun (Los Lunes al Sol), Fernando León de Aranoa (2002)

Galicia in the difficult shipyard industry and unemployment situation. Exteriors in Vigo’s most emblematic locations — streets near the harbour, Berbés neighbourhood and the Vigo estuary.

Heroin (Heroína), Gerardo Herrero (2005)

Set in late-1980s Galicia. Filmed in Pontevedra, Vigo, Vilanova de Arousa, Tui and Santa María de Oia — locations like Pazo Baión and the Vigo harbour, key to Galician drug-trafficking history.

Say “Galicia” — images, foods, objects come to mind: typical Galician things that this region is remembered for once we leave Herculean lands.

What are the most significant typical Galician things?

Here are some of the universal things by which we all recognise Galicia:

Bateas

These are where the delicious mussels and oysters you just ate grew. On ropes submerged in the sea. There are even tours to see them.

The tides

Tides go up and down several metres. Unwritten rule: don’t leave your towel on the lower sand if you’re going away. At least check a tide table — they’re not random.

Pilgrim’s shell

Many in Galicia arrive after walking the Camino. The best souvenir from this green land is the pilgrim’s shell — the classic scallop — a reminder that hard, sacrificing tasks bring greater satisfaction.

Capelas

Stone chapels, Catholic places of worship — architecturally independent or part of a church or palace.

Ceramic bowl

Called cunca, a small Galician artwork for any liquid — wine, broth, milk… Why use different containers when one does it all?

Padrón Peppers

Part of the thrill — some are hot, some aren’t. Never claim victory before the second bite — some have delayed effect.

Botafumeiro

Liturgical thurible that swings along the cathedral’s transept — born from the great pilgrim traffic. Its name says it all: literally “smoke spewer”.

Tarta de Santiago

An established delight. Its almond fame extends beyond the region’s borders.

Coffee Liqueur

Famous especially after meals, as a shot with a slice of bica. Recipe is one of the best-kept secrets — you won’t reproduce it exactly.

Stone hórreo

Traditional construction used in the past and today to preserve corn — typically Galician.

The meiguiñas

Galicia is land of party and music, but also of magic. Meigas — traditional witches — can appear anywhere. “Whether they exist or not, they exist”.

Sargadelos ceramics

On holidays in A Mariña Lucense, visit the Cervo council and the Sargadelos ceramic factory. Admire the pieces and buy one to take home.

Jet jewellery

Famous jet jewellery — typical Galician, especially from Santiago de Compostela. Craft dating back to the Middle Ages.

Pipers

Characters representing the most traditional music and festivals. They remember the Celtic origins of the first inhabitants. Bagpipes and pipers are at the top of typical Galician things.

Wine

Galicia’s wine-making tradition and quality: Ribeiro, Albariño, Godello…

Sunset is later

Same time zone as Spain, but in a different solar zone — sunset is later than the rest of the Spanish map.

Humidity

You can fight it with a dehumidifier or pretend it doesn’t exist, painting the wall and watching it reappear. Finally, you accept its presence and watch it grow.

Galician summer

Never trust a Galician summer. Never! Those 30°C will vanish with the sun — you’ll thank that jacket when the thermometer suddenly hits 17°C.

Today we show a complete list of educational farms in Galicia, so you can plan your Galicia tour differently and the little ones can be protagonists too. We list the farms currently open with guided visits and more info.

Educational farms in Galicia

Casa Grande de Xanceda

One of the best-known. Recommended for family visits — tour the farm, bottle-feed calves and enjoy the rural playground with tractors and a corn maze. Finish tasting cheese, biscuits and yoghurts from their organic brand. In Xanceda, Mesía, near Ordes, A Coruña. www.casagrandedexanceda.com

Granja El Kiriko

Near Vigo, in Fornelos de Montes. A space to reconnect kids with nature. Leisure areas and summer activities including camps. Always book ahead. www.kirikonatura.com

Granxa Escola Fervenza da Toxa

In Silleda. Leisure, adventure, sport and farming for adventurous kids. School visits, group visits, camps, plus pool, vegetable garden, greenhouse and outdoor sports.

Granxa de Barreiros

In Sarria, Lugo province. Beyond visits and activities, it adds traditional music courses and contests and an environmental education project with decades of history.

Granxa Garabullos

In Cospeito, Lugo. A wide offer with camps, family visits, school visits and any celebration in nature. www.garabullos.com

Casa do Queixo

For cheese lovers (kids and adults). Workshops to put culinary and craft skills into practice. In Sobrado dos Monxes, A Coruña. www.casadoqueixo.com

Granxa Bostelo

In Viveiro — a family farm in a privileged area 10 km from the Lugo coast. Small-group visits and activities: bread-making workshops, interpretive route along the royal-path’s pathways or visit to the farm facilities.

Granxa Escola Belelle

One of the most typical visits for A Coruña schools, in Neda — activities ideal for the youngest.

Granxa Escola Serantellos

In Cambados. School and group visits — call to book.

Granxa Escola de Bergando

One of the reference educational farms for Santiago de Compostela kids — in Negreira, 15 minutes from the city. Visits, workshops, celebrations and camps. www.staapolonia.net/granja

Granxa O Cancelo

Not exactly an educational farm, but offers guided visits to the farm where the milk for “Bico de xeado” ice cream is sourced. See the cows, bottle-feed them, then taste the delicious ice creams. The Parchís children’s leisure centre organises the visits.

Hope this list of educational farms in Galicia helps and that you enjoy any of these fantastic places full of activities and fun.

Galicia is in the top-west of Spain, right above Portugal. A unique part of the country with its own customs, culture, food and even language. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Galicia.

Things you didn’t know about Galicia

Some of Spain’s most beautiful beaches are here

Forget the Costa del Sol or the Costa Dorada — Galicia is home to some of Spain’s best beaches. With the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay around 1,200 km of coast, and many spectacular beaches. La Playa de Rodas in the Cíes Islands is one of the most picturesque.

The end of the world is here

In A Coruña province, on the Coast of Death, lies Finisterre — “the end of the world”. Once thought to be Spain’s westernmost point, but the Azores in Portugal are actually Europe’s westernmost point.

Home to many thermal baths

Galicia is dotted with natural pools heated by thermal waters, mostly in Ourense province — perfect to stay warm during Galicia’s cold winters. One of the best open-air spas is Termas Prexigueiro with a thermal circuit of five different hot pools.

A paradise for food lovers

Galicia may not be globally known for its food like Valencia for paella or the Basque Country for pintxos, but it has a unique, savoury cuisine. Galician octopus, Santiago almond cake — portions here are huge, you won’t go hungry.

It has its own language

Many parts of Spain have their own language. Galicia speaks Galician — official alongside Spanish, spoken by about 2.4 million people. A Romance language with much in common with Spanish and Portuguese.

Much in common with Celtic regions

Galicia shares much with Brittany, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Galicians even have their own local bagpipes, played at special occasions like festivals.

They set fire to their drinks

Galicia’s most famous drink is queimada, often served at parties and special events. Made with aguardiente, sugar, coffee beans, lemon peel and cinnamon sticks, set on fire and stirred until all the sugar melts. Often called “witches’ brew”.

Some of the best seafood in Spain

Bordering both the Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay, Galicia is one of Spain’s leading seafaring regions — many famous dishes are fish or seafood. The famous Festival do Marisco in O Grove celebrates seafood. Find oysters, mussels, octopus, spider crabs and goose barnacles.

Home to unique festivals

Galicia celebrates many festivals. The Carnival of Os Peliqueiros in Laza is unique — characters in huge masks and colourful uniforms parade with whips. Another highlight is Rapa das Bestas in Sabucedo, capturing wild mountain horses.

The climate differs from the rest of Spain

Galicia is famous for its rainy, cold climate — unpredictable even in summer. Bring layers and a raincoat plus your swimwear. The wet climate is exactly what makes it so beautiful — part of “Green Spain”, full of rolling hills and lush forests.