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Home to Gaudí’s world-famous architectural masterpieces, with La Sagrada Família and Park Güell, to name a few, not to mention the honey-coloured beaches of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is perhaps the top tourist destination in Spain. millions of tourists every year.
Strangely enough, it is precisely its irresistible appeal and popularity that is proving to be its downfall: between rising prices and unsustainable crowds, the city is now taking a tougher stance on tourism and is actively trying to curb tourism. in any way.
By that we mean a complete ban on private accommodation providers in the historic center, a higher tourist tax, and if you’re unlucky, you might even find yourself in a crowd of anti-tourist singers – we hope you don’t mind. being shot at with water guns, if it comes to that.
If you read between the lines, that’s true not exactly the best time to visit the Catalan capital, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid Spain altogether.
We know you’re craving some of that ancient culture, mouth-watering Iberian cuisine and, most importantly, the laid-back coastal vibe, so why not go completely the opposite direction?
Tucked away in the quieter, most northwestern corner of Spain, A Coruna offers all that and then what:
The unsung cultural capital of Spain
You may know Galicia for its pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela or its dramatic Atlantic coastline, but unless you’re a so-called Hispanophile, chances are you haven’t yet become familiar with unusual A Coruña.
The second largest city in the autonomous province, with more than 249,000 inhabitants, it lies on a large wave which extends into the ocean and lays claim to some of Galicia’s most beautiful beaches and a few world-famous sights.
It’s also one of Spain’s most historically important destinations, even if it rarely acts as a cultural capital alongside Barcelona, Seville and the like: for starters, did you know that it’s the last remaining, still functional Roman lighthouse?
We are of course talking about the iconic Tower of Herculesproudly situated on a peninsula point about 1.5 miles from the city center, since the 1st century ADwhen it was built by the ancient Romans, at a time when Spain existed under their rule.
A UNESCO World Heritage Siteit attracts visitors from all over the country – and beyond – not only for the priceless architectural value of a 2,000-year-old structure, but also for the fact that it remains the second tallest lighthouse in Spain, beaten only by Faro de Chipionain the equally underrated Cadiz.
The beautiful tower alone is reason enough to add A Coruña to your Spain bucket list, but here’s why you’ll want to stay longer:
A beautiful old city that belongs in a history book
The Cidade Velha (or the Old Town) is littered with historical monuments attributed to different time periods, from Celtic to Roman times, from medieval to modern times, and the best way to see all the highlights is… you guessed it already, by walking!
This 1.5 hours guided tour is perfect if you want to optimize your time; it only costs $32 to book, but if you prefer to go at your own pace you can certainly explore on your own, in which case we recommend starting from Plaza de Maria Pita.
Named after an indigenous woman who entered the hall of Spanish heroines in the 17th century for defending A Coruña from an English Armada attack. ornate town hall is located, and all around there are traffic-free lanes flanked by it colorful facades to get lost in.
However, before you wander off the path, you should know that some of the most important sites are Castro de Elvinathe remains of a Celtic fort dating from before the conquest of the city by the Romans, the 12th century Colexiata de Santa María do Campo church and the waterfront Galerias:
A row of buildings distinguished by their balconies with glass windowsIt is an 18th-century architectural solution to the city’s unpredictable weather, avoiding the rapid aging of structures and the age-old damp problem that plagues coastal homes.
Sandy beaches as far as the eye can see
The unique townscape of A Coruña is also defined by its fortified harbour, protected by the imposing castle of San Antón, which now houses an archaeological museum, and by the glitzy Praia de Riazoror as we like to call it, the Galician Cocapabana:
A wide stretch of soft, honey-coloured sand fringed by palm trees and modern developments, it’s the city’s equivalent to a resort zone, while neighboring Orzán Beach is the bohemian escape just a 25-minute walk away, with a high concentration of bars.
Whether you’re looking for a more private spot to catch the last few rays of the season, or you’re sightseeing, walking the expanse of the 9.0 kilometer long Paseo Maritimo is a must-do: if you walk along the headland, you will pass all the trendiest beaches and even the Tower of Hercules.
Other quieter beaches nearby include As Lapas, near the lighthouse, Santo Amaro, a further 10 minutes along the coast, a popular beach for watching the sunset, and Durmideiras, where the sea is a great place to relax. visits. unusually brighter shade of blue.
Now a warning, if we may: A Coruña yes not a Mediterranean destinationas it straddles the Atlantic Ocean, and although autumn temperatures can be pleasant and similar to those in other parts of Spain (ranging from 57.2 to 71.6°F), the water is certainly ice cold.
In other words: Galicia is not the place you go for a beach holiday, at least not in the fall, unless you notice that 65.8°F is bearable enough for swimming, and you should definitely make sure you bring a light jacket or sweater for the occasional chilly evening.
Stay indoors A Coruna For less than $50 a night
Thanks to his almost perfect weather Out of season and with an unparalleled coastal atmosphere, Spain is one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe this autumn, but also one of the most expensive:
Good luck keeping daily costs in Barcelona under $175, if all those dinners, souvenirs, and outdoor tours add up, and if you ever manage to find a room in a three-star hotel for less than $212 per night in the Gothic Quarter, please let us know, it would be much appreciated.
In the meantime, we’ll stick around budget-friendly A Coruña, where a paella lunch likely won’t cost you more than $15, good wine is under $5, and hotels average a much cheaper $113 per night, as estimated Through Budget your trip.
Again, that’s just an estimate. In reality where you can find rooms for much lesseven:
To take Saudade Hostal CafeteriaFor example, a privately run guest house next to a busy cafe, where they serve the best coffee and pastries in town, and double rooms start from a very reasonable $43 per night.
There are at least 18 properties where rooms cost between $45 and $73 Through Booking.comwith notable examples on the cheaper side being Hotel Torques and Hotel Nido, while better equipped 3 to 4 star offerings can be found at Hotel Mar del Plata and Eurostars Blue Coruña.
Overall, a week-long trip to the Galician gem costs around $685, including accommodation, food and transport. excluding flights.
Galicia as a whole is one of the most fascinating regions in Spain:
From the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route that takes you through quaint northern villages, all the way to Santiago de Compostela, where Saint James is said to be buried, to Pontevedra, a charming medieval town on a picturesque riverbank, the cultural wealth is limitless.
However, if you are a traveler on a budget and a newcomer to the area, A Coruña is a good place to start explore.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
