La Coruna, the second largest city in the province of Galicia, Spain was where Pablo Picasso spent 4 years of his childhood. It is a gorgeous town that overflows with magnificent architecture and the wealth of history and tradition. It has one of the oldest towns, the most beautiful beaches and busiest ports in the Atlantic Ocean. It was no surprise why Picasso fell in love with this town the first time he set foot in it. But aside from the Picasso Museum, there are several interesting landmarks and beaches that you will see here.
1. Casa Museo Picasso (Picasso Museum)
Pablo Picasso, a popular artist, moved to Galicia in 1891 with his family. The museum is the actual apartment that Picasso occupied for 4 years when he was just 10 years old. It features the 19th-century furniture the family used. The kitchen, the bedrooms and even his studio are presented to take you back to the time when he actually lived and breathed. It is also a showcase of his early paintings, particularly the Blue period series and ceramic artworks. To visit Picasso’s place where he lived as a child is awesome and a learning experience ideal for families with young children.
Casa Museo Picasso/Picasso Museum
Address: Calle Payo Gomez, 14, 2 º, 15004 Coruña (A), Spain
Website: Casa Picasso
2. Paseo Maritimo (The Promenade)
A visit to La Coruna will not be complete without a romantic stroll on the famous Paseo Maritimo or the Promenade. The promenade is a long tourist walkway that stretches across town for 9 kilometers or 5.6 miles. It is one of the largest walkways in Europe and borders the edges of the city. It passes thru several of the city’s notable landmarks and gives you access to tourist attractions like the Aquarium, Tower of Hercules, and so many more. It will take around 2 hours or more to walk the entire promenade from one end to the other. For the faint of heart, you can take the tram so you can pass by the tourist sites riding in comfort.
3. Roman Tower of Hercules
The Tower of Hercules is one of the oldest working lighthouses built in the 1st-century AD. This ancient Roman lighthouse is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and is also Spain’s second tallest lighthouse measuring 55 meters (180 feet). It is surrounded by a golf course with a huge public park and what used to be a Muslim Cemetery. The tower has 7 stories and if you can manage, you can climb all 234 steps to the top. You will be rewarded with an amazing view that stretches for several miles across the entire city and beyond the Port of Ferrol.
Roman Tower of Hercules
Address: Av. Navarra, s/n, 15002 A Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
Website: Roman Tower of Hercules
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4. Royal Galician Academy (Real Academia Galega)
Galicians put a high value on their language and history, which is why this institution was established. The Royal Galician Academy was built to promote and dedicate the study of A coruna, their national language and culture. The headquarters of the Academy is currently located in the mansion of Emilia Pardo Bazan, a famous journalist, novelist and essayist. The beautiful stone edifice also houses a museum made in honor of the author and all her work. The academy also has a library, archives, auditorium, newspaper room, consultation room and a secretariat. So if you want to immerse in the Galician culture and learn their language, visit the Academy. You may want to take up a new degree in Spanish languages!
Royal Galician Academy (Real Academia Galega)
Address: 11 Rua das Tabernas, La Coruna, Spain
Website: Real Academia Galega
5. Castillo de San Anton
The Castle of San Anton used to be a 16th-century fort that is located on a tiny island which is artificially connected to the mainland. It was built together with another castle, Castillo de San Diego, to provide protection for the entrance of the harbor. Currently, it is now an archaeological museum that displays gold work and objects from the Megalithic, Bronze Age, Celtic and Roman eras. There are several exhibits for every floor of the castle showing how the castle was used as a prison and artifacts from different eras of Spanish history.
Castillo de San Anton
Address: Paseo Marítimo Alcalde Francisco Vázquez, 2, 15001 A Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
Website: Castillo de San Anton
6. Maria Pita Square (Praza de Maria Pita)
The Praza de Maria Pita is one of the town’s main city squares and one of the most important landmarks you should not miss. It is the best start-off point when you want to walk about the old town or you want to meet up with friends. From there you can explore the establishments like the City Hall, which has an amazing façade. The highlight of the square is the statue of Maria Pita, the local heroine, who in the 16th-century warned the town about an invasion by Sir Francis Drake.
Maria Pita Square (Praza de Maria Pita)
Address: Praza de María Pita, S/N, 15001 A Coruña, Spain
7. Mount of San Pedro Park (Parque de Monte de San Pedro)
This lush green park used to be a military camp that offers spectacular views of the city and the sea. You can reach the park going thru the road or by using the elevator on the promenade. The park has a lot of open play spaces, gardens, cafes and a display of restored artillery pieces.
Mount of San Pedro Park (Parque de Monte de San Pedro)
Address: Estrada Os Fortes, 7, 15011 A Coruña, Spain
8. Orzan and Riazor Beach (Playa de Riazor and Playa del Orzan)
These are the two most popular beaches of La Coruna that were given a Blue Flag (quality) certification. This is a favorite destination for surfers where the waves are big and the water is pristine. The beach is located in the central part of the city right across the busy port. This is also the venue where the annual Noroeste Pop Rock Festival is held during the month-long celebration of the Maria Pita festival in August. The free music festival is a gathering of groups from Spain and overseas. The beaches are bordered by the promenade. These two locations are the greatest attraction for tourists who enjoy water sports and massive bonfire celebrations on the beach that end at daybreak.
Enjoy the blue waters of Spain
This amazing coastal city is often overlooked by tourists who are looking for the busy party life stereotypical of Spain. La Coruna offers a tamer version of Ibiza. It is an old town that is rich in its culture, beautiful architecture and picturesque scenery that is not without the active party life that lasts until dawn. Tranquil by day, alive by night is what best describes La Coruna. If you are looking for an old town by the sea, that offers the perfect blend of modern sophistication and history, lush green carpets and the deep blue waters, then La Coruna must be your next travel destination.
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