Despite being forged by shipyards, textiles, and fishing from the Middle Ages onwards, coastal A Coruña (or La Coruña in Castellano) has always kept its heart in Plaza de María Pita. Named for the woman who famously rallied the city against a siege in 1589, the square remains the city’s proud center stage. Domed city hall presides over arcades of glass-fronted galleries that sparkle in Galician light, while nearby lanes tempt hungry travelers with empanadas and pulpo a la gallega paired with crisp Albariño. Just an hour inland lies Santiago de Compostela, the sacred end of the Camino, where pilgrims arrive after walking the 100 kilometers. If that feels a step too far, finish the day with a stroll along the Paseo Marítimo, one of Europe’s longest promenades.
