A Coruña, Spain
The stunning Atlantic setting of A Coruña lends this historic city a wide-open feel. The Roman-era Tower of Hercules is a lighthouse that has been in continuous operation since the 2nd century. The coastal San Antón Castle once defended northern Spain from seafaring intruders. The city is known for the historic row of houses along Avenida de la Marina; these 19th-century buildings are fronted by white-glazed glass balconies that, viewed side by side, form a wall of white. The city’s bicycle-friendly promenade leads to the glass Millennium Obelisk monument and Orzán Beach.
The stunning Atlantic setting of A Coruña lends this historic city a wide-open feel. The Roman-era Tower of Hercules is a lighthouse that has been in continuous operation since the 2nd century. The coastal San Antón Castle once defended northern Spain from seafaring intruders. The city is known for the historic row of houses along Avenida de la Marina; these 19th-century buildings are fronted by white-glazed glass balconies that, viewed side by side, form a wall of white. The city’s bicycle-friendly promenade leads to the glass Millennium Obelisk monument and Orzán Beach.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.
A Coruña & the Old Town
Discover the treasures of seldom-visited A Coruña.
Explore a Fascinating and Historic Port City
Discover the treasures of seldom-visited A Coruña. With your guide, set out on a panoramic city tour by motor coach, passing San Antón Castle and the Tower of Hercules, an imposing lighthouse and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This seaside marvel has been operating continuously since it was built by the Romans 2,000 years ago. Follow the promenade past the newly refurbished aquarium, the Domus (Museum of Mankind) and the beaches of Orzán and Riazor. You will conclude your scenic drive in the heart of A Coruña, famous for its distinctive window balconies, called las galerias, that adorn historic houses. The glazed-glass style of these balconies was originally created for ships so that navy captains could see in inclement weather. Take a short walk through Maria Pita Square before returning to your ship.
Hercules by Bike
Join a local guide for a delightful reel through historic A Coruña as you enjoy the ocean breeze.
Cycle Past Historic and Modern Wonders
Join a local guide for a delightful reel through historic A Coruña as you enjoy the ocean breeze. Begin with an easy ride along the city’s promenade. Your guide will lead the way and take you past las galerias, the city’s famous row of houses with window balconies that reflect sunlight. These lovely facades were built by fishermen out of wood and glass. Continue past San Antón Castle and the Tower of Hercules. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower of Hercules is the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world and has remained in service for 2,000 years. Follow the promenade further to the newly refurbished Aquarium Finisterrae, the Orzán Beach and the Riazor football stadium, a true temple of sports for locals. From here, you will have a splendid view of the Tower of Hercules and the glass Millennium Obelisk. Cycle back to your ship via Rubine and Pontevedra Squares.
A Coruña Estuary
Visit A Coruña Estuary, home to great natural beauty, fishing villages and thriving towns with plenty of history.
Medieval Villages Fed by Coastal Waters
Visit A Coruña Estuary, home to great natural beauty, fishing villages and thriving towns with plenty of history. Meet your guide for a drive to Santa Cruz, located at the end of the A Coruña Estuary. A typical Galician fishing village, it boasts its own small fortified island some 160 feet offshore. Continue past the town of Sada and admire the sailboats in its bustling bay and harbor. Stop at Pontedeume, an ancient medieval village and an important borough of the Andrade family that held sway in nearby Ferrolterra. In Betanzos, marvel at incredibly preserved medieval architecture and enjoy a stroll through its fishing quarter. Once a flourishing port, Betanzos now lies some distance from the sea. The town, like many in Galicia, was built on a number of sloping tiers above the estuaries. After tasting tapas and wine, return to your ship.
A Day in Santiago de Compostela
Enjoy a scenic drive to Santiago de Compostela, where you will see its stunning cathedral and tour the Old Town.
Explore a Medieval Pilgrimage Site and a Grand Cathedral
Enjoy a scenic drive to Santiago de Compostela, where you will see its stunning cathedral and tour the Old Town. Upon arriving in the beautiful medieval city, a pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages, stroll through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; at Plaza del Obradoiro, you will see the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela’s magnificent facade. The cathedral’s original style was Romanesque, but over the centuries it has been embellished with Gothic and baroque features, including finely carved statues of apostles and saints in the portico and on the columns. Explore the Cathedral Museum with your guide, where treasures, paintings and sculptures on display showcase the history and heritage of Galicia. Enjoy lunch at the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos, a former hospital and now a luxury hotel.
Santiago de Compostela & Cathedral Rooftop
Drive to Santiago de Compostela and explore the cathedral and Old Town of this important place of pilgrimage.
Enjoy a Unique View of a Medieval Town
Drive to Santiago de Compostela and explore the cathedral and Old Town of this important place of pilgrimage. Upon arrival, walk to Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where you will experience a rooftop perspective on the unique architecture. Learn about cathedral highlights including the silver urn containing the ashes of St. James, the Apostle of Santiago, kept in a small crypt beneath the ornate high altar; you may visit the cathedral’s interior later, on your own. Continue on an Old Town walking tour, followed by free time. You will enjoy lunch at Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos—a former hospital, now a luxury hotel—before returning to your ship. Please note that the roof visit will not be possible in case of rain. The order of visits may vary, and the interior visit to the cathedral is on your own.
Order of visits may vary.
The interior visit to the cathedral is on your own.
Panoramic Costa da Morte & Cape Finisterre
Take in the Costa da Morte (Death Coast), with its unspoiled nature, beautiful beaches and sheltered villages.
Discover a Picturesque Coast with a Fascinating History
Take in the Costa da Morte (Death Coast), with its unspoiled nature, beautiful beaches and sheltered villages. Stop at Muxía, dedicated to the Virxe da Barca (Virgin of the Boat). Visit her sanctuary, Nosa Señora da Barca, overlooking the often-rough seas (calm on some days, furious on others); the coast is named for the tragic fact that hundreds of ships have run aground on its rocky shores. Continuing along the coast, enjoy impressive vistas until you reach Finisterre, the medieval “end of the earth.” A lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is positioned on the Monte Facho promontory, at the tip of Cape Finisterre. The area is also connected to the Way of St. James; after arriving in Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims ended their journey in Finisterre. Enjoy a traditional lunch in Finisterre before returning to your ship.
A Coruña by Foot
Explore the Old Town of A Coruña during a guided walk through its winding streets.
Historic Sights of Medieval Old Town
Explore the Old Town of A Coruña during a guided walk through its winding streets. Meet your expert guide and set out into the labyrinthine of narrow alleyways in this medieval city. See the exquisite facade of 12th-century Santiago Church, the oldest church in A Coruña, displaying a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Stop to admire views of the harbor at the quaint San Carlos Garden, home to many native and exotic species of trees, as well as a monument to Lieutenant General Sir John Moore who died during the Battle of Corunna in 1809. Pass by the 15th-century St. Barbara Convent and the 13th-century Santa María del Campo Collegiate Church, another Romanesque-Gothic gem, en route to María Pita Square. Gaze at the town hall and and learn about the square's namesake. You will also enjoy delicious typical Spanish tapas, before returning to your ship.
Panoramic A Coruña & Betanzos
Enjoy a scenic sightseeing drive through A Coruña and explore the well-preserved Old Town of Betanzos.
“Crystal City” Sights and Galicia’s Best-Preserved Old Town
Enjoy a scenic sightseeing drive through A Coruña and explore the well-preserved Old Town of Betanzos. Meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive through the “Crystal City,” passing the whitewashed buildings and large glass facades of La Marina Avenue, San Carlos Gardens and San Antón Castle. Stop for photos at the Tower of Hercules, a functioning Roman-era lighthouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the medieval village of Betanzos, resting on an estuary between the Mandeo and Mendo Rivers. Here, stroll its quiet streets, flanked by stately houses sporting traditional balconies and galleries. See the Gothic churches of Santa María do Azougue and San Francisco, the latter recognized as the finest Galician example of the mendicant Gothic style. Afterward, enjoy a refreshing beverage and time to explore more on your own, before returning to your ship.
