Routes · Europe

Auckland to Galicia: Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña

Auckland → Santiago de Compostela → A Coruña

Pilgrim city & Atlantic coast Best season (general guide): May–Sep

Galicia, in north-west Spain, is green, rainy and Atlantic in character, with its own language and a great seafood tradition. This route spends three nights in Santiago de Compostela and three in A Coruña. From Auckland you'll need two or more connections, usually via Asia or the Gulf and Madrid.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Santiago de Compostela: day one, the cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro; day two, old town and the food market; day three, day trip to the Costa da Morte. Then spend days four to six in A Coruña: day four, train to A Coruña, then the waterfront; day five, Tower of Hercules; day six, beaches and the old town.

Santiago de Compostela is the end of the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route followed for centuries across Europe. Its cathedral, said to hold the remains of Saint James, faces the vast Praza do Obradoiro, where pilgrims arrive. UNESCO lists the old town, built of granite.

Food markets and tapas bars around the old town are full of Galician seafood. Pulpo a la gallega, octopus with paprika and olive oil, is the classic dish.

A short train ride north reaches A Coruña, a seaside city on a peninsula. Its seafront houses have glass galleries that catch the light, and long promenades run around the coast past beaches such as Riazor.

The Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse still in use, stands on a headland outside the city. UNESCO lists it as the only Roman lighthouse of its kind still working.

May to September is the driest and warmest time, although rain is possible in any month.

In Santiago, the cathedral squares are calm early in the morning before pilgrims and tour groups arrive. Pack a light rain jacket for Galicia in any season.

Good to know: Trains link the two cities quickly. A car helps for the Costa da Morte, a wild coast of cliffs and lighthouses west of Santiago. Lunch is the main meal and is eaten late.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.