Plaza Maria Pita: tours and tickets

Plaza Maria Pita is a huge square in A Coruña surrounded by arcades, townhouses and the grand City Hall. Right in the middle, you’ll spot the statue of the city’s heroine, María Pita, after whom the plaza was named. She’s famed for rallying the townspeople during the English attack of 1589, helping turn the tide of the battle and earning her a lasting place in local history. The square has been the city’s main meeting point ever since and still feels like the natural heart of A Coruña.

Plaza Maria Pita is the perfect spot to slow down for a while. You can grab a coffee under the arches, browse little boutiques selling Galician crafts, ceramics, jewellery and local delicacies like the sweet almond cake tarta de Santiago or classic empanadas. You can also duck into the side streets that lead straight into the old town, where you’ll find tiny art galleries like Galeria Monty4 and Galeria Vilaseco, cosy wine bars and plenty of places to browse and wander. As evening rolls in, the square gets even lovelier, with warm lights and buzzing restaurant terraces. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a concert or festival, as the square hosts plenty throughout the year.