The Global Solo Challenge –  A Coruña

The staggered departures of the Global Solo Challenge, which will take place from the end of August to December 2023, present the chance to explore a location that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime: the city of A Coruña, the start and finish port of this round-the-world challenge.

There is no need for an excuse to visit the beautiful A Coruña, but as host of a non-stop solo round-the-world sailing event — the Global Solo Challenge — it is even more inviting.

What more can you ask for from a city bathed in the untamed Atlantic, which combines the greenery of its surroundings with the blue of the sea and has an urban centre full of magic? Well, much more than anyone can imagine.

The city, where no one feels like a stranger, offers spectacular landscapes and views of the Atlantic Ocean that will help you disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether arriving by car, plane, or after a pleasant sea journey, this city with a salty taste never disappoints.

The 30 sailors expected to take part in the Global Solo Challenge already have the opportunity to enjoy their new home in Marina Coruña and its surroundings, while preparing their boats for their departure.

A weekend or short break in A Coruña to see one of the departures will give you an opportunity to experience the city with all five of your senses.

The Global Solo Challenge is the ideal excuse to enjoy A Coruña. Leave the boat well moored and your car well parked: A Coruña is a city best enjoyed on foot.

If you decide to travel there by boat, you will be astounded by the stunning scenery of Portus Magnus Artabrorum (bay of A Coruña), which will welcome you with open arms. It has a history of providing a safe haven for sailors seeking refuge from the storms that frequently batter the north west coast of Spain.

The Tower of Hercules will guide you to the modern Marina Coruña.

A visit at sunset to this lighthouse is a must, as it is the oldest functioning Roman lighthouse in the world (built in the first century A.D.), has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also the third tallest lighthouse in Spain (55 meters). From there, you can head to the Aquarium Finisterrae.

In A Coruña, a new adventure awaits you at every turn; start by crossing its seafront promenade to reach the old city or “Ciudad Vieja”. Its medieval and baroque streets will transport you to another era. You can’t miss churches like the Iglesia de Santiago or the Colegiata de Santa María do Campo. Other noteworthy buildings include Casa de Rosala de Castro or Casa de Maria Pita (both are open to visitors) or Pazo Cornide, headquarters of the Royal Galician Academy, an institution dedicated to the study of Galician culture and especially the Galician language. Other stops include the Luís Seoane Foundation, with contemporary art and culture exhibitions, or the beautiful Azcárraga square, with the Fountain of Desire at its centre.

If you are a true sea lover, after a visit to the Tower of Hercules, you should head towards the promenade and the Orzan beach, one of the favorite spots among local surfers.

You won’t have a hard time finding magnificent restaurants in this city, where you can indulge in some of the best seafood dishes of incomparable quality. Along with the six Michelin-starred restaurants (2022) in the province of A Coruña, there are a large number of small eateries where you can savor freshly caught seafood from the fish markets, the delicious scallop pie, octopus a la gallega, or hearty stews that will satisfy anyone’s palate — just to mention a few local specials that will not fail to impress you.

Anyone who hasn’t yet been to A Coruña should schedule a visit. The Global Solo Challenge’s staggered starts, from August to December, are the ideal excuse to be part of this incredible adventure whilst feeling at home in this mesmerizing seaside city.