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A Coruña, CidadEclipse (A Coruña, Eclipse City)
The city will be the best place in Europe to observe the total solar eclipse on August 12th.
As well as being known as the 'City of Glass', this year A Coruña will be known as the Eclipse City as it is one of the best places in Europe to enjoy a total solar eclipse on August 12th.
The last eclipse of this kind that could be seen from the city was in 1912, and this year A Coruña is again in the totality zone of this astronomical event. The next one is not expected until 2180, which is why thousands of people have already booked this date to visit the city and experience a historic event.
At the same time, two important astronomical conferences will be taking place in A Coruña during that week: the Third Solar MHD Conference and the New Frontiers in Cosmology.
The best spots to see the eclipse
The City Council will organize exhibitions, informative talks, cultural events, and create observation points for this day.
One of these actions has been the development of two interactive public viewers that allow you to check the shadow areas and even the exact point where the sun will be on August 12th during the eclipse.
View the shadow map here.
View the observation point viewer here.
A Coruña is on fire
A Coruña is ablaze for San Juan, a festival that has been designated a Festival of International Tourist Interest since 2015. And it's not just old pieces of wood or unwanted items that are burned, but also bad memories and bad luck.
The thing is, San Juan is a celebration focused on warding off evil spirits and everything that harms us. But we don't want you to stay away; we want you to join our most symbolic festival.
Also known as 'the most magical night of the year', it takes place from 23 to 24 June, and it's traditional to get together with friends or family on beaches, in neighbourhoods or in parks to welcome in the summer (in a more relaxed way).
So, amidst sardines, barbecued meat (churrasco), brona bread and, of course, plenty of music, the people of A Coruña raise a toast to a summer full of joy.
If this is your first San Juan in A Coruña, don't miss these 10 tips to make the most of it (and survive).
1. Leave the car at home
A Coruña is a practical and accessible city, so during the festivities it's best to make your way to a meeting point by public transport or on foot. Bear in mind that several streets will be closed to traffic, so you'll avoid traffic jams (and losing your patience).
2. Head to Riazor-Orzán in the afternoon
Before the beaches fill up with thousands of people and bonfires, we recommend you watch as groups of young people queue to collect firewood provided free of charge by the City Council to build a bonfire. Fancy making your own?
3. Choose a neighbourhood
San Juan is very much a beach festival. And very much a neighbourhood festival too. In many of them, local residents' associations and hospitality businesses join forces to organise their own party. Everyone is welcome, so don't be shy and join whichever one catches your eye (or is closest to you).
4. Enjoy a delicious dinner
The beach makes you hungry, but it's even worse knowing you'll be dancing all night on an empty stomach. In the city's busiest squares and streets, there are places offering menus specially designed for this day, such as grilled sardines with brona bread or churrasco (grilled meat).
5. Watch the burning of the falla
With your stomach full, we invite you to head back to the beaches of Riazor, Orzán or Matadero to let yourself be swept away by the magic and watch the burning of the falla and the subsequent fireworks display live.
6. Jump over a bonfire
If it's your first time, it's best to start with a small one. It doesn't matter where you are (a sandy area, a pavement or a private estate); the important thing is to jump with vigour and do it at least three times to ward off bad luck. By the way, it's most common to jump over the bonfire after the falla has been burned, as that's when they're usually lit.
7. Enjoy a live concert
Live music in the open air can be found in many parts of the city from the afternoon onwards, though a classic spot is the Riazor esplanade (near the Palacio de los Deportes and the stadium) to dance to a well-known band.
8. Lose yourself in the night
A night out in A Coruña is full of stories. If you're into concert venues or nightclubs, this is the city for you. Rock or pop, urban or electronic music... You choose how to end the night.
9. Greet the sun
And if you're one of those people who always 'go all out' when you go out, a good plan is to stick it out until dawn and head home with the streets at your feet.
10. Before going to bed, wash your face
One of the most popular customs in Galicia for San Juan. After leaving the so-called 7 herbs of San Juan to soak overnight, tradition dictates that you wash your face the next day with that water to purify yourself. You can gather the herbs yourself or buy them from a florist in the city the day before.
See you in A Coruña!
Concert schedule
Don't miss the musical schedule of the city.
A Coruña has been the cultural beacon of Galicia for a couple of years now. This is accredited by the numerous programs designed for the public to enjoy exhibitions, museums, plays and, of course, a lot of music.
The city is the place chosen by great national and international artists to offer their concerts, both outdoors and in the Coliseum or in small concert halls.
If you want to visit the city and take advantage of a musical performance, check out our schedule.
Leisure guide
This June, spread out your towel in A Coruña.
The month of change is here. June is the perfect time to get everything ready that we'll be using and enjoying over the summer, which is why here in A Coruña we invite you to spread out your towel and imagine how you'll spend the coming weeks.
Fancy a magical night out? Come and enjoy our San Juan festival, which has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. Fancy trying some new flavours? A Coruña's cuisine is varied and top-notch. Are you a fashion fan and love the latest trends? Discover them in A Coruña. Say goodbye to spring in A Coruña.
Check out our leisure guide to not miss anything!
