Coruña Local Customs

In Galicia two languages are spoken, Galician and Spanish. Unlike other parts of Spain with two languages, most people do speak Galician. The situation in Coruña is the opposite however with most people using Spanish. In general, some Spanish will be helpful to you. Educated and younger people are able to use both languages correctly but even if they don't, this won't cause you any trouble.
Coruña is called "A Coruña" in Galician, "La Coruña" in Spanish, "A Corunha" in Portuguese, "La Corogne" in French, "Corunna" sometimes in English.
"A" or "La" is the article "The" and it is translated in Spanish as it is the common use after too many years to count, and as "a" is also a preposition in Spanish, making it confusing. Just like in New York Spanish-speaking people always say "Nueva York", or like London becomes "Londres" in French and Spanish, "Londra" in Italian, or like Helsinki is officially named Helsingfors in Swedish, in this city (CORUÑA) however, this simple issue pushes unfortunately many, many people's buttons. To avoid any controversy, just say "Coruña".

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The flags of Galicia have a long and interesting history. The modern day flag with the single blue bar and the recently created Nunca Mais flag following the oil spill that caused so much damge to the coastline, fortunately, no long term effects that can be seen.

We found a strange bar in the Centre just off the Calle Andres, with legs of cured ham hanging from the ceiling! and barrels and barrels of local wine! A strange place to be drinking jugs of strong local wine from soup like bowls, but the equivalent of 20p a bowl!