Visit Santiago de Compostela

Pilgrims collapsing with joy on the flagstones of the Obradoiro, granite arcades glistening with rain, octopus tapas on Rúa do Franco and lichen-covered baroque façades: Santiago takes two days to discover, whether you arrive on foot after weeks on the Way or by train from Madrid.

Why visit Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia, in north-west Spain, and the goal of the Camino de Santiago since the Middle Ages. Its old town, listed by UNESCO in 1985, surrounds a Romanesque cathedral holding the tomb attributed to the apostle James. 2027 will be a Holy Year, which points to record crowds.

Santiago de Compostela's must-sees

A cathedral with several visits, granite squares and a few food stops, all within walking distance in the old town.

Santiago Cathedral

A Romanesque sanctuary begun in the late 11th century, wrapped in a baroque façade in the 18th. Crypt with the apostle's tomb, the embrace of the statue and a pilgrimage nave.

Portico of Glory

Master Mateo's Romanesque masterpiece completed in the late 12th century, recently restored with its original colours. Access by ticketed visit with a timed slot.

Praza do Obradoiro

A huge granite square facing the cathedral's baroque façade, surrounded by the town hall, San Xerome college and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. The pilgrims' arrival point.

Cathedral rooftops

A guided walk across the stepped granite roofs, between bell towers and domes. You see the city from above and the spot where pilgrims once burned their clothes.

Hostal dos Reis Católicos

A royal hospital founded by the Catholic Monarchs in the late 15th century to shelter pilgrims, now a parador. Its four cloisters and plateresque portal can be partly visited.

Mercado de Abastos

A granite covered market selling seafood, tetilla cheese and Galician vegetables. Some counters cook on the spot the produce you buy from neighbouring stalls.

San Martiño Pinario

A huge Benedictine monastery facing the cathedral's north façade. Its baroque church with gilded altarpieces and its sacred art museum are often overlooked by visitors.

Museo do Pobo Galego

An ethnographic museum in the convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval. Fishing, farming, costumes, and above all a spectacular granite triple spiral staircase.

Parque de Bonaval

A terraced garden laid out on the former convent grounds, with granite walls, oaks and views over the old town rooftops. A quiet break five minutes from the cathedral.

Collegiate Church of Sar

A 12th-century Romanesque church by the River Sar, famous for its steeply leaning columns. Its small cloister and museum are a 15-minute walk from the centre.

What to discover in Santiago de Compostela, district by district?

The zona vella around the cathedral

The old town fits into an oval about a kilometre long, built entirely of granite. The cathedral is framed by four squares with different moods: the Obradoiro, the most monumental, the Inmaculada to the north, the Quintana to the east with its Holy Door, and the Praterías to the south with its horse fountain. Allow a full day for the cathedral, its museum and these squares. Come back at night, when the lighting brings out the carvings and musicians play under the arches of the Xelmírez Palace.

Rúa do Franco and Rúa do Vilar

These two parallel streets running south from the Obradoiro gather taverns, tapas bars and restaurants. Rúa do Franco is the realm of pulpo á feira, paprika octopus served on a wooden board, and Padrón peppers. Rúa do Vilar, lined with arcades, houses the tourist office. Galicians lunch between 2 and 4 pm and rarely dine before 9 pm: many kitchens close in between. The lunchtime menú del día remains the most affordable option.

San Pedro and the pilgrims' arrival

The French Way, the busiest route, enters the city via Rúa de San Pedro and the Porta do Camiño. Just above, the former convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval houses the Museum of the Galician People and its 17th-century triple spiral staircase, next to the Galician Centre for Contemporary Art designed by Álvaro Siza. Bonaval Park, a former convent cemetery, offers a quiet break. Allow half a day, and visit the museum on a weekday to avoid groups.

The Alameda and the Ensanche

West of the old town, Alameda Park has been the locals' favourite promenade since the 19th century. Its Paseo da Ferradura offers the classic view of the baroque Obradoiro façade, best in the late afternoon. Beyond lies the Ensanche, a more commercial and less touristy 20th-century district where accommodation and restaurants are often cheaper than in the zona vella, 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the cathedral.

Mount Gaiás and the City of Culture

On a hill to the east, about three kilometres from the centre, the City of Culture of Galicia is a vast complex designed by architect Peter Eisenman, its roofs rippling like a scallop shell. A library, archives, a museum and temporary exhibitions are grouped there, within a wooded park. Reach it by city bus or a 15-minute taxi ride. Allow two to three hours, ideally in dry weather, as the walk through the park is part of the visit.

Towards the ocean: Finisterre and the rías

Cape Finisterre, about 90 km west, long seen as the end of the known world, extends the pilgrimage for many walkers; the kilometre zero marker awaits there. To the south, the Rías Baixas, about an hour's drive, are the land of Albariño and seafood. A Coruña is around thirty minutes away by train. To reach Madrid, the high-speed line takes just over three hours. Allow a full day for each trip to the coast.

Frequently asked questions about Santiago de Compostela

When can you see the botafumeiro in action?
The giant censer is swung at certain solemn celebrations and religious feasts, as well as at some masses, especially during a Holy Year. The schedule varies: check the cathedral's official website for planned dates and arrive well ahead, as the nave fills up fast.
How many kilometres must you walk to earn the Compostela?
At least the last 100 km on foot or on horseback, or the last 200 km by bike, with a credencial bearing two stamps a day on that stretch. On the French Way, this means in practice starting from Sarria.
Why is 2027 a Holy Year in Santiago?
A year is a Holy Year, or Compostela Jubilee Year, when 25 July, the feast of Saint James, falls on a Sunday. This is the case in 2027. The cathedral's Holy Door then stays open all year, and visitor numbers rise sharply.
Can you go up on the cathedral rooftops?
Yes, on a paid guided tour starting from the Xelmírez Palace. You walk across the granite terraces between bell towers and domes, with a unique view over the Obradoiro and the city's roofs. Places are limited, so book in summer and during the Holy Year.
Where is the best view of the Obradoiro façade?
From Paseo da Ferradura in Alameda Park, in the late afternoon when the light hits the façade. On the square itself, lie down on the flagstones like the pilgrims, or stand under the arcades of the Raxoi Palace to frame the whole scene.
What should you order at the Mercado de Abastos?
Buy seafood, cockles, razor clams or prawns from the stalls, then have it cooked at one of the market counters offering this service. Add some tetilla cheese and a glass of Albariño. Come in the morning, as the market closes in the early afternoon most days.
Can you visit Finisterre on a day trip from Santiago?
Yes, about 90 km separate them, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by car or a little more by bus. Combine the cape with Muxía and its sanctuary by the rocks. Stay for the sunset over the Atlantic, but check the time of the last bus back.
What happens in Santiago on 24 and 25 July?
It is the Feast of the Apostle, the high point of the city's festivities. On the evening of the 24th, a big fireworks show lights up the Obradoiro façade; on the 25th, Galicia's national day, a solemn mass and events take place across the city. Hotels are fully booked.

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