Santiago de Compostela, Spain: travel guide
The granite end of the Camino pilgrim route in Galicia
Galician pilgrimage city and end of the Camino, its granite old town crowned by a Baroque-Romanesque cathedral.
About Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the Galician city where the Camino de Santiago ends, and pilgrims arrive footsore at its great cathedral square. Its granite old town, often damp and silvery in the rain, has a calm, scholarly feel.
The cathedral, with its Baroque façade and the Praza do Obradoiro, is the focal point. Close by are the Praza da Quintana, the Monasterio de San Martín Pinario and the Mercado de Abastos, where Galician seafood is the draw. The Cidade da Cultura de Galicia on a nearby hill adds modern architecture.
Santiago suits pilgrims, walkers and food lovers. Spring and early autumn are the best time to visit Santiago de Compostela, though rain is always possible.
- Country
- Spain
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
- Nearest airport
- SCQ
Last updated
Plan a Santiago de Compostela trip
Top places to visit in Santiago de Compostela
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Church · about 1.5 h · free entry
Great Romanesque-Baroque cathedral, goal of the Camino, holding the shrine of St James.
Colexio de Fonseca
Heritage · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Renaissance courtyard of the old university with a peaceful cloister and garden.
Convento de San Francisco
Monastery · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Franciscan monastery founded per tradition by St Francis on his Camino pilgrimage.
Praza do Obradoiro
Heritage · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Monumental square framed by the cathedral, town hall and pilgrims' hostel.
Hostal dos Reis Católicos
Heritage · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
1499 pilgrims' hospital, now a parador, one of the world's oldest hotels.
Mercado de Abastos
Market · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Galicia's liveliest food market for seafood, cheese and produce.
Parque da Alameda
Nature · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Central park with the classic postcard view of the cathedral spires.
Museo do Pobo Galego
Museum · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Galician folk-life museum in a convent with a famous triple-helix staircase.
Monasterio de San Martín Pinario
Monastery · about 0.8 h · entry €4 (≈ ₹430)
Vast Baroque Benedictine monastery facing the cathedral.
Cidade da Cultura de Galicia
Cultural · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Peter Eisenman's sweeping hilltop complex of libraries and museums.
Praza da Quintana
Heritage · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Atmospheric stepped square behind the cathedral with the Holy Door.
Things to do
- Cathedral & Rooftops Guided Tour Cultural · 2 h · from EUR 25 per person
- Old Town & Camino Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from EUR 15 per person
- Galician Food & Wine Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from EUR 60 per person
- Finisterre & Costa da Morte Day Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from EUR 55 per person
- Cidade da Cultura Architecture Visit Cultural · 2 h · from EUR 12 per person
Day trips and tours
- Santiago & Finisterre Day Tour 9 h · from EUR 90
Where to stay in Santiago de Compostela
- Casco Histórico about EUR 110 per night
Granite old town around the cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro.
Hotels
- Parador Hostal dos Reis Católicos 5-star · EUR 220 to EUR 520 per night
- Hotel Palacio del Carmen 5-star · EUR 150 to EUR 340 per night
- A Casa da Fonte 3-star · EUR 80 to EUR 160 per night
- The Last Stamp Hostel 2-star · EUR 18 to EUR 60 per night
- Hotel Compostela 4-star · EUR 95 to EUR 200 per night
Where to eat
- Casa Marcelo Galician, Fine Dining, Fusion · about EUR 90 per person
- O Gato Negro Galician, Spanish, Tapas · about EUR 20 per person
- A Curtidoría Galician, Modern, Spanish · about EUR 38 per person
- Mesón O 42 Galician, Seafood · about EUR 30 per person
- O Filandón Galician, Tapas · about EUR 18 per person
- Café Casino Cafe, Dessert, Spanish · about EUR 9 per person
Getting to Santiago de Compostela
Airport: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Walking
More in Spain
Frequently asked questions about Santiago de Compostela
- What are the main places to visit in Santiago de Compostela?
- Places covered in our Santiago de Compostela guide include Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Colexio de Fonseca, Convento de San Francisco, Praza do Obradoiro, Hostal dos Reis Católicos.
- Where should I stay in Santiago de Compostela?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Santiago de Compostela: Casco Histórico.
- How do I get around Santiago de Compostela?
- Ways to get around Santiago de Compostela covered in our guide: City bus, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Santiago de Compostela?
- The nearest airport to Santiago de Compostela has the code SCQ.