Santiago de Compostela Travel Guide: Your Complete Guide to Spain’s Pilgrimage Capital
After completing your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, you’ll probably want to rest and enjoy the city you’ve walked so far to reach. While you might not want to walk much more, there are countless ways to explore this magnificent city in a relaxed manner. Read on and make the most of your stay in this incredible Santiago de Compostela travel guide.
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the Galicia province and the endpoint of numerous pilgrimage routes. The old city center breathes history on every street corner and is truly worth visiting for that reason alone. I’ve been there several times now, and each time I love walking through the old streets of the historic inner city.
Why Does Santiago de Compostela Mark the End of These Pilgrimages?
In the impressive cathedral at Praza do Obradoiro lie the mortal remains of the apostle James. The Camino is also called the Way of St. James. This has made Santiago de Compostela a place of pilgrimage for believers and pilgrims to journey to.
Santiago de Compostela is not only a pilgrimage destination but also a vibrant university city. With approximately 100,000 inhabitants, about one third of the population consists of students, giving the city a youthful and dynamic atmosphere year-round.
What to Do and See in Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral – The Crown Jewel
A visit to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is an absolute must in any Santiago de Compostela travel guide. You can do this by attending the pilgrims’ mass, which takes place daily at 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM. During the mass, there’s always a chance that the impressive Botafumeiro, the world’s largest incense burner, will swing through the cathedral.
The Botafumeiro in the cathedral is truly an experience. To see the Botafumeiro “swing” through the cathedral, €500 must be paid. This is done regularly by groups of pilgrims who arrive.
After the mass, you can walk under the main altar and see the crypt with the relics of St. James. Then you walk upstairs to place your hands on the shoulders of the old statue of St. James. From here, you also have a view back into the cathedral. The cathedral is pure splendor and magnificence and definitely worth visiting.
If you want to visit the cathedral, it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance. They are often still available a few days before your visit. Do you also want to see the old town with a guide? Then book the Cathedral & Old Town ticket.
Praza do Obradoiro – The Heart of Santiago
After your pilgrimage, you’ll arrive at this lively square. The atmosphere is always positive and filled with joy from all the pilgrims celebrating the completion of their pilgrimage. The cathedral naturally draws all attention, but also look behind you at the Pazo de Raxoi and Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos.
This hotel is said to be the world’s oldest hotel, and you can stay here! See how beautiful it is.
Other squares around the cathedral are also definitely worth visiting, including Praza das Praterias – the square with the fountain with horses.
When you stand here, you can feel small next to the enormous cathedral building and the stairs leading up to walk along the cathedral. The stairs alone are about 20 meters wide… If you go to the evening pilgrims’ mass, you’ll use the cathedral entrance from this square.
Explore the Historic Old Town
The historic city center of Santiago de Compostela is a labyrinth of narrow streets, charming squares, and historic buildings. Squares like Praza da Quintana and streets like Rua do Vilar invite you to stroll and discover.
If you enter Santiago de Compostela via the Camino Frances, you’ll walk through the beautiful street Rua de San Pedro. This has beautiful shops and coffee houses. It’s just outside the old city but definitely worth exploring more closely.
Parks and Green Spaces
Parque da Alameda
For a beautiful view of the cathedral and old city, Parque da Alameda is the ideal place. The park offers shaded paths, fountains, and the colorful statue “As Duas Marias” – a tribute to two sisters known for their daily walks through the city.
On the other side of the city, you’ll find another beautiful park where you can walk around and enjoy some peace and quiet at the edge of the old city. This park borders the Museum do Pobo Galego, giving you views of this museum’s beautiful building.
Museums to Visit in Santiago de Compostela
Museum do Pobo Galego
I visited this folk museum, and I can recommend it if only for the beautiful staircase inside. Almost everything is labeled in Galician, and the app to read it in English didn’t work, which was unfortunate. The building, a former monastery and church, is beautiful just to walk through and see. The museum also shows the background and culture of Galicia.
Pilgrimage Museum
There’s also the pilgrimage museum, located in Casa Gotica, a beautiful building in the old center. I haven’t visited this one yet.
Experience Local Culture
Explore Mercado de Abastos
The Mercado de Abastos is the second most visited place in the city after the cathedral. I honestly don’t understand this. It was nice to walk around briefly, but I find the streets of the old city much more appealing than this market hall.
In the market halls, you’ll find an abundance of local products, from fresh seafood to artisanal cheeses. It’s the perfect place to taste Galician cuisine or buy souvenirs.
The market is situated in an old building connecting several halls. You can walk through wonderfully and see everything clearly. Many locals shop and eat here. I saw large round breads from which cake-like pieces were cut and sold. They looked absolutely delicious!
Cidade da Cultura
You can see it from afar – a beautiful but distinctive and modern building. It’s located quite far from the city, and since I’ve always been here on foot, I haven’t visited it yet. I read that not everything is occupied yet, but there are beautiful performances and museums to visit.
Dive into Local Gastronomy
Go for a great meal in the old inner city of Santiago. The streets Rua do Franco and Rua da Raina are known for their lively bars and restaurants where you can enjoy local gastronomy. In the afternoon, you can sit on a lovely terrace in the old city and enjoy the bustling center with pilgrims still arriving or other pilgrims looking for souvenirs.
Modern Santiago: Ensanche District
Besides the old historic center, Santiago de Compostela also has a completely new part of the city, Ensanche. This lies between the old center and the station. Here you’ll find larger chains and luxury stores, but also trendy coffee shops and restaurants. I went there briefly to visit the small Decathlon and ate at an Indian restaurant.
Oh, and which restaurant can I really recommend? When it comes to Spanish cuisine, I’m a barbarian… so I went for the Japanese Ramen at Ramen Okaeri on Rua das Orfas. I’ve eaten the vegetarian ramen there multiple times – I found it absolutely delicious!
Food Recommendations
- Japanese Ramen at Ramen Okaerei
- Hotel Costa Vella Coffee Shop: Looking for a nice coffee stop in the old center? Check out Hotel Costa Vella. It’s a hotel, but you can sit wonderfully in their coffee shop. They have a lovely garden with terrace, and in good weather, it’s a perfect spot.
- Mercado La Galiciana: You can also choose to go to Mercado La Galiciana, an indoor market hall where you can choose from various cultures to eat. If you’re in a group and everyone wants something different, this is naturally a perfect option.
Where to Stay in Santiago de Compostela
Want to really pamper yourself after a long pilgrimage or during your city trip to Santiago de Compostela? Choose the small-scale hotel The Tailors Garden. A beautiful place in the center, just a few minutes’ walk from Praza do Obradoiro. This hotel also offers a lovely garden with views of the cathedral towers. Super stylishly furnished with your own room and modern bathroom.
Hotel Santiago Plaza Affiliated by Melia
This is a nice hotel but outside the old city and on the other side of the station. I always recommend this hotel to my pilgrims because they often arrive late, and the next day we take the bus to our starting point. This hotel is close to the bus and train station.
I find this a really nice hostel, located 5 minutes’ walk from the cathedral. You have your bed behind a curtain with walls, giving you real privacy. Power outlet, shelf, and lamp within reach behind the closed curtain. Good mattress and made bed, except for sheets. But you also get a nice towel.
I see that I can only book apartments online, but if you contact them, you can also reserve a bed. And from the dormitory, you have a view of the cathedral!
Also a great hostel where I’ve stayed multiple nights. They offer small rooms with 4 beds, a spacious locker where your entire bag fits, and each room has its own bathroom. Outside the bathroom is an extra sink, handy for brushing your teeth. This hostel is just outside the old inner city.
Getting to and from Santiago de Compostela
Unfortunately, there aren’t year-round direct flights to Santiago de Compostela. If you want to fly to Santiago, you’ll connect through Madrid or Barcelona. Only later toward summer can you fly directly with Vueling. From Brussels, there are direct flights available earlier.
Keep in mind that Vueling is a budget airline, and sometimes flights are simply canceled without them offering a good alternative. Unfortunately, several pilgrims experienced this in May 2025.
Taking the bus to Santiago airport costs only €1 and is easy to take. The return trip also runs for you. You can take it from the bus station but also closer to the old center.
Conclusion
Santiago de Compostela offers much more than just the end of a pilgrimage route. This Santiago de Compostela travel guide shows that whether you’re a pilgrim or simply a traveler interested in history and culture, this magnificent city has something for everyone. From the breathtaking cathedral and historic squares to modern attractions and excellent gastronomy, Santiago de Compostela provides an unforgettable experience that combines centuries of history with vibrant contemporary life.
The city’s unique atmosphere, created by the constant flow of pilgrims from around the world, makes it unlike any other destination. Take time to explore beyond the main things to do in Santiago de Compostela and discover the hidden corners that make this UNESCO World Heritage city so special.
Safe and Healthy Travel is a part of Zinvol Reizen
Jacomijn loves challenges: a pilgrimage, meditating for 10 days or slow travel. Her latest adventure? Setting up Zinvol Reizen and organising inspiring trips. Will you join her?
