2025 Recommended Guides in Santiago de Compostela (Updated September)

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚇 Transportation: not really needed as everything is central 📷 Photo Spots: surely the cathedral! 🍜 Local Cuisine: really good! Octopus is a must try! 🏠 Accommodation: Hotel Compostela: loved it!! 💡 Tips Try to go to the mass in the cathedral at least once and definitely wonder around the city! I got to also enjoy fireworks as I went on national holiday! The hotel: 1000% recommended, the breakfast was delicious and the staff was amazing!

Stop: Parador de los Reyes Católicos, Santiago de Compostela The Parador de los Reyes Católicos is an architectural and historical treasure in Santiago de Compostela, originally built in 1499 as a royal hospital to welcome pilgrims arriving at the city’s famous cathedral. Its design exemplifies Spanish Plateresque style, characterized by intricate stonework, ornate façades, and elegant arches, blending Gothic and Renaissance influences into a harmonious whole. Inside, the building retains its historic grandeur while functioning as a luxury hotel. Courtyards, cloisters, and vaulted ceilings convey the serenity and refinement of its monastic origins, while decorative elements such as carved stone, coffered ceilings, and antique furnishings highlight centuries of craftsmanship. The careful preservation and adaptive reuse of the space allow guests to experience both comfort and historical authenticity. What makes the Parador extraordinary is its seamless integration of history, architecture, and hospitality. For travelers, it offers a stop where the magnificence of late medieval design meets modern luxury, providing a unique opportunity to inhabit a living piece of Spain’s cultural and architectural heritage. #mytraveldiary

The lack of air conditioning was a bit of a challenge. It's cold outside, but the room is a bit stuffy. ㅠㅠ You even have to rent towels. WiFi doesn't work in the room. Other than that, everything else is great. The surrounding scenery is beautiful. The staff are friendly.

#JulyDestinations2025 ⛪Catedral de Santiago de Compostela🌍Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela 🕰️Constructed between AD 1075 and AD 1211 // 📌Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela is located in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site. Legend has it that it was the end of the Way of St. James, and James, one of the twelve apostles, was buried here. ⌛Construction of this magnificent cathedral began in 1075 and was completed in 1211. Blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles, it is one of the most important churches in Santiago de Compostela and one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe. 📜The cathedral consists of a nave, two aisles, a transept, and a choir. The towering bell tower on the exterior is particularly striking, standing 75 to 80 meters high and providing the finishing touch to the church's overall architecture.

#summervacay Okay, so everyone talks about the big cathedral in Santiago de Compostela (and yeah, it’s epic), but this little city’s got more than one holy hangout. Wander just a bit and you’ll stumble into lesser-known churches and mini-cathedrals that are honestly super cool in their own quiet way. Places like Igrexa de San Fiz or the Monastery of San Martín Pinario feel like secret gems. Fewer crowds, more space to soak it all in. They’ve got that old stone, candle-lit, mysterious vibe, and some seriously beautiful altars and ceilings if you bother to look up (you should). The best part? These spots are peaceful. No big tours, no loud cameras clicking, just soft footsteps and old wood creaking under your shoes. It’s like stepping into the past without the chaos. So yeah, don’t just stop at the main cathedral. Santiago’s full of low-key spiritual corners waiting to be discovered. Slow down, take a peek, and enjoy the quiet magic.

#summervacay Santiago de Compostela is one of those places that hits different. Even if you’re not doing the whole epic Camino pilgrimage, the energy here is something else, peaceful, a little emotional, and super charming. The old town? Absolute fairytale. Cobblestone streets, cozy little cafes, and buildings that look like they’ve seen centuries of stories. The cathedral is obviously the star of the show. It’s huge, dramatic, and kinda gives you goosebumps when you see all the tired but smiling pilgrims arriving. Even if you’re just there for the pics, it’s got this wow factor you don’t expect. Food scene? So good. Tapas, Galician octopus, and local wine hit totally different after a day of wandering. And at night, the town is super chill but still alive, street music, cute bars, and that soft glow from the old lanterns. It’s spiritual, it’s historic, and it’s honestly just really pretty. Santiago’s got that slow, soulful travel magic you didn’t know you needed.

Amazing tour of the rooftops of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Tour can be booked in advance online or from the Cathedral Museum, or you can turn up on the day and hope they have a slot. There are lots of steps to climb as you can imagine but well worth it for the amazing views and you will have a guide to tell you about the history. We joined a Spanish tour (I think they have tours in English at certain times if you ask) but there was a qr code given which you could access a pdf version of the information in English. Tickets were 12 euros per adult and the tour lasted an hour, tickets also included entrance to the museum. Our tour was at 12pm so we could hear the pilgrims mass going on inside the Cathedral beneath our feet, which added to the experience.

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip [End of the Pilgrimage] A soul-shaking journey at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral ✨ The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, located in northwestern Spain, is a holy place where travelers from all over the world visit as the end point of the Camino de Santiago (pilgrimage route) ⛪️ The majestic facade and the golden altar inside are impressive. The sight of people praying quietly made me feel like my soul was cleansed. When I actually visited, the whole town was enveloped in kindness to welcome pilgrims, and there was a mysterious atmosphere that healed the fatigue of the journey ✨ Access is about a 15-minute walk from Santiago de Compostela Station. The journey to the cathedral while walking through the old town can also be enjoyed as part of the trip 🚶♂️ 🎯 Tips: Don't miss the ceremony where the cathedral's "Botafumeiro (giant incense burner)" moves! It may not be held on some days, so it is recommended to check the schedule on the official website before visiting. Whether you're traveling alone or as a couple, this is a place you'll want to visit at a turning point in your life. If you want a memorable trip, you definitely can't miss this place ✨ Domestic travel #couples trip #solo trip #absolutely free trip #Spain trip #Santiago pilgrimage #World Heritage Site #Cathedral tour #Journey of the soul

Six years ago, I walked from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Fisterra. I had many feelings, met many good people, and had many stories. I was full of gratitude and thanksgiving. Five years later, I set out again. I arrived in Santiago twice and took a bus to Muxía. I felt the destructive power of tourism culture. Now is a good time for tourism experience. Of course, the classic French road is very endurance-testing to complete the entire 700 kilometers. So if you want a short experience, you can start from Sarria or Palas de Rei, which is about 100 kilometers away from the end. You can also get a certificate. Now the certificate is printed, not handwritten. The process of getting the certificate is simple. It only takes a few minutes. The scene of the long queues in the pilgrim office is no longer there. I originally planned to walk the Northern Road and the Portuguese Road again, but unfortunately the serious commercialization made me lose the motivation to explore and pursue. Note ⚠️Stamp each point, which is the proof of your journey.

If you want to experience authentic history and art in Spain, I recommend a hotel group: PARADORES. This is a state-owned group with 98 hotels and 6,000 rooms. The reason I recommend this is because it is state-owned, and the country integrates tourism resources. Most of the hotels in the group are located in historical sites, and some are in the best natural scenery. In other words, their locations are basically in the most core tourist resource areas. The hotel's design, culture, and service, coupled with the surrounding scenic spots, can reflect the authentic Spanish history and art. Here are a few examples: 1. Parador de Alcalá de Henares: Located in the suburbs of Madrid, it is the hometown of the great writer Cervantes, the oldest university city in Spain, and a World Heritage city. Every year on April 23, World Book Day, the Cervantes Literature Award ceremony is held in the auditorium of the University of Alcalá. 2. Parador de Cuenca: Located in the World Heritage city of Cuenca, about 1 hour away from Madrid by high-speed train. It is the hotel where the current King and Queen of Spain spent their honeymoon. 3. Parador de Ronda: Ronda is located in Malaga Province, Andalusia, southern Spain, the most romantic place in Hemingway's writings. It is the town where the oldest bullring in Spain is located, and it is also built on a cliff. 4. Parador de Santiago de Compostela: A five-star hotel located on the main square where the Santiago Cathedral is located. It is the oldest hotel in Spain and perhaps the oldest hotel in the world. It was originally a pilgrim hospital. 5. Parador de Granada: Excellent location, right in the Alhambra Palace scenic area. Super difficult to book. So having a meal there is also a good choice. 6. Parador de Jaén: Jaén is located in Andalusia and is a famous olive oil producing area in Spain and the birthplace of Sanmao's "José." 7. Parador de Salamanca: The World Heritage city of Salamanca is a famous university city, and the 800-year-old University of Salamanca brings a strong cultural heritage to the ancient city. 8. Parador de Toledo: Toledo is an ancient capital of Spain, not far from Madrid, a World Heritage city. This hotel is very popular. 9. Parador de Segovia: The World Heritage city of Segovia is world-renowned for its ancient Roman aqueduct, Snow White castle, and roast suckling pig. This hotel offers panoramic views of the ancient city. 10. Parador de Mérida: A World Heritage city located on the Spanish-Portuguese border, famous for its ancient Roman ruins. The International Classical Theater Festival is held here every summer in the ancient Roman amphitheater in the ancient city. There are many Paradores hotels, and they are widely distributed. If you think they are very expensive, then you are wrong. In fact, the prices of many of their hotels are quite affordable.

Every year, nearly half of all pilgrims choose to embark on the Camino Francés, a route listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO that now attracts countless modern travelers. UNESCO specifically pointed out: "The most complete pilgrimage infrastructure since the Middle Ages is preserved here." From sanctuaries to Romanesque churches, from shell markers to pilgrim passports, this route uses living tradition to tell you why 800 years later, it is still the most moving choice to the Holy City. 1. The Gate of Faith Above the Clouds O Cebreiro is always shrouded in mist in the early morning. This small village at an altitude of 1,300 meters is the first stop for pilgrims entering Galicia. Pallozas, ancient circular houses made of stone, are scattered on the hillside, with roofs covered with thick thatch, as if time has stopped here. 2. Two roads, one choice Descending from Ocebrero, pilgrims face their first choice at Triacastela: the straight route, which passes through quiet villages, oak forests and pastures along the way, with occasional shepherds slowly driving their flocks. Detour: Turn south toward the monastery of Samos, a sixth-century ancient complex hidden in a valley surrounded by mountains. In the early morning sunshine, the monks' chanting echoed in the corridors, and the shadows of the thousand-year-old cypress trees were cast on the stone walls, as if whispering the weight of history. 3. Underwater Memory Portomarín is a town that has been "reborn". In the 1960s, the entire old city was submerged under water due to the construction of a reservoir. Only a few churches were carefully dismantled, and the stones were numbered and rebuilt on a new site. 4. Knights and Pilgrims The name Palas de Rei translates to ‘King’s Palaces’ and legend has it that it was inspired by a royal palace that was built here in antiquity. Today, this bustling town is an important stopover for pilgrims and includes the remains of the 12th-century Romanesque portico of the church of San Tirso. 5. A pilgrimage on the tip of your tongue The pilgrims’ pace slows down between Melide and Arzúa – the food here is enough to make you forget your fatigue. 6. The final trek Next to the ancient stone bridge of Santa Irene, the 17th century "holy spring" still flows today. It is said that its clear water can cure stubborn skin diseases. Continue on to A Lavacolla, a place whose name is a stark reminder of the medieval tradition of pilgrims bathing here to purify themselves. When the hills of O Monte do Gozo appear on the horizon, it means the holy city is within reach - this is where pilgrims first saw the spire of Santiago Cathedral, where medieval pilgrims would kneel and weep, and where modern travelers would raise their mobile phones to take pictures. Some say that the real magic of the pilgrimage lies not in reaching the end, but in the unexpected encounters along the way - sharing bread with an old German man at dusk in Samos; listening to locals playing guitar and singing folk songs at night in Portomarin; being awakened by the church bells in the early morning in Melide... These fragments are pieced together to form unique memories, and make this thousand-year-old road a "must-go" in everyone's life.

#2024Travel Review Santiago de Compostela, meaning "Santiago of the Starry Fields", is the capital of the Galician Autonomous Region in Spain. Although it has a population of less than 100,000, it has attracted much attention for its profound historical and cultural background. According to legend, James the Great, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, was buried here, making it a pilgrimage site for Catholics. Since the Middle Ages, countless pilgrims have embarked on a journey from all over France to northern Spain via different routes, forming the famous "Way of Saint James". In 1985, the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, which is an affirmation of its unique historical and cultural value. The "Road to St. James" in Spain and France were separately listed as World Cultural Heritage in 1993 and 1998 respectively, further demonstrating the importance and influence of this pilgrimage road. Today, Santiago de Compostela is not only a holy place in the hearts of believers, but also an excellent place for tourists to explore Spanish history and culture. Whether you are strolling through the streets of the ancient city or embarking on the Way of St. James, you can feel the unique charm and long history of this city.

#2024TravelReview Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is the core of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela. It is located in Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the autonomous region of Galicia, Spain. . This place is not only a holy place in the hearts of Catholics, but also the resting place of James, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, attracting countless believers to make pilgrimages. As the end point of the Way of St. James, this church has witnessed the faith journey of countless people. After several expansions, the church incorporates a variety of architectural styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Silversmith and Neoclassical, showing rich historical and artistic value.

address: 📍Address: Spain A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Rúa do Horreo, SUSHI FAFA BUFFET 🏖️Atmosphere/Facilities: Relaxed/simple Chinese restaurant 💰Per capita consumption: Lunch is about 20 euros, dinner is about 25 euros 💞Recommendation reason: Unlimited freshly made Japanese and Chinese cuisine 🕰️Business hours: 12:30-16:30, 20:00-24:00

The LATAM lounge at Santiago airport is located after security and close to the boarding gates. The lounge is very big, with an open bar, hot and cold food options and lots of different wine selections. There are showers and rooms to sleep in too which is perfect if you have a long connection. There is free wifi and plenty of spacious areas to work. The lounge is very quiet and is decorated well too. #travel

I flew from Bilbao in northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela✈️ It was a domestic flight in Spain, so I could have flown on an LCC, but I had a lot of luggage, so I used Iberia🇪🇸 The cabin was compact, but the seats were soft and comfortable☺️ The flight time was about an hour, so it went by in a flash, but as an airplane lover, I enjoyed it very much😏 For domestic travel in Spain, the AVE bullet train is good, but I wish airplanes were also an option✈️ #Traveling with me #Airplanes #Boarding report #Travel in Europe #Spain #Trip to Spain #Spain tourism #Basque #Bilbao

I flew from Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, in northern Spain, to Madrid✈️ The airline I used this time was Iberia Airlines🇪🇸 I came from Japan with a big suitcase, and other LCCs were not very cost-effective, so I chose the reliable Iberia Airlines! Santiago de Compostela International Airport is a small airport, but it is busy with flights from various European cities👥 📍Location: Lavacolla S/N, 15820 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain #Traveling with me #Travel in Europe #Spain #Travel in Spain #Tourism in Spain #Galicia #Santiago #Plane #Airport

Taberna O Gato Negro is a famous bar in the old town of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, northern Spain. In particular, the Galician-style octopus is a tapas that represents this region of Galicia! The octopus was soft and very delicious. While there are few restaurants that have lines, this was a popular bar full of locals. They also have half-size dishes, so it's also recommended for a quick meal by yourself at the counter! 🕰️Business hours: 12:30-15:00, 19:30-23:00 📍Location: Rúa da Raíña, s/n, 15702 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain #Travel with me #European travel #Spain #Spanish travel #Spanish tourism #Galicia #Santiago #Bar #Bar hopping

I went to Alameda Park, a vast park in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, northern Spain⛲️ This park is located on a hill, so you can see the old town and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral👀 It's close to the city center, so I recommend you visit it when you're sightseeing🚶♀️ 🕰️Opening hours: 24 hours 📍Location: Rúa do Campiño da Ferradura, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain #Travel with me #Walk #Santiago #Galicia #Spain #Spain travel #Spain sightseeing #Europe travel #Park

Hotel Rua Villar is located in the old town of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, in northern Spain. The building is retro and classic, but it also has an elevator, so it's recommended for those who have large luggage. This time, I luxuriously chose a room with a terrace! It rained a lot, but it matched the atmosphere of the old town and was a wonderful stay. The hotel staff were also very kind and gave us a lot of tourist information and recommended spots. I would definitely like to stay at this hotel again! 📍Address: Rúa do Vilar, 8, 10, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain #Travel with me #Travel in Europe #Tourism in Spain #Travel in Spain #Spain #Galicia #Santiago #Hotel review

Santiago, Spain: The Holy Land of the Pilgrims # San Diego de Compostela is the capital of the Galician autonomous region of northwestern Spain, and the road to St. James, born in the ninth century, has become synonymous with Santiago. Every year thousands of pilgrims travel from all over the world to Spain or France, and then walk to the last destination, Santiago Cathedral, by foot, bicycle or even horseback riding. Such a pilgrimage is both adventurous and with a sincere heart. There is no doubt that this is an extraordinary trip through Spain. The old town of Santiago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most worth seeing in this millennium city is its magnificent architecture. They are palaces, churches, streets and squares in the old town, most of which were built in the Middle Ages. The most striking of these is the Cathedral of Santiago, a world-famous building that stands on the Ibrahim Square. After visiting this architectural jewel, you can take part in the mass of the pilgrim at 12 o'clock. In the final part of the ceremony, a huge incense burner will fly over the church. Although I am not a Christian, in this sacred moment, I will be touched and my heart will be washed away. I think this is a must for Spain.