For hundreds of years, visitors to Santiago de Compostela (pop. 94,000) have arrived with sore feet, aching shoulders, and tears of joy. As the final stop on the Camino de Santiago, an 800km pilgrimage through northern Spain that ends in the cathedral housing the remains of St. James, this bewitching city brims with life. The city, which developed parallel to the Camino, is rich with symbols honoring the pilgrims’ presence, from cross-emblazoned pastries to scallop-shell jewelry. But the city is not merely a pilgrims’ post—Santiago is a rich and rewarding destination for all who pass through its streets. The contagious excitement of pilgrims and students gathering in countless tapas bars, the smell of sweet almond cakes, and the eerie strains of Celtic bagpipes and flutes fill the city’s crooked Baroque streets from night ‘til the dawn light.
Flights: Aeropuerto Lavacolla, 10km toward Lugo. Buses leave for the airport from the bus station and the C. Doutor Teixeiro (6:40am-10:30pm, €1.55). Schedule in the daily El Correo Gallego (€0 ...more
Santiago centers around Pr. de Obradoiro and the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral marks the center of the old city, on a hill above the new city. The train station is at the southern end ...more
The liveliest and most popular rooms are on R. do Vilar and R. da Raíña. Youthful celebration may filter up into your room if you are staying in the old city, so consider staying in another part of the ...more
Santiago’s restaurants are worth the trek, but be wary of exorbitant prices. Rúa da Raíña is the best street for delicious, affordable meals, and Rúa do Franco has excellent tapas bars. Rúa do Vilar ...more
From the southern Praza das Praterías, recognizable by the sea horse, enter the cathedral through the Romanesque arched double doors. To the west of the cathedral, the Pórtico Real and Porta Santa face ...more
Many begin the night by hopping from one tapas bar to another. The best street for tapas is Rúa do Franco, with popular options including A Taberna do Bispo (Franco, 37), Casa Rosalía (Franco, 10), and ...more
The local newspaper El Correo Gallego (€0.75) and the free monthly Compostela Capital list art exhibits and concert information. Consult any of three local monthlies, Santiago Días Guía Imprescindible ...more
The northern part of the Rías Baixas hides undiscovered hamlets frequented only by pilgrims. These small towns make good daytrips from Santiago, although buses in this area tend to make frequent stops ...more
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
Foursquare
Newsletter
RSS Feed
Overview