The Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela is most famous for being the final destination on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. For hundreds of years, floods of wayfarers have untaken the gruelling journey here, all aiming to finish in Compostela where it’s believed the relics of Saint James the apostle lie in the Cathedral.
There are plenty of interesting things to do in Santiago de Compostela and whilst a large proportion of the city’s visitors are pilgrims, you don’t need to have walked St. James’ Way to enjoy this historical capital. If you’re looking for the top attractions in Santiago de Compostela, take note.
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13 Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
1. Explore the Old Town (Casco Antiguo)
Like many historical European cities, Santiago de Compostela is divided into two districts: the Old Town and the New Town. The labyrinth of old granite streets has long been held in high esteem and Casco Antiguo, which spans from south of the cathedral right to the Plaza de las Platerías, was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status back in 1985.
2. Admire the Cathedral
The beating heart of Compostela is undoubtedly the cathedral. This spectacular Romanesque- style building looms large over Praza do Obradoiro, the central square in the city. The architecture is a marvel of design and you can easily lose hours examining the intricacies of the structure.
Don’t miss the Pórtico da Gloria, the main gate of the cathedral. It’s considered to be one of the finest examples of Romanesque design in the entire country. Also, be sure to check out the Holy Door which is only opened during Holy Years. It is believed that all those who pass through the door will be absolved of their sins.
3. Go on a Free Walking Tour
One of the first things that I do when I arrive in a new city is to look up the nearest (and best) free walking tour. These guided tours, run by locals, will lead you around the area on foot, introducing the city and providing a little background to the place that you are visiting.
Walking is a great way to discover a new place and in bigger cities, there are usually tours throughout the day which allows you to be flexible with your plans. In my opinion, you get a better experience on a free tour because the guide knows they need to pull out all the stops for their tips.
Top tip! Make a free walking tour one of your first activities in any new city. This means that you will have time to take advantage of any insider tips or destination recommendations during your visit.
4. Visit the Museum of Pilgrims
Even if you haven’t walked the Camino, this museum is still a must-visit on your Santiago de Compostela trip. The city has been hugely shaped by the pilgrimage and the Museum of Pilgrims allows you to discover the origins of El Camino and how it’s evolved over the years.
General admission is around €2.40 which is cheaper than a pint of beer! Not bad when you can easily spend a couple of hours inside – and that is without visiting the guest exhibitions.
5. Sample Galician Cuisine
If you have visited other places in Spain already, you will know they are a nation of foodies. Santiago de Compostela is located in the region of Galicia, which has its own unique cuisine when compared to other areas in the country.
Tapas is a great introduction to the fare on offer. These hot or cold appetizers provide the perfect opportunity to try the food if you have no idea where to start with the menu.
Don’t miss ‘Pulpo a la Gallega’, an octopus dish commonly flavoured with paprika and olive oil and served with sliced potatoes. It is the region’s most famous plate. Wash it down with a big glass of ‘Tinto’ (red wine). After all, when in Galicia!
If you’re a lover of almonds, make sure you try ‘Tarta de Santiago,’ a type of cake commonly eaten in and around Santiago de Compostela. Dating back to the Middle Ages, this cake can be easily identified in bakery windows – look out for the cross of St. James (cruz de Santiago) imprinted on top.
6. People Watch at Praza do Obradoiro
The main square in front of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a truly beautiful spot. The surrounding buildings are imposing and the architecture is elaborate. The square is also home to the KM-0, the official endpoint of all the Camino routes.
While Obradoiro Square (also known as Plaza del Obradoiro in Spanish) is a wonderful place to snap photographs of the Cathedral, the biggest joy comes from watching the pilgrims at the end of their journey. Much like the opening scene of Love Actually, an hour spent at Praza do Obradoiro really does demonstrate that love that is all around.
7. Attend Mass at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Whether you’re religious or not, attending Mass in the grand Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an experience you’re unlikely to forget. The most sought-after experience is to witness the swinging of the Botafumerio, the famous metal incense burner (censer) which hangs in the cathedral.
During this ritual, the Botafumerio is swung from the ceiling, bellowing out incense. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral prides itself on housing one of the largest censers in the world. Although the Botafumerio is not swung at every Mass, it is always swung on St. James Day (25th July). When this occasion falls on a Sunday, it is considered to be a Holy Year.
If you are keen to witness this spectacle firsthand, check the pre-determined schedule on the Cathedral website. Aside from these special occasions, the decision on whether to swing the burner is based on the volume of donations received.
8. Visit the Cathedral Museum
If you’re not yet cathedral-ed out, head to the Cathedral Museum for a dose of history. The in-house collection is full of important exhibits, paintings, tapestries and other items. It is also where you can find the cathedral library, full of various historical documents and volumes.
9. Get a Massage
After walking potentially hundreds of miles, it is fair to say that your feet might feel a little tender. Therefore, it’s no great surprise that Santiago de Compostela is a great place to get a massage. You don’t need to be a pilgrim to enjoy a bit of relaxation therapy though!
Most of the massage places in the city offer reasonable rates for a very high-quality experience. After finishing the Camino Frances, I had my heart set on a massage which I am pleased to say, did not disappoint!
10. Buy a Souvenir
The Old Town is characterised by not only its idyllic, winding streets but its colourful characters. Musicians, artists and street vendors all frequent Compostela’s streets and you can pick up a whole range of souvenirs for a steal of a price.
Selling everything from jewellery to clothes and even scallop shells (the official symbol of the Camino de Santiago), you’ll find a souvenir to take home with you.
12. Stop by San Martiño Pinario Monastery
This monastery is the second largest in Spain and makes for a very interesting visit. Founded in the 9th century, most of the original medieval structures have crumbled, meaning what you see today is largely a rebuild of the monastery, dating back to around the late 15th century. This impressive monastery is best known for its baroque features.
11. Have a Picnic at Alameda Park
Parque de la Alameda is a beautiful green space within the city. This shaded retreat is a great place to escape the sun’s rays and chill out for a while. For a budget-friendly activity, grab a bottle of wine and pack yourself a picnic.
The supermarket is the best place to stock up as it is significantly cheaper than the bakeries or local cafes. A decent bottle of wine from the local area will set you back just a few euros. As well as being a wonderful space in which to relax, the park also boasts spectacular views of the Cathedral. Don’t forget your camera!
13. Take a Day Trip
Santiago de Compostela is a major transport hub in Galicia. It is widely serviced by buses and trains and several beautiful towns and cities are located a short distance away.
As such, the city is a great base for exploring wider Galicia. Cape Finisterre, Muxia, Lugo and Leon are all popular day trips for those wanting to see more of Spain.
Buses heading to Portugal also leave the city regularly and Porto can also be done on a day trip from Compostela. It takes around two and a half hours to reach Portugal’s second city.
Although most of the visitors to Santiago de Compostela find themselves in the city after walking the Way of St. James, it’s an incredible destination in its own right. There are heaps of things to do in Santiago Compostela and the city has long been of huge religious importance, cementing a colourful and fascinating history.
Aside from its links with Christianity, Compostela is a hub of Galician culture and a wonderful place to explore the region’s gastronomy scene. Unbeatable restaurants sit on every corner, offering mouthwatering dishes and catering to a wide range of budgets. If Santiago de Compostela is a stop on a wider tour of Spain, it also doubles up as a great base, with fantastic transport links to other parts of the region.
What other Santiago de Compostela attractions would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below!
