Why visit Santiago de Compostela?

Are you planning to travel to Santiago de Compostela? We can help you. At My Top Tour, you will find updated information on what to see, where to stay, and the best places to eat.

Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, was declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 due to its monumental and heritage value, as well as being the final point of the famous pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago. The city is characterized by its monasteries, pilgrim hospitals, churches, stately homes, and historical squares. It has been attracting visitors and travelers from around the world for centuries.

The city offers a wide range of cultural attractions with a total of sixteen museums. It is also renowned for its contemporary architecture, which can be admired in buildings such as the City of Culture of Galicia. On the other hand, the popular festivals of Santiago are well-known and unique in the world.

The gastronomy of Santiago is excellent. The dishes that can be tasted in bars, restaurants, and taverns showcase the quality of Galician products such as seafood and cured meats. The Santiago cake, octopus “a la gallega,” and gratinated scallops are popular dishes that must be tried when traveling to Santiago de Compostela. The varied Free Tours and Guided Visits allow you to experience all these aspects of a unique city in the world.

Here are some essential places to visit during your stay in Santiago de Compostela:

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1986, is an outstanding example of Romanesque art and the key point of arrival for the Camino de Santiago. Inside the cathedral is the tomb of Apostle James, a place of great significance for Christianity.

Another well-known element of the Cathedral is the Portico of Glory, located at the western entrance. It is a unique piece of Peninsular Romanesque art that has undergone various restoration processes. Access to the Portico is limited. To complete your visit to the Cathedral, do not miss the Museum, where you can explore the city’s history as well as the Cathedral’s.

Schedule:

  • Every day from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

How to get there?

  • On foot: head towards Plaza del Obradoiro
  • By booking our transfers
  • Bus: Lines 6A, 1, and C2
  • Car: nearby parking at Parking Saba Estación Tren Santiago de Compostela

Hostal de los Reyes Católicos

The Hostal de los Reyes Católicos is one of the most emblematic buildings in Santiago de Compostela. This historic establishment was founded by the Catholic Monarchs in 1499 to accommodate pilgrims who completed the Camino de Santiago. Currently, this Gothic-style building is classified as a Parador de Turismo (luxury hotel). It preserves interesting spaces and corners, such as its 16th-century reja (grille) façade, inner courtyards, and the Chapel of Enrique de Egas. In addition to visiting, you can also stay in this hotel filled with beauty and history.

Schedule:

  • Always open. Access may be restricted at times.

How to get there?

  • On foot: head towards Plaza del Obradoiro
  • By booking our transfers
  • Bus: Lines 6A, 1, and C2
  • Car: nearby parking at Parking Saba Estación Tren Santiago de Compostela

Plaza del Obradoiro

Plaza del Obradoiro is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world. It is surrounded by the city’s main monuments of various architectural styles, including the Cathedral, Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, Palacio de Gelmírez, and Colegio de San Gerónimo. Each of these monuments represents the figure of Apostle James in different forms.

You can explore the most touristy part of Santiago de Compostela practically without leaving the square, which makes it very accessible to visit these monuments. The name of the square comes from “los obradoiros,” referring to the workshops of stonemasons who worked here when the Cathedral façade was being constructed. It is in this square where they stored the necessary materials for its construction.

In the Plaza del Obradoiro, you will find a plaque considered the “kilometer 0” for pilgrims, as it is the point of arrival for the various paths that lead to the Apostle.

How to get there?

  • On foot: head towards Plaza del Obradoiro
  • By booking our transfers
  • Bus: Lines 6A, 1, and C2
  • Car: nearby parking at Parking Saba Estación Tren Santiago de Compostela

Museum of the Galician People

The Museum of the Galician People is located in the former Santo Domingo de Bonaval Convent. The museum showcases different cultural and historical aspects of Galicia. It can be explored through five different itineraries related to the sea, countryside, trades, places, and everyday objects of Galician society.

In addition to its collections, the museum highlights:

  • Its triple helical staircase, a symbol of this place.
  • The area corresponding to the Church, where the remains of illustrious Galicians rest, including those of the poet Rosalía de Castro.

Schedule:

  • Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Sundays and holidays: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

How to get there?

  • On foot: head towards Costa de San Domingos.
  • By booking our transfers.
  • Bus: Lines 6A, 1, 5, and P3.
  • Car: There are nearby parking options.

Mercado de Abastos

The Mercado de Abastos (Market of Supplies) in Santiago de Compostela is the second most visited place in the city, only surpassed by the Cathedral. It is an ideal place to taste local products and also to stroll and explore one of the most spectacular corners of Santiago de Compostela.

The most remarkable feature of the market is its architectural layout, both inside and outside. The stalls of fresh products are also unique, offering typical local items such as shellfish, fish, meats, cheeses, and vegetables. It is recommended to visit the famous nave 5 of the market, dedicated to gastronomy, where you can taste high-quality products. You can also visit the famous Viñoteca do Mercado or dine in the outdoor area.

Schedule:

  • Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

How to get there?

  • On foot: 5 minutes’ walk from the cathedral.
  • By booking our transfers.
  • Bus: Lines 1, 5, and 6A.
  • Car: Parking Saba Estación Tren Santiago de Compostela.

Convento de San Francisco

The Convento de San Francisco (San Francisco Convent) is one of the most popular places in Santiago de Compostela. It is a Franciscan monastery founded in the 13th century, commemorating the pilgrimage of St. Francis of Assisi to Compostela. It features Baroque and Neoclassical elements, with highlights such as its cloister and atrium, where the Monument to San Francisco is located.

A part of the convent is dedicated to tourist accommodation, known as Hotel Monumento de San Francisco, a four-star hotel and one of the most luxurious in the city. In its facilities, in addition to what has been mentioned, you will also find the Albergue Juan XXIII and the Juan XXIII Cultural-Social Center, where pilgrims stay and enjoy various social, cultural, and artistic activities.

Schedule:

Every day: 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

How to get there?

  • On foot: head towards Plaza del Obradoiro, it is located 150 meters from the Cathedral.
  • By booking our transfers.
  • Bus: Lines 6A, 1, and C2.
  • Car: nearby parking at Parking Saba Estación Tren Santiago de Compostela.