Santiago de Compostela

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Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela has been a centre for culture and scholarship for centuries, most famous for being the end destination of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage: El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James. Being the capital of the Galician region in north-western Spain, everyday life in Santiago is modern and chic. Awarded recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1985, Santiago de Compostela is a historical gem and one of the most impressive cities in Spain.

The City

You don't have to be a pilgrim to enjoy the wonderful city of Santiago. Its historic centre is widely accepted as one of the most beautiful old towns in Spain, if not the world, and it is where visitors wish to spend most of their time. Wander through narrow streets among ancient stone buildings and be greeted by history at every turn. Santiago is considered to be one of the spiritual capitals of Christendom, on par almost with Jerusalem and the Vatican. The city has been shaped around the spot where the relics of the disciple James – Santiago – are said to be found in a field almost 1,000 years ago, sparking the religious pilgrimages in the Middle Ages. But Santiago has a modern side to it as well. It is home to over 40,000 students that breathe fresh life into the city, giving it lively nightlife and strong cultural and artistic tones. Add to that hip shopping and an innovative culinary scene, and you have one of northern Spain's most interesting and beautiful destinations.

Do & See Dining Cafes Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

This old city in the north east of Spain has a lot to offer. The 40,000 students that live here make the city what it is today, a lively and modern metropolis set among an Old Town teeming with history. Santiago is a unique blend of old and new, with innovative art and culture and a fascinating history of pilgrimage, visible on every corner.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

The final destination for pilgrims travelling the Camino de Santiago is the Cathedral, with the tomb said to contain the remains of the apostle James. This beautiful Cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in the region, and for good …

Botafumeiro

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela has one of the world’s biggest incense burners, used at the pilgrim’s mass held most days at noon. Priests tie the "botafumeiro" censer to ropes at the end of the mass and lift it all the way up to the ceiling with burning …

Audio Walks

Get lost in the maze of stone that is Santiago's old town with a guided tour of the historical centre. Audio Walks are the best way to discover the city at your own pace. You can rent an MP3 player at the tourism …

Museum of Pilgrimage

The Pilgrimage Museum (Museu das Pergrinacións) offers great insights into the city’s fascinating history. The initial building was known as the "Gothic House", but it was modernised in the 20th century. The meticulous exhibits detail how the city has evolved over the centuries as a consequence of the …

The Alameda Park

Parque de la Alameda is one of the city’s oldest and most beloved parks. Relax in the green spaces and enjoy beautiful monuments as well as some of the best views of the historic town …

Monastery of San Martiño Pinario

Just opposite the Cathedral you can find the "Hospederia", a 16th century monastery founded by the Benedictines. It is possible to stay at the monastery, or simply enjoy the beautiful architecture, and if you happen to be visiting between Tuesday and Thursday, be sure to join one of the guided …

Plaza de Cervantes

The small Plaza de Cervantes is one of the most iconic sights in Santiago, dating as far back as the 12th century. It remains a popular meeting point and important centre for city life, surrounded by shops and …

Galicia Contemporary Art Centre

The Galicia Contemporary Art Centre showcases some of the best modern art exhibits in the region, hosting works by both Galician and international artists, including Moncho Amigo and Knut Asdam, as well as always evolving temporary …

City of Culture of Galicia

The City of Culture of Galicia is a hub of culture located to the southeast of Santiago de Compostela where you can find numerous stages, exhibits and museums with ever-changing shows, performances and displays of the best of contemporary art and culture in …

Monte do Gozo

Just outside the city lies Monte do Gozo, the place where pilgrims could first catch a glimpse of their final destination, the spires of the Cathedral. Needless to stay, the views of the city from up here are remarkable, and the significance of the hill makes it an important visit in …

Museo do Pobo Galego

Museo do Pobo Galego documents the past and present of the Galician people in numerous fine exhibits dedicated to the sea, the land, music, art, architecture and everyday Galician …

Mercado de Abastos de Santiago

Get a taste of Galicia at this traditional indoor and outdoor market. Vendors sell all manner of local produce including meats, cheeses, fruit, vegetables, and wines, as well as …

Monte Pedroso

A granite summit easily reached from Santiago, Monte Pedroso is a popular hiking spot which offers stunning views of the palatial city of Santiago. Keep an eye out for spiral-like engravings close to the Summit, which date back to the Stone and Bronze …

Museo Centro Gaiás

This massive exhibition space is a pleasant 3km walk from the city centre. Its surface area of more than 16,000 square metres facilitates large scale, high-quality exhibitions in a bright and airy space. The Museum is free to enter and there is a cafeteria-restaurant on …

Dining

As the region’s capital, Santiago is the hub for Galician culinary experiences. Seafood is one of the main specialities and some of the best offerings can be found on Rúa do Franco as well as Rúa do Vilar. Besides fresh fish, local specialties include charcoal-grilled meat, cured ham and beef and other cold meats like chorizo, salchichón and morcilla. Local cheeses include Cebreiro, Arzúa, Tetilla and San Simón.

O Curro da Parra

O Curro da Parra is one of the best traditional restaurants in Santiago. The menu features Galician specialities, which means that seafood features prominently, as well as tapas and smaller meals and a perfectly chosen wine …

A Curtidoria

A Curtidoria serves top-notch fine dining at reasonable prices, showcasing some of the region's best cuisine and wine culture, as well as international and fusion dishes to match any taste, catering even to vegetarians. At only 100 metres from the cathedral, rice is the protagonist of this restaurant offering the best use of Galician …

La Tacita d'Juan

Conveniently located in the centre of Santiago, stylish La Tacita d'Juan offers an extensive menu with different dishes like soups (including the regional speciality, caldo gallego), salad, fish and much …

A Casa da Viña

A Casa da Viña offers an interesting mix of typical regional cuisine and international dishes, including, for example, sushi, as well as wonderful desserts. As the name suggests, they also have a wide selection of local and imported wines from which to …

La Cavita

La Cavita is a modern restaurant in the heart of Santiago de Compostela. Here you can enjoy creative and modern takes on hearty comfort food like hamburgers, meat and sandwiches, among many more, as well as tasty drinks in a very stylish …

La Tagliatella

La Tagliatella has been serving authentic, high quality Italian cuisine in the Santiago area for over 20 years. The menu includes fresh pastas and salads, crispy pizzas and calzoni, and juicy steaks, among many other options. And if you want to enjoy the city after dinner, don't forget that it is located 10 minutes …

China Ming

China Ming has over 30 years of experience of serving fresh and authentic Cantonese food, including spring rolls, noodle soup and grilled prawns, using locally sourced produce. It is especially popular among families and students, probably because it offers the traditional dishes of the Asiatic cuisine, but also new meals to …

Casa Marcelo

Keep in mind not to have eaten much before you enter Casa Marcelo. The gourmet menu comprises ten dishes that can only be enjoyed fully if you are really hungry. There is an open kitchen which gives you a unique insight to the …

Restaurante San Jaime

If you are looking for a peaceful and elegant place to enjoy a good meal, Restaurante San Jaime is hard to beat. With a big cafeteria, a stunning terrace, the costumers can enjoy their means in a very unique atmosphere. The view of the Cathedral is breath-taking, and the menu delightfully varied, focusing mainly …

O Curro da Parra

Intimate and elegant, O Curro da Parra lies in the heart of Santiago de Compostela, offering creative contemporary Galician cuisine. The seasonal set menus are highly recommended, but everything on the menu is sure to …

Casa de Xantar O Dezaseis

O Dezaseis is one of Santiago's foremost exponents of traditional Galician cuisine, famous for their superb polbo á grella (grilled octopus). The restaurant's setting is memorable, in a cellar with stone walls, beams and old farm gear decorating the intimate …

Maria Castaña

A good rule of thumb to find the best food in a new city is to find the place most enjoyed by locals. Maria Castaña is that place in Santiago. Closed to the Cathedra, this restaurant will offer you the best octopus prunes and fish on the market, together with a very professional …

Cafes

Small enough to be strongly influenced by its university, Santiago de Compostela revels in a continuously refreshed influx of youthful energy and creativity that treats the grand stone structures as the most magnificent stage. Wander the streets of Santiago and rest your legs at one of the cosy cafés over a hot cup of coffee.

Jardín Café Costa Vella

This café, being part of the hotel by the same name, also welcomes non-guests for a relaxing break. Here you can sit down in a beautiful garden surrounded with pleasant views and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a light snack, a cup of coffee, a cup of cappuccino, a cup of latte …

O Rei Do Bocadillo

This is a very popular place among locals, serving tasty and healthy fast food. A "bocadillo" in Spain is essentially a sandwich or a baguette, sliced in half, filled with cold cuts, Serrano ham and Spanish Chorizo sausage, among other …

Paraíso Perdido

Paraíso Perdido is a café with a truly unique atmosphere that has to be experienced first hand. They are said to serve the best coffee in town, as well as the best churros and hot chocolate, making it wildly popular among both locals and …

Café Casino

The appropriately named Café Casino is housed in a former casino whose story dates back to 1873. Since 200 Café Casino represents a public environment, offering an elegant and extremely popular place that serves high-quality coffee and small snacks and desserts, together with a cultural space dedicated to music with a big piano that …

Cre Cottê

Cre Cottê is a fantastic creperie and restaurant located on historic Praza da Quintana in a centuries-old building, complete with stone arches, monumental fireplaces and lots of charisma. Besides sweet and savory crepes, they also offer other meals, such as pasta and meat, as well as a good selection of …

Café Tertulia

Café Tertulia boasts pleasant indoor and outdoor seating, with a lovely street-side terrace, perfect for people watching and a hot cup of coffee or an evening cocktail. If you are a coffee person, you cannot miss the unique mix coffee + croissant served in this cosy place. Food is exceptional as …

Café Venecia

Winner of numerous awards and renowned for the quality of its coffee, Café Venecia is a Santiago institution. The menu features some delicious sweets, including the famous pastel de natas, as well as some savoury options. …

Café-Bar Paris

Known as much for its delicious home-cooked meals as for its shabby charm, Café-Bar Paris is well loved in the city. The walls are almost crumbling, but that's part of its appeal, effortlessly combining a run-down look with refined cuisine and plenty of …

Bars & Nightlife

The Old Town of Santiago is full of lively bars, and the best way to fully enjoy your night out is to go from bar to bar, trying different drinks and talking to the people you meet. The university ambience in Santiago de Compostela makes the nightlife of the city very active, and the over one thousand years of pilgrimage from all over the world has given the nightlife a mix of cultural influences.

Fuco Lois

Meters away from the great cathedral you can find this quaint and rustic pub (one of the oldest in the city), famous for its caipirinhas, mojitos and sangria and with a penchant for classic rock, blues and jazz, often featuring live …

Pub Modus Vivendi

Something of a hidden gem, Pub Modus Vivendi is easy to miss, but worth looking for. Situated in the stables of an XVIII century country house, the atmosphere is very much alive, featuring frequent live music and DJ's. From coffees, teas, infuses, mojitos, fresh beers to special liqueurs, you will find everything you …

La Borriquita De Belém

This bar is an absolute must if you want to admire the passage of several generations in it. Opened in 1971, La Borriquita De Belém offers sweet mojitos, caipirinhas and Andalusian wines to sip while enjoying live jazz and Bossa Nova. Some nights there are flamenco performances to heighten the mood even …

Chocolate.

Located in the best sorroundings offered by the city, Chocolate boasts some of the best drink in town, with a great selection of still and sparkling wines and expert mixologists preparing fantastic cocktails (gin-based drinks are something of a house …

Pub Momo

Although it's worth visiting any time of year, summertime is when Pub Momo is at its best, thanks to its beautiful garden terrace, a unique space in the city centre that offers unequalled views. The bar has different areas and ambiences and serves some of the best cocktails in …

Embora Bar Musical

As the name suggests, Embora Bar Musical is a bar and live music performance venue with a wide artistic and cultural offering. It also boasts a small but pleasant terrace where guests can enjoy their beer, wine or speciality …

Shopping

Santiago de Compostela has two particular local crafts – silverware and a black gem called jet stone, used for jewellery and amulets. The shops in the area around the Cathedral has a good selection of these and of other handicrafts. The rest of the Old Town is full of shops of all kinds. The streets or ’Rúas’ Nova, Vilar, San Pedro, Caldeirería, Preguntoiro and the squares Toural and Cervantes, along with the ones surrounding the cathedral, are the main shopping areas in the old town. You can find international brands, prestigious Spanish franchises, Galician fashion, food shops and gift shops, among many other offerings.