Here’s how to make the most of your one day in Santiago de Compostela! Renowned as Spain’s premier pilgrimage destination, Santiago de Compostela is a city like no other in Northern Spain. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and spiritual significance, it’s a place everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. 

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One day in Santiago de Compostela: Visiting Spain’s Pilgrimage City

Santiago de Compostela is world-renowned as the final destination of the legendary El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. It is located in the north of Spain, in the region of Galicia. Beyond El Camino, the city is rich in history and will surprise you with its stunning architecture. The Cathedral of Santiago tops the list of iconic landmarks and important religious sites in Spain.

Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting

Walking El Camino de Santiago is one of the bucket-list experiences in Spain, and the city of Santiago de Compostela belongs to any Northern Spain itinerary. It is absolutely worth visiting even if you don’t plan on walking El Camino.

Inspiring books about El Camino de Santiago
Inspiring books about El Camino de Santiago

What is the legend of Santiago de Compostela

Before visiting Santiago de Compostela, I recommend you checking out books about El Camino de Santiago and learning more about the historical significance of the city. I will leave for you a very simplified and brief recap of Santiago´s legend:

The name Santiago comes from the Apostle Saint James, who traveled to northwestern Spain, known by the Romans as Finis Terrae (end of the world), to preach Christianity. After returning to Palestine in 44 A.D., he was imprisoned and executed by Herod Agrippa, but his disciples secretly took his body to Spain, where he was buried in a hidden spot. In 813, the hermit Pelayo heard music and saw a light in the woods, leading to the discovery of the Apostle’s tomb. The place was named Campus Stellae, later Compostela. King Alfonso II declared Saint James the patron of his kingdom, while also building a chapel at the site. Pilgrims began following El Camino de Santiago (or the Way of Saint James), and the chapel eventually became Santiago de Compostela‘s cathedral. By the 12th and 13th centuries, the city flourished, so Pope Alexander III declared it a Holy City, like Rome and Jerusalem and Pope Calixtus II granted pilgrims who visited during the Holy Year forgiveness of sins.

So, Santiago de Compostela and El Camino are both associated with miracles, inspiring stories of healing, and finding inner peace.

one day in santiago northern spain
Parador de Santiago – Hostal dos Reis Católicos in Santiago de Compostela

Where to stay in Santiago de Compostela

You can find hotels or hostels to fit any budget on the map below. My dream plan for Santiago de Compostela was to stay in a historic building, so we booked Parador de Santiago – Hostal dos Reis Católicos, located right on the city’s central square. The hotel also had a parking service, so we did not need to worry about finding places to leave the car. At times, it truly felt like we had time-traveled to the Middle Ages.

How to get to Santiago de Compostela

Many pilgrims arrive in Santiago de Compostela on foot. Nevertheless, the city has a train and bus connection with all the major destinations in Spain, usually via Madrid (it takes approximately 5 hours by train from the Spanish capital).

In my case, we were visiting Santiago de Compostela for a day by car as a part of the Northern Spain and Portugal road trip over the Easter week. But I am sure it is not my last time in the city, since I plan to walk El Camino next year.

How many days to stay in Santiago de Compostela

For me, one day in Santiago de Compostela was enough to see the city and its cathedral, but I would definitely recommend to stay around for 2-3 days to explore the region via day trips.

one day in santiago de compostela spain north
One day in Santiago de Compostela – The Cathedral at night

Weekend in Santiago de Compostela

Since Santiago de Compostela is a well-known end point of the famous pilgrim route of El Camino de Santiago many travelers simply visit the city for a day. Nevertheless, a weekend in the city is a better match for spending 24 hours in Santiago and then exploring the region via day trips.

In our case, after enjoying the full day in Santiago de Compostela, we also visited Finisterre. The full region of Galicia is known for some of the most stunning cliffs in Spain, but Finisterre is extra-special since it was considered “the end of the world“ during the Roman era in Spain. Nevertheless, there are lots of other cool day trips from Santiago de Compostela you might enjoy (see the list at the end of this post).

Top Things to do in Santiago de Compostela in 24 hours

1. Visit the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Whether you’re a pilgrim finishing the El Camino or a visitor drawn to the history of Spanish monasteries and cathedrals, there’s no day in Santiago de Compostela without exploring its iconic Cathedral. I can clearly understand why this place is the highlight for many travelers. I am not Catholic, but I felt something special, even hard to put into words, inside this monument.

The Cathedral is located in the heart of Santiago de Compostela‘s historic center, at Praza do Obradoiro. It is open year-round, but the hours vary depending on the season and specific events (usually from 7 am to 9 pm, check the details on the official website). I highly recommend visiting it first thing in the morning. The main Pilgrim’s Mass is usually held at 12:00 pm daily, with travelers waiting in line in advance. Due to the limited capacity, once the cathedral gets full, they do not let anyone in.

Access to the main Cathedral is free, but certain parts of it require entry tickets, like the Cathedral Museum, Rooftop, and Pórtico da Gloria (12th-century Romanesque entrance that has recently undergone extensive restoration). Currently, you can also request the free Portico entrances 7 days in advance here.

Even if you’re not religious, the energy and tradition of Santiago de Compostela´s Cathedral make it truly captivating.

visiting santiago de compostela cathedral
The stunning Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

2. Explore the Old Town & Taste Local Food

The charming Old Town of Santiago de Compostela (Casco Antiguo) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a beautiful area full of narrow, cobblestone streets, historic buildings, quaint cafes, and artisan shops.

One of the most famous streets in the city, Rua do Franco, is known for its tapas bars, and restaurants. It is a great place to enjoy a coffee with a traditional pastry Tarta de Santiago (a local almond cake). The best bakeries to buy it are Casal Cotón and Pastelería Suevia.

Here you can also visit a few popular local restaurants, like A Noiesa Casa de Comidas, Petiscos do Cardeal, and Meson 42. Another beautiful venue with a courtyard is O Sendeiro (located 15 mins away from the Cathedral).

Top local dishes to try in Santiago de Compostela are pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus, also called pulpo a feira), empanada gallega ( a savory pie, filled with tender onion, pepper, tomato, tuna, and egg), lacon con gredos (a meat dish made with turnip greens and ham hock), caldo gallego (Galician broth), and merluza gallega (Galician hake). Thanks to the Atlantic coast, Galicia is a popular destination to enjoy fresh seafood: top must-tries are vieiras, percebes, mejillones, cigalas etc. The most famous local cheese is queso de la tetilla.

A great place to shop for Spanish food souvenirs in Santiago de Compostela is the market Mercado de los Abastos.

one day in santiago de compostela old town
The Old Town of Santiago de Compostela

3. Visit the museums of Santiago de Compostela

Two cultural must-stops during any day in Santiago de Compostela are The Museum of Galician People and Monasterio de San Martin Pinario. Additionally, there’s a modern art center in the city – Centro Galego de Arte Contemporanea.

Another popular place in Santiago de Compostela is Alameda Park, a beautiful green space just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town.

monastery santiago de compostela spain
Monasterio de San Martin Pinario

4. Best Tours in Santiago de Compostela

A great way to make the most of your day in Santiago de Compostela is to book a tour with a local guide:

monuments in santiago de compostela
A day in Santiago de Compostela – Monument to San Francisco

1-day Itinerary for Santiago de Compostela

You can explore this 1-day itinerary for Santiago de Compostela by checking out my Google Maps here.

Day Trips from Santiago de Compostela

If you are planning to stay in Santiago de Compostela for more than one day, there are several unique day tours that will allow you to explore the stunning beauty and rich history of the region. Whether you’re interested in nature, culture, or history, these tours offer a great way to experience the diverse landscapes and landmarks that surround this iconic city. Here are a few recommendations to make the most of your visit:

one day in santiago de compostela finisterra
Finisterre, known by the Romans as “the end of the world“

Santiago de Compostela in winter

If you are visiting Santiago de Compostela in winter, do not miss:

Santiago de Compostela from Portugal

Right after spending the day in Santiago de Compostela, we headed to Oporto / Portugal. So, many travelers actually do it all the way around and visit Santiago de Compostela on a day trip from Portugal:

Even though Santiago de Compostela is mostly associated with the Camino pilgrimage, this unique city has a lot to offer to any traveler: from its historic cathedral and picturesque Old Town to delicious Galician cuisine and unique day trips.

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one day in santiago de compostela travel guide

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