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 & El Camino
Santiago de Compostela is famous worldwide as the final destination of the legendary Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, which I finally got to walk this year with my parents. This experience made revisiting the city even more special.
In this post, I’ll share everything I loved about the city and recommend places not to miss, from museums and bookshops to restaurants. While this wasn’t my first time visiting Santiago de Compostela, as I had already explored the city on previous road trips around northern Spain, walking the Camino made this visit feel even more special. I also got to discover new experiences that I had missed on my earlier visits.
The Cathedral of Santiago, in particular, stands as one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks and important religious sites. Built between 1075 and 1211, it has one of the most spectacular facades I’ve seen in my entire life. Its museum also houses one of the most impressive collections of Catholic art I’ve ever seen, making Santiago de Compostela a great match for art and history lovers.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit the city every year. For reference, when I was walking the Camino in mid-September, we checked the Pilgrim’s Office website, which was expecting around 3,600 pilgrims that day. And these were only those who had preregistered to receive the Compostela certificate!
The life of Santiago de Compostela definitely revolves around the pilgrims, but I would say that these days, only some of them are Catholics walking the Camino as a religious experience. Many others come in search of spiritual solitude, a personal challenge, or a cultural experience that allows them to discover the region.
Before visiting Santiago de Compostela, I highly recommend diving into books about the El Camino de Santiago to better understand the rich history and significance of both the city and its iconic cathedral. Walking the Camino is deeply intertwined with stories of miracles, healing, and personal transformation.
Where to stay in Santiago de Compostela
You can find hotels and hostels to fit any budget on the map below. My dream plan for Santiago de Compostela was to stay in a historic building, so on one of my first visits, we booked the Parador de Santiago – Hostal dos Reis Catolicos, located right on the city’s central square. The hotel also offered parking, so we didn’t have to worry about finding a place to leave the car. At times, it truly felt as if we had travelled back to the Middle Ages!
On my second visit, when we arrived in Santiago as pilgrims, we stayed at Nest Style Santiago, which offered great value for money. It wasn’t right in the old city center, but it was located in the shopping district, around a 15-minute walk from the cathedral.
You can check out all the hotels we stayed at along the Camino Frances in 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.
It is located in the heart of Santiago de Compostela‘s historic center, at Praza do Obradoiro. The cathedral 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 require separate tickets, including the Cathedral Museum, the Rooftop, and the Pórtico da Gloria, a 12th-century Romanesque entrance that has recently undergone extensive restoration.
During my first visit to the city, I only explored the cathedral itself. Keep in mind that you may be asked to open larger bags, and huge backpacks are not allowed inside. Even my medium-sized Level8 backpack was initially a problem! If it had been fully packed, they wouldn’t have let me in, but since it was almost empty, they asked me to open it, checked the contents, and allowed me to enter.
On my second visit, I wanted to explore more and went to the Cathedral Museum, which impressed me with its collection of religious treasures. It’s definitely worth visiting if you love ancient Catholic art (you can get a glimpse of the collection in my IG Reel!).
Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit the Pórtico da Gloria straight away, as all the available slots for the next few hours were fully booked. And this was on a Monday in September! Currently, you can also request the free Portico entrances 7 days in advance here.
This time, after completing the Camino, I also felt inspired to join the long queue to Embrace the Apostle Saint James. To my surprise, the line moved quite quickly, and despite my initial scepticism, I have to admit that I felt a strange sense of peace and relief after embracing the statue.
Also, if you’re Catholic, you can usually find priests inside the cathedral in the morning (typically between 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.) offering confession in several languages, including Spanish, English, German, and French.
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.
Where to Eat in Santiago de Compostela
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 in Santiago de Compostela are Tartas LESTEDO, Casal Cotón and Pastelería La Perla. You can find more ideas for sweet food souvenirs to bring home from Spain in this post.
In the old town area you can also visit a few popular local restaurants, like A Noiesa Casa de Comidas, Petiscos do Cardeal, Meson 42, and O Sendeiro (located 15 mins away from the Cathedral).
Another thing we loved about Santiago on our second visit was that, unlike in much of Spain, where lunch and dinner times are practically sacred, some restaurants in the city stay open all day. This makes perfect sense, considering that pilgrims arrive throughout the day, often hungry and outside the usual Spanish meal times! Two places we particularly enjoyed on our second visit were O Piorno and La Garita, both great options when you don’t want to plan your day in Santiago de Compostela around traditional lunch and dinner hours.
Food and Food Souvenirs in Santiago de Compostela
Top local dishes to try in Santiago de Compostela are pulpo a la gallega or pulpo a la peregrina (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 its Atlantic coast, Galicia is a popular destination for enjoying fresh seafood. Some of the top must-tries include vieiras, zamburiñas, percebes, mejillones, cigalas, and more.
The most famous local cheeses include queso de tetilla and queso de Arzua. You can read more about the best Spanish cheeses in this post.
One of my favorite local wines from Galicia is Albariño, a white wine that pairs perfectly with seafood dishes (like Mar de Frades). You can read more about my favorite Spanish wines in this post.
A great place to shop for Spanish food souvenirs in Santiago de Compostela is the market Mercado de los Abastos.
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.
I can’t believe I’m saying this after visiting the city more than once, but I still haven’t managed to visit the Museum of the Galician People! I had no idea it existed during my first visit, but on my second, after completing the Camino Frances, we tried to visit it on a Monday, only to discover that it was the one day of the week when the museum was closed. So, I’m taking this as a sign that I need to return to Santiago de Compostela!
Another popular place in Santiago de Compostela is Alameda Park, a beautiful green space just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town.
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. However, let me warn you to do this in advance, as Santiago de Compostela is a busier destination than you might expect.
Beyond the pilgrims arriving after walking the various Camino routes, the city also attracts travelers exploring northern Spain on road trips, and some even visit on a day trip from Portugal.
During my second visit, it was a Monday in mid-September, yet the central square felt as busy as a Sunday across the rest of Spain! In winter, when the Camino season is quieter, the city is more peaceful, but from May to October, Santiago de Compostela can be busy on a daily basis.
- Santiago: City Tour with Cathedral of Santiago Entry Tickets (check availability)
- Santiago de Compostela: Private Guided Tour (check availability)
- Santiago: wines, liqueur, Tapas tasting, Live music (check availability)
- Santiago Gastronomic Day Tour (check availability)
- Santiago de Compostela: Pilgrim For a Day (check availability)
1-day Itinerary for Santiago de Compostela + Map
You can explore this 1-day itinerary for Santiago de Compostela by checking out my Google Maps here.
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).
Taxi Problems at Santiago de Compostela Airport
The only thing I would warn you about is Santiago de Compostela Airport, which seems to have been experiencing quite a few flight cancellations lately. As I shared in my Camino vlog, our flight had to make an emergency landing in Vigo instead of Santiago de Compostela.
Another thing to keep in mind is the taxi situation. Uber and other ride-hailing services are not allowed to pick you up on demand at the airport, so you have to rely on local taxis. Unfortunately, there don’t seem to be enough of them when a plane arrives. We ended up waiting in line for more than two hours to get a taxi!
The taxi situation was also one of the worst I’ve experienced in Spain. During my visit, there was a fixed fare of €23 from the airport to the city centre, while the return journey could cost slightly more, around €26-27, if you called a taxi to your hotel, with an additional charge for hotel pickup. However, some taxi drivers might try to overcharge you, taking advantage of international travelers who aren’t familiar with local fares or failing to turn on the taximeter. We also had independent drivers approach us while dropping off other passengers and offer to take us to the city for three times the price.
I hope the situation improves, but next time, I’ll probably book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups, as I did in Gran Canaria. It’s twice as expensive as a regular taxi, but if it saves me two hours of waiting and the stress of dealing with potential scams, I think it’s worth it!
How many days to stay in Santiago de Compostela
One day in Santiago de Compostela is enough to get a glimpse of the city and its cathedral, but I’d highly recommend staying for 2–3 days to explore the surrounding region on a few day trips.
Especially if you’re walking the Camino and arrive in the afternoon, consider staying overnight so you have time to collect your Compostela certificate and enjoy the city at a slower pace.
Weekend in Santiago de Compostela
On my first visit to Santiago de Compostela, I took a day trip to Finisterre, known for its spectacular cliffs and stunning coastal scenery. But Finisterre is particularly special because it was once believed to be the “end of the world” during Roman times.
Had I visited during the summer months, I would definitely have included a trip to the Cíes Islands – one of Spain’s most protected national parks, where the Romans believed the gods lived. Access to the Cíes Islands is only allowed in the summer (and occasionally during Easter holidays, though it’s best to double-check availability here as spots fill up quickly, especially over Easter). You’ll need to request official permission, as local authorities limit the number of visitors each year.
That said, there are plenty of other fantastic day trips from Santiago de Compostela, which I’ll mention at the end of this post.
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:
- From Santiago: Finisterre, Muxia & Costa da Morte Excursion (check availability)
- From Santiago de Compostela: La Coruña and Betanzos (check availability)
- Rías Baixas: Guided Day Tour from Santiago with Boat Ride (check availability)
- From Santiago: Rías Baixas Galicia Seafood & Wine Day Tour (check availability)
What is the legend of Santiago de Compostela
For those of you curious about the Camino experience, the legends and miracles associated with it, and what has been bringing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela for centuries, here are a few historical details worth knowing.
The name Santiago comes from Saint James the Apostle, who, according to tradition, travelled to northwestern Spain, then known to the Romans as Finis Terrae (the end of the world), to spread Christianity. After returning to Palestine, he was imprisoned and executed by King Herod Agrippa in 44 AD. Legend has it that his disciples secretly transported his body back to Spain, where it was buried in a hidden location.
Centuries later, in 813, a hermit named Pelayo reportedly witnessed mysterious lights and heard music in the woods, leading to the discovery of Saint James’s tomb. The site became known as Campus Stellae, often translated as “Field of the Star”, which is traditionally associated with the name Compostela.
King Alfonso II of Asturias declared Saint James the patron saint of his kingdom and ordered a chapel to be built at the site. Pilgrims soon began travelling there along what became known as the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James. Over time, the original chapel developed into the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela we can visit today.
By the 12th and 13th centuries, Santiago had become one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Christianity. Pope Alexander III recognised it as a Holy City, alongside Rome and Jerusalem, and Pope Calixtus II granted special spiritual privileges to pilgrims visiting during Holy Years.
And so, over the centuries, a combination of religious devotion, medieval legends, and the promise of spiritual renewal turned Santiago de Compostela into the remarkable pilgrimage destination it remains today.
Santiago de Compostela from Portugal
On my very first visit to Santiago de Compostela, we spent the day exploring the city before heading to Porto in Portugal. Interestingly, many travelers do it the other way around and visit Santiago de Compostela on a day trip from Portugal!
- From Porto: Santiago de Compostela Full Day Tour (check availability)
- Santiago de Compostela & Valença – Private tour from Porto (check availability)
Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting
On a more personal note, I absolutely loved Santiago de Compostela. As I’ve mentioned, there’s something grand and almost indescribable about the cathedral – it’s a place that really leaves an impression. It’s definitely worth a visit on any road trip through northern Spain, even if you don’t plan on walking El Camino.
I also fell in love with Galician cuisine. Beyond its iconic seafood dishes, it really feels like one of the most homey, hearty food regions in Spain. Even the bread you’re served throughout the region is just different from anywhere else in Spain.
So, Santiago de Compostela and Galicia as a whole are fantastic places to experience traditional Spanish tapas.
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I have read a lot about people who did the El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. But less about great spots along the route like Santiago de Compostela. I may not do the famous hike but it looks like I need to visit this city. The cathedral looks simply stunning! And I would certainly enjoy the local food. Interesting to see how many good tours there are if we used this as a base to explore the Galacia region of Spain.
Great timing! Still hoping to wrap up the Portuguese camino in October (schedule permitting). Can’t wait to explore Santiago de Campostela, among other towns along the way.
I love seeing different Cathedrals! The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is stunning. Beautiful pictures!
I was in A Coruna and took a day trip to Santiago de Compostela. We didn’t realize until we were on the road that we went on St James day and the city was crowded and amazing. The square was packed for the fireworks.
Hello! The Cathedral looks incredible! Is it worth visiting the city without pilgrimage?
It is 100% worth visiting without walking El Camino
Okay, so I didn’t know anything about the history here or the pilgrimage. Wow. The cathedral looks amazing, and the food sounds delicious. It sounds like a wonderful spiritual and historical trip. Thaks for sharing.