Santiago de Compostela Guide

Top Santiago de Compostela Attractions

• La Catedral / Cathedral
• Museo de la Catedral / Cathedral Museum
• Hostal de los Reyes Católicos / Hostel of the Catholic Monarchs
• Plaza de Obradoiro / Obradoiro Square
• Camino de Santiago / Pilgrimage of Saint James
• Monasterio de San Martiño Pinario / Monastery of Saint Mariño Pinario
• Plaza de las Platerías / Silversmiths Square
• Universidad de Santiago / University of Santiago
• Palacios de San Jerónimo y Fonseca / St. Jerónimo and Fonseca Palaces
• Convento de Santa Clara / Convent of Saint Clara
• Monasterio de San Paio / Convent of Saint Paio
• Colegiata de Santa María del Sar / Church of Saint María del Sar
• Museo do Pobo Galego / Museum of the Galician People

Top Festivals

Día de Santiago Apóstol / Feast Day of Saint James Apostle
Santiago's top festival is by far the celebration of the city's patron saint, Santiago Apóstol, which incidentally coincides with Galicia's "national day". Along with a bit of religious solemnity, it's a showcase for a wide range of local traditions: bagpipe music, regional dress, folkloric dances, typical food... the list goes on! Plus, there's a huge fireworks display, plenty of eating and drinking and all sorts of entertainment.

Food & Drink

Galicia's delicious gastronomy is a combination of coastal and rural products. Its fertile inland farmlands provide the area with high quality meats and cheeses, while Galicia's western and northern coastlines provide what is widely considered to be Europe's very best seafood. Here are just a few of the local specialties that you can try while in Santiago:

• Pulpo a la gallega: octopus drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with paprika
• Chipirones: small squid served whole
• Caldo gallego: hearty stew made with vegetables and meat
• Pimientos de padrón: small green peppers
• Empanada: pastry-like food filled generally with tuna and vegetables
• Navajas: razor clams
• Mejillones: mussels
• Vieiras: scallops
• Berberechos: cockles
• Queso de tetilla: tetilla cheese
• Vinos: wines, try local Ribeiro, Mencia, Condado and Albariño wines

Weather

If its lush, verdant natural surroundings are any indication of its climate, Santiago de Compostela is a fairly rainy city. The climate is moderated by the city's proximity to the Atlantic coast, keeping temperatures fairly mild year round, not too hot and not too cold. Winters, when temperatures average 8ºC, experience the majority of Santiago's annual rainfall while summers are comfortable and sunnier with temperatures ranging betwen 20ºC and 27ºC.

Getting There

By plane
Santiago de Compostela has its own airport, which is located roughly 12 kilometers from the city center. A number of major Spanish and European airlines as well as low-cost companies operate all sorts of flights each day to destinations throughout Spain and Europe.

By train
Daily train services link Santiago's train station (Calle Hórreo, 75) with Madrid, Bilbao and the main cities and towns of Galicia. There are also connecting onward service to Portugal, France and Barcelona.

By bus
From Castromil, Santiago's bus station (Rúa de Tomiño), you can journey to numerous regional (L Coruña, Noia, Muros, Pontevedra, Vigo...), national (Oviedo, Seville, Salamanca, Barcelona...) and even international (Lisbon, Porto, Paris, Amsterdam...) destinations.

Getting Around

Almost all of Santiago's attractions are concentrated in the city's monument-packed Old Town. Extremely compact and almost entirely pedestrianized, navigating the city on foot both easy and enjoyable, though you can also take advantage of a few transport options. The urban bus system covers both the historic and modern parts of the city, while the tourist train offers an hour-long ride that hits all the major sights.

Fast Facts

Spanish in Santiago de Compostela

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