12 hours in: Santiago de Compostela!

Welcome to Santiago de Compostela! If you’ve ever walked or cycled the ancient Camino de Santiago, then this incredible city will need no introduction. For those unfamiliar, you’re in for a fascinating treat.

The capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region, Santiago is the final destination for several of our Camino de Santiago cycling tours, and is the perfect reward for the achievement of completing this historic, world renowned pilgrimage. Steeped in culture, culinary delights and captivating sights, this unique city has it all and more.

I cycled the Camino de Santiago back in 2016 and had the pleasure of staying in Santiago de Compostela for a night at the end of my cycling holiday. I didn’t really know what to expect, but this unique city in North West Spain pleasantly surprised me and remains one of my favourite cities in Spain! Read on to find out why…

Santiago de Compostela overview

Santiago de Compostela is a charming cathedral city brimming with character.

Located in the north-western region of Spain, this unique destination has welcomed pilgrims for over 1,200 years and is unrivalled in its welcoming nature. Coming from across Europe, those who trekked to this isolated area of Galicia walked on the roads now collectively known as the Camino de Santiago.

Nowadays, Santiago continues to welcome over 300,000 Camino pilgrims every year, attracting both walkers and cyclists. The extraordinary reward for conquering these trails is this incredible city, jam-packed with historical treasures.

What are the must-see attractions in Santiago de Compostela?

The first place you should head to is the Praza do Obradoiro.  This is the main square ain the old town and is a hive of activity, often enveloped in a symphony of bagpipes which welcome pilgrims after their long journey.

Located to the west of the famous Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the square is a fascinating people-watching spot as such an array of different folk gather and celebrate; such a sense of camaraderie and joy are classic Skedaddle ingredients! One of the most interesting times of year to visit the square is on July 25, when it hosts an exciting array of St. James’ Day celebrations. These celebrations include an elaborate firework display the night before the feast day, along with a variety of other incredible cultural events you won’t want to miss.

The focal point of the city has to be the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral – a Roman-esque structure with elements of Gothic and Baroque architecture. The cathedral is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, and is one of the main attractions that entices holidaymakers from across the world to this small city. For those drawn to heights, there is the option to walk up to the cathedral rooftop to get an awe-inspiring, 80m elevated panoramic view of Santiago.

Recognised as a UNESCO heritage site since 1985, this historical town has no shortages of other incredible buildings and Baroque architecture. Notably, many of the university buildings, some dating back to as far as 1495, make up one of the oldest universities in Spain and in fact across Europe, being 522 years old as of 2018.

This city is not only known for its history however, with Santiago also being a fantastic place for the avid shopaholic. The quaint streets of the old town are home to local gastronomic delicacies as well as the local craft of silverware and the jet stone – a black mineral stone which led to coining the phrase ‘jet black’; it was used in the Egyptian and Roman times as a protective stone. Santiago is also home to a variety of street markets, shopping centres and the El Ensanche shopping area which is a large expanse of shops which are best experienced on foot.

Furthermore, the Alameda Park is a great green space that is central to many of Santiago’s celebrations, but also has a peaceful aspect for a calm stroll, and a stunning view of the Cathedral from Paseo de Ferradura which is located on the hillside of the Santa Susana hill. Here you can also find the Monument to ‘Las Marías’; A bronze sculpture depicting two sisters who lived in the late 20^th century and used to walk in the park every day wearing clothes not commonly seen for their time.

What food and drink should you try in Santiago?

The bustling Mercado de Abastos is one of the largest traditional street markets in Europe and is Santiago’s 2^nd most visited attraction after the Cathedral. Locals bring fresh food of all kinds, whether it be fruit like figs and oranges, or seafood such as prawns, sardines and even whole octopuses. This is truly a foodie’s heaven!

A must-visit is Abastos 2.0, a ‘gastronomic space’ just round the corner, producing ‘fridge-less cuisine’, using the best fresh delicacies available in the market to design a daily changing menu made up of delicious mini-dishes – choose wisely though as it is one per person…

From the Cathedral, you may also want to wander down the bustling street Rúa do Franco, named for the French pilgrims who used to stay there. It is here where you will find some of Galicia’s best traditional restaurants serving delicious local foods and tapas – the perfect spot to enjoy a legendary lunch!

Dishes to try…
– Pulpo (Octopus) – the speciality of local restaurant O Dezaseis where the octopus is cooked until tender and thrown on a hot griddle and sprinkled with smoked pimentón (Spanish pepper).
– Tarta de Santiago – this almond pie literally named ‘Cake of St. James’ was traditionally baked as a reward for pilgrims completing their journey, but more modernly simply a regional specialty. The cake is covered in a sprinkle of icing sugar, with the shape of St. James’ cross left plain in the center.

Do you have any tips or advice?

Santiago is a fascinating city with a very unique and distinct feel! It’s definitely worth parking yourself somewhere comfy to take in the square in front of the cathedral, a hub of activity and a great place to celebrate your incredible achievement of cycling the Camino de Santiago.

Aside from the impressive religious features, the city also has lots more going for it, we found some fantastic live local musicians which saw us into the early hours of the evening!

Here are some more suggestions from other members of the Skedaddle team who have visited this Spanish city:

‘I’ve been visiting Santiago for the best part of 20 years and top of my list is Casa das Crechas. Without fail it’s the only place I have to visit. It’s a hub of live Celtic/Galician music plus other genres and plays some damn fine tunes.  It’s right next to the cathedral and has a grand people-watching terrace if you’re there during the day.’ Dan Hirst, Head honcho of Skedaddle España

‘Pushing our bikes through the pedestrianised, winding back streets gave us time to really get a feel for this unique, pilgrimage city. There’s a really vibrant feel outside the cathedral, with celebratory corks popping and excitable pilgrims eager to catch a glimpse of the famous thurible! Night time offers up a variety of restaurants, bars and live music to suit many tastes, I’d recommend grabbing a table outside and seeing what the night brings!’ Kay Cliffe, EU Leisure Product Manager

Feeling inspired?

Santiago de Compostela is the final destination for several of our cycling holidays in Spain, so you will always have an option to stay a bit longer after the trip to enjoy the sights and specialties of the city!

For the road cyclist, why not try the Road to Santiago tour which travels along the beautiful and dramatic Atlantic coastline of northern Spain before ending in this wonderful city.

For the mountain biker, take on the wild and dramatic route of the Camino Primitivo which takes you on the little known, original pilgrim route through remote mountain ranges.

And for the leisure cyclist, trace the steps of ancient travellers and cycle along the Camino de Santiago on your own steam, or as part of a guided cycle tour of the Camino de Santiago with a group of like-minded cyclists.