Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the wonderful pilgrimage, is a unique city in the world due to its history, gastronomy, heritage, and the spiritual aura that surrounds it. To discover all these aspects of this exceptional city, we recommend taking the Free Tour of the Historic Center of Santiago de Compostela and Alameda. This Free Tour is essential for understanding the old town of the city, its key spots, and some of the most interesting points. You can schedule it for either the morning or the afternoon, giving you total flexibility to organize the rest of your day.
You cannot leave the city without visiting the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The best way to do this is undoubtedly by taking the Museum and Cathedral Tour of Santiago. Along with a knowledgeable guide of this spectacular monument, you will learn about every corner of the cathedral, from the famous library to the well-known Botafumeiro, its crypt, and the renowned Calixtine Codex. Similar to the previously recommended Free Tour, you can schedule your visit to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for either the morning or the afternoon.
Whether for lunch or dinner, you will have no trouble finding your ideal place. The historic center of Santiago de Compostela is home to a large number of bars, taverns, and restaurants offering a variety of prices and gastronomic options. You can enjoy traditional and popular dishes or choose other types of options according to your preferences.
For your second day in Santiago de Compostela, we suggest visiting all the sites of great monumental value in the city, beyond the spectacular Cathedral. One increasingly popular site, known for its connection to the Catholic Monarchs and its significant artistic and heritage value, is the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. This building, whose origins date back five centuries, started as a hospital for pilgrims, and its history has always been closely linked to the Camino and Santiago. It is currently a National Parador. There is no better way to get to know it than through the Tour Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, guided by an expert official guide who will help you explore every corner of this iconic monument.
Beyond the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, we also recommend visiting other significant sites in the historic center of the city, which, due to their immense heritage value, deserve exploration. For instance, the Abastos Market is one of those must-see places, as it is one of the most interesting sites artistically and a great spot to enjoy the local products and gastronomy of the city. Other notable places include the Galician People’s Museum, the Convent of San Francisco, the Saint Jerome College, and the Monastery of San Martín.
If after exploring all these sites you still have the energy to end the day in the best possible way, we recommend a different and unique experience: the popular Theatrical Free Tour: Meigas Forá!. This unique and special tour is conducted by a real Galician witch who will share various mysteries and legends related to Santiago de Compostela.
Beyond what has been discussed for the two days, there are several alternative or complementary activities that are truly interesting for your visit to Santiago de Compostela:
