Spain · City Guide
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is one of the world's great pilgrimage cities and an extraordinarily beautiful Galician capital, home to one of the finest Romanesque cathedrals in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage city centre of medieval streets and the extraordinary energy created by pilgrims completing the Camino from across the globe. From the Cathedral and the Praza do Obradoiro to the Mercado de Abastos and the surrounding Galician countryside, Santiago is genuinely special.
Explore Santiago de Compostela →Elect's take
"Santiago de Compostela has a spiritual and emotional resonance that is entirely unlike any other destination in Spain. The cathedral is extraordinary and the combination of medieval architecture, Galician culture and the arrival of pilgrims from across the world creates an atmosphere of remarkable intensity."
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the destination of the most famous pilgrimage route in the world and a building of extraordinary beauty. The Praza do Obradoiro is one of the finest urban spaces in Spain. The botafumeiro ceremony, in which a massive censer is swung across the cathedral transept, is one of the most dramatic liturgical rituals in the world. The Mercado de Abastos is one of the finest food markets in Galicia with outstanding octopus, shellfish and Santiago almond cake.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Santiago Cathedral
The destination of the world's most famous pilgrimage and one of the great Romanesque cathedrals.
Praza do Obradoiro
One of the finest urban squares in Spain, the emotional heart of the Camino.
Camino de Santiago
The most celebrated pilgrimage route in the world arriving here from across Europe.
Mercado de Abastos
One of Galicia's finest food markets with outstanding seafood and local produce.
Botafumeiro
The dramatic ceremony of the giant swinging censer during special Masses.
Galician Cuisine
Outstanding octopus, empanada, shellfish and the famous Santiago almond cake.