Free walking tours in Santiago de Compostela and what to see

Must-sees

Everything begins in the Praza do Obradoiro, facing the cathedral’s Baroque façade. Inside you’ll find the Portico of Glory, Master Mateo’s great Romanesque work, and the tomb of the apostle. On the same square are the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, the Pazo de Raxoi and the college of San Xerome. Around the cathedral are the Quintana and Praterías squares.

The old town is a World Heritage Site and well worth getting lost in. Rúa do Franco and Rúa do Vilar keep their arcades and stone everywhere. Visit the Mercado de Abastos in the morning and the monastery of San Martiño Pinario. From the Alameda park you get one of the best views of the cathedral.

Free tours and guided visits

There are free tours every day through the old town, and you tip what you like. They usually cover the Obradoiro, the squares around the cathedral and the main streets, and explain the history of the Camino, Compostela’s legends and the city’s student life. They are a good way to get your bearings on the first day.

Among the paid visits, the most recommended is the walk on the cathedral roofs, only possible with a guide, which offers views over the stone rooftops. There are also guided visits to the Portico of Glory and the cathedral museum. To get out of the city, day trips to Finisterre and the Costa da Morte are the most popular, followed by routes through the Rías Baixas.

How long to spend

Two days are enough to get to know Santiago well. Spend the first on the cathedral, the Obradoiro and the old town. The second on the market, San Martiño Pinario, a museum and the Alameda. If you add a third day, use it to go to Finisterre or the Rías Baixas. Bring an umbrella at almost any time of year.

Where to stay

Sleeping in the old town lets you do everything on foot and enjoy the streets at night, once the groups have gone. There are lots of small places to stay in stone buildings. The Ensanche, south of the centre, is a more modern alternative, with more choice and a few minutes’ walk from the Obradoiro. It’s also close if you arrive by train or bus.