What to do in Santiago de Compostela

Activities, attractions and tours

Santiago de Compostela featuring a garden, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Santiago de Compostela featuring a garden, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Santiago de Compostela showing heritage architecture and a city
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela featuring interior views

Santiago de Compostela Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Santiago de Compostela has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Santiago de Compostela, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Santiago de Compostela with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Santiago de Compostela, and make it a breeze to explore Santiago de Compostela and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Santiago de Compostela to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Santiago de Compostela, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela attractions

Santiago de Compostela has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Santiago de Compostela to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Santiago de Compostela.

Looking for things to do in Santiago de Compostela can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Santiago de Compostela or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Santiago de Compostela attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a magnificent blend of architectural styles, with elaborate Baroque and Gothic features embellishing its primarily Romanesque design. Follow the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and visit this last stop, the cathedral dedicated to Spain’s patron saint Santiago (St. James).
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Santiago de Compostela Cathedral showing a church or cathedral, heritage elements and religious elements

2. Obradoiro Square

Obradoiro Square is among the largest squares in Galicia and serves as an important symbol of Santiago de Compostela. The square’s four sides are bordered by historic buildings, each representing a different style of architecture and a different facet of local life. With Santiago Cathedral attracting pilgrims and tourists and open-air events taking place throughout the year, you will always find activities in this magnificent square.
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Obradoiro Square which includes heritage architecture, street scenes and a square or plaza

3. Mercado de Abastos de Santiago

Visit Mercado de Abastos de Santiago, one of Spain’s most well-known produce markets, with hundreds of stalls loaded with vegetables, seafood, meat, wines and spirits. Although the market is an understandably popular tourist attraction, you’ll see just as many locals shopping as you will visitors. Many of the city’s restaurants and bars source their produce from this market each day.
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Mercado de Abastos de Santiago showing heritage architecture, markets and street scenes

4. San Martino Pinario Monastery

San Martino Pinario Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Galicia and one of the largest religious monuments in Santiago. Find intricate carvings decorating its façade, while its relatively plain interior is dominated by an enormous gilded altarpiece.
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SantiagodeCompostela_SanMartinoPinarioMonastery_6121676_10

5. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum (Museo de Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) takes visitors on a journey through the fascinating life of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Learn about the 1,000-year-old history of what is considered to be the best example of Romanesque architecture in Spain. Browse magnificent works of art, see exquisite tapestries and understand the significance of the cathedral to European identity.
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Santiago de Compostela Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, interior views and religious aspects

6. Plaza de la Quintana

Plaza de la Quintana is a large, two-level square bordering the iconic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Have a seat at one of the cafés lining the square and listen to street musicians perform or watch students chatting on the grand staircase.
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Plaza de la Quintana which includes a square or plaza, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

7. Alameda Park

Alameda Park is a large park located in the heart of Santiago de Compostela. Designed to resemble the grounds of a grand country estate, the park has more than 90 different types of plants. Join locals at this well-loved place to breathe fresh air and escape the city. The park also hosts lively concerts and performances throughout the year.
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Alameda Park showing a garden

Recommended things to do in Santiago de Compostela

Number of things to do
75
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Tour POR the Hidden Santiago: £3
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Santiago de Compostela

Popular places to visit

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral which includes interior views, religious elements and a church or cathedral

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

An important site of pilgrimage, this historic cathedral is considered to be one of Spain’s most extraordinary examples of Romanesque architecture.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
man in office with backpack and trekking boots looking trought the window dreaming of trekking towards Santiago of Compostela

Santiago de Compostela Tourism Office

Santiago de Compostela Tourism Office is just one of the places to see in Santiago de Compostela, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Visit the stunning cathedral and shops in this culturally rich area.

Santiago de Compostela Tourism Office
Obradoiro Square featuring outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

Obradoiro Square

See some of the city’s most impressive architectural achievements in this handsome public square.

Obradoiro Square
Mercado de Abastos de Santiago featuring street scenes, markets and food

Mercado de Abastos de Santiago

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Santiago de Compostela at this exciting market.

Mercado de Abastos de Santiago
SantiagodeCompostela_UniversityofSantiagodeCompostela_6122710_010

University of Santiago de Compostela

Explore the campus of University of Santiago de Compostela during your travels in Santiago de Compostela. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its stunning cathedral.

University of Santiago de Compostela
San Martino Pinario Monastery showing a garden and landscape views

San Martino Pinario Monastery

Look inside this lovely Baroque monastery, which is home to a collection of valuable paintings, sacred objects and gold works.

San Martino Pinario Monastery
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral showing a fountain and a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum

Delve deep into the art, history and evolution of one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites and finest religious landmarks.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum
Plaza de la Quintana showing a castle, heritage architecture and a square or plaza

Plaza de la Quintana

Santiago de Compostela’s second-largest square is an intriguing place to stop for a coffee and watch people of the city go about their daily activities.

Plaza de la Quintana
Alameda Park showing a park, a statue or sculpture and a monument

Alameda Park

Join the locals for an afternoon stroll in this popular city park, the site of interesting monuments and frequent cultural events.

Alameda Park

Explore areas of Santiago de Compostela

SantiagodeCompostela_CityCentre_553248633937777959_53

Santiago de Compostela City Centre

4/5(6 area reviews)

Santiago de Compostela City Centre is known for its stunning cathedral, and with sights like Galicia Plaza and Alameda Park, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela City Centre
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral which includes interior views, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Santiago de Compostela Historic Centre

5/5(44 area reviews)

Santiago de Compostela Historic Centre is known for its stunning cathedral, and you can see some sights area like Plaza de la Quintana and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum.

Santiago de Compostela Historic Centre
Pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago

El Ensanche Zona Nuova

Unique features of El Ensanche Zona Nuova include the historical sites and coffee shops. Make a stop by Galicia Plaza or Plaza Roja while you're exploring the area.

El Ensanche Zona Nuova
Park, Parque Vista Alegre, Finca Simeon; Horreo, ancient construction, typical granary, Santiago de Compostela.Spain.

Vista Alegre

While there might not be top attractions in Vista Alegre, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Convento de San Francisco de Santiago and San Martino Pinario Monastery.

Vista Alegre
SantiagodeCompostela_SanLazaro_553248633937780825_18

San Lazaro

5/5(1 area review)

San Lazaro is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Congress and Exposition Center of Galicia and San Lazaro Stadium.

San Lazaro
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Barrio de San Pedro

Though Barrio de San Pedro may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Mercado de Abastos de Santiago and Plaza de la Quintana.

Barrio de San Pedro

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Santiago de Compostela

Pequena fervenza no Bachau

Santa Cristina de Fecha

Francos bridge or "Mouros' bridge" over Tinto river, between the municipalities of Teo and Brión, in Galicia, Spain.

Teo

Hiking trail of river Pino

O Pino

The magnetic island of Es Vedra - Ibiza

Vedra

Forest in the river Sar, in Bertamiráns, Ames, Galicia, Spain.

Ames

Galicai
Photo by Deensel (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)

Boqueixon

O Rexedoiro waterfall in Val do Dubra, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Val do Dubra

Frequently asked questions

Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Santiago de Compostela is explore Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum. Check this major sight off your itinerary, then experience more of this area's walking trails and family-friendly attractions.
How do I spend a day in Santiago de Compostela?
Start your adventures with a visit to Raxoi Palace and Praia fluvial de Tapia. Then, check out other parts of Santiago de Compostela for local restaurants and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santiago de Compostela?
The top tourist attraction in Santiago de Compostela is Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum, so don't forget to add it to your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Santiago de Compostela?
You can easily tour popular attractions like Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum, Raxoi Palace and Xelmirez Bishop's Palace with a three-day trip to Santiago de Compostela. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so linger longer and head to Padron.
Is Santiago de Compostela a walkable city?
Some key attractions in Santiago de Compostela, such as Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum and Raxoi Palace, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Just 0.16 kms (0.10 miles) from central Santiago de Compostela is Santiago de Compostela City Centre and Santiago de Compostela Historic Centre is 0.16 kms (0.10 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Santiago de Compostela with kids?
Deciding what to do in Santiago de Compostela with kids is easier than ever. Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, there are lots of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Santiago de Compostela for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or fan of Mother Nature, there are loads of things to do in Santiago de Compostela for adults including Franco Street and Casa do Cabildo.
Are there free things to do in Santiago de Compostela?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's simple to discover free things to do in Santiago de Compostela. If you need inspiration, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum is a great spot for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing adventures.

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