Location: Santiago de Compostela
Top Things to do in Santiago de Compostela
Top Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela
The 10 Best Architectural Buildings in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia
If you see nothing else in this World Heritage city, you simply must visit the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, an awe-inspiring confection of baroque architecture. Once you’ve regained composure, head out on a bicycle to see the rest of this glorious city. Foodies and boozehounds will delight in a guided gastronomy tour, while modernists will enjoy the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.
Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela
1. Gelmirez Palace
2. Cathedral De Santiago de Compostela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,536 reviews
Reviewed By PilatesLady58 - Norwich, United Kingdom
The cathedral is an incredible building with its impressive baroque facade and is the culmination for some of a long journey along the Camino to reach Santiago. At the moment it’s best viewed from the outside only as there is major restoration work going on for holy year in 2021 when the work will be completed. It’s still worth visiting the cathedral museum which has some interesting artworks on display. You can also access the cloister and get views out over the square by the cathedral to the surrounding countryside. I’m sure it will be amazing when it’s done but currently the interior is literally a building site!
3. Colegio Fonseca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By RhinoLondon_England - Ottery St. Mary, United Kingdom
Our visit to the College was one of the highlights of our time in Santiago. There are short guided tours of the building (including in English at certain times) and these give an interesting insight into the history of the university and open up to you some of the special rooms. The highlight is access to the balcony overlooking the Plaza del Obgadoiro: not to be missed.
4. Monasterio de San Martin Pinario
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 579 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
Given the renovation of the Cathedral built up with scaffolding, San Martin Pinario is more interesting for non-religious tourists to visit. Though of course, he relics of St. James are of incommensurably greater value than the carved benches of the monastery for pilgrims. San Martin Pinario is the second largest monastery in Spain after San Lorenzo in Escorial. But as you know, it is not the size that determines the value. The main southern facade of the monastery faces the Plaza de La Immacolata. Contrary to the city's tradition, the statue of St. Martin of Tours crowns the facade, not the St. James of Mavrovica. Martin is shown on a horse giving his clothes to a beggar. The Church of the monastery is another masterpiece of Galician Baroque performed by the different architects including Fernando de Casas y Novoa, who created the facade of the Cathedral. It was completed in 1652 and is a single-nave Church on the sides of which are placed six chapels. Three of them were touched by the genius of Fernando de Casas y Novoa. However, the general interior of the Church of San Martin Pinario was created by Mateo Lopez. The composition of the Benedictine Church of San Martin Pinario is similar to the famous Jesuit Church Il Gesu in Rome. The main altar is unusual, it faces traditionally to the nave, and the back side-to the choir of the monastic community. The main theme of iconography in the Church is dedicated to the image of the virgin Mary, who, according to the dogma of the immaculate conception, interrupted the sinfulness of the world. One of the side chapels is dedicated to the so-called English virgin, a symbol of English Catholics who fled from England from the persecution of Henry VIII. Baroque choirs are of no less artistic value. This masterpiece was created by Matteo de Prado from 1639 to 1647. the Monastery has not operated since the XIX century and part of the premises belongs to the Museum of religious art. You can get inside through the Church of St. Martino. A good collection of religious artifacts is located here: utensils, paintings, sculptures. The Church is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10: 30 to 13: 30 and from 16: 00 to 19: 00. Admission: 4 EUR for adults, 3 EUR for students, pilgrims and people over 65 years of age.
5. Sede de la SGAE en Galicia
6. Convento e Iglesia de Santo Agostino
7. Praza da Inmaculada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By 968nicholash - London, United Kingdom
This large square is effectively the space between the Cathedral's North façade (and exit door) and the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario. These two religious institutions were originally in fierce competition. In fact, the Monastery was built the wrong way round on its plot to make sure its façade would be seen by worshippers leaving the Cathedral. Turn left from the Cathedral exit and you will walk downhill through an archway into the iconic Plaza do Obradoiro; turn the other and the street will take you into the heart of the shopping area in the old city and eventually to the Praza Cervantes. There are nice ornamental gardens in front of the Monastery and plenty of seating on low walls. One of the most important locations in Santiago.
8. Parroquia de Nuestra Senora la Antigua de Corticela
9. Casa do Cabildo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 13 reviews
