Location: Santiago de Compostela
Top Things to do in Santiago de Compostela
Top Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks 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. Plaza del Obradoiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,327 reviews
Large, pleasant city plaza containing the church of St. James.
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
Local residents joke that the 4 buildings surrounding the square around the perimeter embody the 4 pillars that hold Santiago de Compostela: religion (Cathedral), power (City Hall), tourism (- Parador-Hostal de Los Reyes Catholicos) and education (San Xeronime College). Of course, the main thing on the square is the magnificent West facade of the Cathedral. It is good day and night. Despite its medieval status, this Baroque beauty is relatively recent by historical standards. The facade was completed in 1740 by the architect Fernando de Casas Novoa . There`s Palace Raxoi behind. The City Hall is located here now. St. James in the form of a statue will be found here also. It was believed that his statue helped in the fight against the Moors during the Reconquista. If You look at the North side you can find the former hospital for pilgrims, built by the ideologues of the Reconquista, zealous Catholics and persecutors of Jews and Moors by Queen Isabella of Castile and king Ferdinand of Aragon. The Parador for pilgrims is now here. Finally, the 16th-century College of San Xeronime is located on the South side of the square. In addition to contemplating the Baroque beauty of the Cathedral, interesting performances are played out in the arcades of the city hall in the late afternoon. Perhaps this will be the best end of the day.
2. Gelmirez Palace
3. 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!
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. Colegiata del Sar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By Leophant - San Juan, Caribbean
Although it was a wet, rainy afternoon, the unusual church- the inclined columns - made the trek worthwhile
6. Portico de la Gloria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
Reviewed By 378marylinp - Milan, Italy
I just can't leave this church Santiago di completely with seeing and placing my Palm on this wall...
7. Botafumeiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,644 reviews
Reviewed By davidromana - Miami, United States
This Cathedral is monumental, so rich in history, its enormous altar, the Botafumeiro is a huge Incense burner used in the rituals, it is impressive, we are talking about centuries of historic events in this place
8. Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos
9. Monasterio e iglesia de San Pelayo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By maury101
The monastery is an exquisite historical gem very close to the Cathedral and deserves to be better known. I would recommend it as a "must visit" on a visit to Santiago for pilgrims and anyone with an interest in church art . It was very quiet during our visit - perhaps because it is now used as a museum rather than a church. It is in the glorious baroque style and would have been the most important monastic building in all of the city. The view of the altar from the gallery overlooking the nave gives a unique perspective and there is a rich and rare collection of clerical and church pieces in the museum to see. Note: The building is over many floors so lots of steps, but there is a lift and adequate provision for people with reduced mobility who want to pay a visit.
10. Convento de San Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By CML228 - Poole, United Kingdom
This is a beautifully hotel situated near the cathedral and adjacent to the San Francisco Church where the Pilgrim's mass is held as the Cathedral is being renovated. Staff are delightful, we ate in the dining room , food wasn't amazing but an atmospheric room and an overall good experience. It was lovely to use the heated indoor pool after 6 days walking.
