Santiago de Compostela Articles

Santiago de Compostela is more than just the final destination of the Camino de Santiago – it’s a charming city full of character, with winding alleys and quaint granite streets waiting to be explored. There are plenty of things to do in Santiago de Compostela, from discovering its rich history to enjoying the local cuisine […]

24 Hours in Santiago de Compostela You’ve walked for days and finally reached the promised land: Santiago de Compostela! You are sitting at the Praza do Obradoiro, your aching feet finally getting a rest, staring in awe at the mighty Cathedral de Santiago, and you are wondering… were to do next? Well, if you are

In the last two weeks of July, Santiago de Compostela celebrates its most significant festival: the St James Festival or the Apostle Festival (Festas do Apóstolo). St James is the patron saint of Santiago de Compostela and Galicia, which means St James Day is also Galicia Day and a holiday in the region. Many pilgrims on the

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – 6 Things To Know The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an iconic symbol of the city of Santiago and the final point for many pilgrims walking or cycling the Camino de Santiago. Over the centuries, thousands of pilgrims worldwide have travelled to the Cathedral of Santiago de

Pilgrim’s Mass in The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Many pilgrims who finish their Camino in Santiago de Compostela often want to attend a particular pilgrim’s mass in the cathedral. It’s the ultimate reward after the long journey to the city. If you are hoping to attend mass when you are in Santiago, there are

What is The Botafumeiro And When Can I See it? The ‘Botafumeiro’ is the famous giant thurible or censer in the Santiago de Compostela cathedral. It has been used since the Middle Ages, originally to clean the air when crowds of pilgrims, having completed the Camino de Santiago, arrived in Santiago de Compostela after their long

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. If you finish your Camino trip in Santiago de Compostela, you will receive your Compostela certificate and a warm welcome from the people at the Pilgrims Office. The Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela (Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino) is located in the city centre, just a few

Camino Culture: The story of As Marias As an exercise of made-up statistics, I would guesstimate that nearly 99% of pilgrims and visitors to Santiago de Compostela get a picture taken with the colourful statue of As Marias in Alameda Park. Hands up? If you haven’t been to Santiago but you are about to, or

6 Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela Whether you’re heading to Santiago for a little pre-Christmas holiday or if you happen to be finishing up your Camino de Santiago (quite a chilly walk we’d imagine) during the festive season, there are some unmissable Christmas activities to keep you entertained in this Spanish city. If

One big hug in Santiago de Compostela. The experience is simply incomparable. On a cold, almost chilly, day at the end of winter, you stand on the roof of one of Europe’s most historic cathedrals and have a sweeping view of a heritage city. As the rogue wind touches your face intermittently, you imagine the

November Webinar: Spotlight on Santiago de Compostela In our November webinar, we put the Spotlight on Santiago de Compostela and talk about all the city has to offer, from the attractions and food to how the city has dealt with Covid-19. Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful and historic city in Galicia in Northern Spain.

Experiencing The Magic of Santiago de Compostela It’s 7.30 am on a chilly morning in November. The sun has yet to rise and the usually busy square in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is dead quiet. It would be an eerie feeling if not for the sense of calm and joy that

Holy Year 2022: What is a Jacobean year? You might have heard that 2021’s Jacobean Year celebrations have been extended to the end of 2022. But what exactly is a Holy Year and why is it worth visiting the Camino during one? A Jacobean Year or Ano Xacobeo is a Jubilee or Holy Year. A

“If You Stand Here is a tour of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela expressly for pilgrims. Unlike all the dusty guidebooks that list dates, names with no back story, and an endless number of dry unrelated facts, this book will ask you to stand on a spot in the building where something wonderful happened.”

Lavacolla: the pilgrims washing place Lavacolla, in the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela, is one of the last stops for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago along the French Way and other routes coming from the East. Its name might also sound familiar as the village is where Santiago international airport is located. There are

The food market in Santiago de Compostela, known as Mercado de Abastos, in the Old Town, is the city’s second most visited attraction after the cathedral and a must-see for food lovers. At Santiago food market, you will find an impressive selection of the best fresh Galician produce: a mind-blowing range of different fish and