Santiago de Compostela

The goal of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage for over a thousand years: the granite cathedral where pilgrims embrace the apostle's statue and, at some masses, the giant censer (botafumeiro) swings across the transept; the arcaded old town, a World Heritage Site; and the Pilgrim's Office that issues the Compostela certificate. 2027 is a Holy Year (St James' Day, 25 July, falls on a Sunday), with the Holy Door open and far more pilgrims. About 3h20 from Madrid by high-speed train. Rainy most of the year. Galician octopus and Padrón peppers (vegetarian) are the local dishes.

Highlights

• The cathedral and the apostle's tomb
• Pilgrims' Mass and the botafumeiro
• Cathedral rooftop tour
• Praza do Obradoiro as pilgrims arrive
• Mercado de Abastos
• Walk the last stage of the Camino
• Day out to Finisterre, the old "end of the world"

Things to do

• Cathedral, the apostle's tomb and the Pilgrims' MassMorning · 2h 30m
• Cathedral rooftop tourAfternoon · 1h 30m
• Old town and the Mercado de AbastosAfternoon · 2h 30m
• Walk the last stage of the Camino from Monte do GozoMorning · 2h
• Day trip to Finisterre and the Costa da MorteMorning · 8h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: May – September

• Holy Year in Santiago (Xacobeo 2027) — A Holy Year falls when 25 July is a Sunday, and 2027 is one: the cathedral's Holy Door stays open all year and far more pilgrims walk the Camino. St James' Day on 25 July, with fireworks on the night of the 24th and the botafumeiro swung at the solemn mass, is the peak. Book rooms in Santiago well ahead, especially for the summer.