Attraction/Landmark

Built in 1499 by the Catholic Monarchs as a royal hospital for pilgrims, this magnificent Plateresque building on the Plaza del Obradoiro is now a luxury Parador hotel — considered one of the oldest hotels in the world.

Religious

The second largest monastery in Spain after El Escorial, this imposing Baroque complex was founded in the 10th century by Benedictine monks and features an extraordinary altarpiece and an ornate Plateresque facade.

Attraction/Landmark

The monumental heart of Santiago and the emotional endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. This grand square is surrounded by four architectural masterpieces spanning Romanesque, Baroque, Plateresque, and Neoclassical styles.

Religious

The magnificent endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, this Cathedral was built over the tomb of the Apostle Saint James beginning in 1075. Its Baroque facade conceals a Romanesque interior of extraordinary beauty and spiritual power.

Religious

The Botafumeiro is a famous giant incense burner inside Santiago's Cathedral, weighing 53 kg and swung dramatically across the transept during special masses — a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.

Attraction/Landmark

This stunning 18th-century Baroque facade on the Plaza de las Platerías was built purely for decorative purposes — it is only a few meters deep, making it one of the thinnest buildings in Spain.

Attraction/Landmark

Once the main marketplace and civic heart of medieval Santiago, this lively square is named after Miguel de Cervantes and features a monument to him at its center, surrounded by charming cafés and historic buildings.

Attraction/Landmark

Founded in 1522 by Archbishop Alonso de Fonseca, this Renaissance college was the original seat of the University of Santiago de Compostela and features a beautiful cloister now used for exhibitions and cultural events.

Religious

This remarkable 12th-century Romanesque church is famous for its dramatically leaning interior columns, buttressed from the outside to prevent collapse — a fascinating architectural curiosity just outside the old town.

Religious

Legend says Saint Francis of Assisi himself founded this convent in 1214 during his pilgrimage to Santiago. The current Baroque building houses a museum of sacred art and a hotel within its historic walls.

Attraction/Landmark

This elegant 19th-century fountain in the Plaza de las Platerías features four horse sculptures spouting water, and has become one of the most photographed landmarks in Santiago's historic center.

Attraction/Landmark

These bronze statues in Alameda Park honor Maruxa and Coralia, two eccentric sisters who became beloved local icons in the 20th century for their flamboyant outfits and daily strolls through Santiago's streets.

Shopping

Santiago's main food market, operating since 1873, is the second most visited spot in the city after the Cathedral. Here locals and visitors find fresh Galician seafood, cheeses, vegetables, and the region's best produce.

Religious

One of the oldest monasteries in Santiago, founded in the 9th century to guard the newly discovered tomb of Saint James. Today it is home to an enclosed order of Benedictine nuns who sell traditional almond cakes.

Museum/Gallery

Housed in the former Convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval, this museum showcases Galician culture through traditional crafts, clothing, music, and maritime life. Its triple helicoidal staircase by Domingo de Andrade is an architectural marvel.

Museum/Gallery

This museum tells the story of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through the centuries, with exhibits on the discovery of Saint James's tomb, medieval pilgrim life, and the cultural impact of the Way across Europe.

Attraction/Landmark

Built in the 12th century for Archbishop Diego Gelmírez, this is one of the finest examples of Romanesque civil architecture in Spain. Its grand banquet hall features remarkable stone carvings depicting a medieval feast.

Attraction/Landmark

This grand Neoclassical palace facing the Cathedral across the Plaza del Obradoiro was commissioned by Archbishop Bartolomé Rajoy in the 18th century. It now serves as Santiago's City Hall and the seat of the Galician regional government.

Attraction/Landmark

Santiago's beloved green oasis features centuries-old oak trees, ornamental gardens, and stunning panoramic views of the Cathedral's towers. It has been the city's favorite promenade since the 19th century.

Attraction/Landmark

Also known as the Azabachería, this square on the Cathedral's north side was the traditional entrance for pilgrims arriving via the French Way. It is framed by the massive facade of the San Martín Pinario monastery.

Attraction/Landmark

Divided into the Quintana of the Dead (lower) and the Quintana of the Living (upper), this atmospheric square behind the Cathedral features the famous Holy Door, opened only during Holy Years when Saint James's feast falls on a Sunday.

Attraction/Landmark

Named after the silversmiths who once had their workshops here, this square on the Cathedral's south side features the only original Romanesque facade of the Cathedral, adorned with masterful 12th-century stone sculptures.

Attraction/Landmark

Carved by Master Mateo in 1188, this breathtaking Romanesque sculptural ensemble inside the Cathedral is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of medieval European art, depicting over 200 biblical figures in vivid detail.

Attraction/Landmark

One of Santiago's most charming medieval streets, lined with granite arcades that shelter pedestrians from the famous Galician rain. Its historic stone buildings house traditional shops, bookstores, and cozy taverns.

Attraction/Landmark

Despite its name, Rúa Nova dates back to the 12th century and runs parallel to Rúa do Vilar. This vibrant pedestrian street is known for its arcaded walkways, lively bars, and some of Santiago's best restaurants.

Parks & Gardens

This hillside park, redesigned by Galician artist Alvaro Siza Vieira, occupies the former grounds of the Santo Domingo de Bonaval convent. It offers peaceful gardens, an old cemetery, and sweeping views over Santiago's rooftops.

Museum/Gallery

This small museum recreates the atmosphere of a 19th-century student boarding house immortalized in the novel 'La Casa de la Troya' by Alejandro Pérez Lugín, offering a charming glimpse into Santiago's vibrant university life of the past.