20 Top Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela (2025)

Top Recommendations

Short on time? Here are some of my top recommendations on activities in Santiago de Compostela:

• For a quintessential experience: Attend Pilgrim’s Mass at the cathedral
• To escape into nature: Wander through Alameda Park
• If you want to relax: Get a massage for as little as €35
• For good food: Go on a tapas tour
• For dessert: Enjoy Tarta de Santiago, an almond cake special to this region

20 Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela

While Santiago de Compostela, Spain may not have as much to do as other bigger cities in Spain, it still offers a large number of attractions for both Camino pilgrims and other visitors.

Here’s a list of the 20 top activities in Santiago de Compostela based on my experiences visiting the city and talking with other pilgrims.

Can’t Miss Attractions in Santiago de Compostela

If you don’t have much time in the city, here are the top few things to put at the top of your list for your visit.

1. Attend Pilgrim’s Mass at the Cathedral

Allegedly the burial site of the Apostle Saint James, the cathedral is absolutely the main tourist attraction in Santiago de Compostela. And no visit to Santiago de Compostela is complete without attending a pilgrim’s Mass at the cathedral.

Most pilgrims who complete the Camino de Santiago will attend Mass, sometimes multiple times, even if they’re not hiking for religious reasons. Plus, many other visitors and locals attend mass too.

With this in mind, I recommend arriving at least 30-45 minutes early to get a seat or you may have to stand. If you’re visiting on a weekend or holiday, arrive even earlier.

If you’re lucky, you might get to see the Botafumeiro, a unique 116-pound (53 kg) swinging incense that takes eight men to operate. On special holidays and by request of certain pilgrims, they will operate the device during Mass, swinging it around and filling the cathedral with a sage-like smell.

Mass is held in Spanish, but it’s still a cool experience that I recommend even if you don’t know the language.

You can also have Mass in English at the chapel in the Pilgrim’s Office. If you choose this option, you should still go to a pilgrim’s Mass at the main cathedral for the unique experience. It’s absolutely a must when it comes to things to do in Santiago de Compostela.

2. Stroll Through Alameda Park (Parque da Alameda)

This 16^th-century park is the oldest and one of the largest parks in the city. It offers spectacular views of the cathedral and houses a number of exotic plant species.

Statues throughout the park pay homage to notable Galicians as well as one of Spain’s most famous writers, Federico García Lorca.

I loved spending an afternoon walking around this park. After spending so many days walking long distances solo on the Camino, it was such a treat to get to enjoy a little time to myself here in nature from a bench without having to move. 😅

3. Explore the Old Town

When thinking through what to do in Santiago de Compostela, sometimes planning to have no plan is the best plan. You’ll definitely want to give yourself time to get lost wandering the charming stone streets of the old town.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town has preserved different architectural influences from varying centuries. You’ll find elements from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and later.

Every time I’ve visited, it’s been such a joy just to walk through the narrow walkways of the old town. There are so many different cafes, restaurants, and shops to pop into too.

4. Take in the Pilgrims Arriving in Praza do Obradoiro

Sit in Praza do Obradoiro outside of the cathedral and take in the emotion as pilgrims from all over the world complete their journeys. Even if you didn’t hike the Camino de Santiago, it’s cool to see such a special moment happening for so many people.

These pilgrims have been hiking anywhere from a week to over a month or more. They’ve started from all over the continent in Spain, France, Portugal, and even farther away, walking all kinds of different routes.

You’ll often also find live music playing in this plaza. When I first arrived at the end of my Camino, there was a bag piper playing on the edge of the square to welcome pilgrims.

Best Things to Do Related to the Camino de Santiago

If you have a little more time in the city and looking for things to do related to the Camino, here are my top recommendations.

5. Take a Cathedral Rooftop Tour

At this cathedral, you can do more than just step foot inside the main chapel. You can take a freaking guided tour of its roofs!

I did this on my last visit, and it was such a cool way to see more of the cathedral and get great views of the city. They even showed us this old furnace on the rooftop where medieval pilgrims allegedly burned their clothes upon arrival.

Scared of heights like me? Don’t worry, there are large railings all along the cathedral rooftop, and I never felt scared or at risk of falling.

Please note the one-hour tour is currently only held in Spanish. However, if you don’t know Spanish, the tour might still be worth it for the views, and they do provide a QR code to scan with a little information in English.

The general ticket rate is €15, but pilgrims with passports get a discounted €12 rate. Tours are offered Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you know Spanish, you might be interested in some of the other longer, more in depth tours. This guided rooftop tour also covers other parts of the cathedral and the museum for $37.

6. Visit the Museum of Pilgrimage and Santiago (Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago)

Learn about the Camino de Santiago, other pilgrimages, history of the city, the cathedral, and Saint James at the Museum of Pilgrimage and Santiago. Whether you’re a pilgrim yourself or just wanting to learn more about the history of the pilgrimage that gave birth to this city, then this should be at the top of your list for your visit.

I seriously regretted missing this after my first Camino. When I was last in Santiago de Compostela, I made it a point to visit and ended up spending about three hours there. I thought I knew a lot about the Camino before, but this museum still taught me so much.

The museum provides descriptions in English, so you can easily take in all the exhibits without having to worry about a language barrier. As you plan your visit, expect to spend at least a couple hours there.

Admission is free. Note that backpacks are not allowed inside, but the museum has lockers you can use to store your things for €1.

7. Relax With a Massage

Whether you hiked the Camino Francés or Portugués, or another route, one of the best things to do in Santiago de Compostela is to get a massage. Since the city marks the end to these long pilgrimages, there are tons of places to get a massage.

Quintana Massages is in the city center and highly rated. They offer a variety of massage options ranging from €35 to €90.

8. See Saint James and More at the Cathedral

Outside of Mass, you can come back to the cathedral and see Saint James’s alleged burial site up close. You can even hug his statue—yes, this is a thing! I’m not Catholic myself and don’t know much about the saints, but I did get in line and gave the statue a hug.

You can visit parts of the cathedral for free, but some areas require paying a small fee. The Portico of Glory (Pórtico de la Gloria), for instance, is a must see and requires purchasing a ticket for €15 for general admission or €12 for pilgrims.

Food + Drink Activities in Santiago de Compostela

Known for its excellent food, no visit to Santiago de Compostela is complete without some good dining. And while food on the Camino can be pretty good, it’s definitely a treat to dine in this city after walking for so long.

Here are some of my recommendations to help you enjoy Santiago’s food and drinks.

9. Shop and Dine at the Mercado de Abastos

The Mercado de Abastos is a food market and the second most popular attraction in the city after the cathedral. Vendors sell a mix of fresh ingredients and food you can eat onsite. You can even buy fresh seafood and have it cooked for you there.

The seafood is the main star here, but you can find other food and great wine too. The albariño white wine is a hit and local to the region.

Abastos 2.0

One of the food vendors, Abastos 2.0, is recognized by the Michelin guide for two of its seating areas:

• Abastos 2.0 Barra offers modern tapas and a surprise menu where the staff pick your meal starting at €50. It only has one shared large table, so ideally you’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time.
• Abastos 2.0 Mesas is on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list of more affordable high-value dining. The restaurant focuses on Galician cuisine and high quality local seafood. It’s a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time.

I ate at Abastos 2.0 Barra. I ordered a la carte and had a lovely meal with several unique small plates and a glass of wine for around €30.

The seating there made it easy for me to meet other travelers. I made friends with two other pilgrims, bumped into a friend from the Camino, and even met a traveler who was just visiting since Santiago is such a premier food destination.

10. Go Out for Tapas

As you look for things to do in Santiago de Compostela, you have to get tapas! You are in Spain after all, and this is one of the country’s culinary capitals.

Here are some popular tapas spots to check out:

• A Taberna do Bispo—great seafood and a beautiful modern interior
• Taberna O Gato Negro—classic tapas in a no frills dive bar setting
• Antollos Pinchos e Viños—tapas and pintxos (essentially skewered tapas typically on bread)
• La Tita—tapas with a nice terrace and free tortilla de patatas served when you order a drink

If you’re like me and sometimes feel overwhelmed trying to find the best tapas, I always recommend taking a food tour. Check out this tapas tour for $41.35. A local will guide you to three tapas spots in town and introduce you to some of the best local food.

11. Get Drinks at the Parador Hotel Terrace

Even if you don’t plan to stay at the Parador Hotel, it’s worth checking out. Grab a drink at the terrace bar and enjoy some of the best the views of the main square by the cathedral.

If you’re visiting Santiago as a pilgrim, you have even more reason to visit this hotel because it was originally built hundreds of years ago as a pilgrim hospital.

12. Devour Tarta de Santiago

Tarta de Santiago is an almond cake tied closely with the Camino de Santiago. It can be found all over the city and is a must try when you’re in town. The cake is so special to the region that the European Union gave it Protected Geographical Indication Status.

Some top spots to go for tarta de Santiago include:

• Pastelaría La Perla
• Confeitaría Caylo
• Pastelería Mercedes Mora

13. Try Octopus (Pulpo a la Gallega)

No visit to Santiago de Compostela is complete without trying octopus. Also known as pulpo á feira, this boiled octopus is a signature dish in Galicia and a must try on your visit.

Personally, the octopus I last tried in Galicia wasn’t my favorite, but I need to try it again. Many pilgrims absolutely love it.

Here are some of the best spots in the city for octopus:

• Bodegón Os Concheiros Pulpería
• El Mesón do Pulpo
• Los Sobrinos del Padre
• Bodegón Casas Chico

14. Experience Michelin Star Dining

Santiago de Compostela has three restaurants with one Michelin star, one of the highest distinctions in fine dining:

• Casa Marcelo for international fusion cuisine
• A Tafona for regional contemporary dining
• Simpar for Galician-inspired contemporary dining

While Michelin star dining can often be quite expensive, Casa Marcelo looks fairly reasonable at around €135 per person. I’m adding it to my list for when I finish my next Camino de Santiago!

Best Day Trips From the City

Santiago de Compostela sits in a stunning and unique region in Spain known as Galicia. If you have more time, I highly recommend exploring more of the region. Here are some of the top day trips from the city to help you do that.

16. See Catedrais Beach, Pancha Island, and Asturias

Explore some of the most beautiful parts of Spain on this day trip around the coast in Galicia and Asturias for $70.88. On the guided tour, you’ll visit Catedrais Beach (aka Playa de Las Catedrales), named one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain by National Geographic.

You’ll also visit an island and two fishing villages around the region. My Spanish host mom from my study abroad program always said Asturias is the most beautiful region of Spain. I’d love to take this tour and see its stunning coastal views and quaint towns.

Even though I hiked the Portuguese Coastal route on my last Camino, I thought about taking this tour because I hadn’t really spent time on the beach throughout my hikes. Unfortunately it was raining and I felt quite tired, so I didn’t make it but it’s on my list for next time!

17. Explore the Beautiful Rías Baixas Region on a Day Trip

Check out this guided Rías Baixas tour, which will take you to one of the most stunning areas of Galicia for $49.62. This wine region is known for one of the most popular wines in Spain, the albariño.

One of the main highlights of the trip is the optional mussel boat tour. You’ll enjoy mussels and wine while learning about the process for collecting mussels.

Especially if you’ve spent the past week or longer hiking on the Camino, I can’t think of a better way to relax and recharge than a day trip to wineries!

I haven’t taken this tour yet myself, but it stops at one of my favorite places I visited on the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués–Combarro. It’s a lovely historic fishing village right on the water.

Other Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela

There’s SO much to do in Santiago de Compostela. If you’re looking for more activities during your visit, here are a few more ideas.

18. Visit the Colegiata de Santa María la Real de Sar

This small 12^th century church is known for its leaning inner columns and walls. Over time, they started to lean to the side, requiring the addition of buttresses outside to hold up the walls and prevent collapse.

It’s one of the oldest churches in the city and a unique place to visit. Tickets cost €2, but if you have a ticket from visiting the cathedral, then you can get in for free.

19. Go for a Stroll in San Domingos de Bonaval Park (Parque de San Domingos de Bonaval)

This lovely park in the middle of the city is located at the remains of an old cemetery and monastery. It has nice green spaces and views of the cathedral.

Of note, this park contains a small statue by Eduardo Chillida, a famous Basque sculptor. If you’ve traveled elsewhere in Spain, you may have seen some of his more famous works, such as the Comb of the Wind (Peine del Viento) in San Sebastián or the Monument to Tolerance (Monumento a la Tolerancia) in Sevilla, Spain.

20. Take in the Beauty of Casa do Cabido and Praza das Praterías

The Casa do Cabido stands right by the cathedral and was built to help essentially decorate the Praza das Praterías cathedral square. It’s smaller than the Praza do Obradoiro but a charming square to visit.

The Casa do Cabido has rotating exhibits inside and is free to enter, so it may be worth a visit depending on the exhibit.

Where to Stay in Santiago de Compostela

As you’re thinking about your visit to this special city, you’ll want to consider where to stay. Here are a few options.

📍Budget Option: Albergue Santiago KM-0 is one of the highest rated albergues in the city’s old town. The bunks feel modern, and there’s a lovely outdoor terrace.

📍Mid-Range Option: Sete Artes by Como en Casa feels somewhat like a more luxurious hotel but at a fraction of the price. I stayed here after my second Camino and found my room to be exceptionally cozy and loved its historic charm.

📍Luxury Option: The Parador Hotel in Santiago de Compostela is arguably one of the most special hotels in the city. It sits right on the square with the cathedral and was originally built in the 12^th century for pilgrims hiking the Camino de Santiago. I stayed there after my first Camino on the Francés, and it was such a treat!

I’ve written a more detailed article on places to stay in Santiago, so definitely check that out for more info.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions that might help as you map out your plans and things to do in Santiago de Compostela.

Conclusion: Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela

There you have it! I hope this list of things to do in Santiago de Compostela helps as you map out your activities and plans for your visit this magical city in Galicia.

Next: Book Your Accommodation for the City

Accommodations in Santiago de Compostela can quickly book up, especially from May through September when the Camino de Santiago tends to be busier. Next, read more about the top places to stay in the city and make your booking so you don’t have to worry.