Santiago de Compostela is an impressive city and a must-visit if you come to Galicia. Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire Galician region, but it also has a long historical, artistic, and religious tradition. In this article, we will show you what to see in Santiago in a day.
Both the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the entire old town are declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, thanks to their beauty and preservation over the years.
If you have one day to see the Galician capital, we recommend the following route to ensure you don’t miss any of the city’s most iconic places.
Table of contents
Old Town
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, the Old Town of Santiago de Compostela is a must-see. We recommend wandering and getting lost in the area to discover all its nooks and crannies. Everywhere you look will be beautiful! There are a few squares you must visit, such as:
- Plaza do Toural: One of the most emblematic streets in the old town, located between Rúa Nova and Rúa do Vilar.
- Rúa da Raíña: One of the streets with the most bars and restaurants where you can have a drink.
- Rúa do Franco: You will pass by the “Tree of Science”, where you can discover your vocation by standing with your back to it and pointing to one of the university degrees.
- Rúa da Oliveira: One of the narrowest streets in Spain, only 70 centimetres wide.
- Plaza de Cervantes: This lively square is very close to the cathedral, so you will always see excited pilgrims about to reach their final goal.
- Monasterio de San Martín Pinario: The Monasterio de San Martín Pinario is one of the most important works of Galician Baroque, and it is also the second-largest monastery in Spain after El Escorial.
If you prefer to be accompanied by a guide, you can also book a free tour of Santiago de Compostela to learn about the most important streets in this area.
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is one of the most emblematic and important buildings in the Catholic religion worldwide, as it was built over the tomb of James the Greater, one of the 12 apostles. It features Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements that have been integrated over the years.
Today, thousands of people end their pilgrimage journey at the cathedral, where they receive the Compostela pilgrim certificate.
We recommend booking tickets to see the Pórtico de la Gloria and the cathedral’s rooftops, from where you will have views of the entire city.
Although it is a work of art inside, you cannot miss the exterior and must visit the different squares surrounding the cathedral:
- Plaza del Obradoiro
- Plaza de las Platerías
- Plaza de Azabachería
- Plaza de la Quintana
Mercado de Abastos
Around vermouth time, we recommend visiting the Mercado de Abastos. There you can have a drink and try some typical Galician dishes, and also buy all sorts of fresh products.
For lunch, we have several articles on our blog to choose from according to your tastes, such as 5 Tasting Menus in Santiago, Best Places to Eat Octopus, Best Places for Churrasco…
If you have room for dessert, in this article we tell you where to find the best hot chocolate with churros and where to buy the best Santiago cake.
La Alameda
In the early afternoon, you can visit La Alameda of Santiago, a place full of trees, fountains, and kiosks. It is the city’s lung and a perfect place to relax and for children to play safely. While there, you will find the statue of Las Dos Marías, two Santiago sisters who used to stroll at two in the afternoon with very striking outfits, smoking and complimenting the university students, which was unthinkable for women of that time.
Museo do Pobo Galego
If you want to learn about Galician culture and tradition, you must visit the Museo do Pobo Galego, which showcases part of Galicia’s heritage. We have a dedicated article on our blog about the Museo do Pobo Galego, where we tell you everything about its architecture, history, opening hours, ticket prices and guided tours.
Sunset at Bonaval
After visiting the museum, you can stay in the famous Bonaval Park and wait until the end of the day to watch the sunset from there. The views are impressive!
We hope this article helps you for your next visit to Santiago and that you enjoy all its charm without missing any of the city’s most important places. If you want more information about Santiago de Compostela, take a look at our website or contact us—we will be delighted to help!