Top 5 Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Spain’s Galicia region. As the alleged burial site of the apostle St. James, it is an important religious city and is the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. However, aside from being a religious center, the city also offers a number of cultural attractions. If you’re looking to travel around the city safely and comfortably, hiring a Santiago de Compostela car service is one of the best ways to do so.

Aside from religious monuments, Santiago de Compostela is known for everything from gorgeous museums, a quaint Old Town, botanical gardens, and more. Given the number of things to do in this city, there’s truly something here for everyone. And if you’re looking to explore the city easily and in a stress-free manner, hiring a Santiago de Compostela limousine service is what you need to do.

Once you hire your Santiago de Compostela chauffeur service, the next step is to hand them your itinerary so that they can help you plan your time in the city and make sure you travel around it easily and get to your destinations on time. That said, creating an itinerary can be a challenging thing to do, given the number of things available to do in Santiago de Compostela. To make things easier for you, this article will explore some of the top things to do in Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago

If you’re looking for a truly unmissable experience during your time in Santiago de Compostela, the Catedral de Santiago is it. As your Santiago de Compostela airport transfer chauffeur will let you know, the cathedral is possibly the city's most visited location and is considered Spain’s most sacred Christian church. It is also the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

The entrance to the cathedral is known as the Portico de la Gloria and was created in 1188. This doorway features 200 figures from the story of the Apocalypse, as well as the figure of St James. The cathedral boasts three naves with a surface area of over 8000 square meters.

As your Santiago de Compostela chauffeur will let you know, the cloister houses the Cathedral of Santiago Museum. This museum showcases the history of the cathedral and features numerous artworks, including works by Goya and Rubens.

Plaza del Obradoiro

The Plaza del Obradoiro is a pedestrian-only area, so it’s best to get your car service Santiago de Compostela chauffeur to drop you off and explore the area on foot. It is located in front of the western façade of the Catedral de Santiago and is the heart of Santiago de Compostela’s Casco Antiguo (Old Town).

The plaza's name translates to “workshop square,” and it gets the name from the fact that it was home to numerous stone masons when the cathedral was being built. Aside from the cathedral, there are numerous other landmarks around the area, including the Pazo de Raxoi (home to the city hall), the Colegio de San Xerome, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, and more.

Camino de Santiago

As your limousine service Santiago de Compostela chauffeur will let you know, the Camino de Santiago is the name for the pilgrimage trail that ends at the city of Santiago de Compostela. The trail starts at multiple locations in Spain, France, and Portugal, from where people walk mainly on foot to the city.

If you’re interested, you can get to be a pilgrim for a day. Get your chauffeur service Santiago de Compostela chauffeur to drop you to either Padron or O Pedrouzo, both towns which are located about 20 km from the city. You can then look for the yellow arrows that indicate the Camino route and follow them to Santiago de Compostela.

Alternatively, you can also take one of the Camino tours, which involves walking the last 7km of the pilgrimage (as opposed to the last 20km). If you’re walking the route in the summer, you’ll meet hundreds of other pilgrims walking the route with you.

Parque de La Alameda

If you’re someone who likes nature, get your airport transfer Santiago de Compostela to drop you off at the Parque de La Alameda. The park is wonderfully landscaped and also offers stunning views of the Catedral de Santiago’s west façade.

This park includes three separate gardens and is also home to several monuments, including the Iglesia de El Pilar and the Porta dos Leóns (Door of the Lions). As your airport Santiago de Compostela transfer chauffeur will let you know, a highlight of the park is the Jardínes de Méndez Núñez, a wooded area that features a rose garden and statues that honor historical figures from Galicia.

Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea

If you’re looking to learn more about modern-day Galicia, getting your transfer Santiago de Compostela airport to drop you off at the Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea is a must. This center is home to numerous works of contemporary Galician art.

Once your chauffeur Santiago de Compostela drops you off at the center, you can explore the exhibition halls on foot. Aside from the permanent collection, the gallery also hosts temporary exhibits frequently.