Santiago de Compostela
Travelers come to Santiago de Compostela to finish the Camino de Santiago at its cathedral, then stay for the granite old town and Galician seafood.
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Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia in northwest Spain and the traditional end of the Camino de Santiago. The cathedral stands at the center of a compact old town built in granite. Pilgrims who finish the walk collect their Compostela certificate at the Pilgrim's Office nearby. The cathedral is traditionally said to hold the tomb of Saint James, which is why people have walked here for centuries.
Galicia is known for seafood, including octopus, and the green countryside around the city makes an easy base for day trips. The old town is small enough to cross on foot. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for walking and sightseeing, while summer brings the largest crowds. A single day covers the cathedral and the old town. A longer stay leaves time for the countryside around the city.
Santiago de Compostela in five
- Walk the last 100 km to earn a CompostelaOn foot or horseback the Pilgrim's Office asks for at least 100 continuous km on a recognized route, and 200 km by bicycle. Sarria is the usual start for the Camino Francés.Camino: the last 100 km
- Carry a credencial and get it stampedThe pilgrim passport must be stamped at the start and end of each stage, with the date, as proof of your walk. Get one before you start walking, not at the finish.
- Sleep in the old town or near the stationThe Zona Vella is the atmospheric choice but has steps and few lifts. Ensanche and the station area are flatter, quieter and often cheaper.Where to stay in Santiago
- Plan one or two days, then move onThe cathedral, old town and a food evening fill a day. Backpacks are not allowed inside the cathedral, so leave yours at your lodging. A second day suits the museum and market, then Pontevedra or A Coruña.How many days in Santiago
- Count your Schengen days on a long CaminoA walk from France or Portugal plus weeks in Spain counts toward the 90 days in any 180 for visa-free visitors. Work out the total before you set off.Schengen 90/180 rule
Things to do in Santiago de Compostela
See all attractions in Santiago de Compostela
Need to know
- Airport
- Santiago (SCQ), a short bus or taxi ride from the old town
- Getting there
- Train from Madrid; trains and buses from A Coruña, Vigo and Pontevedra
- Getting around
- Walk; the old town is largely pedestrian
- Best base
- The old town, or Ensanche for flat streets and quiet
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; add days if you walk in
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cold, rainyJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, rainy
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cool, wetFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 143 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Wet springMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 166 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet spring
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Camino startsAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Camino starts
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Camino, mildMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Camino, mild
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Feast of St JamesJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Feast of St James
- AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Warm, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Camino, mildSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Camino, mild
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Rain returnsOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 192 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain returns
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Wet, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 190 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cold, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 207 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
Average daily high and low in Santiago de Compostela, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Santiago de Compostela
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 40%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Santiago de Compostela
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°7°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue16°8°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed14°5°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu14°2°0%Thursday: Fog. High 14°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri13°4°27%Friday: Fog. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sat13°9°49%Saturday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun16°12°90%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 90%.
Updated 05:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Santiago de Compostela
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- AugViking Festival of CatoiraPontevedra, a day trip
- SepPontevedra Feira FrancaPontevedra, a day trip
Day trips by train
- A Coruñaabout 30–45 min by train or busA harbor promenade, the old Roman lighthouse and seafood.Read the guide
- Pontevedraabout 30–45 min by trainA traffic-free old town and riverside walks.Read the guide
- Fisterraabout 2–2.5 hours by busThe cape where many walkers continue to the Atlantic.
Before you go to Santiago de Compostela
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Santiago de Compostela, checked
- The Compostela needs 100 continuous km on foot or 200 km by bike (70 km in Spain if you start abroad), with a stamped credencial.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Backpacks are not allowed inside the cathedral. Daily Masses at 7:30, 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30; the Botafumeiro was under restoration.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Santiago de Compostela FAQ
Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting if I am not a pilgrim?
Yes. The cathedral square, the old town and the Galician food scene hold up on their own, and arrivals from the Camino give the city its atmosphere. Allow one or two days.
How many days do you need in Santiago de Compostela?
One full day is enough for the cathedral, old town and a food evening. Two days lets you add a museum, the market and a slow second morning. Add a day for Pontevedra or A Coruña.
Where is the best place to stay in Santiago?
The old town for atmosphere, Ensanche for flat streets and calm. Near the station suits early trains, and Monte do Gozo only if you are walking in on the Camino.
How do I get a Compostela certificate?
Walk at least 100 continuous km to Santiago on a recognized route (200 km by bike), carry a credencial stamped at the start and end of each stage, and present it at the Pilgrim's Office, open daily 9am to 7pm. Sarria is the usual start. Non-religious pilgrims get a Certificate of Distance.
When is the best time to visit Santiago de Compostela?
May, June and September combine mild weather with open Camino services. July and August are warmest but crowded. Galicia is wet in winter, and 2027 is a Holy Year with heavier crowds.