Are you thinking about visiting Santiago de Compostela, Spain? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting?
Santiago de Compostela is worth visiting for one to two days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. Santiago de Compostela is a famous Christian city that is the final destination of the Camino de Santiago. The trail has long served as a pilgrimage for Christian travelers and adventurers. Today, particularly during the summer months, you'll find hikers flooding into town to see the Cathedral of Santiago and the other Christian sights around town.
The Cathendral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Reasons to Visit Santiago de Compostela
Museums
The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.
Historical Sights
The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.
Hiking
This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.
Food
Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.
Nightlife
As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.
Shopping
There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.
The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Santiago de Compostela might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Santiago de Compostela here or see if Santiago de Compostela is expensive here.
Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting in the Summer?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 19°C (66°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Santiago de Compostela, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to get out into nature, wander through the museums, and admire the historic sights. Also, you'll be able to enjoy an evening out.
Summer Weather in Santiago de Compostela
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| August | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| September | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Santiago de Compostela. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 16°C (61°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and browse through museums. Also, you can experience the hiking.
Autumn Weather in Santiago de Compostela
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| November | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| December | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Santiago de Compostela. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during winter, and temperatures hover around 11°C (51°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the historic old town. Also, you can dance the night away.
Winter Weather in Santiago de Compostela
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| February | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| March | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
Is Santiago de Compostela worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Santiago de Compostela, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can check out the historic old town and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Santiago de Compostela
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| June | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Santiago de Compostela
Lots of Tourists
Santiago de Compostela sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
Not As Romantic
For couples, this destination does not have a great vibe for romance compared to other places.
Related
What is Santiago de Compostela most famous for?
Santiago de Compostela is most famous for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. The city is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and hiking. It's also known for food, nightlife, and shopping. It is often described as historic, religious, inspirational, and iconic.
What is the most famous sight in Santiago de Compostela?
The most popular sight in Santiago de Compostela is the Cathedral of Santiago. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Santiago de Compostela on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the Cathedral of Santiago and other attractions here.
How touristy is Santiago de Compostela? Is it a popular city to visit?
Santiago de Compostela is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Private tour Santiago de Compostela with tickets: $71
- Secrets of Compostela Private Tour: $44
- Tour from santaigo to Ribeira sacra with boat trip: $71
- Secrets of Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Guided tour of Bodegas Granbazán: $20
- Night Tour Land of Legends and Meigas: $13
- Santiago de Compostela Private Walking Tour with Cathedral Ticket: $184
- Santiago Complete with tickets included: $35
How long should I spend in Santiago de Compostela?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Santiago de Compostela is one to two days. Since Santiago de Compostela has a variety of activities such as museums, historical sights, and hiking, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santiago de Compostela?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Santiago de Compostela?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Santiago de Compostela?.
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