As those who follow me on Instagram may know, during our recent tour of Galicia my boyfriend and I were lucky enough to spend time in the region’s stunning capital, Santiago de Compostela.
Although only there for 24 hours, we left utterly seduced by the city’s arcaded stone streets, rooftop views and exuberant baroque cathedral. I’ve put together this list of top reasons to visit this magical, medieval city for anyone in need of inspiration or convincing.
The rich medieval history
Fellow history lovers will be pleased to learn Santiago de Compostela has a fascinating medieval history. For over 1,000 years, pilgrims have travelled to visit the Shrine of St James in the beautiful Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (pictured above). Known in English as The Way of St James, the pilgrimage is completed by over 100,000 pilgrims each year from points all over Europe and the world. In addition to being a spiritual path and means of spiritual growth, the route is also popular with hiking and cycling enthusiasts.
Over a thousand years ago, a Celtic group settled in modern-day Galicia and through the ages this influenced many regional cultural traditions. The most striking Celtic tradition I observed there was the sound of bagpipes throughout the city, a popular Celtic instrument prevalent in Galicia.
IT’S A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Santiago de Compostela’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an immaculately preserved historical neighbourhood. It’s one of the most beautiful urban areas imaginable boasting Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings. The charming streets take on an amber hue after sunset, and according to locals, look their best glistening in the rain.
THE CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture and reason enough to visit this magical destination. The sculptured façade and spires tower high above the city. For wonderful views of the cathedral’s interior and the city from the roof take the cathedral rooftop tour.
The Museo da Catedral was also a highlight of my stay here. It’s situated within the Cathedral complex spread over four floors, showcasing immaculately displayed religious art, intricate tapestries, important archaeological remains and a library. Check out the upper level, where an arcaded terrace yields incredible views over the city and Obradoiro Square.
The culture
Culture vultures are spoiled for choice in Santiago de Compostela. There are five religious museums, two modern art museums, an ethnographic museum, a medical museum, a natural history museum, and a jet (the city’s precious stone) museum. Throughout the year there are markets selling antiques and crafts as well as a series of music, film, dance and religious festivals. Art galleries, exhibition halls and theatres complete the cultural activities on offer.
The atmosphere
I loved the vibe of the city. It’s a peaceful, safe place that’s easy to wander around and explore on foot. There are plenty of lovely green spaces too. The grounds of Alameda Park resemble a grand country estate, and are a perfect spot for an afternoon stroll. Santiago de Compostela is also a lively and young University town that attracts thousands of students, as well as pilgrims. The city also has many bars and clubs that liven up Thursday-Saturday.
Galician cuisine
In addition to Santiago de Compostela’s cultural, religious and historical significance, the city’s culinary scene is also worthy of praise. Within the meandering streets of the city are countless tabernas and restaurants serving flavourful tapas and fresh seafood. I had an amazing meal at O Curro da Parra during my stay. This small but popular restaurant serves delicious tapas and Galician market-fresh cuisine. There’s a wine bar downstairs, and a cosy, charmingly rustic dining room on the first floor.
Planning a trip?
Heading to Santiago de Compostela? Here’s how to spend the perfect day there.
If you’re planning a trip soon, be sure to have a look my top travel planning resources, including tips on how to save money travelling and my favourite travel planning tools.
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