Hotels in Santiago de Compostela

Located in the autonomous community of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the region in thenorth west of Spain. A city hugely steeped in history, its origin lies in the shrine of Saint James the Great.

This deep historical religious connection has seen Santiago de Compostela become a popular destination on the route of a Catholic pilgrimage. The significance of the city’s Old Town district was endorsed when it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Being such a popular spot on a famous pilgrimage route, you will be pleased to hear that Santiago de Compostela boasts a high number of cheap and affordable hotel accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Neighbourhoods of Santiago De Compostela

Santiago De Compostela consists of a number of districts:

• Old Town: Old Town is the crowning glory of the city. Exploring this area of Santiago De Compostela will see you viewing a mix of influences from Gothic to Neo-classical to Romanesque to Baroque. It is a wonderful combination of styles and eras.
• Camino: If you are not passing through the city on the full pilgrimage, you can still get a taste of what the journey would be like by walking the Camino stretch that is very close to the centre of the city.
• Plazas: In and around the quaint beauty of the Old Town, you will also find a number of plazas that are architecturally impressive filled with amazing tapas bars and restaurants for a vibrant and entertaining nightlife experience.

What to see and do in Santiago De Compostela

You won’t be surprised to hear that the bulk of Santiago De Compostela’s key attractions are related to its religious history and culture. For pilgrims and other interested parties, the key destination is the sensational 11th century Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which is the reputed burial place of St. James.

Other sights include the rather magnificent squares of Praza do Obradoiro, Praza da Quintina, and Plaza de la Acibecheria Notable among the splendid buildings are the Monastery of San Martino Pinario that also doubles as a wonderful art museum, the Palacio de Raxoi, and the Hospital Real of the Catholic Kings. More modern attractions include the Centro Galego de Arte Contemporaneo and the Auditorio de Galeci.

What to eat in Santiago De Compostela

There is a strong traditional food culture in the region containing Santiago De Compostela. Some of the most iconic and absolutely must-try dishes connected with the city include pil pil cod which is a meal of glazed cod with olive oil, garlic, and chili peppers, eggs a la flamenca which is eggs with tomatoes, chorizo, peppers, peas, and green beans, and octopus a feira which is a simple dish of octopus sprinkled with pepper, salt, and olive oil.

Typical events and festivals in Santiago De Compostela

You will never be without an event to attend in and around Santiago De Compostela. Some of the most popular occasions across the year include the main annual celebration of the apostle St. James, that takes place every July, the Semana Santa celebrations for Easter, and the ten-day long Feria del Ganado fiesta which explores Galicia’s cultural Celtic roots.

How to move around in Santiago De Compostela

Visitors will find that the best way to move around in Santiago De Compostela is by taking advantage of the local bus network. It is a regular and reliable service that offers both normal journey tickets and a bulk buy option of ten journey tickets for a cheaper place. This is a great deal for tourists who are planning on travelling to lots of different sights.

The climate in Santiago De Compostela

Santiago De Compostela enjoys a warm and temperate climate all year round. Known for being cool and humid, it has an average temperature of 14 degrees, which obviously soars into the mid to high 20s during the peak summer months. Due to the walking nature of the famous pilgrimage, visitors often try to avoid the hottest temperatures by travelling in spring rather than summer.