Territory capital · Spain
Santiago de Compostela
Give it 2 nights: the cathedral and old town are a half-day, the rest is atmosphere. Add a third night only if you finish the Camino here.
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia and the end of the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route that has drawn walkers since the 9th century. The old town and cathedral are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, compact enough to walk in a day. Most travellers come for the arrival, the Romanesque streets and the seafood, not for a long sightseeing list. Two nights covers it; three if you walk in.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet and grey)
- Airport
- SCQ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Santiago de Compostela112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santiago de Compostela, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetySantiago is a safe, walkable city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services · 091 National police · 062 Guardia Civil (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSCQ Santiago Rosalía de Castro Airport (Tralusa bus 6A to the bus and rail stations, about 30 min; taxi about 15 min).
- Getting aroundThe old town is compact and walkable; you will not need transport inside it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer or wine in a bar€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Museum or sight ticketCathedral entry€20 (≈ US$25) adult, €16 (≈ US$19) concession (check)
- Budget bedHostel or pilgrim albergue bed, a night, per person€20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SCQ Santiago Rosalía de Castro Airport (Tralusa bus 6A to the bus and rail stations, about 30 min; taxi about 15 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santiago de Compostela: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is compact and walkable; you will not need transport inside it. City buses (Tralusa) cover the wider city, and bus 6A links the airport to the stations. Trains and buses connect to the rest of Galicia and Spain.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
A Coruña
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train from Santiago station, about 30 min
Coastal city with a Roman lighthouse and beaches; easy half-day or full day.
Pontevedra
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train or bus, about 1 h
Compact old town with arcaded squares; good lunch stop.
Vigo
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train from Santiago, about 1 h
Galicia's largest city, with a seafood quarter and Atlantic views.
Ourense
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Train, about 1 h 30 min
Known for hot springs; better as an overnight than a rushed return.
Lugo
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Bus, about 2 h
Complete Roman walls; a long day trip, better with a night.
Ferrol
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Train, about 1 h 30 min
Naval port; pair with A Coruña rather than a return trip.
Tui
skipDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train or bus toward the Portuguese border, about 2 h
Too far for a day return; stop here only if you are walking the Camino.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town (Zona Vella)
Inside the walls, walking distance to the cathedral. Quieter at night, pricier, some streets are car-free.
Ensanche
Modern grid south and east of the old town. Cheaper hotels, more bars and shops, 10–15 min walk to the cathedral.
Near the stations
Practical for early trains or buses, but a 15–20 min walk from the sights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–140 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × €110 | €220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Airport bus 6A, both ways2 × €2 · check | €4 |
| City bus single ticket2 × €1 · check | €2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €70 |
| Trip total≈ €192 per person per day, bed included | €766≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Menu del día (lunch, weekdays) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pulpo a la gallega (octopus) | €15–22 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Beer or wine in a bar | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Cathedral entry | €20 (≈ US$25) adult, €16 (≈ US$19) concession (check) |
| Cathedral museum entry | €6 (≈ US$7) general, €4 (≈ US$5) reduced (check) |
| Taxi airport to centre | €30 (≈ US$35) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rain is common from September to June; bring a waterproof layer.
- The old town is hilly and cobbled; wear shoes you can walk in.
- Some restaurants on the cathedral squares are tourist-priced; walk a few streets for better value.
- Book accommodation early in Holy Years and around 25 July (Saint James' Day).
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
- National police
- 091
- Guardia Civil
- 062
Pocket card
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Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A este enderezo, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- National police091
- Guardia Civil062
Embassy
Spain has no embassies in Santiago; most countries keep embassies in Madrid and consulates in A Coruña or Vigo. Check your country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport bus 6A to stations: about €1 (≈ US$2), 30 min (check)
- City bus single ticket: €1 (≈ US$2) adult, €0.55 (≈ under US$1) student (check)
- Taxi airport to centre: about €30 (≈ US$35), 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Ola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Grazas — Thank you (GRAH-thas)
- Por favor — Please (por fah-VOR)
- Canto custa? — How much is it? (KAN-toh KOOS-tah)
- A conta, por favor — The bill, please (ah KON-tah por fah-VOR)
- Onde está o baño? — Where is the toilet? (ON-deh es-TAH oh BAH-nyoh)
Galician is co-official with Spanish here; signs are often in Galician first.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santiago de Compostela. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wet and grey) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SCQ: last bus 6A departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: cathedral and Obradoiro, Quintana and Praterías, Alameda and Bonaval, Ensanche and the stations.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, cathedral museum, Pilgrimage Museum, San Martiño Pinario) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rain and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSantiago Turismo
- officialCathedral of Santiago de Compostela
- officialAena — Santiago Airport
- officialRenfe
- officialAlsa
- secondaryWikivoyage: Santiago de Compostela, revision 5334523 (CC BY-SA 4.0)