The crowning glory—and capital—of Spain's Galicia province, Santiago de Compostela will easily fill
three days
of your time. From discovering the city's medieval treasures and sampling its famous cuisine, to exploring rural Galicia, here are our top tips for a 72-hour stay.
Is it worth visiting Santiago de Compostela?
Santiago de Compostela's historic quarter is among the most elegant in Spain, dotted with graceful monasteries, impressive churches and historic palaces.
Its magnificent Gothic architecture and quaint cobbled streets are definitely worth exploring
.
Is Santiago de Compostela a good place to live?
Really friendly people and good quality air and a lot of green everywhere
. It also gets chilly in the winter and rains quite a bit. Sort of like Portland and Seattle.
What is special about Santiago de Compostela?
This famous pilgrimage site in north-west Spain
became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam
. Destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century, it was completely rebuilt in the following century.
How far from Santander to Santiago de Compostela?
| Journey time From 12h 50m | Distance 242 miles (390 km) | Frequency 2 trains per day | First train 09:19 | Last train 19:00 |
|---|
What language do they speak in Santiago de Compostela?
The official languages of the city are
Galician and Spanish
. Galician is a language with great similarities with Portuguese, so speakers of this language will not have a lot of trouble understanding people.
Does Santiago de Compostela have a beach?
Santiago de Compostela by car is just under 30 minutes from the Rias Baixas, Galicia.
The city itself does not have the kind of beach
that we are used to normally in Galicia: big, wild, beautiful but they are also advised to visit, due to its difference and unique beauty.
What is the best month to walk the Camino de Santiago?
While the Camino de Santiago is passable all year round, the months of
April, May, June, September and October
are optimal months for experiencing the trail. For those opting for the popular Camino Francés, the Pyrenees mountain chain can see deep snow and inclement weather in wintertime.
How long does it take to walk the Santiago de Compostela?
Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the walk should take you about
30 to 35 days
; in order to achieve this time, you would need to walk between 23 and 27 kilometers per day (14 to 16 miles). The Camino de Santiago is known in English as the Way of Saint James.
What is Spain's holiest city?
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | Area 107.59 ha | Buffer zone 216.88 ha |
|---|
How far is the ocean from Santiago de Compostela?
The distance between Santiago de Compostela and Atlantic Ocean is
4144 km
.
How are the winters in Santiago de Compostela?
In Santiago de Compostela, the summers are comfortable and mostly clear and the winters are
cold, wet, and partly cloudy
. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 41°F to 76°F and is rarely below 32°F or above 87°F.
Is 2022 a Holy Year?
The Pope declares walking the Camino de Santiago in 2022 is officially a Holy Year
.
Who is buried in Santiago de Compostela?
The cathedral is the reputed burial place of
Saint James the Great
, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ.
Is Spanish spoken in Galicia Spain?
The official language of Spain is Spanish (Castilian), but some communities have their own long-standing official languages: Basque in the Basque Country and Navarre; Catalan in Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands; and Galician in Galicia, where you have come to study.
Galician is Galicia's native language
.
Which Camino route is the most beautiful?
Camino del Norte
. The Northern Way is arguably the most scenic, running along the Bay of Biscay coast from foodie San Sebastián, via Bilbao and Santander and an array of beautiful beaches, to Oviedo; from here you can join the Camino Primitivo to reach Santiago.
Do you need a sleeping bag for the Camino?
What is this? The Camino de Santiago is not your normal hike in the wild where you have to carry camping gear and food which is a good thing as it's possible to pack light. Every night pilgrims stay at albergues, no tent and camping mat is needed,
all you need or we'd recommend bringing with is a sleeping bag
.
How fit do you need to be to walk the Camino de Santiago?
Any relatively fit person can walk the Camino
.
For those who are used to walking or hiking a lot, it'll be easier. The important thing is that it's absolutely doable. If for whatever reason you can't or don't want to walk for a month, choose a shorter one or walk the last 100km to Santiago on any Camino.
