Santiago de Compostela

Life around the Cathedral

Perhaps the most special place in Santiago is Plaza del Obradoiro. Life in the city seems to revolve around this spot, the site of the Cathedral, the Raxoi Palace, and the luxurious Hostal dos Reis Católicos, said to be the world’s oldest hotel. On this square you’re likely to see pilgrims with their ever-present walking sticks and scallop shells. Then comes the ritual of visiting the Cathedral: admiring the Pórtico de la Gloria, embracing the figure of Saint James at the High Altar, descending to the crypt, climbing to the rooftops (what views!), and, if you're lucky, seeing the botafumeiro (an enormous censer) in operation, as it only swings on certain holidays or by prior arrangement.Around the Cathedral, every step is a discovery, and there are other charming squares such as Praterías (with the best view of the Berenguela, the bell tower) or Quintana with its beautiful staircase and other monuments such as the imposing Monastery of San Martiño Pinario.It’s curious that even the far outskirts of the city seem as if they were designed for admiring the Cathedral. An example is the quiet Alameda Park and the viewing point of Monte do Gozo, with sculptures of pilgrims which have starred in so many photographs.

Fine dining and the modern city

To be tempted by delicious smells and tastes, and see why Galicia’s food is so famous, there’s nothing like a visit to the Mercado de Abastos food market, the second most visited place in the city. Here you can buy and taste seafood fresh from the rías, cheeses and Padrón peppers, or try the famous tapas. You can also feel the real atmosphere of Santiago on Calle Franco and Calle Raiña, in the heart of the old town, where locals and visitors have been enjoying tapas “since forever” and where you will find plenty of restaurants for trying octopus “a feira”, scallops, Santiago cake or wines like Albariño, considered one of the world’s best white wines.Beyond the narrow streets and stone houses and palaces, Santiago's more modern side is evident in its university atmosphere, its art galleries, and especially in two places: the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art and the Cidade da Cultura, a project by New Yorker Peter Eisenman and one of the most striking examples of contemporary Galician architecture.Many people say that taking the Way and arriving in Santiago is an adventure that can change your life. This city certainly seems capable of keeping you here.