Santiago de Compostela. Casco Historico
Santiago de Compostela. Casco Historico
Santiago de Compostela. Casco Historico
4.5
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2,713 reviews
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FJGonzalezG
Bethesda, MD1,170 contributions
Feb 2020
I love walking in the historic center (Casco Historico) of Santiago de Compostela, rain or shine. We lucked with sunny, cool weather on a late February visit. But, even on a rainy March day a few years ago it was great. A World Heritage Site, the city dates to the IX Century, and retains much of its medieval character: Romanesque and Gothic architecture abounds along its cobblestoned streets. It also has a definite Galician character, with its houses providing overhanging sidewalks to protect shoppers from the rain. There are museums worth exploring, churches worth visiting, and cloisters imbued with beauty and serenity. On a more pedestrian note, there are plenty of shops ranging from tchotchkes for tourists to fancy silver works (or an ideal combination: a small silver orreo. There seems to be a bar or restaurant in every corner. I prefer the holes in the wall, where the prices are low, the cuisine authentic, and the menus in Spanish or Galician only. The Casco Historico is small enough to cover in a couple of hours, or a day of leisurely browsing, eating, and drinking. The more time you give yourself, the more you will enjoy it.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia34,995 contributions
Jun 2019
If you do not relax, then one day will be enough for the city. Fortunately, Santiago is a small city, at least the historical center. It is logical to start from the Central Obradoiro square, where the main Baroque facade of St. James's Cathedral opens. You have already seen this masterpiece of the architect Fernando de Casas Novoa in the guidebooks. Otherwise, You wouldn't have come here. It is even better in reality, if you are lucky with the weather. This is still rainy Galicia.. We must admit that the exterior of the Cathedral is much better than the interior. Romanesque style does not inspire in itself, and construction will kill the whole effect. To see the best interior of the city, go to the monastery of San Martin Pinario. His Church is the best example of Galician Baroque, especially the same Fernando de Casas Novoa created three chapels in it. You will recognize them immediately. Entrance is 4 euros. You saw the best. This is not the case in other cities in Spain. The other churches are unlikely to hurt your feelings. There are also San Francisco, San Miguel, and many others. You can spend the rest of the day wandering around the city and getting to know Galician cuisine in the many restaurants in the city. The widespread use of seafood raises it to a good level. Don't forget to return to Obradoiro square in the evening. When the summer heat subsides (if there was one), interesting performers can perform in front of the audience. It is worth hearing and can dance. We do not come here in the name of sorrow, but for joy...
Written April 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,380 contributions
May 2019
The Casco Historico or Historical Center is claimed to be within the Cathedral which dates back to 1075. It is claimed that St James the Great who brought Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula is buried in the Cathedral, his tomb found around 829 which started the pilgrimage to the town. The town, a UNESCO Heritage site is steeped in history and there is much to see.There are also some very good restaurants in the town which is one of the best to visit in Spain.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swpratt
London, UK707 contributions
Oct 2022
Venice takes some beating - but the crowds. Santiago is often busy - especially with those brave souls at the end of the Camino. History is everywhere with beautiful sand coloured buildings, narrow streets and hidden squares. The bar scene is second to none for generous drinks and tasty tapas. Try a Nordes G and T on Momo's terrace overlooking the green outskirts. Everyone is so friendly and though the scene goes on to the early hours I have never witnessed rowdy behaviour - feel so safe. Good parking near the superb Galician life museum no more than 10 mins walk to the inpiring cathedral.
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,077 contributions
Jul 2020
Santiago de Compostela is a medieval city. The city center is pedestrianized, it is for hikers and pilgrims visiting this beautiful town. This area of the city was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 by UNESCO. The city of Santiago offers a unique monumental complex. The labyrinths of streets surrounded by lovely buildings are entwined with dozens of beautiful churches, chapels, heading unmistakably to the enormous Praza de Obradoiro, next to which stands a magnificent cathedral. Within the historic center there is also a great variety of shops, restaurants with different gastronomic offers, and museums that can be visited to learn more about the history of the city.
Written June 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,766 contributions
Dec 2022
The old town and historic centre of Santiago is one of the world's most beautiful urban areas. It's an amazingly compact medieval district with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings. The oldest buildings and monuments are clustered around the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela with its tomb of St James. Thanks to royal patronage and the importance of the cathedral as a pilgrimage site, many of the churches and buildings are richly adorned with enough artefacts to fill a couple of days.
Written January 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juan Jose S
Malaga, Spain406 contributions
Jul 2023
The image of the old part of this city is impressive, if we see it for the first time from the gardens next to the University, where we find ourselves on a bench with Valle Inclán contemplating those same views. It is a trip to the past as many travelers say, and there is a mix of a thousand cultures, you have to take time to visit it without haste, without stress, enjoy it, with a book in your hands and get lost in its streets and arcades. It is very worth visiting this beautiful city
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose B
Dublin, Ireland17 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
This City is just about the nicest place you could visit. its so clean the people are so friendly . the food was out of this world everywhere we ate. its full of culture and the music everywhere is so beautiful whether you walking down the street or in a pub/ restaurant its everywhere and very good musicians.
Written March 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fortunato
Milan, Italy28,273 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Walking through the historic center of Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful experience. Everywhere you turn, there are corners, churches, buildings and monuments to look at. And then the streets, the arcades, the parks, everything gives the idea of a living and pulsating city, a city rich in history and mysticism. All to visit...
Written May 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lukeskywalker
Rome, Italy101 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The old town naturally revolves around Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral. But characteristic alleys, special shops, backpacks, climbs and descents bring the atmosphere back to that of the walk. Each stone conveys its solemnity.
Automatically translated
Written August 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
voy a estar en Santiago padre el mes de noviembre, me pueden decir que durará hay al cabo de Fisterra y su hay algún bus directo? sugerencias?? gracias!!
Written June 2, 2017
Lo siento 😐 pero no tengo ni idea... no soy de esta zona...
Written July 2, 2017
das ist keine Frage
Written December 10, 2016
We are planning to go to Santiago de Compostela June 2017 and walk 110 Km at least.
Any advice about places to stay and eat?
Thanks
Angela
Written October 31, 2016
Well it all depends of the amount of money you are ready to invest. About the hotel it is important that you like how the rooms look and the food, all locations are good because the city is rather small, maybe it is the best to pick a place close to Old town and Alameda park in the newer part of the city. That way you are close to the train station and the old city as well. About the food, traditional is the sea food and white vine, you should try the public market, you can buy whatever you like and there is a service that they cook it there for you, food is delicious and not expensive, also next to it, you have two pubs where when you order a beer you get as much free tortilla as you want. There are many restaurants in the old town to me they are quite the same and they are especially expensive during Camino so beware.
Hope that you will have a nice time there.
Aleksa
Written November 2, 2016
I want to walk from santiago to finesterra with luggage transfers, is there a company that does that
Peggy
Written March 24, 2016
looking to spend about 7-14 days in Santiago next summer/fall. can you recommend a hotel near the 'action"? want to soak up the local culture of sidewalk dining etc without having to cab it.
Written December 1, 2015
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