Tourist Activities
Interesting
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Tour of the Collegiate Church of Sar and its Museum
This church, built in the 12th century, still features a large part of its Romanesque origin. It was built on muddy ground prone to flooding, which resulted in two of the church’s most striking elements: flying buttresses to prevent the building from collapsing and inclining interior columns.
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Tour of Santiago Cathedral
There are many options for visiting Santiago Cathedral. You can visit the main altar, Portico of Glory, Corticela Chapel… There are different circuits featuring guided tours to visit the crypt, cloister and museum:
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A walk along the Cathedral rooftop
The rooftop of the Cathedral of Santiago is prepared in such a way that you can go and distinguish the different stages in which the temple was built, visiting besides an impressive panoramic view of the city. -
Botafumeiro
Santiago Cathedral’s famous censer flies through the naves regularly so that tourists, pilgrims and residents may admire this great Compostela tradition that began in the 11th century;.
Other events
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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Music
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019Santiago de Compostela’s Auditorio de Galicia hosts a regular season featuring an orchestra made of fifty musicians from different countries.
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Museo do Pobo Galego. Permanent Exhibition
Exhibitions
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019Permanent exhibition: Made up of artefacts linked to the sea, traditional trades, the countryside, music, architecture, society…
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Galician Centre of Contemporary Art
Exhibitions
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019The building housing the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art (CGAC) was the first one in Santiago de Compostela designed by the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. This building, located very close to the Church of San Domingos de Bonaval
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Tour of the Monastery of San Martín Pinario
Exhibitions , Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019The façade of this Benedictine monastery is one of Galicia’s Renaissance masterpieces. Inside we can enjoy a striking altarpiece that exalts the figure of Mary and the Benedictine Order.
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Guided tour of the old town
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019Santiago’s tourist office offers a guided tour around different places in the old town such as the cathedral squares; the Colegio de Fonseca; the Casa del Deán; the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos; the Monastery of San Martín Pinario; the Casa de la Troya; and streets called Franco, Raíña and Vilar.
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Tourist Train
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019With the tourist train you’ll visit surprising places in the city, discovering not only the old town but also gardens featuring important architectural elements, areas with an incredible panoramic view of the city… The ride lasts 45 minutes and departs from the Plaza del Obradoiro.
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Tour of University Heritage
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019A guided tour around emblematic buildings in the old town, such as the Colegio de Santiago Alfeo (Colegio de Fonseca), the Colegio de los Irlandeses, the University Church or the Geography and History Faculty. The meeting point is the Pazo de Fonseca’s cloister and the tours lasts about an hour and a half.
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Tour of the City of Culture
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019In the City of Culture, located on Monte Gaiás and designed by the architect Peter Eisenman, you can visit the museum, archive and library. There are also guided tours to discover the secrets of this unique architectural project.
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Museo do Pobo Galego
Exhibitions
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019The former Convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval houses the ethnographic museum called the Museo do Pobo Galego, with the objective of preserving Galicia’s traditions and customs; its permanent rooms therefore highlight different aspects of the sea, trades, countryside… You can also visit the part of the old convent.
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Audio-Guide
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019Another way of touring Santiago de Compostela is by means of a 6-language audio-guide system available from the tourism office. The audio-guide will take you around and inform you about such emblematic places as the Hostal-Parador de los Reyes Católicos, the cathedral and its squares, the Monastery of San Martín Pinario, the Alameda (park)…
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Historic Dowton Free Tour
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019The route of this tour is realized on foot and has an approximate duration of 2 hours.
Departure days as follows: Everyday.
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Free Tour Compostela Magic
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019This tour treats topics like witchcraft, murders, appearances, imposible love, ghosts…
Departure days as follows: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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Free Tour Santiago de Compsotela
Guided Visits
Del 1 de January al 31 de December de 2019This tour covers everyday the Cathedral, the old town… including the tasting of products of “Secretos de Galicia” and “Frinsa, La Conservera”. The meeting point for this tour is the Plaza del Obradoiro and the guide may be differentiated by the blue umbrela that represents them.
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Casa de la Troya
Guided Visits
Del 25 de March al 31 de December de 2019This small, curious museum devoted to Compostela’s “tuna” (traditional student music group) depicts an old student boarding house and university life in Santiago.
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“Apóstol” Festival
Festivals
Del 15 de July al 31 de July de 2019This is Santiago de Compostela’s most important festival. Two of the most important events are the spectacular fireworks displays on July 24 and 31.
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Compostelana Holy Week
Festivals
Del 17 de April al 20 de April de 2019Santiago de Compostela’s Holy Week features processions, liturgical services, music concerts and the characteristic gastronomy of this time of year.
