Santiago de Compostela and its ways

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. The city is a World Heritage Site and is full of history and beauty.

The Camino de Santiago is a religious pilgrimage dating back to the 9th century., known worldwide, and attracts around 300 thousand tourists a year. Its purpose is to venerate the apostle of Jesus Christ, Tiago (Jacob/Xacob), who is supposedly buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The route has several paths. When news of the discovery of the tomb’s existence traveled the world in the Middle Ages, many people left their homes in search of the city of Compostela. Therefore, many paths were covered and mapped. Some of them are the Primitive Way and the Via da Prata Way, in addition to the main one, which is the French Way.

In 1993, Unesco decided to include the Santiago route to the world routes. Of all, the French Way to Santiago de Compostela is currently the most frequented. However, the good pilgrim will say that the Camino de Santiago begins at his home!

People who take the route receive a parchment in Latin, issued by the Order of Santiago, a religious branch of the Catholic Church, which certifies that the person took the Camino de Santiago out of devotion, vote, piety, and more currently also recognized non-Catholic motivations, as spiritual or sporting purposes.

Called Compostelana, it is a document issued by the Pilgrim Office of Santiago on behalf of the Church and is only given to those who at least complete the last 100 km of any of the Camino de Santiago ways either on foot or on horseback, or the last 200 km by bicycle.

How to get to Santiago de Compostela?

To reach the city by modern means of transport such as plane, the city’s airport is located in Lavacolla, 11 km from the center. It is possible to reach Santiago by bus, departing from nearby cities such as Porto, Madrid and León. There is also the possibility of using the train, which connects Santiago de Compostela to Madrid and other cities.

However, we invite the reader to choose the best path and the best way to travel it, as thousands of pilgrims do every year.

What to take to walk the routes and paths of Santiago de Compostela?

To travel the long routes, spiritual and physical preparation is not enough. It is necessary to have the right equipment or everything can become quite uncomfortable. Discover the different ways of Santiago and the routes in Portugal and prepare your backpack!

• A good quality and comfortable backpack, proportional to the recommended weight to be carried. Remember that a pilgrim will face many kilometers with his backpack on his back.
• Comfortable, soft shoes with a grippy sole, coated and preferably waterproof, no matter if it’s sneakers or boots.
• Raincoat but also a hat.
• Watch out for the sun, bring long-sleeved shirts with UV protection and sunscreen.
• Also set aside a flashlight and a first-aid kit.
• Among the documents, you will need to bring your European ID or valid passport, travel insurance and, of course, the Pilgrim’s Credential.
• Remember to always carry some money, as many villages are rural and offer little service.
• We recommend bringing a credit card for emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.

When to go to Santiago de Compostela?

The best time to go on one of the Camino de Santiago is between April and October. However, during the school holidays in Europe (between July and August), there are always a lot of people along the way. Hostels can fill up, small villages can’t keep up with demand, and summer temperatures are often quite high.

It is also not highly recommended to take the Camino de Santiago in winter, as the snow can block some stretches, make the route difficult and cause many problems.

What to do in the city of Santiago de Compostela?

Upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela, enjoy its sights and attractions, which go far beyond the Cathedral and the pilgrimage:

The Plaza del Obradoiro de Santiago de Compostela

The Plaza del Obradoiro is a place of great significance and full of energy. It’s exactly where the zero kilometer of all the Santiago de Compostela ways. Just wait a few minutes and the tourist will see many emotional and relieved pilgrims that have just completed their objective.

The Historic Center of Santiago de Compostela

The historic center, also called “Casco Antiguo” in Spanish, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The city of Santiago de Compostela has a well-preserved historic center, with a medieval feel and granite buildings, which give a somewhat macabre atmosphere at night.

You lose count of churches, monasteries, convents and other religious buildings. Some of them house surprises like bakeries where you can buy pasteries produced by the cloistered sisters.

The Museum of the Galician People

At the Museu do Povo Galego, tourists can understand a little more about the history and culture of the Galician population. There are different themes divided by the museum, such as: sea, countryside, music, memory, tradition, clothing and habitats.

Santiago de Compostela Abasto Market

The city’s Mercado de Abasto is one of the most touristic places in Santiago de Compostela. It is where traditionally Galician products are found, both from land and sea. A visit to this gastronomic and cultural attraction is highly recommended.

The energy of Santiago de Compostela

According to many pilgrims who complete one of the routes, the Camino de Santiago is a journey that teaches people to be more human. Finding yourself, defining your priorities better, appreciating and valuing more what you have.

You learn to cultivate detachment, minimalism, the essential, helping others and it is the best place to take care of the soul. The pilgrims are concerned about each other, and all the time they wish each other “buen camino, ultreia et suseia”. The greeting is derived from Latin and emanates supportive meanings such as “always on”, “don’t give up” and “it’s possible, believe it”.