There is no finer place to end a journey than Santiago de Compostela. For over a thousand years, pilgrims have crossed Europe on the Camino de Santiago to reach the cathedral said to hold the remains of the apostle St James. To arrive at the end of eight days aboard a luxury train — the final stretch by coach from Ferrol, where the rail journey ends — is its own kind of pilgrimage.
The cathedral and the Obradoiro
The Praza do Obradoiro, dominated by the cathedral's soaring baroque façade, is one of the great squares of Europe — the emotional finish line for pilgrims arriving on foot. Inside, the botafumeiro, a giant censer swung across the transept, is unforgettable when in use.
The old town
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Santiago's old town is a granite labyrinth of arcaded streets, scallop-shell waymarks and squares that glisten in the famous Galician rain. The food is superb: pulpo á feira (octopus), empanada, Padrón peppers, crisp Albariño and the almond tarta de Santiago.
Santiago is the western end of the route: westbound guests arrive by coach from Ferrol on the last day, and eastbound guests begin here before the coach to Ferrol to board. Many of our guests add nights here, or continue to the Galician coast and the Rías Baixas wine country. As the official source, we'll arrange it all.
Arriving here? Give the city more than an afternoon — our guide to pre- and post-train extensions shows how, and the culinary map covers what to eat while you stay.
