For a thousand years, pilgrims have walked across Europe to reach the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, said to hold the remains of the apostle St James. To arrive here after eight days along the coast — the final stretch by coach from Ferrol, where the rail journey ends — is to complete a journey of a different kind.
The Praza do Obradoiro, framed by the cathedral's baroque façade, is one of the great squares of Europe. The surrounding old town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a maze of granite arcades, scallop-shell waymarks, and the scent of Galician cooking: octopus, empanada, Albariño and the almond tarta de Santiago.
Journey's end
Santiago is the western end of the journey. Travelling west, guests arrive by coach from Ferrol on the final day for a guided visit and free time; travelling east, the journey begins here with a welcome and an old-town visit before the coach transfer to Ferrol to board. Many guests extend their stay to explore the city and the wider Galician coast.
