Santiago De Compostela tours

Things to do in Santiago De Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is steeped in pilgrim tales and sacred customs, where every stone seems to carry a whisper of the past. Arriving here, you’ll sense the spiritual pulse of the Camino’s endpoint. With your local guide, the city reveals more than just its grand cathedral. Stroll through its quaint alleys and bustling markets, getting a taste of everyday life. On private tours, savour Galician octopus and Albariño wine, or explore the Cathedral Museum without delay. Your guide ensures a journey rich with history and genuine hospitality, making Santiago not just a stop, but a memorable experience. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Santiago De Compostela. Explore Santiago De Compostela your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Santiago De Compostela tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Santiago De Compostela for every interest, including: History tours: Unpack the city’s growth at the Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago and step into the quiet cloister of the Colexio de Fonseca. Your guide can map building campaigns around Praza do Obradoiro and explain how they reshaped the square. Food and Drink tours: Shop with your guide at Mercado de Abastos, then taste polbo a feira at a classic pulpería and finish with almond‑rich tarta de Santiago. Add a flight of Galician wines—Albariño, Ribeiro, and Godello—or sample local cheeses like queixo tetilla. Religious Sites tours: Visit the Cathedral highlights—the Portico da Gloria with timed entry, the crypt of St. James, and, when scheduled, the Botafumeiro. Continue to San Martiño Pinario to see one of Spain’s largest monastic complexes. The old town is compact and best explored on foot, with city buses for farther stops. If you’d like to include countryside shrines or coastal extensions, ask your guide about private transportation or a chauffered tour. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Santiago De Compostela inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Embark on a private walking tour of Santiago de Compostela and explore some key neighborhoods with a local guide. There’s no better way to feel the pulse of a neighborhood than through the stories of a local. - Casco Histórico: The historic core of the city, ideal for cultural tourists. With its stunning cathedral and stone-paved streets, it offers a deep dive into the city’s rich heritage. - Ensanche: Known for its modernist architecture and bustling shopping areas, this neighborhood caters to those interested in contemporary city life. - San Pedro: A quieter area with a bohemian feel, perfect for those seeking more artistic and alternative experiences. It’s a hub for local crafts and unique eateries. - Conxo: This residential neighborhood offers a tranquil escape with its parks and local markets. Ideal for families and those wanting to experience local community life. Day trip ideas from Santiago De Compostela If you want to see more of Galicia without packing and moving hotels, plan a few easy day trips from Santiago de Compostela, and shape each stop into your kind of private tours focused on food, coast, or history. A Coruña: Walk the seafront and the old town, climb the Roman Tower of Hercules for wide ocean views, and check out galleries and markets that show a busy port city. If you like history and city energy with sea air, this nearby city fits well. Rías Baixas: Cruise past small fishing ports, taste Albariño at local wineries, and find sandy coves you can reach on short drives. Food fans and wine lovers get fresh seafood, and your tour can spend more time in Cambados or O Grove if that suits you. Finisterre and Costa da Morte: Follow the coast to lighthouses, cliffs, and small villages like Fisterra and Muxía, with quiet walks and big Atlantic views. If you want rugged scenery and the feel of the Camino’s far edge without long hikes, this route delivers. Pontevedra and Combarro: Explore car-free streets, lively squares, and stone hórreos by the water in Combarro, then visit museums and cafés in Pontevedra’s compact centre. Architecture and local life take the lead here, and it’s easy to slow down and look closely. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Santiago De Compostela most travellers miss.