Old town (Casco Histórico)
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
The UNESCO-listed medieval centre surrounding the cathedral.
Places in Old town (Casco Histórico)
- Casa Marcelo A Michelin-starred fusion restaurant blending Galician tradition with global technique.
- O Dezaseis A well-regarded restaurant serving traditional Galician cuisine in the historic centre.
- Old town tapas bars Tapas bars throughout the medieval centre serving Albariño wine and Galician small plates.
Practical notes for Santiago de Compostela
- Best time to visit
- May to September offers the mildest weather for pilgrims arriving on foot and visitors exploring the old town.
- Getting around
- Santiago's old town, including the cathedral and main pilgrimage sites, is compact and entirely walkable.
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- Spanish. English is common in tourist areas.
- Timezone
- CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
- Current trends
- Santiago's dining scene continues to elevate traditional Galician ingredients, with Michelin-starred restaurants like Casa Marcelo pairing pilgrimage-era culinary traditions with contemporary fusion technique.
Other neighborhoods in Santiago de Compostela
- Cathedral quarter — The historic heart of the city, centred on the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the pilgrimage's final destination.
- Mercado de Abastos area — The market district, one of the best places to eat traditional Galician food.
Read the full Santiago de Compostela guide