Praza do Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Praza do Obradoiro is the main square of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, Spain, and the place where the Camino de Santiago traditionally ends. It sits in front of the west facade of the cathedral, which holds the tomb of the Apostle James, and it is framed by some of the city's most important historic buildings.

The story behind it

According to legend, the body of the Apostle James was carried by boat to the coast of Galicia after his death in the 1st century and buried near the site of today's city. Centuries later, in the early 9th century, the tomb was said to have been found after bright stars were seen above a field. The local bishop declared it the grave of the apostle, a church was raised over it, and in time that church grew into the cathedral that draws pilgrims today. Santiago means Saint James, and the origin of Compostela is debated: some link it to the Latin campus stellae, field of stars, others to compostum, meaning cemetery.

The square's name, Obradoiro, means workshop, a reminder of the stonemasons who worked here while the cathedral was built. On the north side stands the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, founded by the Catholic Monarchs so that pilgrims could rest and be cared for after their long journey. It dates from the early 16th century and still works as a hotel.

What to look for

• The Baroque west facade of the cathedral, richly carved in granite, which rises above the stairs on the eastern side of the square.
• The grand front of the Hostal dos Reis Católicos on the north side, with its carved stone doorway that recalls its original purpose as a pilgrims' hospital.
• The Pazo de Raxoi opposite the cathedral, a long neoclassical building that houses the city hall.
• The pilgrims themselves, arriving with backpacks and walking sticks, some sitting or lying on the stones to look up at the towers after weeks on the road.

Tips for your visit

• The square is open and free to wander at any time. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to take in the buildings, longer if you like to watch pilgrims arrive.
• Early morning and evening are the calmest, and the light on the granite is softest then. Galicia can be rainy, so bring a light jacket.
• You can visit the cathedral from the square, but check current opening hours and any access rules before you go.
• The lanes of the old town lead off in every direction, including toward Rúa do Franco and Praza da Quintana, so plan time for a longer walk afterward.

See it on a quest

Old Town Santiago: A Stroll Through History brings you to Praza do Obradoiro on foot as one stop of a longer route through the old town. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the facades and details rather than simply pass them. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.