Santiago de Compostela's Old Town

Those who arrive in the city through the Camino Frances, the Camino Primitivo, or the Camino del Norte go along this street. It is the center of a barrio full of life, where incredibly innovative creative and cultural projects coexist with the everyday business and communal life of a traditional barrio.

The city entrance of the Camino Inglés gained its name from one of the ancient gates of the medieval wall. This street and its sidestreets are where the majority of students were housed until well into the 20th century. Many of its buildings have small gardens hidden within the land where ancient vegetable gardens once grew.

This street, one of the most famous in Spain, likely takes its name from the French innkeepers and merchants who established themselves there in medieval times. It retains its cosmopolitan character to this day. On this street and on the adjacent Rúa da Raíña are some of the most famous restaurants and tavernas in the city.

The cathedral side, Baroque, exudes spirituality. The Pazo de Raxoi side, neoclassical, public administration (the location of the city hall and the seat of the Government of Galicia). The Pazo de San Xerome side, with its medieval portico, knowledge (the seat of the university rector). And the Hospital Real side, with its elegant Renaissance profile, the hospitality of the Camino.

Sober yet warm and welcoming, its two parts evoke two worlds. The bottom part, the Quintana dos Mortos (mortos meaning dead), harbored a cemetery. In contrast, the top part is called Quintana dos Vivos (vivos meaning alive). A staircase connects the two, where people typically relax and admire the singular view of the cathedral with its Porta Santa, which only opens on Holy Years, and the bell chimes of the Torre da Berenguela tower.

The fourth plaza surrounding the cathedral is located to the north and also called Acibechería, due to being the historic location of workshops dedicated to sculpting azabache, or jet, a black stone with strong links to the Camino. Here, you can admire one of the views of San Martiño Pinario, the largest monastery in Galicia.

This charming garden oasis stands out with its camellias, a Japanese tree with a long tradition in Galicia. The plaza opens up onto the Pazo de Fonseca. This splendid Renaissance building was the place where studies at the University of Santiago de Compostela were unified in the 16th century. This university, founded in 1495, is one of the oldest in Spain.

A bust of the author of Don Quixote presides over this plaza—the crossroads where residents, tourists, and pilgrims meet. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a forum and market. In the Early and Late Modern periods, it was the scene of executions and the seat of the city council. Its early name, Praza do Campo (plaza of the encampment), is a reminder that it was originally outside the first city walls.

Various historical university buildings are located within the old town. This plaza and its surroundings have emitted a university vibe for centuries. The faculties for philosophy and history and student bars form part of the landscape of the plaza. Its single archway, a remnant of the ancient wall, opens up onto the south part.

The biggest green Santiago de Compostela landmark is this 19th-century garden full of huge trees. It is split into three distinct parts: the Paseo de Alameda, the Carballeira (oak grove) de Santa Susana, and the Paseo da Ferradura The latter offers one of the most memorable views of the cathedral and old town.