Where to Stay in Santiago de Compostela: Best Areas & Hotels

Settled in the 9th century around the alleged burial place of Saint James the Great, the origins of this Galician city are a mixture of history, mysticism, tradition, power struggles and what could well have been the most effective city tourism marketing campaign in the Middle Ages. The tomb of the apostle, its church and the town that grew up around it became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Christianity. If you have come to this article looking for the best areas to stay in Santiago de Compostela, you have come to the right place.

A millennium has passed since its peculiar foundation, and Santiago de Compostela has massively grown in importance and beauty. The capital of Galicia since 1982, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited places in Spain, famous for its impressive cathedral, its beautiful and well-preserved historic centre, its university, and the recently created complex of the Cidade da Cultura. Thanks to its status as a pilgrimage destination since medieval times, we could even call Santiago de Compostela the oldest tourist destination in Spain and, as such, it is home to a large number of accommodations for all tastes and budgets. In recent years, new boutique properties have opened all around the city, particularly in the Old Town.

Whether you’re heading to Santiago de Compostela as a pilgrim, a tourist, or while travelling northwestern Spain, keep reading this article to find out more about the best areas to stay in Santiago de Compostela.

Accommodation Options in Santiago de Compostela

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What’s the Best Area to Stay in Santiago de Compostela, Spain?

The best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela is the Old Town, especially for sightseeing or travellers on the Way of Saint James. The Old Town grew around the city’s famous cathedral and houses the city’s main attractions, including Praza do Obradoiro, the town hall, the Royal Hospital, the San Francisco convent and museums such as the Galician Center for Contemporary Art and the Pilgrimage Museum. This old central district is also home to some of the best-rated hotels in Santiago.

See all the available accommodation in the Old Town.

Best Hotels in Santiago Old Town

• Best five-star hotel: Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos
• Best four-star hotel: San Francisco Hotel Monumento
• Best three-star hotel: Hotel San Miguel
• Best budget hotel: Hotel Universal
• Best B&B: Hospedería San Martín Pinario
• Best hostel: Albergue Linares

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The Best Areas for Tourists in Santiago de Compostela

As mentioned above, the Old Town is the best area to stay in Santiago. That said, the city centre has several barrios with different atmospheres and attractions. These are some of the most interesting areas:

• The Old Town is centred around the famous Catedral de Santiago, a monumental church home to the apostle’s relics. The most visited tourist attraction in Galicia, the cathedral is surrounded by scenic plazas and narrow medieval streets lined with stone houses. This vibrant area is home to excellent hotels such as the Parador de Santiago or San Francisco Hotel Monumento.
• South of the city centre, near the train station, is El Ensanche. Also referred to as “Zona Nueva”, this lively district is Santiago’s transport, shopping and nightlife hub. El Ensanche is also known for its excellent hotel offer, which includes properties such as the Eurostars Araguaney and the Capitol Boutique Hotel.
• A lot quieter than the Old Town, the area around the south campus of Universidad de Santiago de Compostela is packed with parks and gardens, including Parque de la Alameda and the Sarela river walk. This area is also home to the fabulous Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection.
• To the east, following the French Way, you’ll find the traditional San Pedro and Belvís barrios. This lovely area is home to many budget hotels including Hotel Miradoiro de Belvís and Hotel Concheiros.

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Where to Stay in Santiago, Spain: District by District

1. Centro Histórico (Old Town): Best Area for Tourists & Pilgrims

With a history dating back over 1000 years, Santiago de Compostela’s Old Town is home to the city’s main religious and tourist attractions.

Why is this the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela:
• Heart of the city
• Santiago Cathedral
• Charming medieval streets
• Churches, monasteries & convents
• Nightlife areas
• All kinds of hotels
• Museums, galleries & art centres
• Great food scene

Centred around its famous cathedral, we couldn’t talk about Santiago de Compostela’s City Centre without talking about its most well-known landmark.

Between the 1st and 5th centuries CE, this area was the site of a small Roman village. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the town was abandoned, but its necropolis continued to be used as a quarry. According to legend, the remains of the apostle Saint James had taken to this necropolis and were found in the year 813 by local peasants. Later on, a church was built at the site to hold the relics. The miraculous tale of Santiago’s remains helped cementing the Christian faith in the region during the period of the Islamic conquest and led to the growth and development of the city.

The church quickly became an important pilgrimage destination within the kingdom of Asturias, and eventually began to attract believers from all corners of Christian Europe, especially after the conquest of Jerusalem by the Muslim. The Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) was born. The influx of pilgrims and resources propelled the transformation of the original chapel into a great Romanesque-style cathedral. Over the centuries, new Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements were added to give it its current appearance.

Thanks to the legend of Saint James, Compostela went from an abandoned necropolis to one of the most important cities of Christianity. Inns and hostels were built around the church to offer accommodation and medical care to pilgrims on the Camino, including the stunning Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos (the world’s oldest hotel still in operation) or the Hospedería San Martiño Pinario, in addition to important monasteries, convents and palaces.

In 1985, the Old City of Santiago de Compostela was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as “one of the most beautiful urban areas in the world, enhanced by its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque monuments.”

Today, the historic centre of Santiago de Compostela stands out for its beautiful squares, narrow medieval streets and centuries-old stone houses. From a tourist point of view, this neighborhood offers, in addition to the classic attractions, lively nightlife and restaurant areas; especially on Rúa do Vilar and around Plaza Cervantes, spectacular views of the cathedral from Rúa das Hortas, and exceptional properties; many located in historic buildings.

Best Hotels in Santiago’s Old Town

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2. Praza Roxa & Ensanche: Best Location for Shopping & Nightlife

Located between the train station and the Old Town, Ensanche is home to the main shopping & nightlife areas in the Galician capital.

Why is this the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela:
• Centrally located
• Best transportation connections
• Shopping streets
• Praza Roxa
• Best area for nightlife
• All kinds of hotels
• Santiago de Compostela train station
• Restaurants & terraces

Towards the end of the 19th century, and not unlike many other cities in Spain, Santiago’s authorities began to look outside the confines of the historic centre to plan the city’s expansion. However, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century, with the opening of Montero Ríos and Doctor Teixeiro streets that the Ensanche (literally “Expansion”) began to take form.

Also known as “Zona Nueva“, Ensanche is located directly south of the Old Town, between Plaza de Galicia and Avenida de Lugo. With the opening of the La Coruña-Santiago de Compostela-Zamora railway line in the 1940s and the construction of the current railway station, Ensanche became the demographic and economic centre of the city.

Praza Roxa, located at the confluence of important shopping streets, is the nightlife hub of the city. Popular among university students, this lively square is packed with restaurants, terraces and tapas bars. On the other hand, República de El Salvador, General Pardiñas and Doctor Teixeiro streets are home to the main fashion stores in the city.

Santiago’s Ensanche is home to a varied hotel offer. This area is especially recommended for travellers looking for a more local atmosphere and it’s also a great location in Santiago de Compostela for those travelling by train or coach since the railway and bus stations are within walking distance.

Best Hotels in Ensanche (Santiago de Compostela)

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3. San Pedro & Belvís: Best Location for a Budget Trip

Located east of the historic centre, next to the access to the city via the French Way, San Pedro & Belvís are quaint & charming areas to stay in Santiago.

Why is this the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela:
• Access to Camino Francés
• Quiet area
• Local atmosphere
• Terraces & restaurants
• Churches & monasteries
• Very close to the Old Town

Located directly east of the Old Town, San Pedro originated as a settlement outside the walls next to the gate that connected the city to the French Way. The pilgrims who travelled this popular route accessed the cathedral area through the Porta dos Franceses, today known as Porta do Camiño. Unlike other medieval suburbs, the neighbourhood of San Pedro was not predominantly lower-class, but a community where craftsmen, merchants and members of the wealthy classes lived together.

The part of the district that borders the Old Town is home to some representative buildings, such as the monastery of San Domingos de Bonaval, the Museo do Pobo Galego, the Pazo de Baladrón and the Chapel of San Pedro, in addition to the avant-garde Galician Center for Contemporary Art.

Far from being a sleepy settlement, its strategic position, next to the main entrance to the city, made San Pedro a vibrant place full of restaurants, bars, terraces, shops and varied accommodation.

South of San Pedro lies Belvís Park, a variation of “Bela vista”, in reference to its impressive panoramic views of the Old Town. Other attractions in this area include the Belvís Convent and the Minor Seminary.

Best Hotels in San Pedro & Belvís

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4. Campus Sur: Best Location for Nature Lovers

With the Alameda park, the USC Campus Vida and the Sarela river walk as its main attractions, the South Campus area is a green haven of peace and tranquillity.

Why is this the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela:
• Parque de La Alameda
• Great views of the cathedral & Old Town
• Sarela river walk
• Charming area
• USC South Campus
• Quiet area to stay in Santiago de Compostela

Located between the Old Town, Ensanche and USC’s Campus Sur, the La Alameda Park has been the main green space of Santiago de Compostela for more than a century. This impressive park, which includes Paseo da Alameda, Robleda de Santa Susana and Paseo da Ferradura, offers, in addition to beautiful gardens and monuments, spectacular views of the old city.

After the cathedral and its adjacent buildings, the other hallmark of Santiago is its university. While the foundation of the University of Santiago de Compostela dates back to the end of the 15th century, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that the current South Campus took shape. In 1929, an ambitious project to build new faculties and residences, using the land that was urbanised for the Galician Regional Exhibition of 1909, was approved. The project, conceived as a garden city, has suffered very few modifications since its creation and even today is considered one of the most beautiful university campuses in Spain.

Not far from the campus is the Sarela River Walk, a beautiful green space that offers endless hiking possibilities among natural landscapes and centuries-old bridges.

The best part? USC’s South Campus is the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela for a relaxing holiday, and its hotel offer, although limited, has better value for money.

Best Hotels around USC’s Campus Sur

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5. Campus Norte: A Great Area to Stay in Santiago de Compostela

With a modern character, the USC’s Campus Norte is a nice and quiet area for tourists in Santiago.

Why is this the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela:
• Parks & gardens
• Auditorio de Galicia & Museo de Ciencias Naturales
• University area
• North Campus
• Quiet area to stay in Santiago

As we mentioned previously, thanks to the creation of the University of Santiago during the Renaissance, the city quickly established itself as one of the most important educational centres in Spain, a distinction it still enjoys. The Campus Norte, built in the late 20th century, includes a number of avant-garde buildings, beautiful leafy parks, and several tourist attractions..

Perhaps the most outstanding building in this modern area is the Galicia Auditorium. Designed by the architect Julio Cano Lasso, the building was inaugurated in 1988. Surrounding it is the Parque de la Música, which, in addition to lawns and green areas, offers views of the convents of San Francisco and San Martín Pinario and the towers of the cathedral. The Museum of Natural History, located in the Vista Alegre Park, exhibits a great variety of animal specimens.

Not far away, the Monte de Deus offers hiking opportunities and beautiful views of the Galician capital.

Best Hotels in the USB’s Campus Norte Area

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6. San Lázaro & Area Central: Modern Area to Stay on the Camino Frances to Santiago

At the eastern end of Santiago, at its entrance along the Camino Frances, are Área Central & San Lázaro.

Why is this the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela:
• Near Camino Francés
• Área Central shopping centre
• Quiet & modern area
• Lots of hotels
• San Lázaro Stadium

Opened in 1993 as the largest shopping centre in northern Spain, Área Central is one of the shopping icons of the Galician capital. Despite its name, this mall is located in the east end of Santiago, near the entrance to the city through the French Way.

A couple of kilometres to the east is San Lázaro Stadium, a multipurpose stadium home to the local football team, SD Compostela.

Santiago’s eastern districts are excellent areas to stay as a stopping point for pilgrims on the Camino Frances.

Best Hoteles in East Santiago de Compostela

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7. O Castiñeiriño & Cruceiro do Sar: Quiet Areas Away from the Tourist Buzz

Located between the train tracks and the City of Culture of Galicia, Cruceiro do Sar & Castiñeiriño are some of the most charming areas in Santiago de Compostela.

Why is this the best area to stay in Santiago de Compostela:
• Shopping centres
• Colegiata de Santa María de Sar
• Quiet area
• Ciudad de la Cultura de Galicia

South of Avenida de Lugo there are different neighbourhoods with totally different atmospheres; the western area, around Rúa do Restollal, is made up of shopping centres and modern office buildings, as well as several new developments with semi-detached houses and parks.

By contrast, the east is home to Cruceiro do Sar, a traditional neighbourhood that emerged around the Collegiate Church of Santa María do Sar, a 13th-century Romanesque church.

The Cruceiro do Sar skyline is dominated by Monte Gaiás and the Galician City of Culture, a complex of several buildings dedicated to cultural affairs and surrounded by parks and viewpoints.

Best Hotels in South Santiago de Compostela

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