Catedral de Santiago de Compostela
Quick Facts
- Location
- Spain, Santiago de Compostela
- Category
- Church & Religious Site
- Duration
- 1 hour for the nave and tomb, half a day with the museum and the Pórtico
- Opening Hours
- Daily 07:00-21:00 · From catedraldesantiago.es (checked 5 November 2026): daily 07:00-21:00 for the cathedral and the apostle tomb, closing at 20:30 on summer Saturdays for the pilgrim vigil, with the Pilgrim Mass at 07:30, 09:30, 12:00 and 19:30. The nave is free through the Puerta de Platerias, backpacks are refused and no touring runs during services. The museum keeps Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00 with the desk on Praza do Obradoiro, the archive serves researchers Monday to Friday 09:30-13:00, and the Pilgrim Reception Office at Rua Carretas 33 runs 10:00-18:00. Last museum entry is 30 minutes before closing, the roofs, Pórtico and night visits need booking, and photography is banned in the museum.
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Pilgrim access to the cathedral and the apostle tomb is free through the Puerta de Platerias, while the cathedral museum and the themed routes are charged separately · Student: Museum and Portico fares appear only in the booking system on the site and are not transcribed here · Filming and photography are forbidden in the museum, the roofs with the Torre de la Carraca, the Pórtico de la Gloria and the night visits all require advance booking, and the last museum entry is at least 30 minutes before closing.
- Address
- Cathedral of Santiago, Spain
- Coordinates
- 42.8803, -8.5450
Introduction
Santiago Cathedral is the ultimate destination of the Camino, said to hold the tomb of St James, one of Christ's apostles; its Portico of Glory is the pinnacle of Romanesque sculpture. Built and enlarged from the 11th century in Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque, its golden Botafumeiro censer swings during mass — the climax of a millennium of pilgrimage.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 07:00-21:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 07:00-21:00 |
| Wednesday | 07:00-21:00 |
| Thursday | 07:00-21:00 |
| Friday | 07:00-21:00 |
| Saturday | 07:00-21:00 |
| Sunday | 07:00-21:00 |
From catedraldesantiago.es (checked 5 November 2026): daily 07:00-21:00 for the cathedral and the apostle tomb, closing at 20:30 on summer Saturdays for the pilgrim vigil, with the Pilgrim Mass at 07:30, 09:30, 12:00 and 19:30. The nave is free through the Puerta de Platerias, backpacks are refused and no touring runs during services. The museum keeps Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00 with the desk on Praza do Obradoiro, the archive serves researchers Monday to Friday 09:30-13:00, and the Pilgrim Reception Office at Rua Carretas 33 runs 10:00-18:00. Last museum entry is 30 minutes before closing, the roofs, Pórtico and night visits need booking, and photography is banned in the museum.
Ticket Information
| Adult | Pilgrim access to the cathedral and the apostle tomb is free through the Puerta de Platerias, while the cathedral museum and the themed routes are charged separately |
|---|---|
| Student | Museum and Portico fares appear only in the booking system on the site and are not transcribed here |
| Free Admission | Worship and pilgrim visits to the nave itself cost nothing for everyone, and no touring is allowed while a service is underway |
Filming and photography are forbidden in the museum, the roofs with the Torre de la Carraca, the Pórtico de la Gloria and the night visits all require advance booking, and the last museum entry is at least 30 minutes before closing.
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?
Monday: 07:00-21:00; Tuesday: 07:00-21:00; Wednesday: 07:00-21:00; Thursday: 07:00-21:00; Friday: 07:00-21:00; Saturday: 07:00-21:00; Sunday: 07:00-21:00; From catedraldesantiago.es (checked 5 November 2026): daily 07:00-21:00 for the cathedral and the apostle tomb, closing at 20:30 on summer Saturdays for the pilgrim vigil, with the Pilgrim Mass at 07:30, 09:30, 12:00 and 19:30. The nave is free through the Puerta de Platerias, backpacks are refused and no touring runs during services. The museum keeps Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00 with the desk on Praza do Obradoiro, the archive serves researchers Monday to Friday 09:30-13:00, and the Pilgrim Reception Office at Rua Carretas 33 runs 10:00-18:00. Last museum entry is 30 minutes before closing, the roofs, Pórtico and night visits need booking, and photography is banned in the museum.
How much is the admission for Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?
Adult: Pilgrim access to the cathedral and the apostle tomb is free through the Puerta de Platerias, while the cathedral museum and the themed routes are charged separately; Student: Museum and Portico fares appear only in the booking system on the site and are not transcribed here; Free Admission: Worship and pilgrim visits to the nave itself cost nothing for everyone, and no touring is allowed while a service is underway; Filming and photography are forbidden in the museum, the roofs with the Torre de la Carraca, the Pórtico de la Gloria and the night visits all require advance booking, and the last museum entry is at least 30 minutes before closing.
Any practical tips for visiting Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?
Allow About 1.5 hours for the visit and try to avoid peak hours. Opening ~9:00–20:00 (reference; subject to official notice); do verify the latest schedule before you set out.
How long should I spend at Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?
A typical visit takes 1 hour for the nave and tomb, half a day with the museum and the Pórtico.
