Things to do in  Galicia

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is one of the most important shrines in Christendom, believed to be the final resting place of St. James the Greater, one of the Twelve Apostles. The Romanesque, Gothic, and baroque structure is the terminus of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) pilgrimage routes through Northern Spain.

This Benedictine monastery is known for its architecture and decor, including a baroque exterior with gargoyles, and an interior with impressive sculptures and an ornate altar. During the summer months, two 17th-century cloisters provide lodging for visitors and pilgrims walking the nearby Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago).

Praza das Praterías (or Plaza de Platerías), a lovely square in the heart of Santiago de Compostela, is ideal for people watching. The plaza is home to a scenic fountain, an imposing cathedral (the south door opens onto the plaza), and arcades at the perimeter where vendors sell silver items.

The pilgrimage route called Camino di Santiago (sometimes translated as Way of St. James) stretches across Europe into northern Spain and down to Santiago di Compostela. This sacred path has been followed since medieval times by faithful Christians who seek to worship at the tomb of St. James, as well as other hikers who are inspired by the spiritual “way.”

Standing proud on a grassy knoll looking out to the North Atlantic Ocean is the ancient Tower of Hercules. Not only does this well-preserved lighthouse add to the skyline of La Coruna and offer excellent views of the city, but it’s also a bit of a record breaker, both as the world’s oldest known Roman lighthouse still standing and the second tallest lighthouse in Spain.

Sandwiched between Vigo’s busy port and hilltop fortress, Casco Vello is the city’s compact old town and hub for historical architecture. A maze of small streets and alleys weave between gray buildings in Casco Vello, with the Concatedral de Santa María church and several small plazas providing the main points of interest in this mostly residential area.

With beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs, this peninsula in Galicia is both the westernmost point in Spain and the final destination for pilgrims traveling the Way of St. James, or Camino de Santiago. About 55 miles (89 kilometers) west of Santiago de Compostela, the cape is a site of spiritual significance as well as a place travelers go to swim and sunbathe.

Poking up above the center of Vigo, the Parque Monte del Castro is an elegant hilltop park within the walls and remains of Castro’s Fortress. Garden beds, sculptures, and ponds decorate the park terraces, while the fortress ramparts offer sweeping views across the city of Vigo and the wider area’s coastal scenery.