Santiago de Compostela. Casco Historico, Galicia, Spain

5swpratt 5:00 PM Oct 3, 2022

My favourite walking city in the world.
Venice takes some beating - but the crowds. Santiago is often busy - especially with those brave souls at the end of the Camino. History is everywhere with beautiful sand coloured buildings, narrow streets and hidden squares. The bar scene is second to none for generous drinks and tasty tapas. Try a Nordes G and T on Momo's terrace overlooking the green outskirts. Everyone is so friendly and though the scene goes on to the early hours I have never witnessed rowdy behaviour - feel so safe. Good parking near the superb Galician life museum no more than 10 mins walk to the inpiring cathedral.

5FJGonzalezG 5:00 PM Mar 7, 2020

Wonderful walking city, where each corner hides a surprise
I love walking in the historic center (Casco Historico) of Santiago de Compostela, rain or shine. We lucked with sunny, cool weather on a late February visit. But, even on a rainy March day a few years ago it was great. A World Heritage Site, the city dates to the IX Century, and retains much of its medieval character: Romanesque and Gothic architecture abounds along its cobblestoned streets. It also has a definite Galician character, with its houses providing overhanging sidewalks to protect shoppers from the rain. There are museums worth exploring, churches worth visiting, and cloisters imbued with beauty and serenity. On a more pedestrian note, there are plenty of shops ranging from tchotchkes for tourists to fancy silver works (or an ideal combination: a small silver orreo. There seems to be a bar or restaurant in every corner. I prefer the holes in the wall, where the prices are low, the cuisine authentic, and the menus in Spanish or Galician only. The Casco Historico is small enough to cover in a couple of hours, or a day of leisurely browsing, eating, and drinking. The more time you give yourself, the more you will enjoy it.