Free tours in Santiago de Compostela

In Santiago de Compostela you get everywhere on foot. The historic centre, a World Heritage Site, is a maze of granite, arcades and pedestrian rúas where hardly any cars pass, so distances are measured in minutes on foot. From the Praza do Obradoiro to the Mercado de Abastos is a little over ten minutes' walk, and from almost any corner the towers of the Cathedral come into view. It is a small city of ups and downs, made for the pilgrims who arrive on foot along the Camino.

Three areas give any visit its shape. The first is the Cathedral axis: the Praza do Obradoiro with the Pórtico da Gloria, the Praza das Praterías with its horse fountain and the Praza da Quintana, where the Holy Door opens. The second is the food route along the Rúa do Franco and the Rúa do Vilar to the Mercado de Abastos, with octopus, tarta de Santiago and local wine. The third is the Alameda park, with the best view of the towers, and the climb to Monte do Gozo, from where the pilgrims see the city for the first time. For contemporary architecture, the Cidade da Cultura on Monte Gaiás lies somewhat apart from the centre.

Almost all the routes leave from the Praza do Obradoiro or very close by, at the Praza das Praterías or beside the Alameda; the exact point and the guide with a sign come with the confirmation. The best time is early morning, when the old town is quiet and the light falls on the Obradoiro, or the late afternoon for the witch and legend walks. Booking a place is free and, at the end, each person gives the guide a voluntary contribution.

Beyond the classic walk, Santiago offers themed routes: the Pilgrim free tour covers the last kilometres of the Camino, the witch one uncovers the city's dark side after dark, and there are options on the Templars and the Game of the Goose or the magical Compostela for those who come back. If you travel with time to spare, it is worth booking a full-day excursion to the Costa da Morte or the Rías Baixas.