After days of pedalling, riding into Santiago de Compostela across the Praza do Obradoiro and seeing the cathedral straight ahead is one of those moments you never forget. But once the emotion settles, the practical question arrives: what now? To help you make the most of your arrival, here are the essentials of your first days in the city.
The Compostela
If you have ridden at least the last 200 km by bike with your stamped Pilgrim’s Credential, you are entitled to the Compostela. You collect it at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office; it’s worth going early, because there are queues in high season. We also make it easy to return your bike in Santiago so you can explore the old town with no worries.
The cathedral and the botafumeiro
A must-see. It’s worth checking the times of the pilgrim’s masses and the days when the botafumeiro is swung, which is not every day.
The old town
The Praza do Obradoiro, the Mercado de Abastos, the Quintana and Praterías squares, and getting lost in the streets of the old town are the best way to celebrate the end of the Camino.
A local guide for your arrival
To plan all this with reliable local information, we recommend the guide to Santiago de Compostela from santiago.es: an independent, bilingual editorial guide with no ads or bookings, written on the ground with real opening times and prices. It also covers the Camino by bike, pilgrim statistics and the 2027 Holy Year (Xacobeo), which will fill the city with pilgrims.
At Bicigrino we take care of getting you to Santiago enjoying the Camino; santiago.es helps you enjoy the city once you arrive. Buen Camino.
