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Where to Stay in Santiago de Compostela : A Pilgrims Guide to Hotels, Hostels and Albergue
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I’ve been asked many times where’s the best place to stay in Santiago de Compostela. For me, the answer is easy; stay in the Old Town.
After walking hundreds of kilometres to reach Santiago, rather ironically the last thing I want to do is face a long walk to go and explore the sights. I want to be in the heart of it all; with the history, the noise, the pilgrims and the magic of Praza do Obradoiro.
Many people imagine Santiago de Compostela to be a quaint little town centred around its grand cathedral. But in reality, it’s a thriving, modern city, home to a university, with lively neighbourhoods and nearly 100,000 residents; even more if you count the wider metropolitan area.
With so many visitors and such a wide range of accommodation, knowing where to stay in Santiago de Compostela can make or break your visit. Stay too far out of the city and you’ll spend more time on public transport than exploring. Stay right in the heart of the city and you’ll need to stretch your budget.
I’ve spent countless nights in Santiago, staying in different areas, different price ranges, and with different travel companions. If you’re wondering where to stay in Santiago de Compostela, keep reading. I’ve spent days pouring over reviews and recommendations over the years and I’ll share my top choices, from budget-friendly hostels to a few rather fabulous and iconic stays.

At A Glance : My Choice For Best Hotels in Santiago De Compostela
In a rush? These are my choices for what I believe to be the best options for where to stay in Santiago de Compostela. If these are fully booked or not right for you then read on for more great suggestions!
Want to learn more about the Camino? Then hop over to my Free Private Facebook Group | Walking The Camino De Santiago.
Things to Consider When Booking Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela
We travel a great deal around the world and often choosing the destination is easy; deciding on the right accommodation can take forever though. Get it wrong and it will really upset our visit. Here are the things you really need to consider before booking in Santiago.
1. Which Neighbourhood
If you want to be at the heart of the action, book a place in the Old Town. If this is pushing your budget then choose an area on the fringes. You want to be able to walk in and out with ease and not depend on public transport.
2. Budget Considerations
There is no getting away from it, Santiago de Compostela is not a budget destination. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage city and home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. There are choices for everyone but staying in the heart of city is not ideal for those on a tight budget.
3. Timing & Availability
Santiago is busier than many people expect. It’s not a city just for pilgrims either, far more tourists and non-walking pilgrims visit the Cathedral every year.
4. Don’t Book a Hotel in the Wrong Santiago!
This might seem obvious, but always check that you’re booking a hotel in Santiago de Compostela, Spain and not Santiago in Chile! I know someone who made this mistake. Fun Fact : I heard that an airport in Austria had a special desk to help confused travellers who thought they’d landed in Australia. Sadly it’s an urban myth, but confusion is possible so always double-check your booking.

My Choices for The Best Places To Stay In Santiago de Compostela
My choice might not be the same as yours. I’ve visited Santiago many times and I know that I’ll visit many times more. If you are only going to visit this iconic city once then be sure you stay somewhere special. If I was choosing for a close friend of family member, the following hotels are the options that I would recommend :
Best Hotels for Special Stays
Occasionally when were travelling we’ll visit an iconic destination and know that we have to pay a little more for somewhere special. If you’re like us then you might like to consider the following choices. Be warned; if you wish to stay in the Parador it does book very quickly!
1. Parador de Santiago – Hostal dos Reis Católicos
2. San Francisco Hotel Monumento
3. Hotel Plaza Obradoiro by Bossh!
4. Hotel San Miguel
5. Hotel Rua Villar

Best Hotels for Comfort Stays
We travel extensively and often we opt for what we call comfort stays. They’re not too expensive, but equally very comfortable. The following hotels all fall under this category.
Hostal Alfonso
Hostal Nomade Santiago
- Highlight: Stylish, modern decor at an good price, just on the edge the Old Town.
- Pain Point: Can be a little noisy at night
Libredon
- Highlight: Very clean, modern rooms and a great shower in the heart of the city, a few steps from the Cathedral
- Pain Point: Can be noisy given it’s location close to the Cathedral and nearby bars
San Clemente by Pousadas de Compostela
- Highlight: A small hotel very comfortable and a great price, given it’s closeness to the Cathedral; on the edge of the Old Town.
- Pain Point: Older building so rooms are smaller
Deniké Grupo Atalaia

Best Options for Budget Stays
Not everyone who walks into Santiago will have big pockets; indeed often when we travel we look to save money by finding excellent value accommodation. And that does still exist; even in Santiago!
Pensión O Xardin de Julia
Casa Anglicana del Peregrino/Pensión Santa Cristina
Apartamento Santiago de Compostela Centro

My Favourite Pilgrim Hostel Accommodation
There are still lots of pilgrim beds available in Santiago. Many are a little out of the old centre which for me is less ideal, but there are still a few great options to choose from. My favourite place to stay is Hospedería San Martín Pinario. It feels special, a fabulous location and you’re still in the company of pilgrims. And the pilgrim rooms are great value for money.
Want to learn more about the Camino? Then hop over to my Free Private Facebook Group | Walking The Camino De Santiago.

Santiago de Compostela Neighbourhood Guide: Where Should You Stay?
Santiago de Compostela is a compact city with several distinct neighbourhoods. If you’re a pilgrim celebrating the end of your Camino, you’ll probably want to stay in the Old Town or close by. But if you’re staying for longer; maybe planning to study at the local language school or looking for a quieter base, you might consider other areas.
Best Areas for Pilgrims & Short-Term Visits
1. Centro Histórico (Old Town) : Best Choice for Pilgrims
2. El Ensanche & Praza Roxa : A More Modern, Affordable Option
3. San Pedro & Belvís : A More Local, Quieter Stay
Other Neighbourhoods for Longer-Term Stays
4. Campus Norte & Campus Sur : University Areas with Green Spaces
5. Angrois : A Quiet, Residential Area
6. O Castiñeiriño & Cruceiro do Sar : Best If You Have Transport
7. San Lázaro & Área Central : Business & Shopping District
Want to learn more about the Camino? Then hop over to my Free Private Facebook Group | Walking The Camino De Santiago.

Final Thoughts on choosing Where To Stay In Santiago de Compostela
For me, if I’m finishing my Camino in Santiago de Compostela, I want to stay in the old town in the heart of what has made the city so famous. But that choice comes at a price. Hotels are more expensive, the old town is very busy and restaurants and cafes are catering to tourists rather than locals.
Staying in such an iconic city comes with a compromise. If I was staying longer I’d probably choose to move out a little, away from the noise and the tourists, but for a short visit, I’ll make the compromise.
When you’re deciding on your accommodation do bear those compromises in mind. And keep your expectations in check; rooms will be smaller and there will be less frills.
But arriving in Santiago de Compostela isn’t about your accommodation; not really. It’s about spending time in this most incredible destination. If you’ve walked the Camino de Santiago, the city is your journey’s end and it’s here that you’ll visit the cathedral and share meals with new friends, who may tomorrow be on the other side of the planet.
Being in Santiago is so much more than your hotel and is a city like no other; my advice is find a bed that you can afford as close to the Cathedral as you can be. Accept the compromises and go live and breath all that this amazing destination has to offer.

Are You Walking The Camino de Santiago?
I’ve walked this glorious trail many times and I’m already planning my next visit. I’ve written detailed daily walking guides for both the Camino Frances and the Camino Portuguese and for cities along the way.
If you’re planning your Camino or already on the trail, I’d love to hear about your experiences. Join our Camino community on Facebook, share your stories, and find inspiration for the road ahead.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Whenever you travel, you should have great travel and medical insurance. None of us expect anything bad to happen, but in the event of an incident, you want to be sure that your insurance will cover you.
I’ve ended up in hospital in Peru, Indonesia, Portugal, Japan and Ireland. Every time my insurance took care of everything. I would never leave home without full and comprehensive insurance.
TrueTraveller : We have this policy and are very happy with the cover, especially considering our ages and pre-existing conditions.
Globelink: We have used and recommended Globelink for years and not heard of any issues. They are a great choice for European and UK Residents.
Genki : This is an EU based company offering long term policies for nomads and travellers. Their monthly rates are very competitive for longer trips too.
Safety Wing : Many of my travelling buddies from the USA recommended Safety Wing; we’ve not used them personally but know folks who have.
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Hey I’m Colleen. I’m married to Gerry, we’ve three fabulous kids and been living in France for almost two decades. I fell in love with Spain in the 1980s and I’ve walked 1000s of miles along the Camino de Santiago. Now we’re exploring and walking the world and I can’t wait to share what we’ve learned!