This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous Spanish community of Galicia. It is a pilgrimage destination, attracting tourists from all over the world to its grandiose cathedral all year round, and particularly during spring.
Apart from the religious appeal of Santiago de Compostela, this city is where most of Galician universities concentrate, making it a place filled with youth and everything that comes with it -- cultural activities, a lot of places to dine out inexpensively, nightlife for all tastes (from traditional pubs playing Galician music to clubs blasting the latest dance songs), live music, and shopping.
Hostels in Santiago de Compostela can be found mainly in the historic center (casco viejo), ten minutes' walking from the areas surrounding the cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro (main city square). Being this a small city, everything is close by and you can walk anywhere, from the historic center to the more modern areas around "Campus Sur." Buses are available, but unless you need to go from one end of the city to the other or it's raining hard (which is not that unusual in what they call the rain capital of Galicia), it is sometimes faster to walk, and certainly entertaining, as every street of Santiago is filled with culture, interesting buildings and people walking by.
Most hostels in Santiago, especially in the historic center, have been built in old, charming buildings, but are comfortable on the inside as they tend to be renovated to cater to modern life needs. Usual levels of cleanliness are good, and there should be central heating as it does get very cold, and plenty of hot water.
Santiago de Compostela is a charming city that offers a contrast between its historical and ancient sights and the young college population that fills the city with life from September to June.
Written by local enthusiast for Santiago de Compostela hostels
zararock
