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Highlights of Santiago de Compostela

Vigo shore excursion to Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity's great pilgrimage cities and a UNESCO World Heritage old town since 1985. Visit the Cathedral at Plaza del Obradoiro, see the silver crypt of St. James, and pass the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos, built in 1499 and among the oldest hotels in the world. Licensed English speaking driver guide, round trip from the Vigo cruise port, with free time for tapas. 5 hours.

5 hours (private)

private excursion

licensed guide

english speaking expert

all group sizes

sedan to full size coach

››

port or hotel

pick up either location

Meeting at the Port of Vigo
Private English Speaking Driver Guide
Included Interior Visits- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Read Full Tour Description

Tour Number: SVIGO-01

Group Size (Prices in USD)*:

2 People - $640 Per Person
3 People - $444 Per Person
4 People - $340 Per Person
5 People - $276 Per Person
6 People - $236 Per Person
7 People - $222 Per Person
8 People - $199 Per Person

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TOUR DESCRIPTION

Santiago de Compostela Shore Excursion from Vigo

This half day Vigo shore trip visits the famous pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela, including its famous cathedral, with free time to enjoy lunch in a tapas restaurant. After meeting your driver guide at the port in Vigo, you start your journey over northern Spain's rolling hills until you reach Santiago de Compostela. You will be immediately struck by the sense of history in this old city, with its main plaza, narrow winding streets, dozens of ancient buildings, and the grand Cathedral, featuring one of the world's most impressive Romanesque facades.

On arrival, you walk for about ten minutes until you reach the center of the city, where you find the cathedral at Plaza del Obradoiro. In the year 950, a bishop from Le Puy in France led one of the earliest recorded pilgrimages to Santiago to pay homage to the relics of Saint James, a journey of roughly 1,200 miles (1930km). His pilgrimage helped establish what became the Camino de Santiago, or Saint James' Way, still walked by pilgrims today.

Inside the Cathedral, you see the silver crypt containing the relics of St. James, view the dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling, admire the magnificent organ, and appreciate the church's sheer size, one of the largest in Europe. While the church is the star attraction of Santiago de Compostela, the town is full of other architectural gems. The Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Nearby, you see the historic Pazo de Raxoi and the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos, built in 1499 as a hospital for pilgrims and considered one of the oldest hotels in the world.

There is a break for lunch at a local tapas restaurant, with some time for shopping, before returning to Vigo.

Please note

Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.

What's Included

Included

Meeting at the Port of Vigo
Private English Speaking Driver Guide
Included Interior Visits- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Not Included

Meals and beverages
Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

1
1 Hour
Meet driver guide and drive to to Santiago de Compostela
2
1.5 Hours
Visit Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
3
1.5 Hours
Free time for Lunch
4
1 Hour
Return to Vigo

Resources

Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo - Official Port Website. Departure and return point for this tour, Port of Vigo Official Website

Good to Know

Mobility

This tour involves steps and uneven terrain that make it unsuitable for wheelchair users. If you have mobility concerns, contact us and we can discuss alternatives.

Walking

Plan on walking approximately 500 mile over some hills and uneven ground. Comfortable, supportive shoes are strongly recommended.

Dress Code

Some sites on this tour require that shoulders and knees be covered. We recommend wearing or bringing a light layer to avoid being turned away at the entrance.

Customizable

This tour can be adjusted to fit your group’s pace and interests. If you’d like to spend more time at a particular site or add a stop, contact us when you inquire.

Larger Groups

For groups that need a minibus or full coach, contact us for a custom quote. We accommodate groups of any size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first recorded pilgrim to Santiago de Compostela?

Bishop Godescalc of Le Puy, in what is now France, led one of the earliest documented pilgrimages to Santiago in the year 950, traveling roughly 1,200 miles (1930km) with a large group of clergy and followers. His journey is credited with helping establish the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, as an organized pilgrimage route still walked today.

What makes the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos significant?

Built in 1499 by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, as a hospital and hostel for pilgrims arriving in Santiago, it is considered one of the oldest hotels in the world still in operation. It sits directly on Plaza del Obradoiro alongside the Cathedral and now operates as a luxury Parador hotel.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour involves cobblestone streets and walking through the historic center of Santiago de Compostela, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact us in advance if you need alternative sightseeing options.

Do we have free time in Santiago de Compostela?

Yes. After visiting the Cathedral, you have a break for lunch at a local tapas restaurant and some additional free time for shopping before returning to Vigo.

Also Available:

›One Border, Two Countries - for a pilgrimage city instead, this tour crosses the Minho River to visit both Baiona, Spain and Valenca do Minho, Portugal in one day.

›Name: Galician Albarino Wine Tour - to swap cathedral history for wine, this tour visits the fishing village of Combarro and a premium Albarino wine estate near Cambados.

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Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

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Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic

Meet driver guide and drive to to Santiago de Compostela – 1 Hour
Visit Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – 1.5 Hours
Free time for Lunch – 1.5 Hours
Return to Vigo– 1 Hour

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5