Exploring Santiago de Compostela on Foot, Step by Step with a Local Perspective

How to Experience Santiago de Compostela Like a Local on Foot?

If you’ve finished the Camino de Santiago or if you simply want to discover this historic city, Santiago de Compostela, on foot you’re exactly where you need to be.

Just like we do in V4G CLUB, we set out to explore Santiago on foot, embracing the spirit of using the most primal means of transport: our legs. Take notes or save this article and our guide on Mindtrip.

Although Santiago is a small city, every step I take gives me a strange sense of jamais vu.

It’s as if I’m seeing a street for the very first time even though I’ve walked it before. One day I find a familiar place along a street; the next, I follow a parallel road that opens onto a completely different and beautiful park. Especially in summer, it’s impossible not to be swept away by this magical feeling.

At VAGMAG, we don’t just explore places—we try to see them through the eyes of the locals, and feel a sense of belonging. We believe it’s inspiring to let life unfold in a place, even if just for a short while. That’s why, in this article, we experience Santiago through the eyes of Marcos.

If you find yourself tracing his footsteps and suddenly feel a sense of déjà vu, maybe you too are feeling something we felt here. And perhaps, sharing that emotion is the one thing we truly hope you take away from VAGMAG.

Marcos, our beloved at VAGMAG—the one who gives you courage before a journey begins, the hand that supports you when you’re learning how to ride a bike—describes Santiago like this:

You’ve probably realized by now this won’t be just another “5 Places You Must See in Santiago de Compostela” or “3 Restaurants You Have to Try in Santiago” or “The Only Thing You Should Do in Santiago” kind of guide.

We keep following in Marcos’ footsteps. Below, you’ll find places he describes as

“must-visits that might feel unnecessary.” A gentle reminder: it’s up to you to set the rhythm of your walk and the length of your steps.

Keeping up with Marcos isn’t easy he walks fast, and his only limit is the sky. So if you find yourself falling behind, don’t blame yourself. Instead, take Maggy’s advice from her first article and begin with something warm and welcoming like the local market.

"Plaza de Abastos (Marketplace) The second most visited spot in the city after the cathedral. A cultural immersion through gastronomy. Open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. The busiest days are Thursday and Saturday. In Section 5 (Nave 5), there are restaurants offering various culinary experiences. You can even have what you buy from the market cooked on the spot."

We continue with stairs as you might have guessed, Marcos won’t just hold your hand for a walk through town. You’ll find here not just what you need to know about Santiago, but also according to him what you don’t need to know.

Walking with Marcos, feeling like a local and connecting with this city is easy. By the end, you might even consider moving here.

"Domingo de Andrade Staircase One of Santiago’s architectural gems, this baroque spiral staircase is hidden inside the former Dominican convent of Bonaval, now home to the Museo do Pobo Galego (Museum of the Galician People). It’s the only triple helical staircase in the world. If you’re interested in Galician anthropology, don’t miss it. Entry: €5. Closed on Tuesdays. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m."

If the spirals wore you out, now it’s time to slow down and observe from a distance in an elegant city park. From above, everything looks small yet on the streets, the buildings feel immense, don’t they?

Maybe this short walk will also remind you to look at the big things in life from a distance now and then.

"San Domingos de Bonaval Park Adjacent to the museum above, this city park was designed by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. Subtle, contemporary, elegant. From the top, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the city."

If you, like Marcos, are a thoughtful lover of art, galleries are a must on your travels. And when admission is free, finding inspiration has never been easier.

"CGAC (Contemporary Art Gallery) Also designed by Álvaro Siza, CGAC is an architectural continuation of Bonaval Park. It hosts international temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Closed on Mondays. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Free entry."

If you’ve completed the Camino de Santiago even if not for religious reasons then you’ll probably remember that feeling when you first held your Compostela certificate and read those Latin words. That’s why we invite you to a museum that honors the soul of this city and its history.

"Museum of Pilgrimages (Museo das Peregrinacións) A museum dedicated to the history of the city and the phenomenon of pilgrimage. It explores the origins of the Xacobean route and its impact on Santiago. Closed on Mondays. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Entry: €2.40."

If you're in Spain, every city has an Alameda. But Santiago’s is different, and Marcos knows exactly how to explain it with elegance and precision. A note about Marcos: his storytelling is never excessive nor lacking he speaks, as he is, in pursuit of the perfect balance.

"Alameda Park (City Park) Located between the old town and the university campus, this park is of significant botanical and cultural value. It offers the best view of the cathedral (especially at sunset). Over time, it has been filled with statues of key local figures. The most photographed of them all is undoubtedly the “Two Marías” a powerful symbol of freedom and resistance against the Franco regime.

The Two Marías were sisters from an anarchist family persecuted by Franco’s police. They were publicly humiliated, their home destroyed, their hair cut off—tortured to reveal the whereabouts of their brothers. The trauma left a deep psychological mark. In the 1950s, whether consciously or not, they began to rebel. Dressing flamboyantly and wearing makeup, they’d go out every day at exactly 2 p.m. to flirt with university students—earning the nickname “Las Dos” (The Two O’Clocks)."

Inspired by this poetic story and Santiago’s spirit, we’ve created a product for VAGY called "Las Dos". We hope you like it—and that each time you use it, you remember the story of the Two Marías. If it moves you, share their legacy. Let us know what you think.

"And if you feel like walking 30 more minutes…

You can walk from the center to the Church of Santa María la Real de Sar—an intriguing old convent just outside Santiago. From there, the path climbs toward the City of Culture, a modern architectural complex designed by American architect Peter Eisenman. Some of the buildings host temporary exhibitions."

We hope you love Santiago as much as we did while tracing Marcos’ steps. We’re sure you’ll create beautiful memories here. Let the city guide your steps it will lead you. There’s something about Santiago that draws you in it, maybe just as it once did for James the Great.

If you’ve struggled to keep up with Marcos on your walk, here’s a gentle reminder before we end this journey at one of his delicious spots:

Trying to remember every detail or jotting down every suggestion might slow you down. If you’d rather, go to our Mindtrip guide: there you can see your map and find all the places mentioned in this article in one place. Mindtrip Guide: Explore Santiago de Compostela on Foot, Step by Step with a Local

Don’t forget to save it—after the spiral staircase your head may be spinning and you might think, “What was the next?” We won’t be there in person, but a VAGY product can travel with you and accompany you on every journey, you know that.

Enjoy the rest of this walk and the rest of the article.

You may not know the “top 5 must-visit places in Santiago,” but you do know how to feel the city, wander its streets, and act like one of its residents and at VAGMAG, we’re so happy to share that feeling with you.

"If you followed the cultural suggestions and you’re still sitting on the Quintana steps when night falls, look at the cathedral’s façade: the pilgrim’s shadow you see there is believed to be a spirit that gives strength and protection to all pilgrims.

There are many legends about it.

Then walk down the Platerías stairs, cross the plaza of the same name, and head to Pazo de Fonseca. On its façade, you’ll find the Tree of Knowledge—a sculpture with 13 scrolls representing the 13 university subjects once taught in Santiago. Standing behind it and placing your finger randomly on the tree was how many students chose their future’s path—a kind of destiny game.

And if you’re truly hungry… Santiago has one of the finest gastronomic offerings in Galicia.

Looking for high-end dining? Places like Casa Marcelo, Lume, Simpar, Anaco, Gaio won’t come cheap—they hardly drop below €100.

But if you want honest quality at a fair price: Restaurante Romero is undoubtedly the choice.

Other options include gastronomic markets both the aforementioned Section 5 of Plaza de Abastos and La Galiciana.

In the mood for tapas? My suggestion: the traditional tavern Bar Viño—their portions are truly delicious.

Rúa do Franco is full of restaurants—but most are very touristy (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Still, I wouldn’t rely on TripAdvisor. We locals often don’t."

Dear Marcos, Thank you from the heart for bringing your eyes, your walking rhythm, and your deep connection with the city into this piece. The elegance and sincerity you added to this journey are exactly the kind of travel spirit we aim to capture at VAGMAG. Following your footsteps through the stone streets of Santiago wasn’t just a city tour, it was a profound connection with a place. & Dear VAGMAG readers, If at any point during this article your heart warmed, or you felt a familiar feeling in an unfamiliar street, then that’s the kind of memory we hoped to share.

With love, by Idalia from VAGMAG