Santiago de Compostela is a major destination for tourists and pilgrims, so it's wise to book ahead--especially during high season, or if you want to stay in the historic center.

For those who can afford the rates, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos--also known as the Parador of Santiago de Compostela--is hard to beat. The hotel's attractive rooms are built around the courtyards of a royal pilgrims' hospital and shelter that opened for business in 1499. It faces the Praza do Obradoiros, diagonally across from the Cathedral.

Another five-star hotel is the NH Obradoiro, where I stayed during my visit. The hotel is modern and comfortable, with an extremely helpful desk staff. (When I asked for a stamp, the receptionist mailed my postcard free of charge, and it arrived in the U.S. two days later.) Perks include an excellent buffet breakfast, parking, swimming pools, and Wi-Fi. Rates are surprisingly reasonable, and the hotel's only downside is the fact that its parkside location is about a 10-minute walk from Santiago's main square.

Our booking partner, Venere, offers a number of discounted hotels in Santiago. Most are outside the historic center, but the three-star San Carlos is nicely situated opposite the Parlamento de Galicia, between the railroad station and the old town. The four-star AC Palacio del Carmen is also worth a look; it occupies a former convent just to the northwest of the medieval quarter.

I haven't been inside the two-star Hotel Pico Sacro, but the location is excellent for a hotel in its price category: It's on a pleasant street of cafés, food stores, and souvenir shops by the Convento de San Francisco in the historic center. The Praza do Obrodoiro and the Cathedral are just up the street.

For more information on hotels, hostels, B&Bs, camping, and other lodgings, use the menus and other search tools on Turgalicia's Where to Stay pages.

Next page: Restaurants

In this article:
Introduction	Hotels
A holy city for pilgrims	Restaurants
Sightseeing, excursions	Transportation
Museums	Tourist information

Also see:

Santiago de Compostela photos - Praza do Obradoiro and Cathedral

The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago (book review)

Galician Palace Gardens (Pazo de Oca, Pazo Santa Cruz de Rivadulla)

Related Web sites:

Turgalicia - Galicia Tourism

Turespaña - Spain Tourism

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