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Galicia, Spain Culture & history

Our most recommended Galicia, Spain Culture & history

Santiago de Compostela: Cathedral & Museum, Optional Pórtico

1. Santiago de Compostela: Cathedral & Museum, Optional Pórtico

Skip the line and discover the Romanesque architecture of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela with a guide. Explore the Cathedral and its museum and see the last stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Admire the beautiful interiors of the cathedral on 4 floors and learn about the construction and destruction of the cathedral throughout the centuries. See notable features of the cathedral, such as the Chapel of Relics, the Royal Pantheon, the Treasury, the Chapter Library, the Botafumeiro, and the Obradoiro balcony. If you choose the Portico of Gloria option, your guide will wait for you in Plaza do Obradoiro so they can explain more about this Romanesque masterpiece and the legacy of Maestre Mateo.

Guided tour Cathedral, Museum and Old town tickets included

2. Guided tour Cathedral, Museum and Old town tickets included

Experience everything Santiago has to offer on this combination guided walking tour. Explore the historic center, learn about the city's fascinating history, and visit the iconic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Begin your tour of Santiago with a guided tour of the city center. From Praza do Obradoiro, follow your guide throughout the city, seeing the top sights and learning about the area's fascinating history. Enjoy a short break and the second part of the tour will begin, visiting the Cathedral Museum and the interior of the Santiago Cathedral. Learn about its Romanesque past and see works of art dating from the 13th century. Underneath the cathedral, see archeological excavations of an ancient Roman city.

Santiago de Compostela Full-Day Tour From Porto

3. Santiago de Compostela Full-Day Tour From Porto

Discover 2 charming southern Europe on a full-day sightseeing tour from Porto. Cross the border into Spain to explore the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and stop to see Valença do Minho on the way back to Porto.  Board a comfortable van or bus and embark on a journey to one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the world, Santiago. See the Caminhos de Santiago (St. James Way) pilgrim trail and visit a magnificent 11th-centuty cathedral. Admire the architecture that was originally built in a Romanesque style, today the cathedral is an amalgam of harmonious influences. Have the opportunity to attend mass and enjoy free time to go for a stroll in the UNESCO World Heritage city center. Begin the drive back to Porto, stopping at Valença do Minho, a historical village in the north of Portugal, located right on the border between Portugal and Spain. Valença was important during the middle ages and it was part of "Caminhos de Santiago".  See how the city is dominated by a fortress of two towers and a double wall before returning to your meeting point in Porto. 

Santiago de Compostela: Cathedral & Museum Private Tour

4. Santiago de Compostela: Cathedral & Museum Private Tour

Uncover the art inside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on this guided tour. See religious iconography and the reputed burial place of the apostle Saint James. Visit the library where the Codex Calixtinus (the main witness for the Book of Saint James) is held.  Meet your guide and begin at the ground floor of the Cathedral's Museum which has four rooms where you can see the remains that were found in different archaeological excavations. View a map to determine what was standing on this site before the Cathedral.  Admire the spectacular stone choir of Master Mateo and various examples of religious iconography such as busts, statues or wooden carvings. See depictions of both of the Apostle Santiago in his three versions (pilgrim, soldier, and saint). Listen as your guide tells you about each version and hear about different biblical characters. Upon reaching the second floor, will leave the cloister to focus on the library where the famous Codex Calixtinus is kept.  Arrive at the third a floors which is dedicated to different tapestries from both the Flanders school, as well as the so-called Goya Tapestries made in the Royal Tapestry Factory of Madrid. Head to the the balcony for views from above the Plaza do Obradoiro. Afterwards go back to the second floor to visit the cloister and access the Cathedral without having to wait in line.  Enter the temple to enjoy its different chapels. Follow your guide to the main altar, the holy door, and see what is said to be the tomb of the apostle Saint James. 

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and Museum Guided Tour

5. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and Museum Guided Tour

Explore the history and art of Santiago de Compostela on a guided tour of the cathedral and its museum. One of the 3 most important centers for Catholic pilgrims in the Christian world, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral has historically been a place of pilgrimage on the "Way of St. James" (Camino de Santiago) since the early Middle Ages. Enter the magnificent monument to discover why, as your guide takes you to see the tomb of Saint James and much more. Look at the resplendent main altar and the intricate chapels surrounding it, and learn about the rituals and traditions. Hear about the historical and architectural importance of the cathedral, and further your knowledge in the museum where permanent collections are complemented by temporary exhibitions.

Ribeira Sacra from Santiago: with wine tastings and Cruise

6. Ribeira Sacra from Santiago: with wine tastings and Cruise

Fill a day with wine, art, gastronomy, and natural beauty. Visit exclusive wine cellars for a tasting and a medieval towns on this guided day tour of Ribeira Sacra. Enjoy a boat ride along the Sil River between the hills where grapes are grown , sometimes at vertical cliffs. Discover Galician cuisine and roman & celtic culture. Start your tour from the Plaza de Galicia in Santiago de Compostela. Local guides join you in the air-conditioned minibuses. First stop will take place at the medieval town of Castro Caldelas, one of the most beautiful ones of Spain. A huge medieval castle and quiet walks along small streets full of historical buildings. Fantastic views from the valleys of the Sil river can be enjoyed, and also time for a coffe break. It´s really recomendable trying the tipycal "bica" with the coffe, which is a really tasty cake. Driveing down Sil River valley for a leisurely cruise. More vineyards cover the slopes along the river, sometimes at vertical cliffs. Thats the reason for the name "heroic viticulture", done along centuries at this valleys. The guide will explain a lot of interesting things about this special wine production systems. One of the most spectacula viewpoints of Galicia will be waiting at the north side of the Sil River. Amazing views of vineyards wich have been built at impossible places, and the Sil River, always quiet. Views of many kilometers of chessnut and oak forests, vines and very tiny villages. Lunch time at the main town of the area: Monforte de Lemos. There are lots of nice restaurants waiting for us and offering the best meals of this region. After lunch, guided visit to the "Mons Fortis", where the tower of Lemos and the Monastery of San Vicente are built. Learn about the region on the way to the Church of San Vicente. From the church, snap a photo of the commanding view over the valley and vineyards. Exclusive local wine cellar visit. 5 of the varietals grown in the region will be on hand to sample. Find your favorite one!

Santiago de Compostela: Portico of Glory and Cathedral Tour

7. Santiago de Compostela: Portico of Glory and Cathedral Tour

Let yourself be guided by one of our guides and discover the history of the famous Portico de la Gloria, the work of Master Mateo; get to know the message of the Portico to the pilgrim, enjoy the expressiveness of each character and learn about its history and its author. A unique tour in the city, with limited places. After a short break of 20 minutes we will continue to the Cathedral Museum, experience a journey back in time to the discovery of the remains of the Apostle, visit the reconstruction of the stone choir of Master Mateo and fall in love with the wonderful Renaissance cloister. A newly restored Cathedral that shines like never before. The most complete tour of the whole city!

From Porto: Santiago de Compostela Full Day Tour

8. From Porto: Santiago de Compostela Full Day Tour

Depart immediately for Santiago de Compostela. At 11:00 AM you will experience the famous Pilgrim Mass. This special mass is held each day to recognize the pilgrims who have travelled along the Way of St. James to arrive at Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. You will have the chance to be a part of a historical ceremony that has been taking place since the 9th Century. At the beginning of the mass it is traditional for the home country and starting point of all the pilgrims to be announced. Following the mass you will get a chance to learn more about the historic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which is dedicated to St James, one of Jesus’ apostles, and is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site.

Santiago de Compostela: Private Walking Tour

9. Santiago de Compostela: Private Walking Tour

Explore Santiago de Compostela with a private guide and learn more about its history and religious significance. Discover the final stop of the Caminos of Santiago. Meet your guide at your hotel and embark on your private walking tour. First stop in the Plaza del Obradorio, where you will find the Palacio de Rajoy, the Hostal of the Catholic Monarchs, and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Enter the Cathedral with included admission tickets, and see known for being one of the most famous centers of Christianity in Europe. After you can visit the cathedral museum where you can admire religious treasures and artifacts. Once we leave behind the cathedral, visit the charming city squares such as Quintana de los Vivos and Quintana de Los Muertos. After, you will also visit Plaza de Platerías where you can admire the Fuente de los Caballos. Finally make your way to the final stop will be in Calle del Franco. Finish the tour in a local tapas bar, popular with the locals.

Lugo: ¡¡NEW!! Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

10. Lugo: ¡¡NEW!! Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

This visit will begin in the Plaza Mayor, just in front of the City Hall, our guide will be waiting for you with a blue umbrella, so you can recognise him. Here we will talk about the Roman origins of the city through its history. Here are the statues of the founders of Lucus Augusti, as Lugo was baptized in Roman times. Paulo Fabio Máximo receives the map of the city from Emperor Augustus. But Lugo is also preserved as a medieval city and as proof of this we have its historic quarter, located within its walls, where we can see the Cathedral and the streets surrounded by the typical arcades. Lugo is a city that grew within its Roman walls over time. From the Cathedral you can access the walls, we will make a section of these where we can see Lugo outside the walls and inside the walls as well as some remains of domus or Roman houses discovered in the area. After strolling through its walls, we will enter its streets full of local shops and tapas areas, where we can enjoy the great gastronomic offer of the city, because as the saying goes "...and to eat: Lugo". Another proof of its gastronomy is the Mercado de Abastos, where you can see all its most typical products. We cannot miss its famous "wine zone", for this reason we will be finishing the tour in the Plaza del Campo, where the weekly market used to be held, today the starting point for the streets where you can taste a great dish accompanied by a good wine.

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What people are saying about Galicia, Spain

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 544 reviews

The trip was well worth it. Our guide (Pedro) was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The stop in Valença do Minho was surprisingly interesting. This was a great option for a short trip to Santiago de Compostela. My family and I were able to get into the Cathedral by not having lunch with the rest of the group. Be aware that there can be a long line to get in the Cathedral and it could take all of your time.

Our guides Francisco and Alex were simply amazing. Francisco is like a walking Google, explaining every detail about the historical St James Cathedral. The places we visited were great and we started the tour on time.

our guide cum driver (Tiago) from Living Tour drove us safely to n from. along the way to Santiago, he also gave good information on the destination.

The trip was satisfying, though I wish we could have stayed in Galicia a little longer.

Diego was a great guide; engaging and able to answer queries very well