There are plenty of great places to stay in Santiago de Compostela for different budgets from hostels with shared facilities to luxury hotels. In this post, I recommend some of our favourite hotels and hostels in Santiago. In recent years I’ve been to the city many times and stayed at several different hotels.
Arriving in Santiago de Compostela after completing the Camino de Santiago is an amazing feeling. We’ve done it 7 times and every time it’s exciting. Santiago is a beautiful city with many things to do so I’d recommend spending there a couple of days to have enough time to discover the cultural and gastronomical part of the city.
We always try to stay in different places in Santiago de Compostela to be able to compare them.
The content we write on the Camino de Santiago is always based on our personal experience and this post is not an exclusion. In the list of best places to stay in Santiago de Compostela for pilgrims, we included only the places we personally stayed at. The list is not very long but we’ll work on it as we return to the Camino and visit Santiago de Compostela at least once a year.
Unfortunately, we don’t have photos of the rooms in the best hotels because we never used to write hotel guides. But after being in the city so many times and staying at many different places I decided that my hotel guide might have some value for fellow pilgrims and tourists visiting the capital of Galicia. Next time when we’re in Santiago we’ll have to revisit all the recommended places and ask for permission to take photos.
Table of Contents
Our top 3 favourite places to stay in Santiago de Compostela
Here are the best hotels to stay in Santiago de Compostela (in our opinion) for pilgrims after completing the Camino. The recommended hotels have the best location in the city. All 3 places have a central location in the heart of the Old Town of Santiago de Compostela (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and a short walk to the Cathedral and the Pilgrim’s Reception Office.
We know after completing one of the Camino de Santiago routes you don’t feel like walking a lot to get from your hotel to the places of interest. Besides their location one more great thing these 3 places have in common is quietness. Due to their location away from busy bars and restaurants, it’s quiet there at night. You don’t hear street noises and music in your room. Parador de Santiago and Hospedaria Seminario Mayor are especially quiet at night.
Our favorite boutique hotel in Santiago
Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos
- Distance to the Cathedral (the main entrance) – 50 m
- Average rating (based on the guests’ reviews from booking.com) – 9.1 out of 10
We treated ourselves and stayed at Parador de Santiago once after completing the Camino Frances. Actually, it was just me because I walked the French Camino alone while Campbell was hiking in Canada. It was my first solo Camino and after walking alone for 1 month I thought I deserved a treat. Hostal Reis Catolicos was a perfect place. I enjoyed a lot staying here and from my experience, it’s worth the money. The location couldn’t be better right on the Obradoiro Square overlooking Santiago de Compostela Cathedral offering easy access to the historical center.
Hostal Reis Catolicos or Parador de Santiago de Compostela plays an important role in the history of Santiago de Compostela. It’s considered one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the world. The construction of the hotel/hospital for pilgrims started in 1501 and finished 10 years later. Since then the Pardor has been welcoming pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela. The hospital part was moved to a different location in 1954.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – yes
- Air-conditioned rooms – yes
- Breakfast – yes, included in the room price. It’s possible to get dinner included in the room price for an extra cost.
Guests’ reviews of Parador de Santiago
“The location, the historic building, the restaurant, the staff, the breakfast, it was superb value for us in triple rooms…it was a lovely treat and a fitting end to our Camino” – Margaret from Ireland
“The Parador is in the centre of this amazing city right by the cathedral. The location couldn’t be bettered. The building is magnificent in itself and is beautifully furnished with antique furniture and paintings. The whole effect is stunning and worth the expense just to enjoy the experience. It was fun sleeping in a four-poster bed for the first time in my life and waking to a wonderful view of the valley from room 334. The beds were comfortable (although a little hard for my taste), the bathroom inviting and the breakfast perfect”... – Ann from the UK. Read more reviews here
Check the rates and book your room at Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos
Our top middle-price hotel in Santiago de Compostela
Hospedería San Martín Pinario (Seminario Mayor)
- Distance to the Cathedral (the main entrance) – 150 m
- Average rating – 8.6
Hospedería San Martín Pinario has two types of rooms; new and more expensive rooms that can be booked online and cheaper and more modest rooms for pilgrims that can be booked via e-mail. The pilgrims’ rooms are old-fashioned and quite basic. The standard rooms are more modern and comfortable. Whichever room you choose the historical building and the location of the hotel are amazing. It’s definitely one of the best places to stay in Santiago de Compostela. For the price you pay you couldn’t find a better place to stay in Santiago de Compostela.
I’d highly recommend booking your room at Hospedería San Martín Pinario in advance. We managed to get a pilgrims’ room only for the third time. Our first two tries were unsuccessful because the place was always full.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – yes
- Air-conditioned rooms – no
- Breakfast – yes, 7 euros per person
Guests’ reviews of Hospedaría San Martín Pinario
“Lovely hotel with a very nice feeling to it, right across from the cathedral. We were always comfortable and very much enjoyed our time here. The building itself was a joy to explore, rich with history and atmosphere. Excellent location in the old town of Santiago de Compostela”. – Ben from Australia. Read more reviews here.
Check the rates and book your room at Hospedería San Martín Pinario
Our favourite Albergue (hostel) to stay in Santiago
Albergue Santiago KM-0
- Distance to the Cathedral – 170 m
- Average rating – 8.4
In my opinion, Albergue Santiago KM-0 is the best hostel (albergue) to stay in Santiago de Compostela. The location couldn’t be better, 100 m from the Cathedral, and 400 m from the Pilgrims Reception Office (the same street). The price is a bit higher than an average albergue but the location and the comfort level are worth it. We stayed here a couple of days after the Camino del Norte. We especially loved their wider beds with comfortable mattresses and the backyard. The albergue is quite small and cozy.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – no
- Air-conditioned rooms – no
- Breakfast – no, but there is a kitchen
Guests’ reviews of Albergue Santiago KM-0
“Excellent location after a long day walking. Everything was clean and it had good facilities. The staff were very helpful as my Spanish is very limited, luckily they spoke English” – Davis from the UK. Read more reviews here.
Best places to stay in Santiago de Compostela
We have stayed in most of these places ourselves. I haven’t included all places we’ve stayed in Santiago in this post but only the best ones. Some places we stayed were good but quite far from the center for this reason I decided not to include them in my post.
Best albergues (hostels) in Santiago de Compostela
Blanco Albergue
- Distance to the Cathedral – 500 m
- Average rating – 8.9
Blanco Albergue is one more great place to stay in the historical center of Santiago de Compostela. I can’t remember after which Camino de Santiago we stayed here (probably after the Portuguese Camino) but I definitely remember it because of its unique design and bright colors. The albergue is comfortable and clean, and it has good facilities. The beds are more like cubicles with curtains for extra privacy. Despite being an albergue it was quiet and felt like a good place to rest.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – no
- Air-conditioned rooms – yes
- Breakfast – no, but there is a kitchen and a vending machine
Guests’ reviews of Blanco Albergue
“Great location just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral & Pilgrims Reception Office. There’s a store & cafe a couple of doors down from the Albergue. Very clean. Well equipped with a small kitchen, vending machines, & cozy common area. Added privacy with curtains & each bunk has its own outlet, shelf & lamp. Separate shower areas for men & women. The staff was very welcoming, kind & helpful. A little more pricey than albergues on the Camino Frances, but well worth the few extra Euros for comfort & convenience. Private rooms in another building were wonderful, well equipped & very quiet. I stayed 2 different occasions & will definitely return!” – Julie from the US. Read more reviews here.
Albergue The Last Stamp
- Distance to the Cathedral – 300 m
- Average rating – 8.1
We stayed at Albergue The Last Stamp after completing the Camino Finisterre because Albergue Santiago KM-0 was full and we had to find an alternative. We had a great 2-night stay at The Last Stamp and can recommend it as a good place to stay in Santiago if you’re looking for a budget option in the city center. The facilities are good, the location is great, and the staff is helpful. The dormitory rooms are modern and spacious. The common areas are clean and comfortable. They have a family room option as well if you’re a family or a group of people traveling together.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – no
- Air-conditioned rooms – yes
- Breakfast – no, but there is a fully-equipped kitchen
Guests’ reviews of Albergue The Last Stamp
“The location of the hostel was less than a 5 min walk to the Cathedral. The room was bright with windows. The bunk beds had comfortable beds with lights and plug-ins at each one. It also has a shelf in the corner which was nice if you needed a little extra space for a water bottle at night. There was a very well-equipped kitchen area for meals with tables. There was a small outdoor area that here laundry could be hung to dry…” – Jenna from Canada. Read more reviews here.
Check the rates and book your bed at Albergue The Last Stamp
Best mid-range hotels to stay in Santiago
Pensión-Residencia Fonseca
- Distance to the Cathedral – 100 m
- Average rating – 9.3
Residencia Fonseca is a good value for money for a single traveler, a double room works out quite pricey. I stayed there for a couple of nights after the Camino Frances (staying at Reis Catolicos for 3 days was too expensive). The location is fantastic, the place is cozy and clean and the hostess is very helpful. It was so nice to stay in a small place that felt like home after staying mostly in municipal albergues for one month.
The only thing that some people might not like is the noise. I stayed at Residencia Fonseca over the weekend and there was a lot of noise coming from the bars downstairs. It wasn’t a big problem for me I just went out and enjoyed the music and vibe but if you want to rest it might be annoying. Having earplugs will help.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – no, shared bathrooms
- Air-conditioned rooms – no
- Breakfast – no, but there is a small kitchenette in the all with a microwave, plates, and cups
Guests’ reviews of Pensión Residencia Fonseca
“Highly recommending this Pension. The hostess was incredibly gracious and helpful… The location is absolutely perfect, immediately next to the Cathedral and plenty of options for dining and shopping”. – Ken from the US. Read more reviews here.
Check te rates and book your room at Pensión-Residencia Fonseca
Alda Catedral
- Distance to the Catedral – 250 m
- Average rating – 8.7
Alda Catedral is a modern hotel and a nice place to stay in the city center close to the main attractions. We stayed here once after completing the Camino Primitivo and really liked it. The location is perfect if you want to go out at night. Rua do Franco is one of the streets with the best tapas bars in Santiago. It does get quite noisy at night especially on weekends during summer months. If you want a quiet stay near the Cathedral I’d suggest Hospedaría San Martín Pinario which is on the other side of the Cathedral in the quieter area.
We visited quite a few tapas bars on Rua do Franco and I can definitely recommend two tapas bars – Petiscos do Catedral and Taberna do Bispo. Start your night early at 6-7 pm to enjoy your tapas without being pushed and having to wait for your order the bars get busy by 9 pm.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – yes
- Air-conditioned rooms – no
- Breakfast – no
Guests’ reviews of Alda Catedral
“In the heart of Santiago’s old town, about 5 minutes walk to the cathedral. The location is full of restaurants and bars with great food. The staff were attentive and friendly- answered all our questions. the room is spacious and clean.” – Cristina from the UK. Read more reviews here.
Best boutique hotels in Santiago de Compostela
Airas Nunes by Pousadas de Compostela
- Distance to the Cathedral – 250 m
- Average rating – 8.8
I noticed Airas Nunes Hotel walking around the historic centre and thought it looked nice and maybe next time we should stay there. And so we did. After finishing the Camino Ingles we stayed at Airas Nunes for one night. We liked pretty much everything from the location to the decor of the rooms. Despite being a hotel there is no check-in desk. You get a code for the entrance door and to open a safe box with your keys. If you prefer having a reception with actual people it might be not the right place for you. There is a phone number that you can use if you need any assistance.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – yes
- Air-conditioned rooms – yes
- Breakfast – no
Guests’ reviews of Airas Nunes
“The location is excellent, it is 2 mins walk from the majestic cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. They have a modern and smart way to make the check-in and check-out. They give you a code to open the main door and your room. There is not a physical person in the hotel but you can reach them by phone 24 hours. We had a question regarding the discount they have for the parking and it was super easy to talk to them and get the information we needed. The room was beautiful, super clean, and comfy… We liked everything about this hotel and would stay again when come back to make “El Camino de Santiago”. – Karelia from the US. Read more reviews here.
Best spa hotels and hotels with a pool in Santiago
We haven’t stayed at any spa hotels or hotels with a swimming pool in Santiago de Compostela. I can’t personally recommend any of such places but I did some research and found a couple that is not far from Santiago de Compostela city centre. I stayed once at a spa hotel (Eurostars Vía de la Plata) in Astorga on the French Camino and really enjoyed using their facilities and swimming pool. It’s such a treat to soak in warm water after walking with a backpack for weeks. Spending a couple of days at a spa hotel is a perfect end to the Camino de Santiago.
Via Aetcal Hotel & Wellness
- Distance to the Cathedral – 400 m
- Average rating – 8.8
Via Aetcal Hotel looks like a great place to relax after the pilgrimage walk in Santiago de Compostela. They offer spas and massages at extra cost. Maybe we’ll stay here after our next Camino.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – yes
- Air-conditioned rooms – no
- Breakfast – no
Guests’ reviews of Via Aetcal Hotel & Wellness
“This Hotel was the perfect hotel to end my Camino. The Staff are all fabulous. Great location to walk to everywhere in the centre but lovely and quiet. Super comfortable beds – great shower. Best of all the amazing spa/sauna and then massage treatment …. my gift to myself after my 800km walk – and it was just perfect! Thank you so much to everyone there for making us all feel so special … I truly loved my stay and will be back !!!!! ( for my next Camino’s!!)” – Sian from New Zealand. Read more reviews here.
Hotel Palacio del Carmen
- Distance to the Cathedral – 750 m
- Average rating – 8.6
Hotel Palacio del Carmen is situated in the beautiful historical building of the former convent. In the photos, it looks spectacular. The hotel is one of the best places to stay in Santiago de Compostela if you want to be close to the center and at the same time in a quiet area with a lovely garden. I think we might stay here for a night or two when we walk the last 100 km on the Camino de Santiago with our 2-year-old daughter I’m sure she’ll enjoy the garden.
Facilities
- Free wi-fi – yes
- Private bathroom – yes
- Air-conditioned rooms – yes
- Breakfast – yes included in some rates or can be paid separately, 9 euros per person
Guests’ reviews of Hotel Palacio del Carmen
“Location perfect after a day in Santiago. Very peaceful but an easy walk. Great decor in the hotel – not too opulent but different; good taste. Lovely building with gardens at the back”. – Gary from the UK. Read more reviews here.
Check the rates and book your room at Hotel Palacio del Carmen
Best neighborhoods to stay in Santiago de Compostela
The historical centre in my opinion is the best area to stay in the city for pilgrims. This way you’re within walking distance of the main city attractions including the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the Pilgrims Reception Office. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area and a couple of grocery stores/small supermarkets.
Staying near Alameda Park is a good option if you want to be somewhere quiet but still close enough to walk to the Cathedral. I stayed there once during my first visit to Santiago de Compostela as a tourist before I did any first Camino. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the tranquility of the area. There are quite a few bars and restaurants nearby. From the park, you get nice views of the Cathedral and Old Town.
We stayed once at Albergue Turistico La Credencial in San Pedro and Belvís neighbourhood. The albergue is right on the Camino route (Camino Frances, Camino del Norte, and Camino Primitivo). It was quite convenient for us as we could just drop off our backpacks on the way and head to the Cathedral without them (you’re not allowed to enter the Cathedral with a backpack). It was the only advantage of staying in the neighbourhood because every day we had to walk for 20 minutes to get to the centre. San Pedro and Belvís is a quiet area outside of the historical center. There are several supermarkets and local bars and restaurants.
Our least favorite area to stay in Santiago
We’ve stayed in albergues and hotels in different parts of Santiago de Compostela and the area near the train station in my opinion is the worst area to stay in Santiago. We stayed in the area once at Albergue La Estacion. The place was fine, the owners were very friendly but the location is not the best. It’s fine to stay for one night if your train or bus leaves early in the morning but not ideal if you’re planning to stay for a couple of days. The railway station is about 2,5 km from the Cathedral. Everything is far to walk.
Questions or Comments?
Got any questions or comments? We would love to help! All questions and comments will be answered by us personally in Buy Me a Coffee. Click below and ask away.
Feel free to support our site by buying us a coffee!
The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.