Plaza del Obradoiro

Plaza del Obradoiro is the grand heart of Santiago de Compostela, a vast open space that greets pilgrims at the end of the Camino. The square is dominated by the stunning Baroque façade of the cathedral, but it is also surrounded by other iconic buildings: the Hostal dos Reis Católicos (now a parador hotel), the Pazo de Raxoi (city hall), and the Colexio de San Xerome (university building). The name 'Obradoiro' means 'workshop' in Galician, referring to the stonemasons who worked on the cathedral. As you stand in the plaza, you'll see pilgrims celebrating their arrival, musicians playing, and locals strolling. It's a place of both triumph and tranquility, with the sound of bagpipes often echoing off the stone walls. The square is especially magical at sunset when the cathedral's façade glows golden.

Don't miss

• Photograph the cathedral façade from the center of the square
• Visit the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, now a luxury parador
• See the Pazo de Raxoi, the neoclassical city hall
• Watch pilgrims arrive and celebrate their journey
• Enjoy the lively atmosphere with street performers and cafés

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Plaza del Obradoiro

Cheapest way inVisit to the Cathedral of Santiago + Portico de la Gloria Option4.7★ · 548 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$26 per personSee dates →Best full dayDay Trip from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and Valença4.8★ · 1,032 travelers~10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$92 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleTransfer or Disposal- Porto to Santiago Compostela or reverse5★ · 32 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$30 per personSee dates →