Arriving in Santiago de Compostela after days or weeks on the Camino is a surreal moment.
Legs buzzing, heart full, backpack straps still imprinted across your shoulders, you step into a city that has been the focus of every footstep.
It is emotional, joyful, overwhelming and wonderfully odd to suddenly stop moving.
After my Camino, I have learned that how you handle this final stretch can shape your whole ending, so here are the tips I swear by to make your Santiago arrival feel as special as it deserves.
Walking into the city is a strangely quiet moment.
You hear traffic again, you hit proper pavements, and before you know it the cathedral towers appear like a mirage through the medieval streets.
This is where everything becomes very real.
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#1 Walk Straight up to the Cathedral to Soak It All In
The first and most important tip when you reach Santiago is to walk directly up to the cathedral.
Do not be tempted by cafés, hostels, souvenir shops or even a celebratory cerveza.
Head straight for Praza do Obradoiro and let yourself have that moment.
The final metres through the arches and into the square are incredibly powerful.
You will see other pilgrims crying, hugging, collapsing on the ground, taking photos or simply staring at the cathedral in disbelief. Join them.
Stand in the pedestrianised square for as long as you need.
Sit down. Take your boots off. Gaze at the facade – you’ve earned the right to arrive properly and to soak it all in without distraction.
This is the heart of the Camino and there is no better way to mark the end of your journey.
#2 Get Your Pilgrim Passport Certified
Once you have breathed a little and maybe stopped shaking with adrenaline, the next stop is the Pilgrim Office to get your Compostela and the final stamp in your pilgrim passport.
The office is only a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral, and you can check live waiting times on their official website.
You need at least 2 stamps per day in your credential passport for the last 100km (or last 200km if cycling).
Bring your passport and your pilgrim passport, and be prepared to queue, especially at peak times.
The office is open daily, usually from morning until early evening, but hours can vary slightly across the year.
When your name is called, you’ll head inside to have your passport checked and your Compostela issued.
It is entirely free, but you can request a decorative certificate for a small fee if you want a keepsake to frame – I highly recommend it.
Walking out with your Compostela in hand is a satisfying part of the ritual and makes your arrival feel official.
#3 Stay Somewhere Near the Cathedral
After a long walk, Santiago’s old town feels like a maze of cobbles and staircases, so staying close to the cathedral is a smart idea.
It keeps things simple when your legs are tired and lets you enjoy the city without trekking across town.
One of the best value options is Hotel Lux Santiago, where I stayed.
It is modern, comfortable and within easy reach of the old town.
Rooms are airy, bright and prices are reasonable compared with the more premium hotels nearby.
It is especially good for pilgrims who want a little comfort without blowing their remaining budget.
Travel at the end of the Camino always feels slightly dreamlike, so a calm base close to the action makes the whole experience gentler.
#4 Don’t Pay to Enter the Cathedral
You absolutely do not need to buy a ticket to see the cathedral in Santiago.
There is a free entrance for regular visitors, so save your cash.
The paid tickets are only for the rooftop tour, museum and the Portico of Glory, which are optional extras rather than part of the standard visit.
The free entrance is usually at the front of the building, though it occasionally shifts depending on restoration works or crowd control. When I last visited it was at the side due to façade renovations. Security staff will point you in the right direction.
If you want to attend Mass, arrive early because seats fill quickly, especially during the main pilgrim service.
Even if you are not religious, stepping inside is powerful.
The cool air, the soft gold light, the quiet hum of voices and the weight of history give you a sense of calm that contrasts with the chaos of arriving outside.
Take your time to wander and appreciate the moment.
#5 Give Yourself a Full Day to Relax After the Camino
The biggest mistake I see fellow pilgrims make is leaving too soon.
You have just walked across a sizeable chunk of northern Spain. You deserve a day to enjoy Santiago properly!
I highly recommend booking a stay for at least one full day after your arrival.
This will give you time to rest your feet, meet up with pilgrims you crossed paths with, visit the city’s parks and museums, try Galicia’s famous cuisine once again, explore the monastery cloisters, or even sit in the square with an ice cream watching new arrivals walk in.
This slow day of celebration and decompression is part of the Camino experience.
It allows space for everything you have just done to sink in.
I am convinced the journey ends not when you walk into the square, but when you have had that pause afterwards to reflect and absorb it.
#6 Fly Direct from Santiago Airport
Once your feet have recovered and the euphoria has mellowed into the warm glow of achievement, it is time to think about getting home.
Santiago Airport is wonderfully easy to reach, only a short bus or taxi ride away from the city centre, and has a growing number of direct flight connections.
Check whether your onward destination is available directly from here, because it makes departure far easier than transferring through another city.
I flew straight to London Stansted with Ryanair, and the whole journey took just two hours.
After weeks of walking, such a quick hop back to the UK felt almost comical.
If you cannot get a direct flight, then the train to Madrid is also a reliable option.
It takes several hours, but the scenery is relaxing and gives you one last slice of Spanish countryside before heading home.
From Madrid you have far more international onward connections via the international airport.
Looking for a Booked Camino Package?
Some people like to walk the Camino independently, but others prefer the reassurance of having everything organised in advance.
If you want bag transfers, accommodation, meals and logistics handled for you, Follow the Camino is a solid, long-established operator with a strong reputation.
Their packages take the stress out of planning so you can focus on the walking.
Get 10% off your Follow the Camino adventure with discount code: Steph10
Camino Quick Tips
When to Hike the Camino?
I recommend Spring or Autumn for best weather, lowest crowds and reasonable prices.
eSIM
Holafly offer unlimited data eSIMs for Spain that are perfect for staying connected on the Camino.
Insurance
World Nomads offer simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Travel Money
Spain uses the Euro.
I always travel Europe with my Wise card, which makes spending abroad cheaper with real exchange rates and no sneaky transaction or ATM fees – grab yours here.
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Santiago is a city with a rhythm shaped by centuries of arrivals.
Pilgrims wander around in sandals, backpacks squeaking, still a little dazed, while locals sit in the sun drinking coffee as if nothing extraordinary is happening.
Somehow it all blends into a gentle, buzzing energy that makes the city feel alive in the loveliest way.
Take your time when you arrive. Celebrate, rest, savour and absorb.
After all, you only finish a Camino a few times in your life and those final hours in Santiago are precious.
Use them well, because they become the memories that carry you long after you return home.
My Camino adventure was gifted by Follow the Camino but, as always, all views are my own.
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