10 Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela at Night

Among the best things to see and do in Santiago de Compostela are the night-time activities. During your holiday you will surely want to make the most of every moment, including the night, so I recommend several activities. You can eat and drink the most typical food and drink in the capital of Galicia or wander the streets while you listen to ghost stories, do you like the idea?

If you want a more celebratory plan, there are plenty of nightclubs to visit. Each one has its own special attraction. On the other hand, if you are travelling with your pets, in Santiago you will find different places to go with them. Have you already decided to visit the capital of Galicia?

If you want to go on a gastronomic tour in Santiago de Compostela, I recommend you to go at night, as you will see a livelier side of the city. These tours usually start at 8 p.m. and finish around 11 p.m. and the average price is around 65 €.

On this type of tour the guide will take you and your group on a stroll through the streets of Santiago. You will be able to see the lights of the city and the stars in the sky. The first stop before dinner will be at a pub where you will have a Queimada, a fiery drink. It is said to have magical properties that ward off evil spirits.

When it's almost 10 p.m. it's time to eat in a typical Galician restaurant where you'll enjoy a traditional dinner: Galician octopus or clams "almejas a la marinera". You will also enjoy a delicious dessert such as filloas or apple pies. At the end of your dinner you will return to the starting point together with your guide and your group.

Details of interest

• Price: around 65 €.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.

If you like stories of mystery and legends, then this type of night tour is for you. Your guide will be a witch, a Meiga Volandeira with her classic black cloak and broom who will wait for you in the Plaza del Obradoiro and tell you the stories of legends and mysteries. Are you ready?

These tours have an average price of 20 € or less and usually last about two hours, during which you will pass through some of the most emblematic points of the Galician capital such as:

• The Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, which used to be a pilgrims' hospital.
• The Cathedral of Santiago, a place that hides many secrets and where the witch will tell you about the legend of the Santa Compaña. I'll just tell you that it's a story from the Middle Ages where a man was followed by a line of dead people. How scary!
• Several little known streets, until you reach the old cemetery.
• The convent of San Francisco.
• The pazo of San Xerome.
• Bonaval Park.

Although each spot has a dark history of magic behind it, your witch guide will protect you from all evil spirits. At the end of this tour you can continue enjoying the night in Santiago, if you are not too afraid...

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 20 €.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an iconic site in the capital of Galicia.

Before entering, I recommend that you take a short tour of the exterior. Nearby you can visit Plaza del Obradoiro, Plaza de Platerías, Plaza de la Quintana and Plaza de la Inmaculada. Each of them has its own beauty and charm, so it is well worth a visit.

You can then enter the Cathedral through the Platerías Doors, in the south area. Before reaching the main nave you will come across the baroque style High Altar where you will also see the famous Botafumeiro, a very large suspended censer which is a symbol and icon of the city.

Behind the High Altar you will see the camarín with the figure of the Apostle St. James. To access and embrace the saint, a tradition in this cathedral, you must pass through a narrow corridor. You can also go down into the crypt to see the relics of this apostle. Finally, I recommend you go to the Cathedral Museum. In its rooms you will find objects considered to be part of the historical heritage of humanity.

Details of interest

• Location: Plaza de Platerías, s/n, 15704 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña.
• When to go: Tuesday to Sunday.
• Price: around 25 €.
• Opening hours: from 10 pm to 11 pm.

The night in the capital of Galicia can be very lively, you just need a perfect plan. One of them can be to go for tapas in the pubs and bars of the city. If you prefer to drink beer, I recommend you to visit first La Cervecería Internacional, where you can try some beers and have a snack.

After eating and drinking a bit, you can go to El Ensanche, an area of the city where there are a lot of shops, bars and restaurants with food from all over the world, and then go to some squares to see improvised shows or street performers in Praterías square or A Quintana square.

If you want to continue discovering the city's most iconic sites, I recommend planning a full day in Santiago de Compostela so you don't waste any time. This city is full of history and picturesque sites that you must visit.

The last stage of the Camino de Santiago can also be done at night. However, this will be a physical and mental challenge as you will have to walk at least 7 kilometres to reach your destination. If you do the route at night you will also have to face the cold, so it is best to be well prepared.

In this type of tour you can be accompanied by a group of people to walk the route together. The local guide will not always be with the group, as the idea is that you and your team can walk the trail alone, but don't worry! At various points along the way your guide will be waiting for you to tell you anecdotes about the trail.

When you arrive at Monte do Gozo you will make a stop for the guide to tell you anecdotes about this place. Then you will continue walking until you reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, where you can visit the Cathedral. The Camino de Santiago tour normally starts at 6pm and finishes at approximately 10pm.

Interesting details

• When to go: any day of the week.
• Price: around 20 €.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

Traveller tip
To do the Camino de Santiago you should be well prepared with comfortable clothes and comfortable sports shoes. You will also need to bring some snacks for the walk. Energy bars can be a good option to give you enough energy. Also, your water bottle is a must and since it is a night tour, don't forget to bring a jumper.

Whether or not you've walked a section of the Camino de Santiago, you're sure to love this fantastic plan to relax your body and mind. It is an hour-long massage that can also be booked at night.

You can choose between a full body session or a massage for some specific areas, such as the back, legs or feet, depending on your tastes and needs.

All this, accompanied by natural creams and oils with arnica and harpagofito that will help you to revitalise your body and relieve pain, a real treat for the senses!

The Modus Vivendi is the oldest pub in Galicia and you should definitely visit it when you go to Santiago de Compostela. This place has been active since the seventies and during all that time it has been a pub frequented mostly by university students, although it is also visited by the general public.

In Modus Vivendi you will find two different atmospheres. The first consists of the bar and stools, ideal for a night out with a friend or your partner. The second, one floor below, where the stables used to be, there is a large table where visitors gather to eat and talk.

Although it is a small venue, you can have a spectacular evening here. You can just enjoy your drink and food or enjoy a music and theatre show that is performed at least once a week. The music you will hear in this pub is rock, funky, Latin-jazz, among other styles.

Interesting details

• Location: Praza de Feixóo, 1, 15704 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña
• When to go: any day of the week.
• Price: Admission is free, the price of what is consumed may vary.
• Opening times: The pub is open from 6pm until 4am.

If you prefer a more party plan, dancing, listening to music and drinking, I recommend you to go to the discotheques in the capital of Galicia. The city hardly ever sleeps and has so many clubs that you won't be able to make up your mind easily. To save you the trouble, I will recommend you some of the most popular ones:

• Discoteca La Ruta: It is a reference point for young people in the city. It is a very cosy discotheque where you can dance to your heart's content or sit and have a drink and chat with friends. The style of music usually played here is Latin or reggaeton, so be prepared to dance all night long.
• La Quintana Pub: It has a large terrace that allows you to have excellent views. Here you will have a youthful atmosphere, besides being a place that is usually frequented by celebrities and celebrities, maybe you will bump into some celebrities!
• Discoteca Maycar: one of the legendary Galician nightclubs.

Along the way you will surely see other places. If you are in the mood, remember that the night is young! Visit the ones you find most interesting and enjoy Santiago de Compostela's nightlife.

Santiago de Compostela also has more relaxed plans for those who enjoy tranquillity and art. After 6 p.m. several theatres and concert halls offer performances so that you can enjoy the evening. It is best to buy your tickets in advance at Zona C, the ticket sales point for Santiago's cultural centres.

One of the places I recommend you go to is the Auditorio de Galicia in Santiago de Compostela. It usually hosts concerts by the Galician Philharmonic Orchestra, plays, comedy monologues, recitals, dances and much more.

The Teatro Principal is also another place you will like to visit. Here you can listen to concerts by local or national artists, see plays or dance shows. If you like opera, this is the place for you. Tickets to these venues usually cost between €10 and €20. It's definitely a quiet plan that you'll love if you like cultural events and art.

O Bandullo do Lambón is without a doubt a paradise for beer lovers in Santiago de Compostela. If you love beer you must visit this place and try the craft beer sold here. In the bar there are more than six taps so you can try a variety of Galician drinks.

Also in the fridge there is a variety of original beers from various countries around the world, so you will not only know what Galicia tastes like, but also what the world's beers taste like. To accompany your drink you can order some tapas from the menu. These are usually typical Galician recipes, so you're sure to find a seafood-based snack.

As well as good food and drink, you can enjoy a good musical atmosphere here. There is usually a variety of 60's, 80's and 90's rock, as well as relaxing jazz to get you through your evening in the best possible way. If you don't know which beer to choose, I recommend you ask the bartender to recommend something special.

Interesting details

• Location: Rúa da Raíña, 9, 15702 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña.
• When to go: Any day of the week.
• Price: You can get in for free, the price of what you eat may vary.
• Opening hours: The bar is open from 12 noon until 9 pm.