Santiago de Compostela

You don’t need to be a pilgrim to enjoy this medieval city, which is one of the most popular and beautiful in all of Galicia. Wander down the cobblestone streets of the picturesque old town, and admire the unique mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and baroque buildings. Or pop into an art gallery or one of the city’s many chic literary cafés to catch some poetry or local music. A large, lively university makes Santiago one of the most exciting cities in Spain, and its cathedral makes it one of the most impressive. The building is opulent and awesome, yet its towers create a sense of harmony as a benign St. James, dressed in pilgrim's costume, looks down from his perch. Santiago de Compostela welcomes more than 4½ million visitors a year, with an extra million during Holy Years (the next will be in 2021), when St. James's Day (July 25) next falls on a Sunday.