Hola!
I am traveling to Santiago de Compostela for a 4 day long weekend trip at the end of November. I would really appreciate any suggested activities or tips about the city. Also I have heard so much about the beautiful countryside of Galicia and would love to venture into the countryside one day. I do not have a car, but if anyone has any information on good tours or alternatives - that would be amazing. I am on a modest budget but would be willing to splurge for a great experience. I have not found too much information on the internet yet, but will keep looking for more websites. Muchas Gracias!

Last trip I stayed at Hostal Nosacasa just inside the Historic District (off teh Plaza de Galicia). I'm not sure if you will be there for Cristo Rei (Christ the King - beginning a new Church Year) but such a feastday would probably call for the Botafumiero at the end of the High Mass in the Basilica, and maybe even the Pilgrims' Mass Saturday evening.

You could take a train down to Vigo - see a lot of scenery; or you could take a bus to Corunha. My last visit (Jul 2004) I spent a few days at the shore: Vilagarcia de Arousa.

Hostal Hogar San Francisco is a nice alternative to Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos; but if you are solo, I don't recommend the single rooms. My budget Hostal was nicer than them.

Go to the Pilgrims' Mass Saturday evening: they may even swing the Botafumeiro at the end of that Mass.

You might find a lot of stuff at http://www.madridman.com

From Santiago de Compotela, it is easy and cheap to take train or bus to A Coruna or Pontevedra.

A Coruna is a busy seaport wtih interesting architecture and historical sites. Pontevedra is much smaller but with some of loveliest squares I have seen in Spain.

I have visited Santiago twice, never tired of just wandering around the old town. If you are interested in architecture, don't miss Mueso do Pobo Gallego (in Conveto de Sto Domingo)- housed at a most rarely seen triple spiral staircase tower.

Baiona on the coast in summer is fabulous. My Guanajuato MX Spanish was useless with their Celtic based dialect.
Wonderful city, wonderful people and great local seafood and Albariño white wines.
M

Hi How did your trip go.
I am travelling there for 14 nights at end of Sept with my partner, looking to stay at Hotel As Artes...anyone know about this place? Love all things Spanish (food and wine especially) All the local things....looking for anyone's ideas of good places to visit (we will not have a car so will be relying on public transport)Interesting towns etc. Thank you Angela

Hi Santapola,

I didn't stay there but remember reading good reviews about it. It is situated by the Cathedral.

I have been twice to Santiago and like Judy I never tire of just walking around the town, just being there.

This last time I went by bus to Coruña. Unfortunateley, as soon as I got there fog set in so I couldn't really see too much. Next time I'll go south to Pontevedra( which you can also do by bus or train) and also spend a night or two at the Parador in Baiona. Another thing we did during our first trip there was to go to Cabo Finisterre ( used to be considered in the Middle ages to look toward the end of the world) stopping along the way in Noia and Muros.

Seafood and fish in that area( together with their delicious albariño wine) is fantastic.

Are you staying the 14 days in Santiago?

Carolyne,

Have you had a peek at: http://www.santiagoturismo.com/
This lists all the events, exhibits, concerts, etc in the city. Check back closer to the date as November is still a ways away. You are going to love it - one of my favorite cities in Spain.

For group day trips: http://www.compostelavision.info/

buen viaje!

If you don't have a car, then the options are a few less (it excludes to visit Corrubedo dune or Baronha). But you can visit Pontevedra or Corunha (both accesible by train, about 1 hour trip). Pontevedra has a delightful historic town, which usually surprises whoever visit it, because it is not very well known, not even in Spain. Corunha's beauties are more landscape ones: the city is on a peninsula, wholly surrounded by the sea.
Another option is to take a bus to Cambados: a beautiful little town with the best seafood and wines.
Well, I must say that Galician LANGUAGE is not Celtic-based, but Latin-based. In fact, it has remarkable similarities and shares a common past with Portuguese.

Do not miss the rias gallegas (saltwater rivers), the Fisterra (costa de la muerte), or going to mass with the Botafumeiro in Santiago.

I also love la isla de la Toja.

Claire

I am truly grateful to everybody who has given me such interesting and informative feedback. I now have to start planning my route!. We normally travel around a lot (Last year Rome then on to Sicily up to the islands of Lipari Stromboli and Panarea then back in to Sicily where we travelled from east to West) That's why I thought I would try to finad a base this time and not have to keep packing and moving on. I shall certainly be kept busy working this one out! Once again Many Thanks Angela