Walking Santiago's Art Route: A Cultural Guide for Pilgrims

You've arrived in Santiago de Compostela. You've hugged the statue of Saint James, attended the pilgrim mass, and collected your Compostela certificate. Now what?

Santiago's art route starts where the pilgrimage ends. From the cathedral, walk east through the old town to the Fundacion Granell on Praza do Toural, where surrealist paintings by Eugenio Granell transport you from medieval granite to tropical colour.

Continue uphill to the Museo do Pobo Galego and its extraordinary triple helicoidal staircase. Next door, the CGAC offers world-class contemporary art in Alvaro Siza's serene granite building. Between the two, the Parque de Bonaval (also designed by Siza) provides a contemplative pause with views over the city.

For lunch, detour to the Mercado de Abastos for fresh pulpo and Ribeiro wine. Afternoons can be spent exploring the smaller galleries in the old town or taking the bus to the Cidade da Cultura on Monte Gaias.

This art route takes a full day at a leisurely pace. It proves that Santiago deserves more than the single night most pilgrims give it.