7 Best places to stay in Santiago de Compostela

Probably the oldest hotel in the world, Ferdinand and Isabella – the ‘Catholic Kings of Spain’ – built this hostel in 1499 to house pilgrims.

Behind the fanciest hotel portal of all time, it’s packed with old world grandeur, heavy dark wood furniture, casement ceilings, oil paintings, canopied beds, and polished parquet floors, with windows overlooking the pretty garden cloisters.

Expect royally-attentive service and superb dining (and exceptional wine, too) in the stunning barrel-vaulted hall, and try to peek into the grand banqueting halls.

For all that, it’s not stuffy and formal; time travellers and history lovers will have a ball.

This exceptionally friendly family-run hotel, right in the heart of Santiago and just a minute’s walk from the Cathedral, has been a beloved institution for over five decades, bringing joy to bargain hunters and tired pilgrims.

Its bright and immaculate en-suite rooms, with twin or queen size beds were recently renovated, and there’s a popular all-day café downstairs where you can grab breakfast. Anyone who has been on the road will appreciate the useful laundry service that won’t break the bank. But do note there are stairs and no lift.

It doesn’t get more central than the Suso; walk out of the door, and you’ll find picturesque granite porticoes lining pedestrian Rua do Vilar, with the Santiago tourist office right next door. Tapas bars, and restaurants dot the streets, but although the area can get quite busy during the day, things quieten down after dark.

Occupying a striking 18th-century UNESCO-listed Franciscan convent, this hotel is only four minutes from the Cathedral, yet feels deliciously secluded thanks to its garden, terrace and cloisters.

Expect plenty of stone and wood: the comfortable rooms overlooking the cloister of gardens have beamed ceilings, wooden floors and contemporary furniture. There’s a museum of artefacts from the Holy Land to peruse, and an indoor pool and Jacuzzi for relaxing.

The bar-café serves excellent cocktails and the restaurant focuses on serves regional specialties with a contemporary twist. ideal for pilgrims or anyone who loves history and creature comforts.

Traditionally Galician on the outside, inside this serene little boutique hotel has a Japanese-inspired design, creating a calm and welcoming place to retreat to after a busy day sightseeing.

Located on the edge of the historic centre, the helpful English-speaking staff serve an excellent breakfast, and will help you find just the right restaurant to hit in the evening. There’s also an inspirational library of art and travel books to peruse.

Located on a quiet, cobblestoned, mostly-residential street on the northern fringe of Santiago de Compostela’s historic centre, the Altair is a five-minute walk from the Cathedral, and ten minutes from the Abastos Market, the city’s foodie hub. It’s perfectly placed for exploring on foot, there are dozens of boutiques, bars and restaurants within 5- to 10-minutes’ walk.

It’s a good bet for couples, and there’s parking nearby at bargain rates, so a good option for motorists as well.

Two-star hotels are rarely this sleek, cool and minimalist, with the odd groovy touch in the décor. The Moure’s conversion from a traditional building on the north edge of Santiago’s historic centre won architectural design prizes for its clean lines and clever use of the limited indoor and outdoor space – including a bijou outdoor patio.

Continental brekkie included in the price and there’s reasonably priced parking nearby. The hotel is on a narrow, quiet, one-way cobbled street, along with several other small guesthouses (including the same family’s Hotel Altair). It’s a few minutes’ walk from the Cathedral and a score of restaurants and bars.

All in all, a cool and convenient base for exploring the historic city centre.

This enchanting Relais & Chateaux eco-hotel occupies a superbly renovated 18th-century paper mill secluded in gardens west of Santiago. It’s a lovely place to cocoon for a few days, amid antiques, art, granite and greenery, where no detail has been overlooked, from the retro wallpaper to the cushy beds and top Egyptian cotton linens.

There’s seasonal gourmet Gallego cuisine in the Filigrana restaurant and a bistro with a patio, in earshot of the gurgling river that once powered the mill. Oriental and occidental treatments wait in the spa – a fabulous reward for any footsore pilgrim.

It’s barely a 10-minute drive to the city centre, perfect for those wanting to dip in and out of sightseeing, then retreat back to tranquil luxury.

The medieval palace of the Counts of Altamira is now a smart boutique hotel, featuring luminous minimalist bedrooms with polished pine wood floors. The hearty buffet breakfast features local cow’s milk cheeses, and the restaurant – Café de Altamira – is opposite Santiago’s busy market and a great place to work up an appetite for its fresh, seasonal menu.

The owners have an agreement with a nearby car park, so it’s a good bet for motorists who want to stay near the centre, as well as anyone wanting to be in the heart of the action.