The 10 Best Museums In Santiago De Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of the beautiful Spanish northern region of Galicia. The city, an important pilgrimage destination, is filled with culture and history. Absorb some of the knowledge the history has to offer with this list of its top ten museums and galleries.

1. Museo da Catedral

Cathedral

Door of Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

Stretching across four floors, this museum has everything you need to learn about the city’s most impressive landmark – its cathedral. The museum features a large area of the architect Mateo’s original carved stone choir, which was sadly destroyed in 1604 but was later rebuilt. There’s also a great collection of religious art and even some medieval tombs.

Opening hours: 7:00am – 8:30pm Mon-Sun

2. Cidade da Cultura de Galicia

Cidade da Cultura de Galicia

While some locals felt that this huge cultural center was a wasted investment, its impressive architecture and contemporary design are certainly impressive. You’re best off stopping by when there’s an event on, otherwise you may be somewhat disappointed. However, this center of Galician culture and heritage does have some interesting exhibitions and worthwhile artworks to admire.

Opening hours: 11am-8pm Mon-Sun

Address: Monte Gaiás, s/n, 15707 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

3. Museo do Pobo Galego

Museum

Once a series of convent houses, the Museo do Pobo Gallego (Museum of Galicial People)is located to the northeast of the Old Town. Now a popular museum, these little convent houses are the homes of fascinating exhibits about daily Galician life, art and culture. With a whole range of items on show, from fishing boats to bagpipes, this museum provides a brilliant insight into the complex history and roots of Gallica.

Opening hours: 10.30am-2pm & 4-7.30pm Tue-Sat, 11am-2pm Sun

4. Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago

Museum

Located in a converted building in the Praza das Praterías, the Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago (Museum of Pilgrimage and of Santiago) is based on the epic pilgrimage towards Santiago that every year thousands of people embark on. The museum hosts changing exhibitions as well as a fascinating permanent collection, which features art, artifacts, models and memorabilia.

Opening hours: 10am-2pm & 5pm-8pm Tue-Sat, 11am-2pm Sun

5. Museo de Arte Sacra

Museum, Art Gallery

This museum displaying original Santiago relics is also a church. While it is a relatively simplistic church, the altar stands out with an explosion of baroque design and color. Come by in the late afternoon to peep into the museum and stick around until the evening to hear the nuns singing.

Opening hours: 10.30am-1.30pm & 4-7pm Mon-Sat, 4-7pm Sun

6. Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea

Building, Museum

Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea

The Galician Contemporary Art Centre, or Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea, is the city’s best gallery for modern and contemporary art. The museum features excellent exhibitions of art from around the world as well as showing much local talent. The modern building of the museum is home to a whole host of shows and exhibits which include film and video.

Opening hours: 11am-8pm Tue-Sun

Address: Rúa Valle Inclán, 15703 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

7. Fundacion Granell

Fundacion Granell

The Fundacion Granell started as a project of the famous surrealist painter Eugenio Granell and has now grown into a varied collection of surrealist and ethnic art. Featuring work from a whole array of artists, not just Granell himself, this gallery is a must-see for anyone interested in surrealism, or just those who are looking to learn more about Galician artistic movements.

Opening hours:11am-2pm & 4pm-9pm Tue-Sat, 11am-2pm Sun

Address: Praza do Toural, 8, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

8. Pazo de Xelmírez

Building, Cathedral

Pazo de Xelmírez

Although not a musuem proper, this palace is a beautiful old building and a remarkable example of the city’s heritage which you can come and admire while soaking up the city’s culture and history. Located to the north of the cathedral, the Pazo de Xelmírez was built sometime between 1120-1236, although the exact year is unknown. The palace has been impressively well-kept and gives visitors an idea about how the city looked almost a thousand years ago.

Address: Rúa do Cardeal Payá, 8, 15703 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

9. Casa de Troya Museum

Museum

Santiago de Compostela is a university city and during term time the number of residents more than doubles due to the vast student population. The Casa da Troya museum recreates buzzing student atmosphere from past generations, resembling the famous boarding house run by ‘Doña Generosa’ at the end of the 19th century. This boarding house was made ever famous by the writer Alejandro Pérez Lugín in his novel La Casa de la Troya.

Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 11am – 2pm & 4pm – 8pm 12am – 10pm Fri, 12am – 2pm Sun

Museo de Terra Santa

Just minutes away from the hugely impressive Cathedral lies yet another beautiful building – the Convent of San Francisco. Once the home of Franciscan friars, this building which dates back to the 13th Century hosts in one of its cloisters the permanent exhibition of the Museo de Terra Santa (Holy Land Museum). The museum provides information about the Near East’s culture and history, linking Santiago and Jerusalem. It’s most stand-out feature is the impressive model of the Holy Sepulchre, crafted in Jerusalem over 60 years ago by Franciscan Fray Bartolome de las Heras-Burgos.

Address: Convento de San Francisco, 15704 Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña, Spain

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.