So much to explore
The city, the river
and a world of possibilities
just beyond
You just have to decide how far you want to go.
A few metres or a few kilometres away, a wide variety of activities await you, all with one thing in common::
they will bring a smile to your face.
Shall we begin?
The city
Santiago is not visited, it is felt. Its historic centre is discovered slowly, wandering aimlessly through the narrow streets, surrendering to history, heritage and the most pleasant experiences.
Here, every portico and every façade bears witness to a story frozen in time. The imposing view of the cathedral from the ground explains the tears of so many pilgrims at the end of the Camino.
Beyond its iconic status, Santiago is a city for those who know how to look. In the mornings, there is magic in the squares and also in the Mercado de Abastos market, with seafood fresh from the Galician estuaries.
The afternoon is a good time for art. From tradition at the Museo do Pobo Galego to the most avant-garde offerings at the Centro Galego de Arte Contemporáneo (CGAC) or, beyond the monumental area, at the Cidade da Cultura.
Strolling along the Alameda at sunset is the perfect ritual to end the day on the way back to the hotel. Among sculptures and century-old camellias, the golden light of sunset invites you to come full circle by contemplating the cathedral once again, this time from a distance.
The river
Without having to cross streets or consult maps, you can walk along a path that seems to come from another time: the Sarela River route, one of Santiago’s secret gems.
A dirt track full of shade that follows the course of the water between old mills, stone bridges, orchards and centuries-old trees.
The constant, serene sound of the river accompanies your walk like background music that calms everything.
From the hotel door, you can choose where to go.
If you walk north, the path takes you to the historic quarter of Santiago and beyond. It is a walk full of nuances: ivy-covered walls, stone houses with moss-covered roofs and old mills converted into charming homes. Just half an hour from the hotel, the old town of Santiago opens up before you, with the silhouette of the cathedral peeking out from among the trees.
If you are looking for maximum tranquillity and disconnection, the best option is to take the route going south 1.5 kilometres. Here, the path enters denser nature, where the river narrows and forms small waterfalls between lichen-covered stones.
A little further on
To the west, in just over half an hour by car, you can reach the coast. Noia (35 km) retains the historic pulse of a port town; Muros (55 km) offers a port, an old town and quiet beaches. And a little further on, Fisterra (85 km), the end of the world to which the most daring pilgrims extend their journey.
To the south, the Rías Baixas await with picturesque fishing villages: Combarro (70 km), with its granaries overlooking the sea; O Grove (80 km), a seafood paradise; or elegant Pontevedra (60 km), with its lively pedestrianised historic centre.
Inland, the landscape changes completely. The Ribeira Sacra (100 km) displays vineyards on impossible terraces above river canyons, hidden Romanesque monasteries and wineries. Close by is Padrón (25 km), birthplace of Rosalía de Castro and the famous Padrón peppers, the real ones.
One day. A thousand landscapes. Galicia beats strongly from here.