Plaza del Obradoiro
Plaza del Obradoiro
4.5
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Large, pleasant city plaza containing the church of St. James.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,453 reviews
Excellent
2,367
Very good
926
Average
146
Poor
10
Terrible
4

FJGonzalezG
Bethesda, MD1,173 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Plaza del Obradoiro (worker) where the stone masons worked to build the magnificent cathedral is where the different pilgrimage trails converge. It is flanked on the east by the Cathedral, and on the opposite side by the 18th Century Neoclassical Palacio de Raxoi, where the city hall resides. On the north, you will see the once-pilgrim hospital built at the request of Queen Isabela and King Fernando. To the south is the Colexio de San Xerome, founded in 1501. It is here that one can feel the grandeur of Spain in the XVI Century. Frankly, if you go to Santiago, it is hard to avoid. So go there early, and use it to anchor your visit to the city.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA2,010 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
This is the main square near the Cathedral. It is a great place to take pics of the Cathedral and also to people watch. Now and then, they have events in the square. When we were there, on the far side, several workers were creating a beautiful ground mosaic from a variety of materials (flower petals, rocks, dirt, rice, sand, colored pencil shavings, etc.). It was huge and it was impressive. They also had a band playing music on another day.
Written 28 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Malgorzata
12,085 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
The central place, the square in Santiago with a beautiful view of the main portal of the cathedral. A destination for all pilgrims and tourists, it is actually the heart of Santiago de Compostela. Plaza del Obradoiro surrounded by the four most characteristic buildings of Santiago de Compostela - Hostal dos Reis Catolicos, Palacio de Raxoi, Colegio de San Jeronimo and the Cathedral. You need to come here while in Santiago, it is a place full of joy and meetings for pilgrims.
Written 14 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JJJC_Family
Virginia794 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
I have been in a lot of squares in Europe. This actually has to rank in the top five or ten, at lhe least. It has wonderful, iconic buildings, like the Cathedral, with exquisite design lining its perimeter and when it is sunny the whole place just shines. Unlike a lot of squares such as Siena, it is not jammed up with restaurants and tourist souvenir shops. It has a serene elegance.
Written 30 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniela
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
An absolute must for those who come to Galicia. History, religion, tradition, music, and wonderful architecture, all blend in in beautiful Santiago. I summer, Obradoiro becomes even more vibrant with the music played live in every corner. Last but not least, you will enjoy first quality food in the nearby restaurants and bars.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
The Plaza del Obradoiro is an amazing plaza surround by probably the most incredible buildings in the city. Although there are no cafes and restaurants directly on the square itself, there's plenty in the surrounding area.

I recommend visit both day and night for the contrasts. At night, all the buildings are lit up in soft yellow light and everything looks just as incredible.
Written 16 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rayporsche
Ottawa, Canada32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
The Plaza is a vast terrace on which almost daily there are displays, sporting events, childrens school activities or buskers entertaining the tourists and citizens wandering there. The weekend evenings often have some sort of live, noisy cheerful entertainment, the daytime is often when tourists occupy the several perimeter cafes and enjoy the view, the atmosphere and the goings-on. A fun place to visit and spend a few hours on a warm afternoon or evening.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trave1Bandit
Maia, Portugal558 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
There is no other way of putting – it is simply the heart / soul and life of Santiago de Compostela. Here you will find a mix of people in general + pilgrims + tourists + school kids sucking in the atmosphere is this place.

Under normal circumstances, there is a HUGE cue to go inside the cathedral… but believe me, it is well worth the wait.

GO!!!
You will enjoy this place, the atmosphere and the architecture… and if you are a pilgrim – then there is no other sensation in the world that will surpass the feeling of being right HERE.
Written 6 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

drmader
Orinda, CA2,932 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
Having walked the Camino and finally arriving it was so incredible . Its immense and the sun sparked in the sky, the relief and happiness was palpable. Nice vendors around the church if you want to buy something like a saint medal or a remembrance from the church. There are nice cafes and fountains all
Around and of course the cathedral
Itself
Inside is awe inspiring . We spent some time to pray and be grateful for the experience and just being here . Beautiful
Written 17 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John A Carter
Lower Sackville, Canada5,220 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
If you want to meet somebody in the city, and this is the best place to meet them. Everybody who comes into the city goes to this plaza. It’s a large open Plaza with a government building on one side to Cathedral descent Diego to Compostela on the other side and a hotel on the third side it is the centre of the town. There’s lots of shops and restaurants nearby, but it is fairly touristy.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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PLAZA DEL OBRADOIRO (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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