What to do when you reach Santiago de Compostela
The Pilgrim's Mass, the hug for the Apostle, and the first steps right after finishing.
You've made it — you don't have to do it all in one day
After weeks or days on the Camino, arriving at the Praza do Obradoiro is usually a very emotional moment. There's a sequence of things most pilgrims do on arrival, but you don't have to fit them all into one day: you can spread them over a couple of days if you'd rather take it slow.
The only thing on a fixed schedule is the Pilgrim's Mass; everything else (hugging the Apostle, the crypt, the Pilgrim Office) you can do whenever suits you during your stay in Santiago.
The pilgrim's usual sequence
Walk in through the Praza do Obradoiro
Your first look at the Cathedral façade from the square. Many pilgrims sit for a moment before going in.
Hug the image of the Apostle
You access it by climbing behind the main altar, a centuries-old tradition that symbolically closes the Camino.
Visit the crypt with the Apostle's remains
Below the main altar, a quiet space many pilgrims skip in a hurry but that's well worth not missing.
Claim your Compostela
At the Pilgrim Reception Office, next to the Cathedral, with your completed credential (see our dedicated Compostela guide).
Attend the Pilgrim's Mass
Traditionally at 12:00 and 19:30; check the Cathedral's official schedule before you go, as it can vary.
If you get lucky, catch the Botafumeiro
The giant incense burner doesn't swing at every Mass: it's announced in advance or can be requested as an offering on special occasions.
To make the most of your first day
Check the official Mass schedule before you go
Times can change by season or for special events; worth confirming on the day you arrive.
Arrive early if you want a seat at the 12:00 Mass
It's the busiest one, especially in high season and Holy Years. Getting there 20–30 minutes early helps.
Go to the Pilgrim Office early if you want to avoid queues
First thing in the morning usually means less waiting than mid-afternoon, especially in summer.
Protect your Compostela for the trip home
A rigid tube or a flat folder stops it from bending or getting damaged on the way back.
Don't rush and ruin your arrival
Assuming the Botafumeiro swings at every Mass
It doesn't: it only happens on special occasions or when requested as an offering, so don't count on it.
Going to the Office without checking your two daily stamps
If your last 100 km on foot don't have two stamps a day, you may be asked to clarify before the Compostela is issued.
Not booking accommodation in Santiago during high season
The city fills up in summer and Holy Years; it helps to have your bed booked before you arrive on your last day.
Leaving without visiting the crypt or the Cathedral museum
In the rush to get home, many pilgrims miss parts that are well worth seeing and don't take much time.