Santiago de Compostela Travel Guide

City Facts

Location

Galicia, northwest Spain.

Time Zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January Temperatures

8°C (46.5°F).

Average July Temperatures

25°C (77°F).

Average Annual Rainfall

1,700mm (67 inches).

Language

Although Santiago de Compostela is a Spanish-speaking city where Castilian is an accepted tongue, the true local language is Galician. This is a Romance language related to Spanish but also with strong affinities to Portuguese, especially in vocabulary and syntax. Over 90% of the region’s population are estimated to understand Galician, and it is prevalent in rural areas and on local radio. Phrases Yes - SíNo - NoHello - Hola Goodbye - AdiosPlease - Por favorThank you - GraciasMy name is … - Me ilamo …How are you? - Qué tal estás?I’m very well - Estoy muy bienI feel ill - Me siento malHow much does it cost? - Cuantó es?Do you speak English? - Habla inglés?I don’t understand - No entiendoWhere is …? - Dónde está …?Entrance - EntradaExit - SalidaDanger - Peligro Open - Abierto Closed - Cerrado Toilets - Servicios Doctor - Médico Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restauránte Beer - Cerveza Wine - Vino Menu - Carta Today - Hoy Tomorrow - MañanaMonday - LunesTuesday - MartesWednesday - MiércolesThursday - JuevesFriday - ViernesSaturday - SábadoSunday - DomingoOne - Un / uno / unaTwo - Dos Three - TresFour - CuatroFive - CincoSix - SeisSeven - SieteEight - OchoNine - NueveTen - Diez Twenty - Veinte Thirty - TreintaForty - CuarentaFifty - CincuentaSixty - SesentaSeventy - SetentaEighty - OchentaNinety - NoventaOne Hundred - CienOne Thousand - Mil

Cost of Living

Special Events

Antroido (carnival)
Late February
Throughout the city

St Lazarus Day
March
Religious procession through the city.

International Ancient Music Festival
March
Festival with concerts at various venues.
Throughout the city

Semana Santa (Holy Week)
A week of processions in the city leading up to Easter.
Throughout the city

St Peter’s Day
April
Religious processions.
Throughout the city

St Mark’s Day
April
Religious processions.
Throughout the city

Feria del Ganado (Cattle Fair)
May
10-day culinary festival.
Throughout the city

Ascension Day
May
Throughout the city

Jornadas de Folklore Gallego (Galician Folklore Days)
July
Festival celebrating folk traditions.
Throughout the city

Festival de Bandas Populares (Populare Music Bands Festival)
July
Music festival.
Various venues

Feria del Apostol (Festival of the Apostle)
Second fortnight in July
Two weeks of festivities and ceremonies. Includes the Fuego del Apostol, a great fireworks display on 24 July, and the National Offering to the Shrine the following day in the cathedral.
Throughout the city

Galicia Day
25 July
Throughout the city

Festiclown
July-August
More than 100 outdoor and indoor shows featuring clowns from all over the world.
Various venues
Website: www.festiclown.org

Music in Compostela
August
Spanish music festival for students from around the world.
Throughout the city

Galician Stage Arts Festival
October
Theater performances by various European companies.
Various venues

Cineuropa Festival
November
Film festival focusing on European film.
Various venues
Website: http://cineuropa.compostelacultura.org

Christmas Day
25 December
Throughout the city

Christmas Celebrations
December
Throughout the city