Hotel Ciudad de Compostela stands on Avenida de Lugo in the Fontinas area, on the northern side of Santiago de Compostela. It is a straightforward, practical hotel with a bar, room service, a concierge, an elevator and a 24-hour front desk, and it gives you a quieter, less expensive base than a stay inside the stone old town. The cathedral is about a fifteen-minute walk away, and the walk passes through some of the city's most characterful streets.
Location and getting around
Avenida de Lugo is one of the main roads into the city, so the hotel is well placed for arrivals by car and for the bus routes that run along it. On foot you can reach the park of Santo Domingo de Bonaval in about seven minutes, the university in about ten, the Fontes do Sar multi-purpose arena in about ten, the Mercado de Abastos in about eleven and the cathedral in about fifteen.
The railway station is a short taxi ride away, around nine minutes by car. Pilgrims arriving on the Camino from the north will find the route into the city centre straightforward.
Facilities
The hotel offers free WiFi, a bar, room service, laundry service, business services, a banquet hall, one meeting room and luggage storage. Breakfast and self parking are available for an extra charge, which is worth confirming when you book, because parking inside the old town is restricted and a place at the hotel can save a lot of stress.
The elevator and the front desk, open day and night, help with late arrivals after a long Camino day or a delayed flight. Room types, bed sizes and views vary, so check the details for the room you choose.
Who it suits
Pilgrims who want a comfortable bed within walking distance of the cathedral, drivers touring Galicia who want parking and quick road access, students and parents visiting the university, and budget-minded travellers who prefer a little distance from the busiest tourist streets. It is less suited to visitors who want to step out of the door into the old-town lanes, since the walk in is a quarter of an hour and steepens a little on the way back. Santiago is rainy for much of the year, so pack a waterproof jacket and shoes with grip for wet granite.
Making the most of a stay
Walk down through the market area to the cathedral in the morning, attend the pilgrims' Mass or visit the roof and museum, and spend the afternoon among the squares and bars of the old town. Return in the evening by taxi if the weather is bad. Day trips by train or car to the coast, to Padron, to the Rias Baixas or to Finisterre are easy from this side of the city.
At busy times, such as the feast of Saint James in July and the Easter and summer pilgrim peaks, rooms fill quickly, so book early and check what is included in your rate.
Why stay here
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Bar
- ✓Room service
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Elevator
- ✓Concierge
- ✓Luggage storage
- ✓Parking available for a fee
Good questions
How far is it from the cathedral?+
About a fifteen-minute walk, passing the Mercado de Abastos on the way. A taxi takes only a few minutes.
Is there parking?+
Self parking is available for a fee. Confirm the details when you book, because old-town parking is restricted.
Is breakfast included?+
Breakfast is offered for an extra charge. Check whether your rate includes it when you book.
