Car Rental Santiago Airport

The airport is less than 10 miles from Santiago de Compostela along the A-54, which takes you into the heart of the city via the N-634 and N-550.

If you’re driving in the center of Santiago de Compostela, you’ll find some of the alleys around the historic Old Town are not accessible by car. However, there are several parking lots in the new town and plenty of on-street parking in this part of the city.

Galicia offers a great way to escape the more crowded tourist destinations of Spain, and its roads are generally not too busy. Some roads leading to the coastline are narrow and winding though, so it’s worth allowing plenty of time for your journey.

The coast is also easily accessible from the airport, with Pontevedra only 45 miles south along the AP-9 and Vigo just slightly further along the same road. A Coruña, the site of the oldest working lighthouse in the world, is around 40 miles north of the airport along the AP-9.

The city of Lugo, home to a historic cathedral and Roman walls, is just over 60 miles from the airport along the A-6 and N-634.

In Spain you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road and overtaking on the left. The main highways linking Spain’s towns and cities are either autopistas or autovías, both of which have a speed limit of 120km/h (81mph) and a minimum speed limit of 60km/h (37mph). The main difference is that autopistas are often toll roads, while autovías are free.

The limit within built-up areas is 50km/h, equivalent to 31mph. All speeds and distances are shown in kilometers and kilometers per hour.

As the capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela is a great place to experience the culture and traditions of this autonomous region of Spain. With a rental car you’ll have the freedom to explore nearby attractions and beautiful coastal areas, all at your own convenience.

Santiago’s star attraction

The most famous building in Santiago de Compostela is its magnificent cathedral. First built in the 11^th century, a number of additions have been made over the years and today its towers dominate the city skyline, showcasing a combination of Romanesque, Gothic and other architectural styles.

The cathedral is reputedly the burial place of St James, one of the Twelve Apostles. It forms the final stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, a journey taken by thousands every year that begins in the small town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in south-western France. During your visit, you might even witness the emotional moment as pilgrims arrive in the city after their epic 500-mile journey.

Admission to the cathedral and the passageway containing St James’s tomb is free, but you can also buy an additional pass that allows you to view the crypt, cloisters and museum.

Architectural gems

Once you’ve seen the cathedral, it’s well worth taking some time to visit the historic square that lies just outside its western façade, Praza do Obradoiro or Workshop Square.

When the cathedral was under construction this area was home to many stonemasons’ workshops, and today is a popular tourist destination that’s home to some of the city’s most important buildings.

Along the western side you can see the Pazo de Raxoi, now the city hall, while to the north lies the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, today a luxurious hotel. On the southern edge of the plaza is Colexio de San Xerome, a part of the city’s university.

Santiago de Compostela has many other architectural highlights to explore, including the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario. This Baroque-style building dates back to the 17^th century and although some of its main sections aren’t open to the public, you can still view its enormous church which houses an ornate altarpiece covered with carvings of saints, bishops and other religious figures.

Another highlight is the Galician Contemporary Art Center, an impressive building designed by the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. Here you can see an array of works by modern Galician artists along with temporary exhibits reflecting the best in contemporary art.

Coastal treasures

With a rental car from Santiago Airport it’s possible to explore the coastline in this part of northern Spain. Just over 50 miles outside the city you can find Cabo Finisterre, situated at the western edge of Spain and, until the discovery of the Americas, the furthermost point of the known world. Here you’ll find some beautiful beaches and amazing views of the sunset over the ocean.

Alternatively, you could head north out of the city to A Coruña, where you’ll find the Tower of Hercules, an ancient Roman lighthouse that’s still in use today. Car rental from Santiago Airport means you can explore all these highlights and more during your time in Galicia.