We will be in Santiago for only one day and overnight. Any recommendations for lodging and dining?
If you want to splurge, then stay at the Parador (Hospital Real de Santiago de Compostela) right at the Praza do Obradoiro, 1, directly beside the cathedral. Off season its rates are better. We stayed at it in 2017. In 2019 we stayed at Hotel Rua Villar, Rúa do Vilar, 8, 10. It’s an old 18th century house about a 1 minute walk from Praza da Quintana de Vivos and the entrance to the cathedral. We thoroughly enjoyed both hotels.
A restaurant we enjoyed was Restaurante El Bombero, Rúa do Franco, 57. In the evenings it doesn’t open until 8pm.
To truly absorb the history and importance of Santiago de Compostela stay in the historic Parador on the Cathedral square. You will see the pilgrims as they head to the Cathedral to finish their long journeys. We made reservations a year in advance. We ate in several excellent restaurants including a pulperia where they specialize in octopus. I do not have their names available as I am traveling.
We stayed at the Parador as part of a high end tour. I don’t know what the daily rate is but I’m sure it’s up there and the room was creaky and old feeling. They have 2 restaurants. The casual one is Enexbre and we had excellent seafood. Even better was Abastos 2.0. This is right next to the fish market so what you get is what the market has. The menu is a reasonable fixed price with multiple small courses and available wine pairings. We spent a lot of time dining in Spain and this was one of the highlights. Book ahead, it’s small.
I love staying in San Martin Pinario. It is right across from the Cathedral and almost next to the Parador. It is a former monastery and the architecture is amazing. Have stayed there on 3 visits to Santiago and have my room booked for end of May this year too. It will be cheaper than the Parador.