Hi, if i purchase any of the tour ticket via cathedral web site such as decks and carraca tower on the certain time slot, can i enter the cathedral and tomb of Santiago apostle w/o staying on the queue? i assume that i can walk around the cathedral after the tour is over?
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9220 posts
I have been to Santiago a number of times and enter the cathedral whenever I like, except when services are happening.
My tip is to go early in the morning (like around 8, or after the 09:00 mass, like around 10:00 or so and there are never any lines to get in or to go see the tomb. Lines begin when it is about an hour before the popular masses are scheduled, like at 12 or at 19:00. There are not usually lines any other time of day.
There is no one controlling the line to visit the tomb, so there is no "skipping" the line here. Just wait your turn. I have never seen anyone skipping the line outside either. Everyone is waiting their turn to get in.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7157 posts
Ditto what Ms Jo said. The only lines I recall were to visit the tomb and walk up behind the alter. There is no skipping the line. They moved quickly. Yes you can walk around the cathedral whether you take a tour or not.
Granted it was off season the three times I’ve visited, but there was never a line to enter the cathedral.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for the response. It is good to know that we don't have to worry about the long line.
I visited on May 22, 2022 and saw so many people waiting on the some sort of lines around the cathedral and didn't even bother to inquire about the line since we had to catch the bus to Porto. I will make sure we hit the cathedral at 8 am this time.
Thanks again!
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9220 posts
If you are hoping to see the Botafumero swing, that early morning mass is often a good chance as this is often when the tour groups have offered to pay for it. If you see rows of seats in one of the naves, with reserved signs on them, that is a good sign. Sit in the opposite nave for the best view. The nave where all the ropes for it are attached to a pillar.
Posted by
5 posts
We were there this weekend. The ticket office said the cathedral was free and no tickets allow you to skip the line. The lines are longest in the morning as that is when the tour groups (and there area lot of them) are going in. Trying to beat the “peregrinos” (pilgrims) arriving later. Lines are shortest first thing in the morning and just after lunch.
To see the Portico of Glory, you need a ticket and they sell out. Not sure if they are available online, but would check.