Recommended days to spend at Santiago & Fisterra

[jlkirbee]

Is one day in Santiago enough before continuing to Fisterra? Or should I stay an extra day to enjoy the city!?

Also how many days do most people spend in Fisterra before leaving?

Lastly! I need to get to Rome after the Camino, what is the best way to go about that? (Flight/Train) and please be detailed from Fisterra --> Rome (Whether I have to go through Santiago, to Madrid, etc)

Thank you!

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

I would spend more than a day in Santiago. Depending where you started from it may have taken many days and much effort to get there; why be in a hurry to leave.

The tourist office on Rua de Vilar is a goldmine of what is available to see and do - I have even been to a classical concert on a Thursday night!

There are at least two museums worth a visit. One is the old Bishop's palace which is an annex to the Cathedral and there is a pilgrim museum, whose address escapes me but the tourist office will tell you - if somebody here doesn't.

There are some lovely parks, with one giving great views of the Cathedral. The tourist office provide a great map.

You can bus to and from Monte de Gozo (5€ per night and a 1€ bus ride each way in December 2010)or stay at the Seminaro Minor for three nights, though you have to clear the building by 10.00am, taking your rucksack with you. A bit of a pain but worth it for the cheapness. 10€ per night in 2009.

The crypt where the coffin of Santiago is contained may be open for a brief Mass from 8.30 am.

Pilgrims you have passed will be arriving all the time and there is a great street cafe culture in the city.

The only way out of Finisterre is by bus - the SDC tourist office have a timetable. It is a very small town and half a day will probably be enough for you to see all there is to see. The lighthouse at the end of the world is 3km from the town.

Others will advise the best way to get to Rome but it might be worth looking at SDC to London Stanstead with Ryanair and seeing if you can get a cheap flight to Rome from there. I would only do that if it is the cheapest option as it is not the shotest route!!

 

[anniethenurse]

If I was to continue to Finisterre I would do it right a way - staying only one night in SDC. But if not walking to Finisterre I would say 2-3 nights in SDC is enough - I would have time to enjoy the city, see the sights, spent as many hours as I need in the Obradoiro seeing all the pilgrims reaching SDC and the Cathedral.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Part of the joy of Santiago is meeting again the pilgrims you met along the way. Some who were ahead of you will still be there, and the ones behind you will be arriving. After two days, this particular joy will be gone. All the faces will be new faces. If you press on to Finisterre immediately, you meet only those who continue with you, a small percentage of the hundreds you have met. It is a bitter-sweet choice to make if you are traveling solo. I still have not grown tired of Santiago after repeated visits.

 

[nellpilgrim]

Hi if you've the time I'd spend at least 2 days in Santiago but whether before you set off to Finisterre or after you return is probably something best decided on once you've arrived in SDC. I'd recommend one whole day to enjoy the beach at Finisterre-it's the very best therapy for aching muscles and sore feet .
Nell

 

[miamijhp]

Thanks to everybody for the help you guys are given to us "the new one's". I am learning every day something new. I got my ticket already and if everything goes right I will be in Sarria September 23 to start walking the following day. Been my "first time" make me nervous, but I am preparing myself (walking every day 12-18 kilometers.) One more time "gracias".

 

[jirit]

Initially I would spend one day in Santiago and then on the following morning continue to Finisterre via Muxia (it is one day longer than walking directly to Finisterre which most pilgrims seem to do)

Both beaches at Finisterre and Muxia are great to spend some extra time. If you walk to Muxia you can also receive a 3rd compostela too

If you arrive early in Santiago (before 9.00am) you have time to take in the noon Mass and then you have the afternoon to take in some sites.

Later upon your return to Santiago, I would recommend taking as much as you prefer to see the sites, etc