4.6(39 reviews)
Santiago de Compostela Private Tour (All-Inclusive)
8 hours – 8.5 hours
Max 8 people
Commentary: Audio · fr, pt, en, es
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
About this activity
Explore Santiago & Valença in comfort and style on our private tour.
Wander the medieval streets of the 2 historic centers and savor the flavors of Galician cuisine.
An experienced guide will accompany you and ensure an unforgettable experience.
Wander the medieval streets of the 2 historic centers and savor the flavors of Galician cuisine.
An experienced guide will accompany you and ensure an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
- History and legend of the "ways" of Saint James
- Explore Santiago de Compostela ( UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Discover Santiago's 11th cent. Cathedral
- Taste Galician cusine lunch in the historical
- Visit the fortress-city walls of Valença
Full description
Experience a day of authentic experiences full of history and tradition, heading to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. We will share the ancient history of Santiago with you while we cross the region of Alto-Minho towards Spain.
Upon arrival at the historical center of Santiago , you will have time for personal discovery of the mythical 11th-century cathedral, where you can attend the famous "Pilgrim's Mass" (on festive days you can also witness the ritual of "Bota-Fumeiro"). Then it's time to taste the flavors of Galician cuisine in one of the typical restaurants in the old town. On the way back to Portugal, we will explore the frontier town of Valença where you will discover an 17th-century wall and relax to the taste of a fine regional tasting, paired with a traditional local delicacy and drink to match.
All this without haste, at your own pace, and accompanied by experienced guide who will make this day an unforgettable memory to share with your family and friends.
Upon arrival at the historical center of Santiago , you will have time for personal discovery of the mythical 11th-century cathedral, where you can attend the famous "Pilgrim's Mass" (on festive days you can also witness the ritual of "Bota-Fumeiro"). Then it's time to taste the flavors of Galician cuisine in one of the typical restaurants in the old town. On the way back to Portugal, we will explore the frontier town of Valença where you will discover an 17th-century wall and relax to the taste of a fine regional tasting, paired with a traditional local delicacy and drink to match.
All this without haste, at your own pace, and accompanied by experienced guide who will make this day an unforgettable memory to share with your family and friends.
1) Meet your guide at your accommodation
Your private guide will meet you at your accommodation, to start your private experience (All inclusive) along the pilgrim paths from Alto-Minho to Santiago de Compostela.
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2) Learn the history and legend of the "caminos" of St. James on a scenic route between Portugal and Spain
From the starting point up to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela, you will have the opportunity to discover the morphology and different landscapes of Minho, Alto-Minho and then cross the Portuguese-Spanish border.
While you enjoy this panoramic discovery, we will share the stories, legends and historical-cultural characteristics of Santiago with you and the world famous "Camiños de Santiago" that have taken pilgrims to one of the largest pilgrimage centers in the world for centuries.
This experience includes:
-Panoramic route through the landscapes of Alto Minho
-Border crossing between Portugal and Spain
-Panoramic route through the landscapes of Vigo and Pontevedra
- Historical-cultural contextualization of the legends, myths and influence of Santiago in the world
-Panoramic route through the landscapes of Alto Minho
-Border crossing between Portugal and Spain
-Panoramic route through the landscapes of Vigo and Pontevedra
- Historical-cultural contextualization of the legends, myths and influence of Santiago in the world
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3) Explore Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO city famous for its history, stunning architecture, and religious legacy
After a panoramic discovery of the fraternal Iberian regions of Alto-Minho and Galicia, you will be able to explore the Historical Centre of this holy city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Get ready for a true journey in time, walking through the medieval streets and monumental squares surrounded by the local traditional stores and taberns, all of them leading us to Praza do Obradoiro, where the pilgrim's emotionally celebrate the arrival of the "caminos" final checkpoint, just in front of the iconic Cathedral.
This experience includes:
- Free time to explore Santiago de Compostela Historical Centre
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- Free time to explore Santiago de Compostela Historical Centre
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4) Visit the impressive Cathedral of Santiago, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world
This one of the oldest and most beautiful cathedrals in the world and it bears a unique energy which was brought and left here by millions of pilgrims throughout centuries until today.
Witness the Pilgrims' Mass and the "Botafumeiro" Ritual, (when available), and explore the square's surrounding historical buildings such as the Hostal Parador dos Reis Católicos and the Pazo de Raxoi and enjoy a moment of free-time in order to capture and enjoy all of this mythical environment.
This experience includes:
- Free time to explore the Cathedral and surrounding squares
- Time and opportunity to attend Pilgrim's Mass
- Free time to explore the Cathedral and surrounding squares
- Time and opportunity to attend Pilgrim's Mass
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5) Savor the flavors of Galician cuisine in a typical restaurant in the historical center
One can only truly grasp a foreign people's culture, when tasting their food and drinking their wines! And that's why, thinking about maximizing your experience of discovery of Galician people and legacy, we invite you to immerse in a pure typical restaurant in the old town, to have a regional lunch paired with local wines.
This experience includes:
- Regional lunch, with presentation of wine at every moment of the meal:
- Appetizer, Main course (option: fish / meat / vegetarian), Dessert, Coffee
- Other drinks included (water, juice and/or soda)
This experience includes:
- Regional lunch, with presentation of wine at every moment of the meal:
- Appetizer, Main course (option: fish / meat / vegetarian), Dessert, Coffee
- Other drinks included (water, juice and/or soda)
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6) Discover the historical center of Valença, famous for its 17th-century walls
With renewed energy, still watching the lands of Galicia on the other side of the river, we will discover the 17th century fortified city of Valença do Minho, a jewel of bastioned military architecture, with 5 km of wall, whose interior seems untouched by time.
We will stroll through the houses, the military buildings, the churches, always with incredible panoramic views over the Minho river and the old metallic bridge that overlooks the medieval Spanish city of Tui.
This experience includes:
- Guided visit of the fortress of Valença do Minho
- Photo-stop moment
- Guided visit of the fortress of Valença do Minho
- Photo-stop moment
- Free time
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7) Enjoy a Chill & Wine moment in a unique setting
After exploring the charming city of Valença do Minho, indulge in a wine tasting paired with regional products. Savor the authentic flavors of the local wines and products and take a moment to unwind and relax.
This experience includes:
Local wine tasting, paired with regional products.
Moment of free time.
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8) Return to your accommodation
It is time to return, relaxed, to your accommodation. While doing so, you'll be able to recall the day's memories, photos and videos of the memorable moments spent in our company and share them with your group of friends and family.
Thank you for your preference.
We hope to see you soon!
We hope to see you soon!
Included / Excluded
- Pick-up and drop-off at your place of accommodation
- Private transportation in comfortable panoramic tourism vans
- Certified private tour guide
- Portuguese-Spanish border crossing
- Stop for photostop in San Simón
- Accompaniment to the Historical Centre of Santiago Compostela
- Regional lunch in the historical centre (drinks included)
- Visit of a medieval border town
- Regional tasting harmonised with local products
- Insurance and taxes
- Expenses related with products or services not mentioned in the "included" section of the program
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Gratuities of any kind
Meeting point
Start Location
Porto, Portugal
Porto, Porto, Portugal
Important information
Know before you book
- Diet: If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, let the guide know to make the arrangements
- Mobility restrictions: If you have any conditions, please inform us so that we can guarantee the best possible experience
- Customization: We adapt the experience to your preferences. Contact us to adjust the programs to provide you with a tailor-made experience
Know before you go
- Items to bring: Camera, water, comfortable walking shoes, personal essentials for the day.
- Tour info: Time & meeting point confirmed pre-arrival. Arrive 15 mins early at designated spot.
- Clothing: Check weather. Rain gear, sunscreen, warm layers might be needed based on season.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
Reviews
4.6(39 reviews)
David
Aug 20265.0
Anna was the perfect guide and made us comfortable from the introduction. It was raining and we were having difficulty finding the meeting point in Porto but she was able to change at the last minute and find us. She kept the conversation lively and interesting about Portugal, different regions, and the Douro. You will not be disappointed.
Sarah
Aug 20265.0
We had a great day with Nuno. We loved the family winery that was chosen for us to visit and the restaurant for lunch and Nuno was great guide for the area and gave us really great insight into Portugal in general.
T2470SOjanas
Jul 20265.0
Tiago was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable about so many things. He knows so much about the area, the wine, olive oil, food in general!!
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
Not wheelchair accessible.
The tours are subject to local traffic, visit schedules and other external factors.
Specific nutritional or dietary food restrictions must be informed in advance.
Infant seats are available on request. Please advise in advance.
The tours are subject to local traffic, visit schedules and other external factors.
Specific nutritional or dietary food restrictions must be informed in advance.
Infant seats are available on request. Please advise in advance.