Pilgrim’s Office

If you’re walking or cycling the Camino de Santiago, the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela is your final stop: the place where the Cathedral officially recognises your journey and issues the Compostela, the centuries-old certificate of completion. Run by the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela, it has welcomed pilgrims arriving on foot, by bicycle or on horseback for over a thousand years.

This page gathers everything you need to know before you go: where it is, when it’s open, what you need to bring, which certificates you can request, and a few practical tips to save you time on the day you arrive.

Where is the Pilgrim’s Office

The Pilgrim’s Reception Office is located a short walk south of the Cathedral, at:

Rúa Carretas, 33 · 15705 Santiago de Compostela · A Coruña, Spain

From the Praza do Obradoiro (the main square in front of the Cathedral) it’s about a 5-minute walk, down Rúa das Hortas and then left onto Rúa Carretas. The building is signposted and there is usually a queue of pilgrims visible from the street.

Opening hours

  • Every day: 09:00 – 19:00
  • Closed only on 25 December and 1 January

Contact: +34 981 568 846 · oficinadelperegrino@catedraldesantiago.es

How to get your Compostela

The Compostela is the traditional Latin certificate that the Cathedral issues to pilgrims who complete the Camino for a religious or spiritual motivation. It is free of charge. To receive it you need three things:

  1. A valid pilgrim credential (credencial), stamped along the way.
  2. Having covered the minimum distance on a recognised route, arriving directly into Santiago.
  3. Stating a religious, spiritual or “searching” motivation for your pilgrimage.

Minimum distance

  • On foot or on horseback: at least 100 km of continuous route into Santiago.
  • By bicycle: at least 200 km.
  • If you start your Camino outside Spain, the minimum inside Spanish territory is 70 km.

Stamps on your credential

Collect at least two stamps (sellos) per day from albergues, churches, cafés, town halls or any official point along the route. On the last 100 km walking (or last 200 km cycling), the office pays special attention to those two-a-day stamps, so make sure you don’t skip them.

Types of certificates

  • Compostela – free. The traditional Latin certificate awarded to pilgrims who meet the religious/spiritual criteria and minimum distance.
  • Certificate of Distance – €3. A parchment that states your starting point, arrival date, total kilometres and route. Any pilgrim can request it, regardless of motivation. Requests can also be sent by email to certificadodedistancia@catedraldesantiago.es.
  • Welcome Certificate – for pilgrims who don’t meet the Compostela’s religious requirement but still want a record of their arrival.

What about the Finisterrana and the Muxiana? If you continue walking or cycling from Santiago to Finisterre or Muxía, you can collect two additional certificates: the Finisterrana (issued by the Concello de Fisterra) and the Muxiana (issued by the Concello de Muxía). These are not issued by the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago – you need to pick them up locally, in the respective town halls or tourist offices, once you arrive.

Tips for pilgrims

  • Go early. During summer, Easter, and Holy Years, queues can exceed an hour. The first slot of the day (09:00) is almost always the fastest.
  • Use the QR ticket system. When you arrive, you pick up a ticket with a QR code that lets you check your place in the queue in real time from your phone, so you can grab a coffee or lunch nearby while you wait.
  • Avoid Fridays if you can. Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings in summer are the busiest slots.
  • Fill out your details in advance. You’ll need your passport/ID, starting point, date of departure, and motivation. Having it clear in your head (or written down) speeds things up at the counter.
  • If you rented your bike with Tournride: drop it off at our Santiago base before heading to the office. That way you queue without luggage, without worrying about where to leave the bike, and you walk into the Cathedral lighter. Our team will take care of everything else.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Compostela free?

Yes. The Compostela is free of charge. The Certificate of Distance costs €3 and is optional.

Can children get a Compostela?

Children who have made their First Communion or understand the spiritual meaning of the pilgrimage can receive the Compostela. Younger children receive a personalised Welcome Certificate with their name.

What languages do they speak at the office?

Staff and volunteers typically speak Spanish, English, French, Italian, German and Portuguese. Most pilgrims are attended to in their own language.

What if I didn’t reach the minimum distance?

You can still request a Certificate of Distance or a Welcome Certificate. The Compostela specifically requires the 100 km on foot / 200 km on bike.

Can I send the Compostela home by post?

Yes. The office offers a shipping service for an additional fee, useful if you’re flying home with hand luggage only.

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