Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela has long had a powerful and mysterious draw on travelers: More than a thousand years' worth of Christian pilgrims have trod the desolate trail across the north of Spain just to peer up at the facade of its glorious cathedral. This sturdy city, built of granite and later turned mossy green from its wet weather, is surrounded by the hilly, lush terrain of Galicia, a province that enjoys far more precipitation than the interior, plus dramatic coastal scenery, delicious seafood, fine local wines, and an easygoing ambience. Santiago rivals Granada as the most magical city in Spain — and enjoys a generally festive atmosphere, as travelers from every corner of the globe celebrate the end of a long journey.