Planning a visit to Astorga, Spain? Follow my list of the best things to do in Astorga on the Camino de Santiago, what to see in Astorga in one day and the best hotels in case you intend to stay.
Read about what I found in Astorga while following the Camino de Santiago as a pilgrim on my way to Santiago de Compostela.
Best Tour in Astorga:
1. Astorga Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audioguide
Where to Stay in Astorga
1. El Descanso de Wendy
2. Albergue de Peregrinos San Javier
3. Apartamentos Suite The Way (3*)
4. Eurostars Via de la Plata (4*)
5 .Posada Real Casa de Tepa (4*)
What to Do in Astorga on the Camino de Santiago
I arrived in Astorga on the second day after leaving the city of Leon on my journey along the Camino de Santiago. Astorga has a population of over 10,000 people, and it is a significant point where two routes of the Camino de Santiago intersect: the Via de la Plata and the Camino Francés.
Below, I have listed what I consider to be the best things to do in Astorga.
Walk along the Roman Wall
Astorga was founded by the Romans in the year 19 BC. The Roman wall, dating back to the 3rd century AD, served to defend the city from attacks by barbarian tribes coming from central Europe. It extends for more than 2 km and is between 4 and 5 meters thick.
Palacio Episcopal by Gaudi
Although he had never been to the city, the renowned architect Antonio Gaudí designed this building upon the request of his friend, the Bishop of Astorga. Its design resembles the castle of a fairy tale. Nowadays, it houses the Museum of the Way (Museo de los Caminos) and the Museum of Sacred Art (Museo de Arte Sacro).
There are exhibitions on all four floors of the museum. As a pilgrim on Astorga through the Camino de Santiago, the exhibition that interested me the most was located in Room 5 on the ground floor. Here, I found several representations of the Saint James Apostle and artifacts related to the Camino.
The museum opens every day of the week. The admission fee is 6 euros with an audio guide.
Cathedral of Saint Mary
I was impressed with the beauty of this building. Few non-major cities boast a cathedral of this magnitude.
The construction of the current cathedral began in the 15th century in the Gothic style, with later additions in Renaissance and Baroque styles.
Visiting the Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Astorga. It opens from Monday to Sunday from 10 AM to 8:30 PM, and the admission fee is 7 euros.
Book your Astorga Cathedral Entry Ticket in advance here and enjoy a 360° VR experience.
Church of Santa Marta
Next to the Cathedral, I found this Baroque church from the 18th century. It occupies the same site where the saint lived in the 3rd century AD.
If you observe the above photo, you will see that there is a small square window dividing the two main buildings. I climbed those three stone steps and could observe a dark, narrow cell. It is said that in the past, prostitutes were jailed and left to die there. Charitable pilgrims arriving to Astorga on the Camino de Santiago used to throw food to them through the bars.
Main Square or Plaza de España
Here, I found the Astorga City Hall, a remarkable example of Baroque-style architecture. Don’t miss the bell tolls played every hour by two automatons, one on each side of the bell. They represent a couple of maragatos dressed in their traditional clothes. The term “maragato” refers to the inhabitants of the region of Maragatería in León.
This square is the heart of the city. You will find shops and nice restaurants with outdoor terraces around the square.
Santocildes Square
This square is just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza de España. The monument in the middle is a homage to the heroes of Astorga who fought against the French in the War of Independence. It is a very lively plaza with bars, restaurants, and chocolate shops all around.
Domus of the Mosaic of the Bear and Birds
I found this place unexpectedly, as it was just a short walk from the Albergue for Pilgrims Siervas de María where I was staying. It’s an archaeological site where a Domus has been excavated. The Latin term “Domus” refers to the house of a noble or affluent family in ancient Rome.
A small part of the excavation is visible and protected with crystal. The domus extends under what is now a Convent.
Street Art in Astorga
If you are a street art lover like, me you will love the murals found across the streets of the center of Astorga. They depict various themes such as the War of Independence, traditional crafts, or the manufacture of mantecadas and chocolates for which Astorga enjoys a great reputation.
Try the Local Chocolate and Mantecadas
Astorga was one of the first Spanish cities where chocolate became known in Spain. It was introduced by the conqueror Hernán Cortes to some nobles in Astorga who were his friends.
During my time in Astorga, I noticed that there was at least one chocolate shop on almost every street I walked. The most popular brand appeared to be Alonso.
There are five chocolate factories in Astorga, and each of them has its own shop on Calle Los Sitios, a street close to Gaudi’s Palace. Additionally, there is even a Chocolate Museum in Astorga.
One of the best things to do in Astorga is to try a Mantecada. These traditional sweets have been known in the city for at least the last 200 years. They were invented in a convent by a nun. They are prepared with flour, lard, eggs, sugar, yeast, and cinnamon.
What to Eat in Astorga
There are two traditional dishes that you can try anywhere in Astorga. One is the Cocido Maragato, and the other is the Bacalao al ajoarriero. To try any of them is one of the best things to do in Astorga.
The Cocido Maragato is a hearty dish that includes ingredients such as beef stew meat, pig’s ear, pork ribs, chicken, sausage, bacon, pig’s trotters, noodles, and eggs. It also incorporates vegetables like onion, potatoes, and chickpeas. It is customary to eat the meat first and save the soup for the end.
The Bacalao al ajoarriero consists of cod, potatoes, green and red peppers, tomatoes, and cayenne pepper.
Where to Eat in Astorga
Here are my recommended places to try the traditional cuisine of Astorga. All of them are located in the Historic Center.
Las Termas (Michelin): Calle Las Termas, 1
Restaurante Serrano: Calle Porteria, 2
Restaurante Casa Maragata II: Calle Padre Redentoristas, 6
Where to Stay in Astorga, Camino de Santiago
As a pilgrim, I stayed at the Albergue de Peregrinos Siervas de María, in Plaza San Francisco, 3. It is a very big and friendly albergue with more than 150 spots available in shared dormitories. It is located in the same place where, almost a thousand years ago, one of the many medieval pilgrim hospitals in Astorga existed. The building served as a convent until the year 2004. It opens all year round.
Another good option for pilgrims is The Albergue Peregrinos San Javier which is a 1-minute walk from the Palacio Episcopal. It offers a kitchen, washing and drying machines, and space to keep bikes.
Book your stay at the Albergue de Peregrinos San Javier-Pilgrims Only here
El Descanso de Wendy, located near the Astorga’s cathedral, offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and a cozy seating area with a sofa and flat-screen TV. These elegant rooms feature wooden floors and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. It offers a luggage collection service for Camino de Santiago pilgrims.
Book a stay at El Descanso de Wendy here
Hotels Astorga
Apartamentos Suite The Way (3*) is located at a 4-minute walk from Palacio Episcopal de Astorga. Each unit includes a well-equipped kitchenette, seating area, TV, and a private bathroom with a bath or shower and hair dryer.
Book your stay at Apartamentos Suite The Way here
Eurostars Via de la Plata (4*) is located just one block from Astorga Town Hall and close to the main attractions of the city. It offers very modern rooms, a spa, and a restaurant.
Book your stay at Eurostars Via de la Plata here
Posada Real Casa de Tepa (4*) is set in a restored 18th-century palace, of which Napoleon was the most famous resident. The Casa is located on the Camino de Santiago route and is next to the Cathedral.
