Santiago de Compostela, the historic Spanish city famed as the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago and believed resting place of Saint James, is the latest European destination confronting the challenges of overtourism.
While some cities, like Barcelona, have seen locals take dramatic measures—such as using water pistols to deter crowds—a neighborhood group in Santiago has chosen a more diplomatic approach. They have produced a multilingual etiquette guide for visitors, now displayed throughout the city and in its growing number of hostels. The guide gently reminds tourists to keep noise levels low, respect traffic rules, and fit rubber tips on hiking poles to protect the city’s ancient cobblestones.
Despite these efforts, disruptive behavior persists. Large tour groups often dominate the streets, singing or chatting loudly, cyclists sometimes ignore traffic laws, and the metallic clatter of hiking poles echoes through the narrow alleys. Social media platforms run by local residents are filled with complaints about declining visitor decorum.
Yet the primary concern is not just individual behavior—it’s sheer numbers. The historic center, once the hub of daily community life, has increasingly been overtaken by tourists, displacing residents. In 2024 alone, more than 500,000 people registered to walk one of the official pilgrimage routes—approximately five times the city’s population and a staggering 725-fold increase since the 1980s—plus countless others arriving by train, bus, or car.
For Santiago, the challenge is clear: balancing the city’s centuries-old cultural heritage with the global fascination that continues to bring unprecedented crowds to its narrow streets and sacred landmarks.