Santiago de Compostela has been an important site for Christian pilgrims for centuries, as it is believed that the remains of St James the Apostle were found here. Today Santiago ranks as the third most important site for Christian pilgrims in the world, after Jerusalem and Rome.

Located in the very northwest of Spain, approximately 40kms (25 miles) from the Atlantic Ocean, Santiago de Compostela typically sees more rain annually than anywhere else in the country.