Mass times at the Cathedral: the schedule and how it works

Updated 10 August 2026, against the Cathedral's official liturgy calendar.

The most-asked question at the Cathedral doors has a short answer: there are four masses a day, every day of the year, all held at the High Altar above the Apostle's tomb. All of them are called the "pilgrim's mass", though the midday one is the main Mass and the one most arriving pilgrims aim for. No ticket, no reservation: entry is free and seats go to whoever arrives first.

The mass schedule

The schedule is published by the Cathedral itself in its liturgy section (catedraldesantiago.es) and makes no distinction between weekdays and Sundays: all four masses are daily. A regular mass lasts 45 minutes to an hour — an approximate figure, not an official one — plus about 5-10 minutes when the botafumeiro flies, which happens at the end of the eucharist.

Masses in English and other languages

Beyond the Spanish masses at the High Altar, there are pilgrim masses in other languages in chapels and churches nearby. The most stable is the mass in English at 10:30 am in the chapel of the Pilgrim Reception Office (except Wednesdays). There's also a morning mass in French in the same chapel, and masses in German, Italian and Polish in nearby churches whose times change more often — for those, check the current list at catedraldesantiago.es before going.

The practical part: backpacks, seats and bookings

You enter through the Praterías door, free of charge; the basilica is open 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Two things worth knowing: backpacks are not allowed — it's an official security rule; leave yours at your accommodation or in a luggage storage, listed in the practical guide — and there's no seat reservation of any kind: it's first come, first seated. For the noon Mass in summer, arriving a good half hour early is the difference between a pew and standing in the aisle.

What about the botafumeiro?

It doesn't fly at every mass: it's guaranteed at the main Mass of the twelve solemnities of the liturgical calendar and, the rest of the year, at masses booked by groups. The guaranteed dates, booking cost and where to stand are in the botafumeiro guide.