---
title: "Mass times at the Cathedral: the schedule and how it works"
description: "Pilgrim's mass at 7:30 am, 9:30 am, noon and 7:30 pm. From 16 Oct 2026 three of them move to San Agustín for works on the high altar. Length and tips."
url: https://santiago.es/en/what-to-see/cathedral/mass-times
locale: en
---

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

What to see · Cathedral

Four daily masses, a midday main Mass that fills up, and several masses in other languages in nearby chapels. And a change of venue from 16 October 2026: three of the four move to the church of San Agustín because of works on the high altar.

![Fachada del Obradoiro de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela](https://santiago.es/img/obradoiro.jpg)

[© Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santiago_cathedral_2021.jpg)

By [Cesar Rodriguez](https://santiago.es/en/author) · updated 19 September 2026

Updated 19 September 2026, against the Cathedral's official liturgy calendar and its 17 September notice on the move to San Agustín.

The most-asked question at the Cathedral doors has a short answer: there are **four masses a day, every day of the year**, at 7:30 am, 9:30 am, noon and 7:30 pm. Until 15 October 2026 all four are held at the High Altar above the Apostle's tomb; **from Friday 16 October, until further notice, the 9:30 am, noon and 7:30 pm masses move to the church of San Agustín**, a five-minute walk away, and only the 7:30 am one stays in the Cathedral, in the Communion chapel. 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.

If you have read somewhere that building work has moved the pilgrim's mass to San Francisco or San Fiz de Solovio, that notice is from 2019: the masses came back to the High Altar years ago. The move that is actually in force is the one to San Agustín, and [we go through what the 2026 works do and don't affect](https://santiago.es/en/news/cathedral-works-2026).

## The mass schedule

**Pilgrim's mass times: at the High Altar until 15 October 2026; from the 16th, see the notice below**

| Time | What to expect |
| --- | --- |
| 7:30 am | The quietest and most intimate; hardly any tourists. |
| 9:30 am | Calm; a good option if you walk in early. |
| 12:00 noon | The main Mass: the busiest, and the botafumeiro Mass on solemnities. In high season, arrive 30-45 minutes early. |
| 7:30 pm | The evening Mass; somewhat less crowded than noon. |

From 16 October 2026, three masses move to San Agustín

On 17 September 2026 the Cathedral announced that, because of the remodelling of the main chapel — the work is on the wooden platform that carries the altar table, the ambo and the celebrant's chair — worship at the High Altar is suspended. **From Friday 16 October 2026, until further notice**, the pilgrim's masses at **9:30 am, noon and 7:30 pm are held in the church of San Agustín**, on Praza de San Agustín next to the Mercado de Abastos: about a five-minute walk from the Praterías door. The **7:30 am mass stays in the Cathedral**, but in the Communion chapel. The times don't change, only the place. Visiting the Cathedral carries on as normal during its usual opening hours, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The notice gives no end date: when the Cathedral publishes one, we'll add it here.

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 pilgrim's masses in Spanish, 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

At the Cathedral you enter through the **Praterías door**, free of charge; the basilica is open 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. From 16 October 2026, for the masses at San Agustín you enter through the church itself. 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](https://santiago.es/en/practical-info) — and there's no seat reservation of any kind: it's first come, first seated. For the noon Mass in high season, arriving a good half hour early is the difference between a pew and standing in the aisle.

Confession before mass?

The Cathedral offers confession in several chapels and languages, but publishes no official confession schedule: the reliable way is to ask on arrival, at the Cathedral itself or at the Pilgrim Reception Office.

## What about the botafumeiro?

It doesn't fly at every mass: normally 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. Right now it isn't flying at all, as explained just below. The guaranteed dates, booking cost and where to stand are in [the botafumeiro guide](https://santiago.es/en/what-to-see/botafumeiro).

Right now the botafumeiro is out of action

**The Cathedral itself confirmed to santiago.es in writing on 5 September 2026** that the botafumeiro is still out of service: the scaffolding for the cimborrio restoration has been lowered and now covers the mechanism it hangs from. Nothing is broken, and **there is no date for its return** — the Chapter will not venture one. While that lasts, none of the guaranteed dates is a safe bet, including the 1 November one below. We cover it in full in [the botafumeiro guide](https://santiago.es/en/what-to-see/botafumeiro); if your trip depends on seeing it, ask first at [botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es](mailto:botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es).

The next date on the calendar with the botafumeiro: 1 November

All Saints is one of the twelve solemnities where the botafumeiro is guaranteed, and it is also a public holiday. According to the schedule published by the Cathedral, that day there is a **chapter procession and the botafumeiro at 11:40 am**, followed by the stational Mass led by the Archbishop — so it starts **earlier** than the usual noon Mass. A holiday and the botafumeiro at once means the basilica fills up early: if you want a seat, go in through the Praterías door about an hour ahead. Nothing is guaranteed before that date: 12 October, the Pilar, is a chapter Mass at noon **without** the botafumeiro.

That is what the Cathedral's calendar says, and it has not been touched despite the censer being out of action: while the cimborrio scaffolding stays up, the 1 November programme may go ahead **without**the botafumeiro. And from 16 October worship at the High Altar is suspended for the main chapel works: the Cathedral has not yet said how that affects that day's programme.

## Frequently asked questions

**What time is the pilgrim's mass at Santiago Cathedral?**

There are four daily masses: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 12:00 noon and 7:30 pm, every day of the year. Until 15 October 2026, all four at the High Altar; from 16 October, until further notice, the 9:30 am, noon and 7:30 pm masses are in the church of San Agustín and the 7:30 am one in the Cathedral's Communion chapel. The noon Mass is the main one — the busiest, and the botafumeiro Mass on solemnities.

**Where is the pilgrim's mass held from 16 October 2026?**

In the church of San Agustín, on Praza de San Agustín next to the Mercado de Abastos, about a five-minute walk from the Cathedral: that is where the 9:30 am, noon and 7:30 pm masses move to. The 7:30 am mass stays in the Cathedral, in the Communion chapel. The reason is the remodelling of the main chapel — the altar platform, the ambo and the celebrant's chair — according to the notice the Cathedral published on 17 September 2026, and it lasts until further notice. Visiting the Cathedral doesn't change: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

**How long does the pilgrim's mass last?**

Roughly 45 minutes to an hour. If the botafumeiro flies — at the end of the eucharist — add about 5-10 minutes.

**Do I need to book to attend mass at the Cathedral?**

No. Entry is free — at the Cathedral, through the Praterías door; from 16 October 2026, for the masses at San Agustín, through the church itself — and there's no seat reservation: it's first come, first seated. For the noon Mass in high season, arrive 30-45 minutes early.

**Is there a mass in English in Santiago?**

Yes: at 10:30 am in the chapel of the Pilgrim Reception Office, daily except Wednesdays. There are also masses in French, German, Italian and Polish; their times change more often, so confirm at catedraldesantiago.es.

**Can I bring my backpack, or a purse, to mass?**

A backpack, no: the Cathedral doesn't allow backpacks or bulky luggage inside for security reasons. Leave it at your accommodation or in a nearby luggage storage before going. A small handbag, purse or bum bag is fine; the rule is aimed at luggage, not at what hangs from your shoulder.

## Keep reading

**[Santiago Cathedral](https://santiago.es/en/what-to-see/cathedral)** — The full visit — Opening hours, museum tickets, the Pórtico de la Gloria and the rooftops, with official prices. — Read the guide

**[Botafumeiro schedule](https://santiago.es/en/what-to-see/botafumeiro)** — The moment — The twelve guaranteed dates, which mass it flies at, and how to book it for a group. — Read the guide

**[Arriving in Santiago](https://santiago.es/en/camino-de-santiago/arriving)** — If you're walking in — The Compostela, the embrace of the Apostle and the traditions at the end of the Camino. — Read the guide