Britons searching for a last-minute summer escape are increasingly setting their sights on a lesser-known Spanish city, with new figures showing a major rise in demand for walking holidays centred around Santiago de Compostela.The cultural capital of Galicia, best known as the finishing point of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, is enjoying a big tourism boost among over-50s travellers. According to Saga Holidays, bookings for its Santiago Trail walking holiday have soared by 179 per cent compared with last year.Interest in the destination is also growing online. UK Google searches for Santiago de Compostela have jumped by 161 per cent over the past week, reaching around 19,000 searches during the same period.Santiago de Compostela is a historical and picturesque Spanish city | GETTY But the city’s appeal is more than just its walking routes. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, which marks the end of the Camino, was named one of Europe’s most captivating cathedrals last year.The figures come as demand for walking holidays continues to rise. Saga Holidays reported that bookings for walking breaks have increased by 43 per cent overall, year-on-year.Spain remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations for walkers. Other areas have seen interest spike, with walking holidays in Cantabria increasing by 54 per cent, while trips to Huelva are up 37 per cent. Elsewhere, bookings for Walking Madeira’s Levadas in Portugal have risen by 27 per cent.Walking and wildlife expert Manu Mojarro, CEO and Senior Guide at Wild Doñana, said: “Spain offers something few destinations manage to combine so well: diverse landscapes, reliable weather and a culture that enhances the whole experience. “In a single trip, you can walk through dunes, wetlands, Mediterranean woodland and whitewashed villages.”Then there’s the human side: the food, the hospitality, the relaxed rhythm of life. Finishing a route and sitting down to fresh fish or a hearty local stew is part of the joy.”Walking holidays or tours offer a unique chance to explore a city like a local, and really take in all of the landmarks – and there is no age limit on these. Walking holidays are a great way to really see all the city has to offer | SAGA HOLIDAYSSome British holidaymakers might worry about whether they will be able to enjoy such an active trip, but the expert said it is worth considering.He said: “Some people in their 60s and 70s arrive thinking they’ll be the ones struggling, and they end up setting the pace. They have an incredible ability to maintain a steady rhythm for hours.“Often, the people most worried about whether they’ll manage are the ones who enjoy it the most and go the furthest.”