Instagram Facebook-f Youtube

Finisterre Way

A unique journey that begins in Santiago to embrace the ocean and visit the End of the World.

What's included in your trip with Galiwonders?

Tailor-made itinerary

We design your Camino de Santiago to measure, adapting stages, accommodation and services to your pace, preferences and budget.

Private accommodation

Accommodation in private rooms with en-suite bathroom, so you can rest comfortably at every stage.

Pilgrim credential

We include the pilgrim credential so you can stamp your Camino and obtain the Compostela when you arrive in Santiago.

Luggage transfer

We transfer your luggage from one accommodation to the next at every stage, so you can walk light and worry-free.

Meals

Breakfast and half-board options so you can enjoy the local cuisine throughout the Camino.

Private transfers

We offer private transfers to reach the start of the Camino, or any point of the route you need, comfortably.

Travel Kit

We send you a travel kit with maps, route notes and practical information, so you have everything you need before you start.

24/7 Assistance

We support you with 24-hour assistance before, during and after the Camino to help with any need or incident.

Our Finisterre Way tours

Remember that all our tours are tailor-made. You can add extra nights, split stages, etc. to adapt the trip to your needs, preferences, and budget.
Camino de Finisterre y Muxia

118 km

8 n

from

730 €
El Camino de Finisterre Galiwonders

95 km

6 n

from

548 €

209 km

11 n

from

1004 €

Would you like to adapt one of these trips?

Tell us your dates and preferences and we will prepare a personalised proposal for your Camino.

What our customers say

Read the opinions of pilgrims who have already traveled with us.

tripadvisor logo
4.84.8 tripadvisor stars
648 User Reviews
google logo
4.8
792 User Reviews
4.8
5.0

Where to start Finisterre Way ?

Did you know that the Finisterre Way is the only Camino de Santiago route that does not finish in Santiago de Compostela? The sacred city is not the end, but the beginning of a walk towards the sea. Or, towards the place known as “the End of the World”. The Romans used to believe that Cape Finisterre was the Westernmost point in Europe. And because it was thought that the Earth was flat, Finisterre started to be known as “the End of the World”.

Moreover, the area is also called the “Costa da Morte” (or “Coast of Death” in English) because of the strength of the sea. These powerful waves have sculpted a rocky landscape not so easy to forget.

Also, many legends and traditions are linked to this enigmatic area of Galicia region. We strongly recommend to visit Muxía after reaching Finisterre, and enjoy not only the scenery, but also the delicious gastronomy of the region.

camino de santiago routes by the sea

DISTANCIA: ETAPAS: DURACIÓN: DIFICULTAD: INICIO:
95 Km 5 Etapas 6 Noches 3/5 Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela on the Finisterre Way
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a marvel of universal art, welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year.

Santiago de Compostela, a place where spirituality, history and culture converge, is one of the most important centres of Christian pilgrimage along with the cities of Jerusalem and Rome.

Its historic centre of cobbled streets was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985, and is home to numerous monasteries, temples and stately manor houses that reflect the very essence of the city. In the heart of the Old City you will find the emblematic Obradoiro square. The end point of the Way of St. James, this is where all the pilgrim routes converge and is a meeting place for pilgrims and locals alike. Here you will find the Cathedral of Santiago, where the remains of the Apostle rest.

Route map Finisterre Way

Finisterre and Muxía Way Map

Stages Finisterre Way

Stage 1
21 km
2/5
5h15min
Stage 2
20 km
1/5
5h
Stage 3
16 km
1/5
3h40m
Stage 4
17 km
1/5
5h
Stage 5
15 km
1/5
3h50m
Stage 6
14 km
2/5
3h50m
Stage 7
15 km
2/5
3h20min

Difficulty level Finisterre Way

The Camino de Finisterre is a very accessible route for those who are new to the Camino. It has little difficulty compared to other routes of the Camino de Santiago, which facilitates its route.

Distance

The Finisterre Way has a distance of 95 km from Santiago de Compostela if your goal is Finisterre. On the other hand, if you want to continue to Muxía, the total distance will be 118 km.
Most pilgrims who walk this route walk an average of 20 km per day, but it will be important to plan the stages according to your level of fitness so that the sense of difficulty is not affected.

Terrain

The Camino de Finisterre is generally flat and characterised by short stretches with moderate elevation. Along the route, you will encounter various types of terrain such as country roads, paved roads, hills and trails. In some sections, it is possible to encounter uneven paths, mainly located between Santiago and Mazaricos, but they will not pose any difficulty to continue the route.

Pilgrims on the grounds of the Finisterre Way
Paths of the Finisterre – Muxía Way

Climate

Galicia is characterised by mild temperatures on the coast (with strong winds) and regular and more extreme rainfall inland due to the oceanic climate characteristic of this region. The diversity of the Galician climate varies according to a maritime northern and western zone, and a more Mediterranean southern zone.

Winter averages between 6º and 10º in the coldest months and between 18º and 24º in the warmest months.

Signposting

The cairns and the yellow arrows path can be glimpsed throughout the route. The first sign is in the park of San Lorenzo in Compostela and from this point, the signs include the remaining km to both Fisterra and Muxía. Thanks to the good signage, pilgrims who make the Camino de Finisterre-Muxía can follow this route very easily.

What to see and do in Finisterre Way?

Finisterre Way: A walk towards the End of the World

The Finisterre Way Galiwonders

Every year, thousands of Pilgrims coming from all over the world, start a long route finishing in Santiago de Compostela. These are days for meditation, to find ourselves while we walk slowly -but steady- with the excitement of arriving on time to our final destination. The reward? Discovering the Sepulcher of the Apostle Santiago and Botafumeiro.

After a long walk to Santiago and paying due honor to it, many Pilgrims decide to keep walking a bit further to reach Finisterre, where, according to tradition, it was supposed to be the End of the World, and where the magic and the rituals begin. Apparently, in this place a perfect combination between the divine and the pagan world is stablished.

Where does the Finisterre-Muxía Way go?

The Finisterre-Muxía Way starts in Santiago de Compostela. This route is the extension of the Way that links Santiago de Compostela with the amazing Costa da Morte, in the northwest of Spain. This route passes through towns such as Santiago de Compostela, Corcubión, Finisterre and Muxía.

Ponte Maceira

Pontemaceira Bridge, built in the 14th century at the request of the Mitra Compostelana and renovated in the 18th century.

Leaving Santiago behind, you will arrive at Ponte Maceira. This town was built around a millenary bridge of Roman origin over the river Tambre. Surrounded by an incomparable natural environment, legend has it that the Apostle’s disciples crossed this bridge when they were fleeing from the Romans, and once they had crossed it, the bridge collapsed just to drop their pursuers into the river.

Corcubión

Opening the estuary with its own name, we find the municipality of Corcubión. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages and it was an important commercial and fishing port. Its historic centre, declared a Historic-Artistic Site, preserves numerous buildings from past times. At 13 km from Fisterra, many pilgrims make a stop to discover this municipality on their final stretch of the pilgrimage.

Cee

Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and close to Finisterre, Cee is a place of legend. This town is located near the mouth of the river Corcubión and is surrounded by hills and mountains. This makes it an attractive place for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts.

Finisterre

Views of Finisterre
Views of the lighthouse located at Cape Finisterre (La Coruña, Galicia, Spain) built in 1853

Considered by the Romans as the end of the world, Finisterre is a magical place of legend. It is a very attractive destination as it is the meeting place between land and sea forming stunning coastal scenery and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Finisterre is one of the most significant destinations for pilgrims on the Camino de Finisterre-Muxía. It is loaded with symbolism, as it was also associated with purification and rebirth and many pilgrims burned their old clothes as an act of spiritual renewal at the end of the Camino de Santiago.

Muxía

Birthplace of fishermen and legends, this coastal town is one of the most mystical places on the Costa da Morte. Its historic centre retains all its charm thanks to its narrow streets and stonework houses, and is home to monuments as important as the Pedra de Abalar or the Sanctuary of Virxe da Barca.
Muxía is the last stop on the Finisterre-Muxía Way.

One of the reasons why people make the pilgrimage to this town is because of its great religious symbolism. Legend has it that during her journey to Hispania, the Virgin made a stop in Muxía to encourage the Apostle Santiago in his preaching.

Places and Monuments not to be missed on the Finisterre – Muxía Route

Church of San Marcos

Located in the heart of the town of Corcubión, this temple has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. It dates back to the 12th century and its style combines seafaring Gothic, Baroque in its cruceiro chapels, and the neo-Gothic style of the facade.

Marco do Couto Crossroads

This is a historic crossroads located in Dumbría. It consists of a platform with three steps on which the pedestal of the cruceiro sits. On the front is the figure of Christ and on the back is the figure of the Virgin with the body of Christ in her lap. Located in the middle of the route, the pilgrims who pass by pile stones next to it, covering the steps.

Langosteira Beach

Langosteira is a white sandy beach with turquoise and crystal clear waters located at Cape Finisterre. From the beach, one of the best panoramic views of the territory can be seen, with the massif of Mount Pindo as the main protagonist. This beach is a place of passage for many pilgrims on their way to the end of their route, Cape Finisterre.

Ézaro Waterfalls

Ézaro waterfalls
Waterfall of the Xallas river in the village of Ézaro, in the municipality of Dumbría. Photo taken from the viewpoint of the waterfall.

In an environment where the Atlantic Ocean and the river Xallas converge, we find the Ézaro waterfall, a unique landscape in Europe. The granite formations that surround this natural landscape in Dumbría form a spectacular view of colours and shapes.
In ancient times, it was described as a huge smoke that could be seen from several kilometres out to sea, so it acted as a real lighthouse for sailors crossing this coastline.

Alternative places to discover on the Finisterre Way

Pedra do Brazal

Pedra Cabalgada in Dumbría
Pedra Cabalgada or “Pena do Brazal”, on the slope of Monte Castelo at an altitude of 339 meters.

On the slopes of O Castelo in Dumbría, at an altitude of almost 440 metres, is the Pena do Braza, a curious and unknown natural phenomenon in Galicia. Its silhouette shows the balance of two enormous rocks that have been stacked on top of each other for thousands of years. This formation is located just 400 m from the Camino de Finisterre, but goes unnoticed by many pilgrims due to the scarce signage.

Mount Pindo

In the middle of Finisterre Bay, we find Monte Pindo, a group of peaks located between the municipalities of Cee, Dumbría, Carnota and Mazaricos and the estuaries of Corcubión, Muros and Noia. Also known as the Celtic Olympus, a multitude of stories have revolved around it for centuries. Legends tell that the arrangement of the stones are actually the spirits of druids and Celtic heroes and that this mountain is the resting place of the remains of Queen Lupa.

Pilgrim’s Forest

In an environment of indigenous trees and a few minutes from Santiago de Compostela, is the Bosque do Peregrino. With a viewpoint overlooking the Val da Maía, it is a place of rest and reflection for pilgrims on the Camino de Finisterre.

The History of Finisterre Way

From Santiago to Finisterre, an itinerary full of legends

Also known as the Jacobean Extension and the Epilogue of the Camino, this route to Finisterre is full of legends. This cape has been fascinating people for centuries, as it has been considered to be westernmost point in Europe for many years (even if that isn´t actually true); the place where the sun dies on the dark blue water of the sea.

Also, it is commonly said that this prolongation of the walk to Finisterre was done because Pilgrims wanted to burn their old clothes on the sun, as a symbol of purification and personal rebirth. Muxía is another destination for Pilgrims, which has a couple of legends about Marian apparitions, and also about the magical properties of the stones.

The Finisterre way has the following itinerary: departing from Santiago de Compostela, the main stops are Negreira, Olveira, Cee and finally Finisterre. For those who wish to continue, there are two more walking days: from Finisterre to Lires, and finally Muxí­a.

It is quite easy to follow the signs indicating the way. Around the cathedral in Santiago, it is possible to see a couple of yellow arrows, but after leaving Santiago you will see the typical mojón, just as in the other Jacobean routes (stone signals showing the shell and the distance to the final destination). Once you see the mojón in Carballeira de San Lorenzo, there will be a lot of them until you reach Finisterre and Muxia.

Just as in any other route finishing in Santiago, there is a Pilgrim Passport to collect the stamps on each of the stops, in order to prove that the walk has been completed. Once in Finisterre it is possible to get the “Finisterrana” and the ”Muxiana” (same certificate as the Compostela in Santiago).

Finisterre Way Galiwonders

Pilgrims will find many places to sleep along the way, to have a shower, eat, get some rest a be ready for the next day. Free time on these places is normally spent in meeting other fellow Pilgrims, particularly solo travelers (which is very usual on the Camino).

This route is really well set up in terms of accommodation, it won’t be difficult to find a nice and comfortable place to stay. No wonder why, it is the best way to put an end to a memorable experience, that anyone should try at least once in their life.

In ancient times, the Romans considered Finisterre as the place where the world ended and the sun died. This belief, together with the powers attributed to this star, led to the construction of an altar at Cape Finisterre to worship the sun. As a result, the Celts began to follow the sun on pilgrimage to Finisterre, where they held various purification rituals. Muxía, for its part, was also the site of megalithic cults of the Celtic culture.

Thus, unlike the other routes of the Camino de Santiago, the Finisterre-Muxía Way was born as a pagan route, but soon became part of the network of roads that pilgrims travelled to Santiago de Compostela.

However, it was not only pagan rites that encouraged pilgrims to follow this route. According to the history of the Finisterre-Muxía Way, it was the apostle who destroyed the altar built at Cape Finisterre, asking, instead, for the construction of the chapel of San Guillermo, now disappeared.

The Christianisation of the Finisterre-Muxía Way contributed to the route becoming more popular during the Middle Ages. However, as happened with the other routes to Santiago, this route experienced a significant decline from the 16th century onwards until its recovery in the 20th century.

Tips if you are going to do Finisterre Way

What is the best time of the year to do this route?

Our recommendation is that you do the Camino de Finisterre in spring or summer, as temperatures are more pleasant.

In spring, temperatures are mild but there is a higher probability of rain. Nevertheless, it is together with autumn, the best time to do the route.

The summer months are the most popular time for pilgrimages, as the temperatures make long walks easier. The north of Spain, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Galicia’s own latitude, has milder temperatures, preventing it from getting too hot. You will be grateful for this during the long walks!

Tips for this route of the Camino

  • Good hydration and nutrition is essential. Make sure you stay hydrated during the Camino and eat healthy and energetic food to maintain your energy level.
  • Bring a raincoat. The weather conditions on the Atlantic coast are varied so we recommend that you always carry a rain jacket in your backpack.
  • Clothing should be light, breathable and insulating. As for footwear, we recommend waterproof trekking boots, with good cushioning and that you have not worn before to avoid chafing.

If you need detailed information to start preparing your trip, you can access here.

¡Buen Camino!

Write your own story on the Camino

We help you plan a tailor-made Camino: stages, accommodation and services adapted to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most of our Camino de Santiago tours are self-guided, so dates are flexible. Tell us your dates, route and preferences and we will design a tailor-made itinerary: you can split stages, add extra nights and include or exclude services to adapt the trip to your needs, preferences and budget.

Your personalised proposal will always list the services included. Our trips include private accommodation with an en-suite bathroom, the pilgrim credential, route information and assistance during the Camino. You can also add other services, such as half board, private transfers or extra nights.

We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly if you plan to walk between May and September or during periods of high demand. Booking early generally provides more accommodation options and greater flexibility when designing your stages.

You can request changes after confirming your booking, although availability, timing and the conditions applying to the services already booked will determine whether those changes are possible.

Luggage transfer between stages can be included in our Camino travel packages, but it is not offered as a stand-alone service. All packages must include accommodation.

Why book with Galiwonders?

Your way. Tailor-made.

We design an itinerary tailored to your needs, preferences and budget and book all services for you.

We are on El Camino

Galicia is our home. We have travelled all the routes of the Camino and have direct contact with the Camino service providers.

We are travellers too

We speak several languages, have lived abroad and have been organising trips for people from all over the world for many years.

An unforgettable experience

Hundreds of pilgrims repeat year after year with us. We will strive to make your trip unique, so you will want to repeat the experience too.

Local team in Galicia

We are a team based in Galicia. We know the Camino routes, accommodation and suppliers firsthand, and we support you before and during your trip.

Sustainable tourism

[PENDING VALIDATION: current Travelife designation]

Request your itinerary
Fill up the form and get your itinerary in your email address in 24-48h.
Solicite seu itinerário
Preencha o formulário e você receberá o orçamento em seu e-mail em 24-48h.
Fordern Sie Ihre persönliche Reiseroute an
BLACK FRIDAY PROMO

GET 10% OFF

Confirm your reservation between 21/11 and 02/12.

Demandez votre itinéraire
Remplissez le formulaire et vous recevrez votre itinéraire sur mesure par e-mail dans les 24h.
Richiedi il tuo itinerario
Compilate il modulo e riceverete il preventivo nella vostra e-mail entro 24-48 ore.
Solicita tu itinerario
Rellena el formulario y recibirás el presupuesto en tu email en 24-48h.