The Camino Finisterre – a 2022 guide & walking stages

The Camino Finisterre – a 2022 guide & walking stages

Camino Finisterre (or Fisterra in Galician) is an extension of the Camino de Santiago that takes pilgrims from Santiago de Compostela to what in old times was believed to be “the end of the world” or Finisterre. The Finisterre-Muxia route is the only way that starts not ends in Santiago de Compostela.

There are two finishing points on this route Finisterre and Muxía, you can choose one of them or walk to both, there is a route (part of the Camino) that connects them. The first 60km from Santiago it’s the same route, at Hospital it splits into two different ways (day 3). Most people walk this route after completing one of the longer Camino routes, we walked it after finishing the Camino del Norte.

To help you with route planning we created downloadable PDF files that contain walking stages for the Camino Finisterre and places to stay along the route.

The Camino Finisterre – a 2022 guide & walking stages
The beautiful sunset at Cape Muxia, the end of the Camino Finisterre-Muxia

Camino Finisterre route overview

  • Distance – Santiago to Finisterre – 89km/55 miles, Santiago to Muxía – 86km/53 miles, Santiago to Muxía to Finisterre – 115km/71 miles, Santiago to Finisterre to Muxía – 118km/73 miles
  • Number of days required – 4-5
  • Starting point – Santiago de Compostela
  • Finishing point – Finisterre or Muxía
  • Average cost – 25-30 Euro per person per day
  • Route marking – yellow shells and arrows
  • Accommodation – public and private albergues, hostels, hotels

If you’d like to visit both capes Finisterre and Muxia but don’t feel like walking again you can do a day bus tour from Santiago.

Travel insurance for the Camino. Walking like any other outdoor activity involves a risk of getting an injury or losing some of the gear. It’s always recommended to have travel insurance when you go away. The Camino Finisterre is not an exclusion. It’s not a high altitude hike through remote areas and its distance is quite short compared to the other Camino routes but it’s still a physically challenging experience. It’s good to have Camino insurance that will cover you in case of any unpredictable emergency. Let your insurance company worry about you and your stuff while you enjoy walking the Camino. 

Camino Finisterre YouTube thumbnail
A video recap of our walk from Santiago to Cape Finisterre

Cape Finisterre vs Cape Muxía – which one to choose?

It’s always difficult to compare places and sights and say which one is better. If you have enough time we’d suggest visiting both. If you have to choose, go to Cape Finisterre, not because it’s better or more beautiful just because historically it was the end of the route. We liked Muxía more mostly because of the weather; we had a terrible day at Finisterre with stormy wind and pouring rain and a nice sunny day in Muxía.

Both points; Finisterre and Muxía have 0km marking whichever you go to first you’ll end at the 0km point.

More people go to Finisterre including day visitors and groups that arrive by bus; Muxía is less touristy even in peak season there are significantly fewer people.

The Cape in Muxía is only 10min. walk from the center of the town compared to a 3km walk from the town to the point at Finisterre.

There are more places of interest in Muxía; sanctuary da Nossa Señora da Barca, A Ferida monument, Pidera de Abalar, Piedra dos Cadrís, Monte Corpiño view-point.

The actual cape in Muxía is more spacious compared to Finisterre people are spread all over the area  – it doesn’t look overcrowded. 

Muxía town is quite picturesque; located on a small peninsula between the sea and the rocky hill, you can get a great view of it from the top of Monte (Mountain) Corpiño viewpoint. There are a couple of nice beaches around the town.

If you decide to walk to both points we’d suggest going first to Muxía and from there to Finisterre; first, because there are more bus options to Santiago from Finisterre than from Muxía. Second, if you have some time left you can go (walk or catch a bus) from Finisterre to Corcubión (14km) and from there take a taxi and visit the beautiful Ézaro waterfalls, 20km from Corcubión.

There is a daily bus that goes between Finisterre and Muxía if you don’t feel like walking anymore you can always catch it. 

The main guidebook for the Camino Finisterre-Muxía is A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Inglés: & Camino Finisterre Including Múxia Circuit (Camino Guides) by John Brierly, 2022 edition. This guide includes the Camino Ingles and the Camino Finisterre-Muxía routes.

Camino Finisterre route map
A map of the Camino Finisterre-Muxia from Santiago

Practical info for planning the Camino Finisterre

Most people walk the Camino Finisterre after completing one of the longer routes but you can walk it as a separate walk starting or finishing in Santiago. If you don’t feel like walking more after completing the Camino you can stay in the city and chill for a couple of days there are many great things to do in Santiago de Compostela including a day trip to Finisterre.

The route is well marked both ways, there are plenty of accommodation options on the way you definitely don’t need a company to plan the walk.

Being a part of the Camino de Santiago routes the Finisterre route has municipal albergues that are exclusively for pilgrims. In order to stay there, you have to show your Credential. The credential is a certificate that confirms that you’re a pilgrim. Every pilgrim needs one, at every albergue you stay (both municipal and private) your Credential gets stamped, some churches, restaurants, and bars on the way have stamps as well.

Only people that walk, cycle, or ride a horse (which we’ve never seen on any of the Caminos) are considered to be pilgrims. If you get to Finisterre by bus even if you just finished walking any other Camino you can’t stay in a municipal albergue.

Private albergues/hostels are for everybody regardless if you walked there or got by bus.

For completing the Camino Finisterre-Muxía (on foot, horseback, or bicycle) you can get two certificates similar to the Compostela; the Finisterrana at the information office in Finisterre and the Muxiana in the municipal albergue in Muxía.

A milestone marking the end of the Camino Finisterre, 0 kilometre
A milestone at Cape Finisterre marking kilometer 0 of the Camino de Santiago

The best months for walking

We walked the Camino Finisterre in November and most of the time it rained sometimes very hard the day we arrived at Finisterre was terrible; strong wind, heavy rain, bad visibility. From our Camino experience, the shoulder season (May-June and September) is the best time to do the Camino; not too many people, the weather is still nice (not too hot, not too rainy).

In October you might be lucky and not get much rain or unlucky and walk all the way in the pouring rain. The warmest months in Galicia are July and Augustthe busiest time when there are thousands of people everywhere. If you’re planning to walk in these months we’d suggest booking accommodation in advance. Low season November – March weather-wise is not the best time for walking to Finisterre; it’s quite chilly, it rains a lot, very few pilgrims, many places are closed for the off-season. 

Camino Finisterre cost

Accommodation – all municipal albergues on the route cost 8 Euro pp., private albergues are between 12 and 14 Euro, hotels are from 35 Euro for a double room.

Food – Menu del Dia (first dish, main, wine/beer/cool drink, coffee or dessert, bread) – 10 Euro; breakfast (coffee with croissant or toast with butter and jam) – 3 Euro; English breakfast with coffee – 5 Euro; dinner – 10-15 Euro, coffee between 1 and 1,5 Euro. A supermarket meal (ready-made salads, microwave meals, sandwiches) – between 2,5 and 4 Euro.

Transport – bus Finisterre – Santiago – 11 Euro; bus Muxía – Santiago – 8 Euro.

Laundry – 3 Euro washing, 3 Euro drying.

Our budget breakdown (2 people, 6 days)

  • Accommodation – 120 Euro, we stayed at both municipal and private albergues and one night in a pension. If you stay only in municipal albergues your accommodation will cost you as little as 24 Euro (4 days) and 30 Euro (5 days) per person.
  • Eating out – 45 Euro, we didn’t eat Menu del Dia, ate breakfast a couple of times, and stopped for coffee once a day.
  • Shopping – 100 Euro, most of the food we bought at supermarkets.
  • Laundry – 6 Euro, did washing+drying once.
  • Transport – 16 Euro, we took a bus from Muxía to Santiago de Compostela.

Total: 287 Euro/6 days/2 people or 24 Euro per person per day.

We have a detailed post on the cost of walking the Camino where you can find more information on expenses, money-saving tips, and find out what you can get on the Camino for 20, 30, and 40 Euro a day.

The highlights of the Camino 

Ponte Maceira

A small picturesque village with an old medieval bridge (14th century) over the river Tambre, a waterfall, not very big but beautiful, the chapel of San Brais, and a couple of old houses – a great place to stop for coffee or lunch to enjoy the scenery. 

Corcubión

A lovely town by the sea with a nice beach with cobblestone streets, the Gothic church of San Marcos, and a couple of street cafes. If you’re planning to stop before Finisterre we’d recommend staying in Corcubión for a night.

Finisterre

The town of Finisterre is filled with hotels, albergues, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops, it is fine to stay here for one maybe two nights but it’s not the kind of place we’d like to stay longer. The Cape Finisterre is 3km away from the town, the walk is beautiful; along the coast with some stunning views especially if you’re lucky with the weather. Cape Finisterre played an important role in the history of the Camino de Santiago. According to the legend, Athanasius and Theodore two of St.James’s disciples who transported the body of the Apostle to Spain spent the rest of their days living at Cape Finisterre.

Not to miss

  • Church Santa Maria de Areas on the way from the town to the lighthouse
  • Lighthouse of Finisterre
  • 0 km mark
  • The bronze sculpture of the boot
  • Some people go for a swim or a quick dip in the ocean, you can do it at one of the beaches on the way.
The Cape Finisterre lighthouse on the cliff surrounded by the sea
The lighthouse at Cape Finisterre, the end of the Camino Finisterre-Muxía

Muxía

We liked Muxía more than Finisterre, in our opinion, there are more things to do and to visit here. The town itself is more picturesque and nearby hills offer some great views over Muxía and the surrounding beaches.

Not to miss

  • Sanctuary of A Nosa Señora da Barca – it says that the ‘Our Lady’ appeared here to Saint Jacques, the shrine was built in 1719.
  • Sunset at the sanctuary
  • Piedra de Abalar – according to the tradition pilgrims go under the massive rock 9 times (facing the sea).
  • A Ferida (The Wound) – a rock sculpture that symbolizes a wound (damage) that was made to the ecosystem when 66 000 tons of oil were spilled after a huge tanker had broken close to the coast of Muxia in 2002.
  • o km sign
  • Mirador O Corpiño, at the top of the hill

Accommodation on the route

There are many albergues on the Camino almost every town or village has one. Like on any other Camino route there are two types of albergues: municipal (public) and private albergues.

Municipal (public) albergues on the Camino Finisterre 

Municipal albergues are run by the municipality, they cost 8 Euro per person per bed. These albergues are exclusively for pilgrims with a Credential. The municipal albergues open for check-in between 1 pm and 1.30 pm.

The doors are usually closed after 10 pm if you go out for dinner or a drink make sure to come back in time. You have to leave municipal albergues before 8 am the next morning. You can stay in a municipal albergue for only one night. All municipal albergues on the Camino Finisterre are open all year round.

On the Camino Finisterre municipal albergues are in very good condition and often even better than private albergues (have a fully equipped kitchen, heating, clean, big, and spacious). We stayed at both municipal and private (or just went to check out some of them) and found the municipal albergues to be really good.

Public (municipal) albergues on the Camino Finisterre can be found in

  • Negreira – 21 km from Santiago
  • Olveiroa – 54 km from Santiago
  • Dumbria – 65 km from Santiago
  • Muxía – 86 km from Santiago
  • Finisterre – 89 km from Santiago

Private albergues on the route

Private albergues are more like hostels where anybody can stay. The cost is between 10 and 14 Euro pp. Private albergues are more flexible they might let you check in earlier and check out later. They’re usually smaller and have better facilities though on this Camino route public albergues are really good.

Public vs private albergues on the Camino Finisterre

Features Public albergues Private albergues
Price 8 Euro 12-14 Euro
Only for pilgrims Yes No
Need the Credential Yes No
Can be booked No Yes
Accept luggage delivery No Yes
Allow staying more than 1 night No Yes
Comparing public and private albergues on the Camino Finisterre

Supermarkets on the route

Not many villages/towns on the way have a supermarket or at least a shop which makes it a bit difficult if you follow a special diet or are on a tight budget and don’t want to eat out. Supermarkets and shops on the route are usually closed on Sundays.

You can find supermarkets in

  • Negreira – a couple of big supermarkets, we’d recommend stocking up here, the next supermarket (shop) you’ll get only on the 3rd day of walking.
  • Olveiroa – a small shop with very few things.
  • Dumbría – a small grocery shop at the restaurant.
  • Cee – the biggest town in the area, with many supermarkets, shops, bakeries, etc.
  • Corcubión – one or two shops, it’s basically one town with Cee you always can walk there for shopping.
  • Finisterre – a couple of supermarkets and shops.
  • Muxia – a couple of supermarkets and shops.

What to pack for the walk?

This route is very short you don’t need to bring a lot of stuff. Many pilgrims leave their big backpacks in their hotel in Santiago and walk the Camino Finisterre with a day pack. As an option, you can use a backpack shuttle service and bring as much stuff as you want. You can find the complete packing list for different seasons for men and women in our Camino de Santiago packing list post.

Books to read on the Camino

If you like reading check out the Amazon Kindle unlimited program to get free access to hundreds of thousands of Ebooks and audiobooks. You don’t even need a Kindle you can read on any device. Many of the suggested Camino books are free with the Kindle Unlimited program.

Campbell and Alya at the cape Muxia at the sunset
Stingy Nomads at Cape Muxia after completing the Camino Finisterre-Muxia in November

Luggage delivery service on the Camino Finisterre

Like on any other Camino route it’s possible to arrange luggage delivery service on the Camino Finisterre-Muxia. The delivery service is very simple in the morning you leave your backpack or suitcase at the reception on a private albergue of a hotel, a car picks it up and drives it to your next accommodation place. By the time you arrive your luggage is already there. The average price is 5-6 Euro per backpack per stage. It’s important to remember that public albergues usually don’t allow luggage delivery. If you decide to use this service you’ll probably have to stay at private albergues and hotels.

There are several companies offering luggage delivery services on the Camino to Finisterre and to Muxía. The three main companies are Correos, Pilbeo, and Camino Facil.

Santiago de Compostela, the beginning of the route

The Camino Finisterre-Muxía is the only Camino route that starts and does not finish in Santiago. Most pilgrims walk it as an extension after completing one of the other routes. As I already mentioned we walked to Finisterre after finishing the Northern Camino. I can definitely recommend continuing to Finisterre if you have time especially after completing one of the long inland Camino routes e.g. the Camino Frances or the Via de la Plata. After walking for 30-40 days through the arid landscape and endless fields it’s really nice to get to the sea.

It’s up to you to stay for a couple of days in Santiago before starting walking again or continue walking the next day after arriving in the city. We didn’t have much time and started walking the next day but if you have the time it might be nice to spend a day or two exploring Santiago and enjoying delicious local food. There are many interesting sights and places to visit in the city.

Tours and activities in Santiago de Compostela

Places to stay in Santiago

The Gothic Cathedral of St.James lightened by the sun
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the starting point of the Camino Finisterre at the sunset

The Camino Finisterre-Muxía – our 4-day itinerary 

Day 1. Santiago de Compostela to Negreira, 21 km/13 mi

The Camino starts at the Cathedral; from Obradoiro square follow Rua das Hortas, the street on the right that goes down past Hotel Reyes Catolicos. You’ll start seeing yellow arrows painted on the asphalt (though the arrows are a bit faded), and follow the arrows. Cross Rua do Pombal (a busy road) and follow along Rua da Poza de Bar. After about 1km from the cathedral, at Caballeria de San Lorenzo Park, you’ll see the first distance pole. From there on the route is well marked with distance poles.

If you want to split the stage into two you can stop at Roxos, a small village about 8 km from Santiago de Compostela. It’s not right on the Camino route, it’s about an 800-meter loop. There are two hotels Hotel O Desvio and Asador de Roxos Casa Albardonedo. This way you walk 21 km over 2 days; 8 km and 13 km (1 extra kilometer to get to Roxos from the Camino and back).

Points of interest

  • Park Caballeria de San Lorenzo (here you find the first distance mark)
  • The medieval bridge over the River Roxos
  • The Baroque church of Trasmonte
  • A beautiful town of Ponte Maceira; a small waterfall, an old medieval bridge, the chapel of Carmen surrounded by picturesque green hills – a nice place to stop for coffee or lunch.
  • Pazo de Cotón – a medieval fort in Negreira (at the exit of the town, on the way to the municipal albergue).

Challenges

  • The first 1km of the Camino through the city is not marked very well
  • Slight up and down hills all the way
  • A long and steep ascend after 12km, 220m altitude gain

Negreira

It’s quite a big town if you need to draw money, buy some medicine or stock food this is the place to do it. There will be no supermarkets or shops till Cee (if you go to Finisterre) or till Dumbría (if you go to Muxía).

  • ATM – yes
  • Municipal albergue – yes, it’s about 1km past the town, we’d suggest bringing food, there is a big Gadis supermarket on the way.
  • Private albergue – yes
  • Hotel – yes
  • Supermarket – yes
  • Shop – yes
  • Pharmacy – yes
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Municipal albergue in Negreira

A nice place, about 1 km outside the town. Capacity – 22 beds, price 8 Euro.

Facilities

  • Hot water shower – yes
  • Kitchen – yes, with microwave, cooking plates, fridge, pots, pans, plates, cutlery, etc.
  • Wi-fi – yes, to connect you need a local (European) phone number
  • Washing machine – no, basins for handwashing
  • Drier – no
  • Blankets – yes, only a few
  • Heating – yes, we stayed in November and it was hot inside
  • Extra – coffee and snack vending machine
  • Location – 4 out of 5, only 30 m away from the route but quite far from the town, shops, restaurants, etc.
  • Comfort – 5 out of 5

More places to stay in Negreira

A stone bridge at Ponte Maceira on the first day of the Camino walk
A picturesque village of Ponte Maceira, Camino Finisterre-Muxía

Day 2. Negreira to Olveiroa, 33 km/20,5 mi

A nice walk through the forest in the beginning after a couple of hours it changes into the countryside scenery with many small villages, pasture fields, famous Galician rock granaries and hundreds of cows. The route continues going up and down all the way. From Negreira on there are several bars-albergues finding a place to stop for coffee, breakfast or lunch won’t be a problem. We stopped for coffee at A Pena, about 8km from the municipal albergue. Note! There will be no shops/supermarkets on the way.

Points of interest

  • The granaries of As Maroñas
  • The old church in Santa Mariña
  • Church of San Cristovo de Corzón
  • Mount Aro (556m) from the top you can see a big part of the region and the sea
  • Ponte Olveiroa – a bridge built in the 16th century

Challenges

  • A long but gradual ascend, 150m altitude gain that starts from the municipal albergue  
  • Some parts of the road might be a bit muddy if it rains a lot

Olveiroa

A small village with a couple of bars and albergues.

  • ATM – no
  • Municipal albergue – yes
  • Private albergue – yes
  • Hotel – yes
  • Supermarket – no
  • Shop – yes, a very small grocery shop with few things
  • Pharmacy – no
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Municipal albergue in Olveiroa

Capacity – 46 beds, price 8 Euro.

Facilities

  • Hot water shower – yes
  • Kitchen – yes, with microwave, cooking plates, fridge, very few plates, cups, no cutlery.
  • Wi-fi – yes, to connect you need a local (European) phone number
  • Washing machine – no, basins for handwashing
  • Drier – no
  • Blankets – yes
  • Heating – yes
  • Location – 5 out of 5, 50m away from the route, close to the bars
  • Comfort – 4 out of 5, the kitchen is not too great

More places to stay in Olveiroa

Day 3 (option 1). Olveiroa to Muxía, 32,5 km/20 mi

Today you have to decide to go first to Muxía and then to Finisterre or another way around (if you’re planning to visit both of course). As I already mentioned above I’d recommend going first to Muxía and finishing in Finisterre. The walk from Olveiroa to Muxía is a little bit shorter – 32 km vs 35 km to Finisterre.

A long walking day through the fields, forest, small villages with many hills on the way. After 5km from Olveiroa, at Hospital, the route splits into two; the right one goes to Muxia the left continues to Finisterre. We walked both ways (we did the whole loop Hospital-Finisterre-Muxia-Dumbira) and I can say the scenery both ways is quite similar except on the way to Finisterre you walk past Corcubión – a nice beach town, from Corcubión to Finisterre you walk past several beaches. On the way to Muxía, you can see the longest granary in Galicia, granary of San Mariño de Ozon.

Points of interest

  • Church of Santa Baia de Dumbría
  • Chapel de Santiño de Espiño
  • The granary of San Martiño de Ozón, is the longest granary in Spain – 27m long.
  • Church of San Xulián de Moraime
  • Muxía

Challenges

  • An easy walking day, with slight up and down hills

Muxía

A nice little town where you can find all services, a good place for seafood lovers. There are two restaurants that serve local seafood including the famous pulpo (octopus). 

  • ATM – yes
  • Municipal albergue – yes
  • Private albergue – yes
  • Hotel – yes
  • Supermarket – yes, closed on Sundays
  • Shop – yes
  • Pharmacy – yes
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Municipal albergue in Muxía

Capacity – 32 beds, price 8 Euro. Here you can get your Muxiana, a certificate similar to the Compostela that confirms that you’ve completed the Camino Muxía.

Facilities

  • Hot water shower – yes
  • Kitchen – yes, microwave, cooking plates, cups, pots, cutlery, etc.
  • Wi-fi – yes, to connect you need a local (European) phone number
  • Washing machine – no, place for handwashing
  • Drier – no, washing lines
  • Blankets – yes
  • Heating – yes but it was off in November when we were there, it was very cold inside
  • Location – 5 out of 5, on the route to Finisterre, 5 min. walk to supermarkets and restaurants.
  • Extras – each bed has a locker (works with 1 Euro coin)
  • Comfort – 4 out of 5 if heating was on I would give it 5

More places to stay in Muxía

The granary of Ozon in Galicia on the walking route to Muxia
The granary of Ozon is the longest granary in Galicia. On the way from Olveiro to Muxía

Day 3 (option 2). Olveiroa to Finisterre, 32 km/20 mi

After 5km at Hospital, you’ll see a split, turn left to Finisterre. Note! The next place after the bar at Hospital (quite expensive) where you can get food or coffee is in Cee, 15km away. If you don’t feel like walking 32 km all the way to Finisterre you can stop after 21 km in Cee or Corcubión. The next morning you can continue walking to Finisterre, 11 km more.

The Cape Finisterre is about 3 km away from the town, it’s 6 km extra to walk to and back. You can check in, have lunch, leave your backpack at your place, and walk to Finisterre.

If you’re not planning to walk to Muxía you can catch a bus from Finisterre to Santiago de Compostela, there are 4 to 6 daily buses (depending on the day of the week).

Points of interest

  • Sanctuary of A Nosa Señora das Neves and its “holy fountain” about 2km after Hospital
  • Chapel of San Pedro Mártir
  • O Cruceiro da Armada
  • Cee – the biggest town in the area with many restaurants, bars, bakeries etc. A beautiful church of A Xunqueira, several nice buildings.
  • Corcubión – a smallish town next to Cee with a nice beach, cobblestone streets, church of San Marcos.
  • The cove of Talón – a small beautiful beach
  • The long beach and sand dunes of Playa Langosteira
  • Finisterre

Challenges

  • Distance – 35km
  • A relatively easy walk, mostly flat with one long descent from Cruceiro da Armada to Cee.

Finisterra

A touristy town with many restaurants, bars, hotels, albergues, and shops. 

  • ATM – yes
  • Municipal albergue – yes
  • Private albergue – yes
  • Hotel – yes
  • Supermarket – yes
  • Shop – yes
  • Pharmacy – yes
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Municipal albergue in Finisterre (closed on weekends and holidays)

Capacity – 36 beds, price 8 Euro. The albergue is fine but if you finish the Camino in Finisterre it might be worth staying at one of the private albergues or even treating yourself to a more comfortable staying at a hotel or guest house. There are many options in the town from 10 Euro.

Facilities

  • Hot water shower – yes
  • Kitchen – yes, microwave, cooking plates, pots, plates, cutlery, etc.
  • Wi-fi – yes, to connect you need a local (European) phone number
  • Washing machine – yes
  • Drier – yes
  • Blankets – yes
  • Heating – yes
  • Location – 5 out of 5, at the center, on the route, close to the supermarket, tourism office, and restaurants.
  • Comfort – 4 out of 5, few toilets and showers

More places to stay in Finisterre

It’s possible to stay at the very cape Finisterre, next to the Lighthouse at Hotel O Semaforo. It’s quite pricey but the location and the scenery around are truly spectacular. It’s a small and cozy hotel with beautifully designed rooms, breathtaking views, and a nice restaurant.

Day 4. Muxía to Finisterre/Finisterre to Muxía, 29km/18 miles

The route is marked in both directions. The trail takes you through the beautiful forest, past some amazing beaches, green hills, etc. The walk to Finisterre starts at the municipal albergue de Muxía and follows the coast for 2-3 km and then turns inland. The only place on the way where you can find food (restaurants) is the small town of Lires, 15 km from Muxía and 14 km from Finisterre.

There are a couple of hotels and guest houses in Lires if you have time and don’t feel like walking 29 km in one day you can stay here. The actual Cape Finisterre is 3 km away from the town, as an option, you can check into albergue/guesthouse, leave there your backpack and walk the last 3 km (6km return) without extra weight.

If you have some time left you can walk or catch a bus from Finisterre to Corcubión, 14 km away, and from there take a taxi to the beautiful Ézaro waterfalls, about 10 km away.

To get to the route from Finisterre first walk out of the town (the same way you came in) towards Playa Langosteira, at the road split turn left (don’t go down to the beach), and follow the street till you see Restaurante Asador on the left, in front of the restaurant there is a sign “Muxía”. After that, the route is marked all the way to Muxía. The cape in Muxía with the sanctuary O Barca is just outside the town, 10 min. walk.

Points of interest

  • The beach of Lourido
  • Churches Santa Locaia de Frixe and Santa Maria de Morquintian in Lires
  • The beach of O Rostro

Challenges

  • One long ascend (if you walk from Muxía it’s steeper, coming from Finisterre side it’s very gradual), 200m altitude gain
  • Many smallish up and down hills
  • Only one place in the middle to stop for food
A view of the wild beach surrounded by the hills from the Camino route
A beautiful wild beach at O Rostro, on the way from Muxía to Finisterre

The Camino Finisterre – a 5-day itinerary

If you have enough time and walking 30+km a day sounds too much you can walk the route from Santiago to Finisterre/Muxía in 4 days + 1 day to walk from Muxía to Finisterre or vice-versa, in total it will take 5 days to complete the route.

Day 1. Santiago to Negreira, 21 km/13 miles

The first day of this itinerary is the same as day one of the 4-day itinerary.

Day 2. Negreira to As Maroñas, 22 km/13,6 mi or to Lago, 27 km/17 mi

If you’re walking to Finisterre first then it’s better to walk 27 km to Lago to make the next walking day to Corcubión shorter. If you’re going first to Muxía it’s better to stop at As Maroñas or Santa Mariña.

As Maroñas and Santa Mariña are two small villages 1km apart. The private albergues in both villages are quite good though one in Santa Mariña doesn’t have a kitchen. As an option this day you can walk 6km further and stop at Lago, the private albergue there is nicer and the restaurant is better.

Points of interest

  • The granaries of As Maroñas
  • The old church in Santa Mariña

Challenges

  • A long gradual ascend, 150m altitude gain that starts from the municipal albergue de Negreira
  • Some parts of the road might be a bit muddy if it rains a lot

As Maroñas/Santa Mariña

Two villages 1km apart, each has an albergue and a bar, Santa Mariña has a bakery (closed on Sundays).

  • ATM – no
  • Municipal albergue – no
  • Private albergue – yes, 2 private albergues in the village
  • Hotel – no
  • Supermarket – no
  • Shop – no, only a bakery
  • Pharmacy – no
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Lago (Mazaricos)

A tiny place not even a village with a nice private albergue, two restaurants and not much else.

  • ATM – no
  • Municipal albergue – no
  • Private albergue – yes
  • Hotel – no
  • Supermarket – no
  • Shop – no
  • Pharmacy – no
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Places to stay in Lago

It’s a lovely and comfortable place in a small village with a restaurant next door. Capacity 30 beds.

Facilities

  • Hot water shower – yes
  • Kitchen – yes, microwave, fridge, plates, cups, cutlery
  • Wi-fi – yes
  • Washing machine – yes
  • Drier – yes
  • Blankets – yes
  • Heating – yes
  • Extra – lockers, individual lights, and sockets
  • Location – 5 out of 5
  • Comfort – 5 out of 5

Day 3 (option 1, Muxía). As Maroñas/Santa Mariña to Dumbría, 22,5 km/14 mi 

The bar at As Maroñas opens only at 9 am if you’re planning to start walking earlier you can stop at Lago for breakfast, 6km, Monte Aro restaurant has different options including eggs and bacon.

Points of interest

  • Church of San Cristovo de Corzón
  • Mount Aro (556m) from the top you can see a big part of the region and the sea
  • Ponte Olveiroa – a bridge built in the 16th century
  • Church of Santa Baia de Dumbría

Challenges

A moderate easy walking day with several up and down hills, nothing too hectic.

Dumbría

A bigger village than the previous two with some infrastructure.

  • ATM – yes
  • Municipal albergue – yes
  • Private albergue – no
  • Hotel – yes
  • Supermarket – no
  • Shop – yes, a grocery store at the bar
  • Pharmacy – yes
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Public albergue in Dumbria (Albergue O Conco)

Capacity – 26 beds, price 8 Euro. The albergue is big, new, and spacious. I’d say it’s the best albergue on the Camino Finisterre.

Facilities

  • Hot water shower – yes
  • Kitchen – yes, with all you need for cooking; microwave, cooking plates, plates, pots, cups, cutlery.
  • Wi-fi – yes, to connect you need a local (European) phone number
  • Washing machine – no, basins for handwashing
  • Drier – no, there are washing lines
  • Blankets – yes
  • Heating – yes
  • Location – 4 out of 5, on the route about 10min. walk from the bar/shop
  • Comfort – 5 out of 5

More places to stay in Dumbría

A small Galician church on the way to Muxia
A small beautiful church on the route to Muxia

Day 3 (option 2, Finisterre). Lago to Cee/Corcubión, 27,5 km/17 mi

The route splits 11km from Lago, at Hospital. Note! The bar at Hospital is the last food place, the next one is only in Cee, 15km away.

Points of interest

  • Ponte Olveiroa – a bridge built in the 16th century
  • Sanctuary of A Nosa Señora das Neves and its “holy fountain” about 2km after Hospital
  • Chapel of San Pedro Mártir
  • O Cruzeiro da Armada
  • Cee – the biggest town in the area with many restaurants, bars, bakeries, etc. A beautiful church of A Xunqueira, several nice buildings.
  • Corcubión – a smallish town next to Cee with a nice beach, cobblestone streets, church of San Marcos.

Challenges

  • A relatively easy walk, mostly flat with one long descent from Cruceiro da Armada to Cee.

Cee/Corcubión

  • ATM – yes
  • Municipal albergue – no
  • Private albergue – yes
  • Hotel – yes
  • Supermarket – yes
  • Shop – yes
  • Pharmacy – yes
  • Restaurant/bar – yes

Places to stay in Cee/Corcubión

Day 4 (option 1). Dumbría to Muxía, 20,5 km/12,7 mi

There will be a couple of places on the way to stop for breakfast, coffee or lunch, the first one in 5km.

Points of interest

  • Chapel de Santiño de Espiño
  • The granary of San Martiño de Ozón, is the longest granary in Spain – 27m long.
  • Church of San Xulián de Moraime
  • Muxía

Challenges

  • An easy walking day, with slight up and down hills

Places to stay in Muxía

There is a good public albergue in the town for 6 Euro for more information go to the 4-day itinerary.

Day 4 (option 2). Cee/Corcubión to Finisterre, 14,5 km/9 mi

As an option after visiting the Cape of Finisterre, you can keep walking towards Muxía and stop at Lires which is 13km away. There are a couple of hostels and guest houses as well as restaurants and bars but no shops.

Points of interest

  • The cove of Talón – a small beautiful beach
  • The long beach and sand dunes of Playa Langosteira
  • Finisterre cape

Challenges

  • An easy and short walking day 

Places to stay in Finisterre

There is a public albergue in the town for 8 Euro. For more details go to the 4-day itinerary.

Day 5. Muxía to Finisterre/Finisterre to Muxía, 29 km/18 mi

This day is the same as day four of the 4-day itinerary.

The town of Muxia and its harbor from the view-point at Monte Carpiño
The view of the town of Muxía from the lookout point Monte Carpiño

How to get back to Santiago from Finisterre & Muxía?

Getting from Finisterre to Santiago

There are direct buses to Santiago from both towns. 6 or 4 daily buses from Finisterre, the journey takes between 2h15min. and 3 hours (depending on the route and stops). Bus leaves from the bus stop around the corner from the municipal albergue. Price 7 Euro pp. paid on the bus. You can check online for the current departure times and prices. Note! In the search box “Departure point” type “Fisterra”, the Galician name of the town.

Getting from Muxía to Santiago

From Muxía it takes between 1h45min. and 2 hours to get to Santiago, the price is 7 Euro, paid on the bus. The bus leaves from Cafeteria Don Quijote, the second stop is at the bar O’Xardin. You can purchase tickets and check the up-to-date itinerary on the MonBus website.

Camino Finisterre-Muxía route planning resources

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