Camino de Santiago | Finisterre – at the end of the world

On By NoémiIn Camino de Santiago

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I wanna thank all of you who are here with me, and reading the blog!
This was quite a journey, I guess … I mean the Camino itself, and my blogging in general too – it took me a while… +/- few months to finish my Camino Series, but hey! It’s here – officially!

I made it – We made it!

Okay, so there you have it, here’s the proof… but let’s not run straight to the 0 km sign and the end – literally… – I have more to say about Fisterra.

Finisterre (or Fisterra in Galician) is a mythical village, the name comes from the Romans who saw this coast as ‘the end of the world’. Today, Finisterre is for many pilgrims the end point of their Camino, where they celebrating their “rebirth” by watching the sunset, and they used to burn their clothes as a ritual but that’s illegal now.

The sun goes down in the west, so you will have an excellent sunset viewing place in one of Europe’s most western points – duh.

Camino de Finisterre is a nice little extension to your Camino de Santiago – a side quest, if you wish… a 90 km long route, and it takes like 4-5 days to complete. Upon completion, you will receive the Fisterrana – a credential similar to the Compostela. From Finisterre, you can continue towards Muxía for another 30 kilometers. In that case, you can pick up the Muxiana, another certificate that proves you have completed the entire route – but that’s like a “hard-mode” gameplay, for at least a platinum trophy or something.

… or you can choose an hour bus ride from Santiago instead and magically appear in Finisterre 🤫

But which one, you ask? It’s difficult to compare and say which one is better. If you have time visit both. If you have to choose – or make me choose for you, then fine …. go to Finisterre! But not because it’s more beautiful but because in the old times, it was the official end of the Camino route, so maybe it has a bit more history there. But Muxía is less touristy even in the peak season.

… okay, there is also a bus that goes between Finisterre and Muxía if you don’t feel like walking 🤫

So the bus from Santiago can drop you near the Lighthouse, or before that – I would suggest you should stop earlier and walk to the coast – just for the taste of it.
It’s an easy and fantastic 3 km walk… and to me arriving near the ocean, and seeing the 0 km sign was somehow more emotional than arriving to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

…356 meters to go

The village is really beautiful too, with the usual small streets, and beach vibes everywhere you look. Bars and restaurants where you can get a cafecito while listening the waves crash at the shore. Fishermen used to live here, so if you eat out, make sure you try some of the local fish and their famous seafood!

Around the village, you can find beaches as well. Praia Corveiro is one of the special ones, it’s hidden between the rocks. When the ocean is not too wild, you can enjoy a dip here. Praia Da Langosteira is a long sandy beach a bit north of Finisterre. And, you also have Praia Da Ribeira which is quite small and not as pleasant as the others, but it’s located right there next to the center.

The Lighthouse of Finisterre was constructed in 1853, located on the tip of Costa da Morte – Costa del Muerte or the Coast of Death. The coast received its name because of the many shipwrecks – from ancient and current times resting along the rocky shore at the bottom of the Atlantic.
The lighthouse is not just for decoration, it’s one of the most powerful lighthouses in Europe – it covers a range of 65 km, and this light helps ships find their way along the coast even today.

http://www.marinas.com

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Pilgrim on a day-off

I spent 3 days in Finisterre resting and just enjoying the beach and the food before heading back to Santiago for a day – where I met up with Clemens, he also made it! 🙌 It was lovely to meet them and catch up. We lost each other a bit after León, they took it easier with more rest days, and I was on fire without carrying my backpack 🚶🌪️

OooOookay, and now here’s what you’ve all been waiting for…

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Thank you for being here,

Buen Camino,

Noémi

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32 thoughts on “Camino de Santiago | Finisterre – at the end of the world”

  1. It brings to my mind all great memories when I went first time there, also going to Finisterre and I made some similar pictures at Km 0 and sunset. Also, to my second time in there, when I did with a big group which made me not enjoy as much as first time 4 years earlier, as I was also in charge (with 2-3 more tutors) of a group of more than 50, mainly kids of less than 18 y/o. But well, I think that after 14 years from that second time, and remembering that with a post I wrote not long time ago, and this from you, it’s time to organise a new back to Camino de Santiago, hopefully, within the next 5 years🙏🏼. Take care, Noémi. 🫶🏼😊

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    1. well done! Im on my 5th day and your post made me a bit more confidet on beeing able to finish. First days of the del norte route have been brutal. And I got no longer hiking experienses either, so it’s been a steep learning curve. Just threw out my sleeping bag for a lighter linen bag to save weight.

      Thanks alot for the likes, stranger!

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      1. You can do this! Believe in yourself! It’s gonna be an amazing achivement at the end of your Camino! If there’s anything I can help, any questions you have, please let me know! Buen Camino!

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    1. Oh what a small world 🙂 Buen Camino for them! I think the summer months can be a bit crowded, 2-3000 pilgrims arriving to Santiago daily. Spring and autumn are probably a bit less of a peak season – but during those months the weather can be quite tempremental…

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  7. Finisterre is on my “next time” bucket list. Didn’t have the time to build a visit to Finisterre into my itinerary in 2019. But will the next time I find myself along the way! Buen Camino and thanks for sharing such details of your journey

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  14. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    a wonderful post! I did this in 2015, walked for 43 days and 1300 km. Started in France after staying at Plum Village and just kept walking. Your description is very colourful 💕

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  17. Thanks for sharing your camino experience with us Naomi, I’m glad you decided after doing this camino several years ago to take the time to do share this blog and your memories of those days – camino always stays within us:). I love reading Camino blogs, I have one also – brings back such joyful feelings and memories!

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    1. Thank you! Oh noooo… I’m sorry, the fog can definitely ruin a good view. I just saw a video of a girl hiking up to Machu Picchu, and saw absolutely nothing because of foggy weather. Can you imagine that feeling? 😅

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