The Camino Finisterre 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 Camino that starts 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 connecting route. The first 60km from Santiago are the same, at Hospital (stage 3) it splits into two different routes. Most people walk this route after completing one of the longer Camino routes, we walked it after finishing the Camino del Norte.

The beautiful sunset at Cape Muxia, the end of the Camino Finisterre

Camino Finisterre PDFs

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.

Camino Finisterre route overview

• Distance – Santiago to Finisterre – 89 km/55 miles, Santiago to Finisterre to Muxía – 118 km/73 miles
• Number of days required – 4-6
• Starting point – Santiago de Compostela
• Finishing point – Finisterre or Muxía
• Average cost – 30 Euro per person per day
• Route marking – yellow shells and arrows
• Accommodation – public and private albergues, hostels, hotels

Our recap of the Camino Finisterre walk

If you don’t feel like walking more after completing one of the longer Camino routes you can stay in Santiago de Compostela for a couple of days there are many great things to do in the city including a day trip from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia.

How long is the route?

The route from Santiago de Compostela to Cape Finisterre is 89 km/55 mi. If you walk to both capes the total distance is 115 km/71 mi. You’ll need 4-6 days to walk the Camino.

Travel insurance for the pilgrimage

You can read more information about travel insurance for the Camino de Santiago or get an instant quote for your trip right here.

World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Which is better Finisterre or Muxia?

It’s always difficult to compare places and sights and say which one is better. If you have enough time I’d suggest visiting both. If you have to choose, go to Cape Finisterre, not because it’s more beautiful but because historically it was the end of the Camino 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 a 0-km marking whichever you go to 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 the 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, Piedra de Abalar, Piedra dos Cadrís, Monte Corpiño view-point.
• The actual cape in Muxía is more spacious compared to Finisterre so it doesn’t get overcrowded. 

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

Recommended books and guidebooks

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.

If you like reading it might be worth joining the Amazon Kindle Unlimited program and getting free access to hundreds of thousands of Ebooks and audiobooks.

Can you get the Compostela for the Camino Finisterre?

Not, for completing the Camino Finisterre-Muxia you don’t get the Compostela certificate. You can get two similar certificates; the Finisterrana and the Muxiana. The Finisterrana you get at the Tourism Information in Finisterre. The Muxiana one you can get in the municipal albergue in Muxía.

A milestone at Cape Finisterre marking kilometer 0 of the Camino Finisterre

When is the best time 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, and 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 and 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 in the pouring rain. The warmest months in Galicia are July and August – the 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 and many places are closed for the off-season. 

Camino Finisterre cost

Accommodation on the Camino. All municipal albergues on the route cost 10 Euro pp., private albergues are between 12 and 14 Euro, and hotels are 40+ Euro for a private room.

Food on the Camino de Santiago. Menu del Dia (first dish, main, wine/beer/cool drink, coffee or dessert, bread) – 12 Euro; breakfast (coffee with croissant or toast with butter and jam) – 5 Euro; English breakfast with coffee – 8 Euro; dinner – 20 Euro, a cup of coffee between 1,5-2 Euro. A supermarket meal (ready-made salads, microwave meals, sandwiches) – between 3 and 5 Euro.

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

Laundry. 4 Euro washing, 5 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 40 Euro for 4 days.
• 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 – 7 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 25, 35, and 50 Euro a day.

What is the accommodation like on the Camino?

As a part of the Camino de Santiago routes the Camino Finisterre has albergues (special hostels for pilgrims). There are two types of albergues: municipal (public) and private albergues. Municipal albergues are exclusively for pilgrims. To stay there, you have to show your Credential with stamps. You can get one for the Camino Finisterre at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office in Santiago.

Private albergues are for everybody regardless if you walk there or get by bus.

Municipal (public) albergues on the Camino Finisterre 

Municipal albergues are run by the municipality, they cost 10 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 usually close 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 only one night.

On the Camino Finisterre municipal albergues are in very good condition (clean, big, and spacious). We stayed in both municipal and private and found the municipal albergues to be 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
• Corcubión – 75 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 average cost is 15 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 the Camino Finisterre-Muxia, public albergues are good.

Public vs private albergues on the Camino Finisterre

Features	Public albergues	Private albergues
Price	10 Euro	15 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

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.

Choosing the right pair of shoes and a good backpack is very important. Find out about the best shoes for walking the Camino and the best backpacks for the Camino de Santiago.

Me and Campbell at Cape Muxia after completing the Camino Finisterre

Luggage transfer on the Camino Finisterre

It’s possible to arrange luggage delivery service on the Finisterre route. The delivery service is very simple in the morning you leave your backpack or suitcase at the reception on a private albergue or 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 7 Euro per backpack per stage.

Several companies offer luggage delivery services on the Camino Finisterre. The main companies are Correos and Pilbeo.

Camino Finisterre-Muxia map

A map of the Camino Finisterre from Santiago

Santiago de Compostela, the beginning of the route

The Camino Finisterre is the only Camino route that starts in Santiago de Compostela. 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 recommend continuing to Finisterre if you have time, especially after completing one of the inland Camino routes e.g. the Camino Frances, Camino Primitivo, or the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino.

Tours and activities in Santiago de Compostela

Places to stay in Santiago

There are many great places to stay in Santiago de Compostela for different budgets from albergues to luxury hotels.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the starting point of the Camino Finisterre at the sunset

Camino Finisterre – walking stages

Stage 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/13 mi over 2 days; 8 km/5 mi and 13 km/8 mi (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 1 km 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 12 km/7,4 mi, 220 m 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

Places to stay in Negreira

A picturesque village of Ponte Maceira, Camino Finisterre

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

A nice walk through the forest in the beginning after a couple of hours 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. There are several bars-albergues to stop for coffee, breakfast or lunch won’t be a problem.

We stopped for coffee at A Pena, about 8 km/5 mi from Negreira. 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 (556 m) 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, 150 m 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

Places to stay in Olveiroa

Stage 3A. Olveiroa to Finisterre, 35 km/21,7 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). The walk from Olveiroa to Cape in Muxía is a little bit shorter – 32 km/19,8 mi vs 35 km/21,7 mi to Cape in Finisterre. It’s better to walk first to Muxia and finish in Finisterre because there are more buses from Finisterre to Santiago.

After 5 km/3,1 mi at Hospital, you’ll see a split, turn left to Finisterre. Note! The next place after the bar in Hospital where you can get food or coffee is in Cee, 15 km/9,3 mi away. If you don’t feel like walking 35 km/21,7 mi to the Cape in Finisterre you can stop after 21 km/13 mi in Cee or Corcubión. The next morning you can continue walking to Finisterre, 14 km/8,6 mi more.

The Cape Finisterre is about 3 km/1,8 mi past the town. It’s 6/3,6 mi km extra to walk to the cape and back. You can check in, rest, have lunch, leave your backpack at your hotel, and walk to Finisterre. Sunset is the best time to visit the Cape.

If you’re not planning to continue to Muxia you can walk to Finisterre the next day.

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 dunes of Playa Langosteira
• Cape Finisterre

Challenges

• Distance – 35 km/21,7 mi
• 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

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.

Stage 3B. Olveiroa to Muxia, 32,5 km/20 mi

A long walking day through the fields, forest, and small villages with many hills on the way. At 5 km in 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, the granary of San Mariño de Ozon.

A small beautiful church on the route to Muxia

Points of interest

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

Challenges

• An easy walking day, with slight ups and downs

Muxía

A nice little town where you can find all the services, a good place for seafood lovers. Two restaurants 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

Places to stay in Muxía

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

Stage 4. Finisterre to Muxia/Muxia to Finisterre, 29 km/18 mi

The route is marked in both directions. The Camino takes you through the beautiful forest, past some amazing beaches, over green hills, etc. The walk to Finisterre starts at the municipal albergue de Muxía. It 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/9,3 mi from Muxía and 14 km/8,6 mi 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/18 mi in one day you can stay here.

The Cape Finisterre is 3 km/1,8 mi away from the town, as an option, you can check into albergue/guesthouse, leave there your backpack and walk the last 3 km (6 km/3,6 mi return) without extra weight.

If you have some time left you can walk or catch a bus from Finisterre to Corcubión, 14 km/8,6 mi away, and from there take a taxi to the beautiful Ézaro waterfalls, about 10 km/6,2 mi away.

A beautiful wild beach at O Rostro, on the way from Muxía to Finisterre

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 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 the Finisterre side it’s very gradual), 200m altitude gain
• Many smallish ups and downs
• Only one place in the middle to stop for food

The view of the town of Muxía from the lookout point Monte Carpiño

How to get from Finisterre to Santiago?

There are direct buses to Santiago from both towns. There are several daily buses from Finisterre, the journey takes 2 to 3 hours (depending on the route and stops). The bus leaves from the bus stop around the corner from the municipal albergue. Price 7,30 Euro pp. You can check online for the current departure times, prices, and tickets. Note! In the search box “Departure point” type “Fisterra”, the Galician name of the town.

How to get 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

Questions or Comments?

Got any questions or comments? We would love to help! All questions and comments will be answered by us personally in Buy Me a Coffee. Click below and ask away.

Feel free to support our site by buying us a coffee!

Liked this post? Pin it!

The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.

Източник за тази статия

Наши спонсори са:

Български трактори на добри цени при изключително качество