Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Cape Finisterre © Turespaña
Rajoy Palace, Santiago de Compostela © Turespaña
La Langosteira Beach © Turespaña
Plaza de las Platerías square © Turespaña
In the old days, to come to Finisterre meant to come to the end of the known world (Finis terrae) and it was the final destination of European pilgrimages. This route is a historic extension of the Way of Saint James, which can also be covered traditionally on foot in three stages. Do you want to know what you'll find? Fishing villages, fascinating landscapes full of cliffs, and old pazos (country houses) and stately houses.
The option we suggest is to be covered by car and can be enjoyed conveniently with the family. We leave Santiago de Compostela and take the road towards the Muros and Noia estuary. After about 40 kilometres we get to Noia, a town that preserves its medieval and fishing charm. Amongst other places, the Gothic Church of San Martiño, started in the 15th century, and the Church of Santa María a Nova, dating from the 14th century, are worth visiting.
Afterwards we'll go along the coast in the estuary and stop at Muros, which is a great town to take a walk. Here you will be able to discover buildings such as the Church of San Pedro, the old Collegiate Church of Santa María, which has a 12th century Romanesque doorway; the Chapel of San Antón and the Shrine of the Virgen del Camino, built in the 16th century.
When we leave Muros we'll get to Louro hill and lake, an interesting nature area because of its variety of birds and wetland vegetation, which runs along a line of dunes and beaches. From here the road continues along the coast, running through important natural landscapes.
We'll drive past the vast Carnota beach, which is very busy in summer; by Monte Pindo and the small Ézaro cove, where there is a viewpoint that overlooks the spectacular mouth of the Xallas River into the Atlantic Ocean, with a waterfall that is almost 100 metres high. This natural phenomenon was used to build a hydroelectric dam, with installations that house the Museum of Electricity and the Monte Pinto and Xallas Waterfall Visitor Centre.
The next stops are two fishing villages, Cee and Corcubión, situated near the Corcubión estuary. In Corcubión, don't miss the Romanesque Church of San Marcos; the Pazo de los Condes de Altamira country house, erected in the 15th century; and the Casa de Miñones house, which combines typical Galician architecture and Modernist elements. In July the town holds its popular Medieval Fair.
After visiting this town we continue our trip and we'll see the silhouette of Cape Finisterre which was considered the end of the land known by man for many years. Its lighthouse, built in 1868, is one of the most visited places in Galicia. In the town of Finisterre (Fisterra, in Galician), we'll also be able to visit the Church of Nosa Señora das Areas, which has Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements; San Guillermo Shrine; San Carlos Castle, which was built in the 18th century and currently houses the Museum of the Sea; and the Cemetery of the End of the World, designed by the architect César Portela.
You'll discover that the lighthouses and popular Galician hórreos (raised granaries) are present along the journey. In this area there are also many prehistoric and megalithic remains (dolmens, petroglyphs, Celtic forts, etc.). Another interesting proposal is to extend the route to Muxía: it is 28 kilometres away, which can be covered on foot, following a signposted path. Muxía is also a good place from where to visit the abrupt landscapes along the Costa da Morte in Galicia.
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