Things to Do In Finisterre/Lires/Muxia

It is a pleasant, 90 km relaxed walk over 3 – 4 days to Finisterre. There is an efficient return bus service. Pension Lopez is centrally located, economically priced with harbour views and shared bathrooms.

Finnisterre

• Obtain the colourful Certificate of Achievement from the municipal albergue or tourist office upon presentation of the credential. (Credential available from the tourist office next to the Pilgrim Office in Santiago de Compostela.)
• Watch the sunset from the lighthouse headland an approximately 3 km walk each way.
• Have your photo taken at the 000 km way marker near the lighthouse.
• Watch the sunset from the Hippy beach. Sit on the sand, listen to the crashing waves. (Swimming is dangerous due to rip currents.)
• Take a (reasonably priced) sunset cruise.
• Walk along the marina and visit a shoreline restaurant. (Water front dining)
• Go for a paddle on the long sandy beach before entering Finisterre. Maybe you will spot a scallop shell. There is a bar at the non-town end. Safe for swimming. (The alternative is a “never ending” stone slab path.)

Lires

Image: Viewing the sunset from the ‘End of the Earth.’

• Stay in Lires (15 km), from Finisterre and Muxia, hotel with attached albergue,
• Swim in the lagoon,
• Enjoy the view from the cliff top bar. (Hopefully it survived Covid.)
• Collect your stamp from the self stamping kiosk, or albergue/hotel, an essential requirement for the Muxiana certificate.

Muxia (a further 15 km)

• Visit the Virxe da Barca Sanctuary (17th century) built on the site of a pre-Christian Celtic shrine and sacred spot. Shrine marks the spot where the Virgin Mary arrived in a stone boat and appeared to St James.
• Visit Praia de Lourido beach just south of Muxia. (Check swimming conditions.)
• Obtain the Muxiana certificate. Must (show credential with Lires/Santiago de Compostela/Finisterre stamps.
• Climb the hill for a panoramic view.
• Eatataseafood restaurant
• Capture a sunset image of the ‘split rock’ sculpture called Ferida which reminds people of the tragic break up of the M V Prestige oil tanker and the subsequent destruction of coastal life and the environment.

• Spend several days resting/contemplating at Albergue Bela in Central Muxia, or The Little Fox House, (A Casa Do Raposito,) around 4.5 km out of Muxia in Morpeguite. (5 places). Walkers qualify for a certificate. The Finisterre- Muxia bus stops outside. Directions on website.
• Visit Global Pilgrim House. See web page for possibilities. (global pilgrim.net).

Direction

It is possible to walk back to Santiago de Compostela. A further possibility is to walk to Muxia first. I prefer to visit Muxia last as it is a quieter village conducive to contemplation.

Resources

‘A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Finisterre, Santiago, Finisterre, Muxia: A Practical and Mystical Manual for the Modern Day Pilgrim,’ John Brierley, 946 BRI, Christchurch City Libraries, [1 copy]

‘The Caminos to Finisterre & Muxia, A Wise Guide to the Caminos from Santto the Costa da Morte’ Michael Iglesia. Kindle Edition $ NZ 6.68.

There are several other guidebooks available.

‘© Philip, 2026, Text and Images. Revised July 2026.

Feature image: Sunset at “the end of the earth.”