Muxia or Finisterre First?

[Frankybaby66]

Hi, finally getting around to walking through to Finisterre this May ( after Camino Ingles).
Any of you give any indicators as to whether to walk to Muxia first, then on to Finisterre, or to walk to Finisterre then onto Muxia.
Any experiences that could help me make the decision very welcome.
Pros and cons of either option would be great.
Over to you . . . ( and thanks in advance )

 

[J Willhaus]

My understanding is that Muxia to Finisterre is uphill so maybe Finisterre first?

 

[Frankybaby66]

Definitely sounds like a factor!
Thanks

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Finisterre has the feel of a beach town, Muxia of a village on the coast. F for a good time, M for a quiet one.

 

[Frankybaby66]

Finisterre has the feel of a beach town, Muxia of a village on the coast. F for a good time, M for a quiet one.

Thanks. Plan on walking to both; just not sure in which order.
( maybe party in Finisterre, then Muxia tou recover!!

 

[trecile]

Finisterre has more buses each day going back to Santiago.
I have walked it both ways, and a plus of going to Muxía first is staying at the fabulous Xunta albergue in Dumbría.

Albergue de peregrinos O Conco (Dumbría) | Albergue de Peregrinos en Dumbría | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue de peregrinos O Conco (Dumbría), en Dumbría: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[Robo]

Kind of depends where you want to finish.
I ended in Muxia last year.
Fisterra was nice but is larger with a bit more hustle and bustle.

Muxia is smaller and quieter and you get to sit on the rocks by the chapel at the end of your Camino.......

Fisterra to Muxia has some fairly gentle uphill walking.
With a steep descent into Muxia.

 

[donalomahony]

Muxia first... end of Camino vibe... Finisterre last.... end of Camino party vibe...

Plus benefits of Finisterre transportation links...

 

[Flog]

My understanding is that Muxia to Finisterre is uphill so maybe Finisterre first?

Fisterra to Muxia has some fairly gentle uphill walking.

Both towns are at sea level and really, the profiles are similar both ways with a few ups and downs, with a notable ascent/descent at the Muxia end. I wouldn't be influenced by that.

Personally, I would finish in Muxia: it's calmer, quieter and there's far less panicking and elbowing for the bus back to Santiago.. especially when there's a flight connection involved.

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi @Frankybaby66

Either/or - but -

You’ll be on the same track to both for a good way before the split (to take Finisterra or Muxia). so you could decide along the way unless you make bookings for after the split.

I believe most? (My opinion only) Peregrino/as go to Finisterra… maybe because they also stop at that point (Finisterra with no plans to go further ).

I went Finisterra first then to muxia. (Leaving Finisterra ,I also enjoyed a 2 day walk to muxia so I could enjoy a stop in Lires .

Finisterre has the feel of a beach town, Muxia of a village on the coast. F for a good time, M for a quiet one.

If you want to hang out first with friends., then Finisterra 1st. As they will more than likely squeeze in Finisterra if they have time at the end.

There are still people to hang out with in muxia and it has a variety of places to eat also.

As mentioned there are more busses back
to Santiago from Finisterra . Generally returning from Muxia., there are two. One in morning and one in afternoon. Sometimes 3 but I wouldn’t guarantee that.

Muxia is smaller and quieter and you get to sit on the rocks by the chapel at the end of your Camino.......

This was also my draw card …. On each of my 3 days there last time - I spent a considerable time at the rocks watching the crashing seas. So meditative. I also climbed from that chapel to the hilltop each time to the cross and sat there thinking of the wonders of my camino. You have a 360 degree view from there.

if you’re going to do it again in the future - you can walk the other direction next time.

Buen camino.

 

[J Willhaus]

I am just back from a winter visit to Muxia. It is even more chill and possibly even more lovely than in the summer, but there are restaurants open and the friendly village people are there alive and well. The beach and the rocks out by the church are still popular spots in both winter and summer. The bus going mid-day was nearly empty except for our group and there were only two other pilgrims in our albergue (Albergue @Muxia). Going back from Muxia on the early bus, it filled up with students and workers and was standing room only. There were still 3 buses per day. One early and the other two in the afternoon and later afternoon.

 

[MickMac]

Hi, finally getting around to walking through to Finisterre this May ( after Camino Ingles).
Any of you give any indicators as to whether to walk to Muxia first, then on to Finisterre, or to walk to Finisterre then onto Muxia.
Any experiences that could help me make the decision very welcome.
Pros and cons of either option would be great.
Over to you . . . ( and thanks in advance )

I walked last year first to Finisterre nice easy walk then onto Muxia walked in August found Finisterre totally disappointing and over commercialised tourist trap, just my opinion for what it is worth didn't bother going to lighthouse.
I would advise walking towards and through Finisterre onto Lires, then next day Muxia which is a quiet seaside village.
It's a different walk with few pilgrims stayed in some good accommodation.
Buen Camino.

 

[Robo]

I walked last year first to Finisterre nice easy walk then onto Muxia walked in August found Finisterre totally disappointing and over commercialised tourist trap, just my opinion for what it is worth didn't bother going to lighthouse.
I would advise walking towards and through Finisterre onto Lires, then next day Muxia which is a quiet seaside village.
It's a different walk with few pilgrims stayed in some good accommodation.
Buen Camino.

I tend to agree.
I wanted to see Fisterra, but it is a bit touristy.
And the lighthouse was just, a lighthouse, with a fancy Hotel and a Souvenir shop.
Didn't really feel special.

But I'm glad I went there if only to walk the final kms into Fisterra along the beach.
Wow, that felt really special! I mean, felt amazing emotionally.

It's a very busy place as many Pilgrims walking from Santiago finish there.
Lots of restuarants along the harbour etc.

Muxia?
Is just very special.
Small, quiet, calm, such a fitting place to end.

You do get tour groups visiting, but they are easily avoided, just come back later.
Watching the sun go down I think there were 6-10 Pilgrims on the rocks, each had found their own space to be alone and reflect.

 

[Tincatinker]

Muxia is the ending. Sit by the broken boat. Look out over the sundering sea…

And the seafood is twice as good at half the price

 

[CTLawGal]

I walked to Finisterre and then Muxia at the end of my Camino last May. I enjoyed the walk into Cee, that moment when you first view the sea on the way, the long descent as you approach the town - maybe there's something comparable if you go to Muxia first?

I stayed an extra day in Finisterre (my only rest day of my 42 days) met friends for dinner the first day, walked around the point the second day. I loved it, didn't find it too touristy and was glad to have an extra day. I will also confess that the second day I indulged at a Michelin recommended restaurant for lunch (O Semaforo), might have been one of the best meals I had in Spain and an amazing view - it wasn't too expensive and after one too many potato-dominated meals, I felt I earned it.

I also broke up the walk between Finisterre and Muxia with a night in Lires - it's definitely doable without the stop, but I was glad to take it easy at the end. The beach in Lires was lovely, it was nice spending the afternoon sitting on the sand. For me the walk from Lires to Muxia was enchanting as it was shrouded in mist. I loved the quietness of Muxia and sat for a long time along the coast watching the mist finally burn off and the day become gloriously sunny, then watching the lacemakers at their craft.

Although I had felt full of energy on the walk from Finisterre to LIres the day before, on my final day of walking my legs felt oddly heavy and the going was slow although I arrived mid-morning. I felt like it was the Camino's way of asking me to slow down a bit on this last day, contemplate all that I had experienced and feel blanketed in gratitude. The perfect ending for my Camino.

I added a few pictures. Leaving Santiago (don’t forget to look back every once in a while!), the cross near the lighthouse in Finisterre with offerings, the walk to Muxia, and contemplating my final day in Muxia

 

[Robo]

Although I had felt full of energy on the walk from Finisterre to LIres the day before, on my final day of walking my legs felt oddly heavy and the going was slow although I arrived mid-morning. I felt like it was the Camino's way of asking me to slow down a bit on this last day, contemplate all that I had experienced and feel blanketed in gratitude. The perfect ending for my Camino.

Love that last bit.

I walked Fisterra to Muxia on my final day.
But I felt the same on the way from Lires to Muxia.
My body started to slow down after 60 days of walking from Sevilla.
I could feel a few aches and pains.
I savoured those last steps and took my time.
Coming through the forest and down the hill to the sea.
It was like a little voice in my head was saying "You can stop walking now".

Sitting on the rocks watching the sun go down, there were tears.
Of gratitude, of relief, of happiness.
I just love Muxia.

 

[CTLawGal]

Love that last bit.

I walked Fisterra to Muxia on my final day.
But I felt the same on the way from Lires to Muxia.
My body started to slow down after 60 days of walking from Sevilla.
I could feel a few aches and pains.
I savoured those last steps and took my time.
Coming through the forest and down the hill to the sea.
It was like a little voice in my head was saying "You can stop walking now".

Sitting on the rocks watching the sun go down, there were tears.
Of gratitude, of relief, of happiness.
I just love Muxia.

Love your last bit too! Definitely some tears - gratitude, yes, relief, yes, happiness, definitely! Loved it all. I am so glad I did it after reaching Santiago - I said good bye to friends who were ending there and time to really think in my solitary walk.

 

[J Willhaus]

So @Frankybaby66 I think you have your answer? Finisterre first and then Muxia... Of course maybe those in the "Muxia last" crowd are just a bunch of non-party animals looking for some peace at the end of the Camino.

 

[Frankybaby66]

I walked to Finisterre and then Muxia at the end of my Camino last May. I enjoyed the walk into Cee, that moment when you first view the sea on the way, the long descent as you approach the town - maybe there's something comparable if you go to Muxia first?

I stayed an extra day in Finisterre (my only rest day of my 42 days) met friends for dinner the first day, walked around the point the second day. I loved it, didn't find it too touristy and was glad to have an extra day. I will also confess that the second day I indulged at a Michelin recommended restaurant for lunch (O Semaforo), might have been one of the best meals I had in Spain and an amazing view - it wasn't too expensive and after one too many potato-dominated meals, I felt I earned it.

I also broke up the walk between Finisterre and Muxia with a night in Lires - it's definitely doable without the stop, but I was glad to take it easy at the end. The beach in Lires was lovely, it was nice spending the afternoon sitting on the sand. For me the walk from Lires to Muxia was enchanting as it was shrouded in mist. I loved the quietness of Muxia and sat for a long time along the coast watching the mist finally burn off and the day become gloriously sunny, then watching the lacemakers at their craft.

Although I had felt full of energy on the walk from Finisterre to LIres the day before, on my final day of walking my legs felt oddly heavy and the going was slow although I arrived mid-morning. I felt like it was the Camino's way of asking me to slow down a bit on this last day, contemplate all that I had experienced and feel blanketed in gratitude. The perfect ending for my Camino.

I added a few pictures. Leaving Santiago (don’t forget to look back every once in a while!), the cross near the lighthouse in Finisterre with offerings, the walk to Muxia, and contemplating my final day in Muxia

Great photos

 

[auburnfive]

Muxia is a peaceful, contemplative place

 

[Frankybaby66]

So @Frankybaby66 I think you have your answer? Finisterre first and then Muxia... Of course maybe those in the "Muxia last" crowd are just a bunch of non-party animals looking for some peace at the end of the Camino.

That sounds a great idea

 

[peregrina2000]

@Robo asked this question last year and there were many replies. Take a look here.

Some choose one over the other because they like one town better than the other (seems like the crowd favorite is Muxia over Finisterre). Some choose one over the other because they like the route better (very little beach walking if you go to Muxia first, many kms on the beach into Finisterre). Some have favorite albergues (Dumbria is unique and worth a stop). One reason for me to go first to Muxia is because I love the romanesque church in Moraime. Some have formed close bonds with people who will be walking to the coast and will go with them no matter where the first stop is.

I don’t think you can go wrong, and as you can see from the threads many of us who have walked both ways can’t choose one over the other!

 

[dbier]

I'm saving Finisterre for 2025 with my husband....but don't skip Muxia. I haven't attached all the pictures inside the Church after Mass

 

[Robo]

I have a gallery of photos here from my last day. Fisterra to Muxia.
Might provide those thinking of that route with an impression of what it's like.

Day 60 – Fisterra to Muxia Gallery | In Search of Santiago

robscamino.com

Sorry, the navigation isn't great on the photo gallery, I'll fix that in the next day or so.
But this page takes you to a list of each day if anyone wanted to look at other parts of the route.

Camino Gallery 2023 | In Search of Santiago

robscamino.com

 

[markie6]

Muxia to Finish, have done both. If walking to either , down up or reverse, stop in Lires

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

My understanding is that Muxia to Finisterre is uphill so maybe Finisterre first?

Muxia and Finistere are both at the ocean, every meter you climb you have to descend too and that goes both ways. The climb from Muxia is perhaps harder; than the question is : do you prefer to climb or descent a steep climb. I myself prefer climbing it, because a descent is hard on the knees

 

[Frankybaby66]

Muxia and Finistere are both at the ocean, every meter you climb you have to descend too and that goes both ways. The climb from Muxia is perhaps harder; than the question is : do you prefer to climb or descent a steep climb. I myself prefer climbing it, because a descent is hard on the knees

Having survived two cardiac arrests; one in 2011 and one in 2019, I've just got to decide which is worse - my knees or my breathing!

 

[Siegfried]

My understanding is that Muxia to Finisterre is uphill so maybe Finisterre first?

Hi
As both locations are at sea level there is no benefit for either direction.

I personally went to Muxia first , stages have been Negreira , Quintas, Lires , Finisterre and Cap Finisterre
I just passed Muxia and took lunch, overnight stay was in Negreira , Quintas , Lires and Finisterre .
Back to Santiago by Bus.

 

[Rob Perry]

Coming out of Muxia is certainly steeper but they have provided benches at very short intervals to stop and take a breath. Personally I prefer short and sharp to a long never-ending drag. I would also recommend Muxia first because the route into Muxia from Olveiroa through Dumbria, is very green and relaxing. The route from there to Finistere passes through a lot of urban landscape from Cee.

 

[Richard-Huvo]

Hi, finally getting around to walking through to Finisterre this May ( after Camino Ingles).
Any of you give any indicators as to whether to walk to Muxia first, then on to Finisterre, or to walk to Finisterre then onto Muxia.
Any experiences that could help me make the decision very welcome.
Pros and cons of either option would be great.
Over to you . . . ( and thanks in advance )

Is there a best way not sure, but I did Muxia then Fisterra and it was fantastic. Finishing at Fisterra was my goal. The view went you arrive at Muxia is wow. But I was told the same about Fisterra

 

[Camino Joe 2021]

And this my friends is why Ivar's forum is my go to spot for all things Camino. You all have provided accurate, informative, and inspirational answers after carefully contemplating the question. Congratulate yourselves for providing empathetic, useful, and thoughtful replies that enrich Pilgrim experiences on Camino.

 

[CTLawGal]

And this my friends is why Ivar's forum is my go to spot for all things Camino. You all have provided accurate, informative, and inspirational answers after carefully contemplating the question. Congratulate yourselves for providing empathetic, useful, and thoughtful replies that enrich Pilgrim experiences on Camino.

Exactly this! I learn so much from others here! Gratitude!

 

[Leaderene]

Finistere first and then Muxia which was the perfect place for me to end my Camino

 

[Elle Bieling]

Something else to consider. On the final kilometers from Corcubión to the coast on the way to Fistera, it is really, really steep! It was dificult to descend and I personally would not want to walk up this steep section (if doing the full loop).

The drop from the bifurcation of the routes in Hospital, to the coast on the way to Muxía is very long and gradual and way less noticeable and way less difficult.

There is no difference in my opinion on the walk to/from the two cities. The same elevation is gained and lost both ways. However the difference in elevation is most dramatic on the Muxía side, shorter and steeper. Both ways will require effort.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

I don't recall anyone pointing out about the historical significance of the Camino. For thousands of years and long before the importance of the Camino de Santiago people have been following the setting sun heading west to the end of the World, Cape Finisterre. So you can retrace this history Go West to Fisterra ! Then yes Muxía has significant historical importance in relation to the Camíno de Santiago, so go there after.

 

[FionaEv]

I loved going on to Muxia after being in Finisterre. It is quieter and felt like a suitable ending to my Camino. The only piece of advice I'd give is to book your place on the bus to wherever you're going afterwards, online and in good time. Had I not done so, I wouldn't have got the last place on the bus back to Santiago de Compostela...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I prefer going to Finesterre first. Yes, it is busy in the town center, but it does have a variety of lovely beach views as you near the town and on the road to the lighthouse. There is also a tranquil, nearly empty beautiful beach up and over the big hill west from the main part of town. We enjoy its near solitude; peppered with only a very few young locals in May the three times we've been. The beach is Praia do Mar de Fora...Summertime may be different. You can also reach it by following the trail along the west side with ocean views when returning from the lighthouse.


I love Muxia for all the reasons already mentioned. I saw less than a small handful of tourist shops on my last visit and bought a celtic piece of jewelry.

P.S. An overnight in Lires is about halfway between the two towns and is a very nice stop. Follow the stream out to the sandy beach and have a drink or meal at the bar's deck overlooking the ocean.

 

[Frankybaby66]

I loved going on to Muxia after being in Finisterre. It is quieter and felt like a suitable ending to my Camino. The only piece of advice I'd give is to book your place on the bus to wherever you're going afterwards, online and in good time. Had I not done so, I wouldn't have got the last place on the bus back to Santiago de Compostela...

Thanks, good advice. Think I'm going to walk back to Santiago from Muxia ( Never stuck to a Camino plan yet though!)

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thanks, good advice. Think I'm going to walk back to Santiago from Muxia ( Never stuck to a Camino plan yet though!)

I walked from Muxia to Santiago last spring and I enjoyed it. Quite a few people were walking the same direction as me, although most had come around the whole circuit from Finesterre.

 

[FeatherG]

Hi, finally getting around to walking through to Finisterre this May ( after Camino Ingles).
Any of you give any indicators as to whether to walk to Muxia first, then on to Finisterre, or to walk to Finisterre then onto Muxia.
Any experiences that could help me make the decision very welcome.
Pros and cons of either option would be great.
Over to you . . . ( and thanks in advance )

Hi Franky, I have done this section 3 times & always go to Finisterre first, then on to Muxia. As mentioned already Finisterre is bigger & bustling, .Muxia is a quie fishing village, though has become livelier in latter years. There is an early morning & afternoon bus to SdC. It really depends what you prefer, & I fell in love with Muxia the first time, so it wins every time!

 

[jgiesbrecht]

Hi, finally getting around to walking through to Finisterre this May ( after Camino Ingles).
Any of you give any indicators as to whether to walk to Muxia first, then on to Finisterre, or to walk to Finisterre then onto Muxia.
Any experiences that could help me make the decision very welcome.
Pros and cons of either option would be great.
Over to you . . . ( and thanks in advance )

I did F first then M second, and am so glad I did. Climbed up on the rock and watched the sunset in M, and even if I don't walk that route again, I absolutely plan to visit M at the end of any future walks.

 

[SDJunkMan]

I'm wondering about busses, I assume the busses from both towns go back to Santiago? Since that leg will be the end of my walk, I will want to catch a bus that will evetually get me back to my departure city (haven't decided where to fly out of yet, probably Madrid, but I'm open to opinions, I will probably be flying in to Paris, as I plan to start walking in SJPDP).

 

[CTLawGal]

Yes. There are buses from both. There may be more frequent buses from Finisterre

 

[J Willhaus]

I'm wondering about busses, I assume the busses from both towns go back to Santiago? Since that leg will be the end of my walk, I will want to catch a bus that will evetually get me back to my departure city (haven't decided where to fly out of yet, probably Madrid, but I'm open to opinions, I will probably be flying in to Paris, as I plan to start walking in SJPDP).

Monbus is the company with service back to Santiago. We flew into Paris once, but have flown in and out of Madrid every time since. We started in SJPDP that first time, but have never felt the need to do so again.

 

[SDJunkMan]

Monbus is the company with service back to Santiago. We flew into Paris once, but have flown in and out of Madrid every time since. We started in SJPDP that first time, but have never felt the need to do so again.

What I was also wondering was if there were busses going a different direction, possibly towards A Coruna, that might make a better connection to Paris. Paris is my preferred airport because I am retired from Delta Airlines I usually fly standby. There are more options for me from Paris (15-20 flights to the states daily vs 1 or 2 leaving Madrid). That's not to say I couldn't fly from Madrid (I have in the past), especially if it would be hard to get back to Paris from Santiago.

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, it appears you can get to A Coruna from Finesterre or Muxia if you think the connections there would be better. It would require a bus change. I looked at the connections on Google Maps for both and it appears they can both be accomplished. Vueling used to have a direct flight to Paris from Santiago. Very tight quarters though so I would pay to check your bag up front. I don't see a flight to Paris from A Coruna, but I might be missing it.

 

[SDJunkMan]

Thanks, I was just hoping someone may have expierence with this route. I was looking at Rome to Rio, but didn't look at the specifics (that will teach me to just assume it is a easier route), it looks like the flight went to Madrid first, so no gain there. I guess I will plan on Madrid being my departure city, I can always get a flight from there to Paris if there aren't any direct flights to the US with seats available.

 

[J Willhaus]

No Vueling has a direct flight to Paris from Santiago. There are other flights that may stop in Madrid or Barcelona, but there is at least one direct from Santiago if you take the bus back there. It may not fly every day so you may need to explore that a bit.

If you go back to Madrid first, you can take the train or fly. Flights on Iberia to Madrid are inexpensive if you book in advance. We flew from Madrid to Santiago for $37 last month...Or you could fly from Santiago to Barcelona (or take the train) if that is a better connection on Delta.

 

[J Willhaus]

I don't use Rome to Rio exclusively to plan anything. It may give you some general guidance, but just like Trainline, if they can't sell you a ticket, they often don't list the connection. I use a combination of Google Maps, Rome to Rio, and also Renfe and Trainline.