LIVE from the Camino Muxia vs Finnesterre

[AndreaCT]

I’ve read the debates about Muxia vs Finnesterre and everyone I have spoken to, has said “go to Muxia”. I was at Finnesterre in 2016 and I loved it. It was a great way to end my Camino! I’m now sitting on the waterfront in Muxia after having walked to the church, walked up the hill to see the incredible view, sat on the rocks watching the raw, beautiful power of the waves here and had my soul ripped open to receive so much joy. Muxia wins hands down! I live on the ocean. I’m used to ocean views, but this place is magical. This town has been a gift of heaven at the end of my Portuguese Camino and I am grateful to all who encouraged me to come. Buen Camino to all those I have walked with and to those I will walk with in the future.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Given the choice, I'd choose Muxia!

 

[NorthernLight]

Muxia rocks, in so many ways.

 

[Annelies]

I agree
And if you can, stay a few days in the Little Fox house (7 k from Muxia) afterwards

 

[GraemeHall]

Why choose? Enjoy both.

 

[AndreaCT]

Why choose? Enjoy both.

Wise words!

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Why choose? Enjoy both.

It's just the way things are. People want the optimal, the quintessential, the most moving culmination to their Camino adventure. Even if they plan to go to both Finisterre and Muxia, they want to know which to save for last.

I think they're both awesome. Finisterre felt more like a seaside resort, beckoning eager grockles with a wink in its eye. Muxia felt more like a little fishing community with its face sticking out into the Atlantic breakers. But I find charm in both weathered seaside resorts and rugged fishing communities.

I walked first to Finisterre and then to Muxia. I encountered some friendly people who were going that way. The evening that we spent together in Finisterre was magical. My experience of Muxia didn't have the same magic - but that has more to do with the people and the weather than it has to do with the place.

 

[lt56ny]

If I only have time for one short extended walk after I arrive in Santiago in December it will be Muxia. Did FIniisterre and loved the walk and now I want to experience the beauty of Muxia.

 

[lt56ny]

Why choose? Enjoy both.

You are right about that. The more you can walk and discover the better!!!

 

[domigee]

The first time I walked to Finisterre, I loved the walk but didn’t like the arrival. The small town was packed, I ended up booking myself into a hotel as I couldn’t face the queue and the crowds outside the albergue, it became foggy very quickly so no nice sunset.....Much preferred Muxía, no contest.
The second time (a few years later), Finisterre was bliss! Very peaceful, quiet.... (both times in August, btw). Such difference.
You just can’t tell! I think it is very difficult to be objective about a place when you only see it once...
Muxía is still magical to me, though

 

[Viggo]

 

[Jami Gray]

I’ve read the debates about Muxia vs Finnesterre and everyone I have spoken to, has said “go to Muxia”. I was at Finnesterre in 2016 and I loved it. It was a great way to end my Camino! I’m now sitting on the waterfront in Muxia after having walked to the church, walked up the hill to see the incredible view, sat on the rocks watching the raw, beautiful power of the waves here and had my soul ripped open to receive so much joy. Muxia wins hands down! I live on the ocean. I’m used to ocean views, but this place is magical. This town has been a gift of heaven at the end of my Portuguese Camino and I am grateful to all who encouraged me to come. Buen Camino to all those I have walked with and to those I will walk with in the future.

Magical, indeed.

 

[MTowers]

I’ve read the debates about Muxia vs Finnesterre and everyone I have spoken to, has said “go to Muxia”. I was at Finnesterre in 2016 and I loved it. It was a great way to end my Camino! I’m now sitting on the waterfront in Muxia after having walked to the church, walked up the hill to see the incredible view, sat on the rocks watching the raw, beautiful power of the waves here and had my soul ripped open to receive so much joy. Muxia wins hands down! I live on the ocean. I’m used to ocean views, but this place is magical. This town has been a gift of heaven at the end of my Portuguese Camino and I am grateful to all who encouraged me to come. Buen Camino to all those I have walked with and to those I will walk with in the future.

I totally agree. The power of the ocean and the serenity of the church gave me goosebumps. I must go back. Buen Camino to all.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Did anyone walk to Muxia before Martin Sheen made his movie?

 

[Tincatinker]

Many, and for many centuries @rappahannock_rev. The Romeria de a Barca, the pilgrimage to Nuestra Señora de la Barca has existed since at least the 1300's. It was and is a very important festival to the Romany of Iberia as well as the locals (and visitors from all over the world according to Galician Tourists Boards these days). And like many Holy sites it has a long history and more than one story to tell.

"That was our boat. That was the boat by which the departing could cross the Sundering Sea. And now it is broken and we can never reach the Farther Shore."

Mr Sheen did his research; or rather I should say Emilio Estevez did his. And it is, after all a "Gypsy" who tells Mr Sheen to walk to Muxia.

"Our shrine, our boat, our broken hearts..."

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Many, and for many centuries @rappahannock_rev.

Apologies: my question was not intended to provoke a contentious discussion of the history of the "Gypsies" in Spain.... It was intended, rather, to provoke individual "Camino Forum Member" responses. Because I've never actually met anyone on the Way who walked to Muxia, in preference to Finisterre, before the movie came out. Surely someone must have...!

 

[Tincatinker]

No offence taken nor any intention to start a ruckus. I just wanted to make the point that the way existed long, long before The Way. The first time I walked to Muxia I had no knowledge of the Camino Frances or any other Camino for that matter. Though I did notice and was a little intrigued by the shell markers I saw on some chapels & shrines and by the yellow arrows I encountered from time to time. It was an elderly lady at a finca in the Picos de Europa who asked me if I was making Camino that made me wonder what Camino was and start to do some research. I didn't walk any recognized or recognizeable route so I didn't knowingly encounter any pilgrims on their way to Santiago. The joys and tribulations of Camino were a later discovery.

 

[KinkyOne]

Personally I like Fisterra more than Muxia but both have their charm/energy. Maybe it's because the first time (after CF) I walked to Fisterra and to see the ocean after all those days was really the highlight of it all. Not to mention the sunset at the Cabo. Walking into Muxia isn't half as stunning but it's nice enough I know I'll repeat it

 

[rappahannock_rev]

The first time I walked to Muxia

And was that in preference to a visit to Finisterre? And if so, why?

 

[hel&scott]

I finally made it to Muxia last year and was surprised to see NZ pohutukawa growing along the foreshore. It was a lonely, quiet and beautiful place and I was glad I made the extra effort to get there.

But Finisterre will always have a very special place in my heart. It's were we stood and watched the silvery light break through the clouds to illuminate the crashing waves below. Coming from an island at the bottom of the world, it reminds me of the sense of adventure people must have had to set off and travel into the great unknown.

I was saddened to see the crush of trinket sellers and cigarette butts all over the place at Finisterre on my last visit, but wait a while and it clears out and the place still has the power that still draws you. There is a sign there that reminds people not to light fires and not to leave anything "that was not here before", so it felt ok to leave Scott there.