ChrissyandElise
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances SJPP to Santiago May 2024
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I understand your reasons but it's possible that you may end up a day or two ahead of schedule and then perhaps you can see both places after all. I assume you're not locking one in right now with bookings but it seems a bit premature to have firmly decided to visit one and not the other when it's only one extra day.I recognize we could do both, however after 800km of the CF and then continuing the walk to the coast, I'd prefer to pick one and have a rest day or two.
There‘s a 0km stone in Muxia, tooI understand your reasons but it's possible that you may end up a day or two ahead of schedule and then perhaps you can see both places after all. I assume you're not locking one in right now with bookings but it seems a bit premature to have firmly decided to visit one and not the other when it's only one extra day.
I have actually never been to Muxia but most people seem to like it more than Finisterre. It's considered more contemplative whereas Finisterre is more celebratory, and one thing to consider before deciding on one in advance is that maybe you don't really know the type of ending you want until you see how your camino unfolds and what kind of pilgrims you are.
As an example, in 2021 we walked for 60 days from Tavira on the south coast of Portugal to Finisterre and didn't see a single other pilgrim for the first 49 days, and only two up to Santiago. In hindsight we realised that we wanted a lower-key, contemplative ending and the celebratory vibes in Finisterre were a bit too much as they didn't represent at all the camino that we had walked. But maybe if we had enjoyed a very social camino on the CF, that ending would have been perfect.
Finisterre is undoubtedly more iconic as an end point, and seeing that 0km marker really does give closure to your camino so it would be a shame to miss it after walking all that way.
The new parador in Muxia is stunning and was the perfect way to end our walk last Fall. However, we did take a cab to Fisterre for a day and overnight to walk up to the lighthouse and see the “end of the earth.”Hi Chrissy and Elise,
Tough choice, and I wouldn’t discount the possibility that once you are already there, you will decide you really don’t want to stop walking and will continue on to the other place!
A few scattered thoughts
Muxia is less touristy, so it’s easier to find a really good seafood meal. The parador there, which is a few kms out of town, has great views back across, but those of us that have to look at it from the Praia de Lourido might find it kind of jarring. The sanctuary on the promontory with all those magical rocks is a great place to sit and do nothing. I like the Pensión Alemana, but have also stayed in Bela Muxia (probably the go-to place for the forum — it has private rooms and an albergue).
Finisterre has a lot of tourists. Sunset at the lighthouse may seem silly but it does have an impact after all that walking. The walk into Finisterre has a lot of beach walking at the end. On the route into Muxia you come upon the beach rather abruptly and are basically there. I’ve stayed at several albergues (there are a lot), but the hotel I like the best is Sempre Fisterra. It’s modern, an “eco hotel”, right in the middle of town. Not exactly charming but very comfortable.
I think the main choices are - lighthouse or rocks? more or fewer tourists? touristy restaurants or great seafood (I’m sure there are great seafood restaurants in Finisterre, but I haven’t found them)?
I went to Muxia - it’s a beautiful seaside town. Quiet with amazing food. Nice chapel / church and you can get a cello there (not in the church but at an office on the property hosted by attendants). There’s a nice beach nearby. I stayed at the Apartamentos Mar de Fondo Muxia - it will have more than enough room for you. I highly recommend it. It’s very nice and central to everything with a full kitchen and washing machine for clothes. Private key for coming and going as you please. Buen Camino!Hello peregrinos! My daughter and I are walking the CF from SJPP and hope to arrive in SDC around a week before we fly home (late June). We'd like to walk to either Finisterra or Muxia and then enjoy the last day or two just relaxing and enjoying the ocean. I recognize we could do both, however after 800km of the CF and then continuing the walk to the coast, I'd prefer to pick one and have a rest day or two.
Which do you prefer and why? We'd be happier with a beach than churches to explore (i.e., off our feet). I'm thinking of booking private accommodations for our final couple nights, so if you have a favorite place to stay, I'd love to hear that too.
Thank you for your insight and advice - I appreciate everyone in this Forum so much! Counting the days until we leave!
CW, I have stayed at Mirador fin da Terra, too, and absolutely loved it! The climb was totally worth it and it feels entirely different than the main drag. Also on the other side of that same hill is the more remote beach the locals frequent. It's beautiful and very peaceful.n Finisterre I stayed at Mirador fin da Terra. OK... got to climb up to it ... as if didnt have enough of that yet...LOL, but not overly bad and its worth it - this was slightly upscale and a fitting end to my trip with gorgeous views from our balcony (and gorgeous views next morning)
Four times for me; always towards the end of May; lovely then, too.I've been to Muxia twice in the summer and once in the winter. Lovely both seasons.
and one thing to consider before deciding on one in advance is that maybe you don't really know the type of ending you want until you see how your camino unfolds and what kind of pilgrims you are.
Exactly why I first bussed to Muxia on my first Camino and walked to Finesterre because I knew no problem getting back to Santiago from there on an early bus.On the practical side, Finisterre has better bus service to return to Santiago.
This is all true. (Although I have had some luck finding decent seafood in Finisterre - Os Tres Golpes.)Hi Chrissy and Elise,
Tough choice, and I wouldn’t discount the possibility that once you are already there, you will decide you really don’t want to stop walking and will continue on to the other place!
A few scattered thoughts
Muxia is less touristy, so it’s easier to find a really good seafood meal. The parador there, which is a few kms out of town, has great views back across, but those of us that have to look at it from the Praia de Lourido might find it kind of jarring. The sanctuary on the promontory with all those magical rocks is a great place to sit and do nothing. I like the Pensión Alemana, but have also stayed in Bela Muxia (probably the go-to place for the forum — it has private rooms and an albergue).
Finisterre has a lot of tourists. Sunset at the lighthouse may seem silly but it does have an impact after all that walking. The walk into Finisterre has a lot of beach walking at the end. On the route into Muxia you come upon the beach rather abruptly and are basically there. I’ve stayed at several albergues (there are a lot), but the hotel I like the best is Sempre Fisterra. It’s modern, an “eco hotel”, right in the middle of town. Not exactly charming but very comfortable.
I think the main choices are - lighthouse or rocks? more or fewer tourists? touristy restaurants or great seafood (I’m sure there are great seafood restaurants in Finisterre, but I haven’t found them)?
Muxia also has a 0 km markerI understand your reasons but it's possible that you may end up a day or two ahead of schedule and then perhaps you can see both places after all. I assume you're not locking one in right now with bookings but it seems a bit premature to have firmly decided to visit one and not the other when it's only one extra day.
I have actually never been to Muxia but most people seem to like it more than Finisterre. It's considered more contemplative whereas Finisterre is more celebratory, and one thing to consider before deciding on one in advance is that maybe you don't really know the type of ending you want until you see how your camino unfolds and what kind of pilgrims you are.
As an example, in 2021 we walked for 60 days from Tavira on the south coast of Portugal to Finisterre and didn't see a single other pilgrim for the first 49 days, and only two up to Santiago. In hindsight we realised that we wanted a lower-key, contemplative ending and the celebratory vibes in Finisterre were a bit too much as they didn't represent at all the camino that we had walked. But maybe if we had enjoyed a very social camino on the CF, that ending would have been perfect.
Finisterre is undoubtedly more iconic as an end point, and seeing that 0km marker really does give closure to your camino so it would be a shame to miss it after walking all that way.
Sorry about language discovered after I had pleurisy.I love your photos, @MickMac and I almost chose that place for a change last spring! I'm a sucker though for old stone walls incorporated with modern amenities, and appreciated the extra room we had to hang out for our two night stay.
In addition to Peregrina's comments on Finisterra, I suggest that if you take the west coastal path, rather than the road, back from the lighthouse, you will encounter hardly any tourists, few locals, and a nice selection of secluded beaches. One would probably want to do this during day rather than after sunset and pack a lunch. One could spend most of a day on that path/s and beaches.Hello peregrinos! My daughter and I are walking the CF from SJPP and hope to arrive in SDC around a week before we fly home (late June). We'd like to walk to either Finisterra or Muxia and then enjoy the last day or two just relaxing and enjoying the ocean. I recognize we could do both, however after 800km of the CF and then continuing the walk to the coast, I'd prefer to pick one and have a rest day or two.
Which do you prefer and why? We'd be happier with a beach than churches to explore (i.e., off our feet). I'm thinking of booking private accommodations for our final couple nights, so if you have a favorite place to stay, I'd love to hear that too.
Thank you for your insight and advice - I appreciate everyone in this Forum so much! Counting the days until we leave!
Thanks for mentioning that path! My family did the exact same thing on a sunny day..That trail back to town was gorgeous with many wild flowers in mid-May and we saw no one else the whole way back to town.In addition to Peregrina's comments on Finisterra, I suggest that if you take the west coastal path, rather than the road, back from the lighthouse, you will encounter hardly any tourists, few locals, and a nice selection of secluded beaches. One would probably want to do this during day rather than after sunset and pack a lunch. One could spend most of a day on that path/s and beaches.
We have visited both and we prefer Muxia, small and cute.Hello peregrinos! My daughter and I are walking the CF from SJPP and hope to arrive in SDC around a week before we fly home (late June). We'd like to walk to either Finisterra or Muxia and then enjoy the last day or two just relaxing and enjoying the ocean. I recognize we could do both, however after 800km of the CF and then continuing the walk to the coast, I'd prefer to pick one and have a rest day or two.
Which do you prefer and why? We'd be happier with a beach than churches to explore (i.e., off our feet). I'm thinking of booking private accommodations for our final couple nights, so if you have a favorite place to stay, I'd love to hear that too.
Thank you for your insight and advice - I appreciate everyone in this Forum so much! Counting the days until we leave!
I stayed 2 nights in Finisterra at the end of my trip last June. I was nice and relaxing, having dinner outside down by the bay looking out at the ocean. Being there for two nights I didn't have to rush up and see the light house the first day, just had a nice causal relaxing walk up there the second day. Walked a long the nice sandy beach they have there.Hello peregrinos! My daughter and I are walking the CF from SJPP and hope to arrive in SDC around a week before we fly home (late June). We'd like to walk to either Finisterra or Muxia and then enjoy the last day or two just relaxing and enjoying the ocean. I recognize we could do both, however after 800km of the CF and then continuing the walk to the coast, I'd prefer to pick one and have a rest day or two.
Which do you prefer and why? We'd be happier with a beach than churches to explore (i.e., off our feet). I'm thinking of booking private accommodations for our final couple nights, so if you have a favorite place to stay, I'd love to hear that too.
Thank you for your insight and advice - I appreciate everyone in this Forum so much! Counting the days until we leave!
Cobblers! Introverts, extroverts! Let’s not go there! The bus in Finisterre is often crowded and you might not get on it as it’s the most popular of the two places. Often pilgrims take pot luck as to which town they go to since it’s new to them. As Christie&Elise mentions a liking for beaches, Muxia has a small but perfectly formed beach and crystal clear water if the weather is kind. There’s a wonderful walk and several nice places to stay including the Hotel A de Lolo and several good restaurants as well. Yes, quieter than Fisterra which is quite Touristy but both have a lot of history too.I've answered the end in Finisterre or Muxia question many times in different short ways. I decided to collect my answers.
Finisterre has the feel of a beach town, Muxia that of a village on the coast.
Finisterre is a good place to finish a camino with a celebration and Muxia is the place to end with contemplation. So stop in the place where you regain your psychic energy.
Stop in Finisterre for a good time, Muxia for a quiet one.
Extroverts: Walk Muxia to Finisterre
Introverts: Walk Finisterre to Muxia
If you liked walking with friends my guess is that you would like Finisterre to be your last stop. If you preferred walking alone I think you would like to visit Muxia last.
A lot of people will just walk to Finisterre. If your buddies are these folks then join them and then finish in Muxia.
On the practical side, Finisterre has better bus service to return to Santiago.
I went to both. Stayed one night in Fisterra and it was not bad. Ate ate the world cafe. Hung out at the light house. It was more lively/touristy than Muxia, but if you walked over the ridge like 10 minutes there was a really awesome big beach to watch the sunset from. Muxia is more windswept and rocky. When I was there there was a festival to carry the Saint to the fishing harbor to bless the fishermen and the catch. I found a grand place to stay a bit out of town called da costa. The parador had not yet been built so it was very quiet. Early October 2018.Hello peregrinos! My daughter and I are walking the CF from SJPP and hope to arrive in SDC around a week before we fly home (late June). We'd like to walk to either Finisterra or Muxia and then enjoy the last day or two just relaxing and enjoying the ocean. I recognize we could do both, however after 800km of the CF and then continuing the walk to the coast, I'd prefer to pick one and have a rest day or two.
Which do you prefer and why? We'd be happier with a beach than churches to explore (i.e., off our feet). I'm thinking of booking private accommodations for our final couple nights, so if you have a favorite place to stay, I'd love to hear that too.
Thank you for your insight and advice - I appreciate everyone in this Forum so much! Counting the days until we leave!
I too, love that beach and have been there on two different occasions. For as busy as Finesterre is, the area around this beach was very relaxing and empty of people with the exception of a few locals.Finisterre - yes it’s busy but a brief walk takes you to the deserted Praia do Mar de Fora. We were there in June 23 beach to ourselves.
View attachment 166196
Yes my 2 friends and I had a lovely sunset reunion there and shared a bottle of wine.Finisterre - yes it’s busy but a brief walk takes you to the deserted Praia do Mar de Fora. We were there in June 23 beach to ourselves.
View attachment 166196
Hi Chrissy, There's also Lires, which is a small peaceful, sweet town next to the sea, between Muxia and Fisterra. It's a great place to pause; many pilgrims enjoy the peaceful, reflective stopover there. Lires is a special place. Often pilgrims stop there overnight when walking from Fisterra to Muxia. I'm biased, as I retired and now live near 3 m from thereHello peregrinos! My daughter and I are walking the CF from SJPP and hope to arrive in SDC around a week before we fly home (late June). We'd like to walk to either Finisterra or Muxia and then enjoy the last day or two just relaxing and enjoying the ocean. I recognize we could do both, however after 800km of the CF and then continuing the walk to the coast, I'd prefer to pick one and have a rest day or two.
Which do you prefer and why? We'd be happier with a beach than churches to explore (i.e., off our feet). I'm thinking of booking private accommodations for our final couple nights, so if you have a favorite place to stay, I'd love to hear that too.
Thank you for your insight and advice - I appreciate everyone in this Forum so much! Counting the days until we leave!
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