We purchased our Finisterre tour from GetYourGuide.com. There are many other websites to shop around for Finisterre tours and pick whichever that caters best to the itinerary.

Ponte Maceira is a small village in the province of A Coruña which is approximately 15km from Santiago de Compostela. A Ponte Vella (or Old Bridge in English), stretching across the Tambre River, dates back to the end of the 13th century to improve communications with the coast.

Ria de Muros-Noia has been a small seafaring and fishing town until recently attracting pilgrims seeking a mix of seaside charm, culinary delights and breathtaking views of its calm waters.

Carnota

Carnota, situated in the province of  A Coruña, is famous for its majestic hórreo, Hórreo de Carnota.

Hórreo de Carnota (Horreo of Carnota) is located in the town of Carnota, in the province of La Coruña. Measuring approximately 35meters long, this is considered the longest hórreo in Spain and one of the largest and most popular in the country. Constructed over two phases, commenced in the 1768 and completed in 1784.

A Hórreo (Galician granary) is an elongated building raised above the ground by granite or stone pillars. A Hórreo consists of a base, a chamber, means of access and some ornaments or symbolic elements as the crown. The earlier hórreos were made of wood and later the wood were replaced by bricks or other materials.

Hórreo are unique barns built to keep food dry and protect from moisture and rodents while providing ventilation to prevent growth of fungi. The symbolic ornaments can range from the power of the house, religion and fertility.

Note: Hórreos are not as widely used in today’s Galician community as refrigerators are now affordable. Hórreo represent the rich Spanish architecture and culture within the Galician region. It is in my understanding that it is a crime to tear down damaged or unused Hórreos. Even if a new landowner purchases a home that has a Hórreo, the law prohibits the landowner from demolishing the Hórreo.

Fervenza do Xallas

Fervenza do Xallas (also known as Cascada del Río Xallas Xallas; Cascada del Ézaro; and Fervenza do Ezaro) is a 40m regulated waterfall.

Accordingly, the building of a hydroelectric plant was built in the mid-20th century which cut off the flow of the falls and affected the surrounding eco-system. The waterfall was allowed to flow only if there was an excess of waterflow on the Río Xallas.

Until 2011, where authorities placed under pressure from environment groups, allowed the water of the river to the falls and settling towards “ecological flow”.

I did not bother to walk to the waterfall as it was getting hotter and there was very little breeze as Fervenza do Xallas is surrounded by hills and away from the coast.

Cape Finisterre

Cape Finisterre is the alternative final destination for pilgrims on the Way of St James who prefer to travel beyond Santiago de Compostela. The Cruceiro faro de Finisterre, Faro de Fisterra (the Lighthouse), the stonemarker and the Stonecross by the rocks are hot favourites to many visitors that they tend to photobomb everybody’s photo whenever possible.

I would suggest climbing up the stairs to enjoy the view of the coastline and the mountain goats wandering around the edges of the cliff if the queue is too long when free time is limited.

Fisterre

Fisterre (Fisterra in Galician; Finisterre in Latin Finis Terrea means ‘the end of the world’) is on Cape Finisterre. We stopped here for lunch before proceeding to our final destination, Costa da Morte.

The village got its name from the Romans who saw the village as ‘the end of the world’. Many pilgrims consider Finisterre as the end point of their Camino, where they celebrate their rebirth by watching the sunset and the ritual burning of their clothing for life anew.

I believe that the name was given before anyone accepts that the world is round. The Roman’s impression of ‘the end of the world’ refers to where the sun sets, that’s the tip of the world and nothing existed beyond the horizons.

Note: In the month of June and July, the sunset in Finisterre will be approximately 10:30pm to 10:55pm. These are the Summer months in Europe. For updates on sunsets in Finisterre, click here for updates.

Muxía

Muxía is a coastal town and one of the final destinations for pilgrims on the Way of St James after visiting the shrine of Saint James the Great in Santiago de Compostela.

Muxía is part of the Costa da Morte or Costa de la Murete (Coast of Death). The Coast of Death got its name from rocky shore which were the cause of numerous shipwrecks.

As mentioned earlier, we purchased our excursion from GetyourGuide.com. There are other online tour agencies offering Finisterre day trips. Most pick-ups are from hotels in Santiago de Compostela.

Tip: Some tour companies prefer that visitors do not bring any beverages onboard to avoid spills and littering. This also includes cups of beer or wine. If there is a need to quench a thirst, it is best done earlier than having to gulp down your drink by the bus.