Finisterre — World’s End

World’s End – Cape Finisterre

Cape Finisterre is where the Camino really ends – and it is also Spain’s Land’s End. This rocky peninsula is the most westerly outreach of Spain, a place where man has watched the blazing sun sink below the edge of the planet for millennia. Finis-terrae was named by the Romans, who sacrificed every night here to ensure the return of the Sun each day.

Finisterre Lighthouse at Sunset

For the majority of pilgrims, the Camino ends in the city of Santiago. However, more and more modern-day travellers choose to follow in Christian and pagan footsteps, all the way to the 0.0 km waymarker at Cape Finisterre’s famous lighthouse – now incorporating an exclusive hotel and restaurant. 

BBC Pilgrimage Team at the 0 km WaymarkerEuan Duncan/BBC

You can take four to five days to hike to the town of Fisterra from Santiago and maybe add on a couple to explore the paths of the Cape. The last 100 km of Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago is often combined with the Camino Finisterre to create a 2 week walking itinerary.

Camino Finisterre to the Atlantic Ocean

Many people add on the Camino Finisterre as an extension to their main itinerary – it works beautifully as a short break or weeklong Camino hike commemorated with it’s own credencial and completion certificate – the Fisterrana.

Alternatively, take a tour or even hire a car and can get there in a couple of hours for a rewarding day on the Atlantic coast; strolling 2 km of golden sandy beach, gorging on the freshest seafood in a harbour side bar and wander out to the lighthouse at the end of the world and watch the Atlantic Ocean swallow the Sun. The location, the atmosphere and the gastronomy all combine to present you with the quintessential Galician experience.

It certainly pays to extend your holiday and stay here a while. This rugged, wild coastline has so much to offer – panoramic views, incredible beaches, fabulous seafood and wine and intriguing cultural heritage all set against a backdrop of dramatic landscape, ocean and big skies.

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