ROAD FROM SANTIAGO TO FINISTERRE AND MUXIA

Doing the Camino to Finisterre and Muxia or any other, is undoubtedly a challenge from any point of view. Maintaining an adequate diet is essential, to replace calories and above all, to have strength, so the typical gastronomy of the area will always be the best option.

In the following lines we are going to talk about the gastronomic options that you can find on the route from Santiago to Finisterre. As you know, this is the only one that has the Cathedral of Santiago as a starting point.

For the palate it is equally wonderful. In this section there is also a great variety of dishes that you cannot stop tasting. We will take advantage of this same text to suggest where to eat on the Finisterre road from Santiago to Muxia.

Typical dishes of the Camino de Finisterre from Santiago to Muxia

Betting on typical dishes will always be the best option you can have. In addition to teaching you much more about the culture of the place, they are also much more friendly to the pocket and budget. Among those that you cannot stop trying, here we leave you our favorites.

Clams a la Marinera

Of course, as it is a purely coastal route, fish and shellfish will always be present throughout the journey.. Our Marinated clams They are famous within Galician cuisine, apart from being healthy and delicious.

They are mostly consumed during special occasions and celebrations like Christmas, being one of the favorite starters.

The recipe is quite simple. The clams are cooked in a seafood sauce, made from onion, garlic, parsley, white wine and wheat flour. The result is intense but extremely delicious.

Galician steak

Especially popular in the La Coruña area, It is perfect if you are a lover of meat and sausages. This preparation is the protagonist in the famous churrascadas, popular celebrations where residents gather to enjoy grilled barbecue, accompanied by wine.

There are many places that specialize in this technique, known as steakhouses. there you can choose between the trays made from pork, of the most popular, veal or if you prefer a combination of many types, including beef.

It is usually consumed especially for food, although it is also popular at dinner. Can be with chimichurri, Padrón peppers, fried potatoes or many different types of chorizos and black pudding. It is a perfect dish to snack on and share.

dried conger eel

Consumed for more than five centuries in this area and although its origin is still somewhat unknown, it originates from the Costa da Morte. Characteristic for its black skin, since it is a cave fish, nocturnal predator. It has an intense flavor and quite strong, extremely imposing.

The drying process is quite tedious and long, other reasons why this fish is so valued. Its festival is celebrated at Easter and once it is hydrated prior to its preparation, the conger eel is pure meat.

Usually It is prepared in red sauce and served with potatoes. You must keep in mind its intense flavor that can be quite impressive right off the bat.

filloas

We could say that It is a kind of crêpe, omelettes or pancakes. Of course, extremely thin but very delicious. They are one of the most traditional desserts in all of Galicia, made from milk.

The traditional ones, which were prepared in the past, were made from pig's blood, although this has changed over time and sweet ones are now prevailing.

They are made from wheat flour, eggs, sugar, dried anise and milk. The mixture is brought to the pan in a thin presentation. They are usually served with some much sweeter topping like icing sugar, chocolate syrup, dulce de leche and some choose to add some fruit as well.

Octopus with Feira

We are on the Galician coast, so fish and shellfish are the ones that set the gastronomic pattern. In this case, the octopus a fair is one of the most exquisite proposals that you will be able to find

The octopus is cut into one centimeter slices, seasoned with peppers, olive oil and coarse salt. It is served generously, accompanied with potato wedges, marinated in the same way, known as cachelos.

Garlic soup

Soups will always be a fundamental part of the diet and here it does not have to be different. In this area, garlic soup is especially consumed, with light ingredients that make it a favorable option at any time.

It is made from broth, which can be meat or vegetable, bread, peppers, olive oil, egg and of course, garlic with some bay leaves.

Scallops

In general, as we have already said, Seafood is part of the traditional gastronomy. However, scallops are especially consumed, especially within this route.

In Santiago de Compostela they are part of their daily diet, practically. Normally, they are prepared with a kind of sauté of peppers and onions, sprinkled with breadcrumbs and some cheese and then they go in the oven to gratin. They are usually served in their own shell.

Caldeirada

As we have just told you, a lot of fish is consumed here. The caldeirada de peixe, or simply caldeirada, it is a kind of festival of fish and shellfish, that is, different varieties.

The traditional recipe is prepared with hake, skate, turbot and conger, although it can have some variations. All these ingredients are cooked together in a cauldron, hence its name, with potatoes and onions. It stands out that just before coming off the heat, some bay leaves, vinegar and a little black pepper are added.

Cooking lasts around 20 minutes. In addition, it is served hot and can be consumed at any time and time of the year.

As a curious fact, this was a typical preparation of fishermen. Here, the fish of lesser value or those that broke during the fishing process were selected. The union of all these led to what is now a classic of Galician cuisine.

Best places to eat on the way from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia

Now, in this last section from Santiago to reach Muxia, which enjoys one of the most delicious cuisines Compared to the others, you may need to know some of the best places to enjoy delicious traditional food and good service. Among these, we mention:

pontemaceira

porterThis is a restaurant that seems to have it all, starting with its wonderful location. It is in the heart of this charming town, with a terrace on the river Tambre that leaves anyone impressed with the waterfalls.

their menu is quite traditional and homemade. Everything, without neglecting their good attention, where they will always make you feel welcome.

Negreira

We continue advancing and the next stop corresponds to Barqueiro House, in Negreira, a completely familiar and traditional restaurant. Its menu is based especially on beef and the famous Galician blondes, raised on the private farm that is located on the outskirts of town.

As a curious detail, the meat arrives at your table filleted and raw so that you give him the ideal point on a stone of Xallas.

It is also noteworthy on Avenida de Barcala, the Asador Os Arcos It is a nice place for you to enjoy the traditional. You will enjoy good portions, friendly service and the most comfortable facilities.

Being a grill you can savor juicy steaks, but without neglecting the variety of fish and shellfish typical of the region. Everything is fresh of the day. In addition, it is a delicious way to recover strength after a long day.

EEC

In Rúa Real, the central street of this beautiful and welcoming town, Lecer Restaurant is perfect for any time. You can go to eat, enjoy a drink in the afternoon or have dinner. In any case, you will always enjoy good options.

His bet, of course, is traditional, enjoying a wonderful relationship in terms of quality - price - quantity, refers.

You can choose between fish, seafood, meat, desserts, portions, tapas and always the most select wines of the region. You can enjoy them in the living room - dining room or in the terrace area, you choose.

Finisterre

In the Paseo Ribeira de Finisterre, Andurina it is a beautiful establishment. Here, apart from enjoying the traditional, gives you the option of doing it accompanied by the most beautiful views of the coastal area.

They offer a version of the typical Galician cuisine, but with slightly more modern versions and characterized by the incorporation of some own touches.

They have several options both in tasting menu, daily or a fairly careful menu. You will also have the most relevant wines always for you to accompany.

It is also remarkable To Gallery, which is more of a bar than a restaurant, you can also opt for some simple but equally delicious dishes.

In addition, as a main detail, this establishment could be said to be a makeshift museum for pilgrims. You will find memories everywhere of the walkers who have come here over time.

muxia

We are already in Muxia and here the best and most famous place to eat is undoubtedly A lonxa d'Álvaro. His menu is wide, varied and above all, generous in terms of portions. Here you can choose between smoked, grilled and, of course, marinated.

products of the sea, being in the heart of the Costa da Morte, here they will always be protagonists. In addition, you will see such original preparations that easily leave you impressed

We also highlight, located in Rua Virxe da Barca, A for Lolo It is a restaurant where you will be able to enjoy a traditional Experience, but from a different point.

You will verify a delicate attention on the part of those who work there, very well decorated and recently renovated facilities. The available menu is ideal for everyone, with a variety of fish, meat, salads, stews and many desserts.

After a long day of walking, this place is definitely It's a wonderful way to end the day. along with the best flavors.

STAGE FROM SANTIAGO TO NEGREIRA

We begin our section of what to see in our Camino de Santiago with organized trip with the village of Quintans, a small town made up of stone houses, one of them with a crossroads. Highlight the bridge over the Roxos River, of medieval origin.

In Augapesada we can observe its medieval bridge, as well as the recently restored cobbled road.

In Ponte Maceira stands out the magnificent bridge of medieval origin from the end of the XNUMXth century, made up of five eyes of different sizes known as A Ponte Vella, through which the Tambre river is crossed.

On the other side of the bridge we find the Chapel of Carmen or San Blas from the 1945th century. Nearby is the Pazo de Baladrón built between 1955 and XNUMX.

In Negreira, El Pazo de Cotón, of medieval origin and with numerous modifications from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth centuries, is of special mention. On its façade you can see a dozen coats of arms belonging to the families that inhabited it.

As well as the Chapel of San Mauro, dating from the eighteenth century and the Church of San Xulian.

NEGREIRA-MAROÑAS-OLVEIROA STAGE

In the first place in Zas we highlight the small Church of San Mamede, which due to its dimensions can be considered a chapel.

Past Piaxe we meet one of the  best preserved cruises of our route.

In Santa Mariña, highlight a Romanesque temple of a nave and a rectangular apse, with two simple covers.

In Bon Xesús a very suggestive crossing remains because of its roughness.

In Corzón highlight the Church of San Cristovo with its tower-belfry.

In Olveiroa the Church of Santiago stands out, of sober construction probably of Romanesque origin. The cover, with bulrush, is baroque and on the lintel of the door there is a peculiar image of the Apostle of uncertain origin.

Near Olveiroa we find the Chapel of Saint Lucia, whose source is at the entrance, is said to have healing properties for vision problems.

STAGE FROM OLVEIROA TO CEE

Cee highlights the Church of Santa Maria de Xunqueira, which still retains Gothic elements.

Visit the modernists Casa Mayán and Guillen, as well as the rector's house and the pazo de Cotón.

As a counterpoint we can also relax seeing the views from La Concha beach.

STAGE FROM CEE TO FINISTERRE

At the Cape of Fisterra we find the old lighthouse. There, the spirit and nature, the sea and the sky, the legend and the present come together in which the ancients believed the end of the known world, after surely observing its great sunsets.

The ancients performed three rites of purification, death and resurrection:

- Purification of the body: It is done on Praia da Langosteira, two kilometers before entering the town. Thus, the pilgrim dusted off his entire route and cleanly began his countdown to reach that end of the road that is so hard and at the same time important for all pilgrims.

- Watch the sunset: Death and Resurrection, the death of the sun in the sea and the resurrection the next day, like the resurrection of the pilgrim in the day to day of his walk.

Finisterre is closely related to the pre-Christian stories that tell us about the existence of pagan cults and their subsequent Christianization.

– Burning clothes: in the past, clothes were burned, through this rite, the pilgrim gets rid of everything material and with the fire he tries to burn everything he wants to get rid of and that will not benefit him to start a new life. Currently this practice is prohibited!

It is related to the Jacobean route and with the arrival of the remains of the Apostle Santiago in Galicia. The Jacobean tradition of the Galician finisterre is based on two of the most popular devotions in Galicia; the Holy Christ, which is located in the Church of Santa María de Areas, of medieval origin whose main portal is Romanesque in style and the exterior of the temple is dominated by marine Gothic, in Finisterre, of which the lawyer Molina (XNUMXth century) says that the most pilgrims who come to the Apostle come to it.

STAGE FROM FINISTERRE TO MUXIA

In Lires we can visit the Temple of San Estevo from the beginning of the XNUMXth century.

In Muxía the legend tells that the Virgin Mary, transferred in a stone boat, appeared to the Apostle Santiago in this place to encourage him in his work of evangelization.

We can see “Las Piedras Santas” which, according to Jacobean legend, are vestiges of the remains of the ship in which the Virgin Mary arrived. These include: La Pedra de Abalar (representing the candle), La Pedra dos Cadris and the Pedra do Timon (known as the stone of lovers)

In the center of this town we find the Church of Santa María.

We finish with the essentials of our post What to see on the Camino de Finisterre/Muxia with the most important place on the route, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Barca, inside which is the Chapel of the Virgin, as well as model ships hung as offerings made by sailors to the Virgin.

After the sinking of the "Prestige", a Monolith was built, which recalls this fateful natural catastrophe.

To get to the beginning of the first stage, which is nothing less than the holy city of Santiago, we provide you with the following alternatives:

Option 1: Bus. Central Bus Station of Santiago de Compostela. Calle San Cayetano, s/n. Telephone: +34 981 59 60 50. Communications with the main Galician towns and national and international destinations.

Option 2: Private Transfer. Pick up at the Hotel in Santiago at the time you decide and direct transfer to the town where you parked your vehicle.

Option 3: Train

Renfe station of Santiago de Compostela. Rua do Horreo. Telephone: 981 58 77 00. It has:
- Two daily trains to Madrid (Talgo and express) and one to Bilbao.
- Fourteen daily trains with A Coruña, eleven with Vigo and eight with Ourense.
- Links with Portugal through Vigo (three daily trains with Oporto), with France through the A Coruña-Vigo-Barcelona line.

Option 4: Plane

By plane you have the Santiago de Compostela Airport "Lavacolla"

The way to Santiago by the route to Finisterre and Muxia It is the most spiritual and mystical Jacobean layout of all those that exist. And it is that this is the extension that joins Santiago de Compostela with the mysterious and enigmatic Costa da Morte. Yes, it is done in reverse and it is a route that is thousands of years old.

In addition to having more than imposing and impressive landscapes, reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Here finally the souls of the pilgrims are purified, according to tradition.

More and more pilgrims are making, for example, the last 100 kilometers of the Way from Sarria to Santiago, they decide to head towards what once in ancient times was the end of the known earth, the "end of the world". For many years, many have considered that the Camino does not end at the Cathedral of Santiago and extended their journey to Finisterre and Muxia (the place where the Virgin arrived in a boat to encourage the Apostle Santiago).

It is also in a way to do the road in reverse from Finisterre, as the old pilgrims who had to return home did, many of whom ended up establishing their residence in Spain in many of the villages that marked their return.

Did you know that you can do the Camino de Santiago in reverse? In fact, in ancient times all the pilgrims had to return back to their cities/countries of origin. The Camino from Muxia or Finisterre to the Cathedral of Santiago is the main route used by pilgrims to do the Camino in the opposite direction. Doing it in the direction of what one day was "the end of the known world", or towards the Holy City of Santiago has nothing to do with it, the perspective and the landscapes give the sensation of doing a new and different Camino that will surprise you.

Our proposal, which can be totally adaptable to your needs, would be the following:

ITINERARY (7 days-6 nights-5 stages)

Day 1- Arrival in Muxia. Accommodation.

Day 2.– Stage Muxia – Fisterra (29 Kms)

Day 3.– Stage Fisterra – Corcubion (14 Kms)

Day 4.– Stage Corcubion – Olveiroa (21 Kms)

5 Day.- Stage Olveiroa – Negreira (33 Kms)

6 Day.- Stage Negreira – Santiago de Compostela (22 Kms)

7 Day.- Breakfast. End of our services.