Cape Finisterre Cape

Address: Cabo Fisterra / Cape Finisterre, Fisterra (A Coruña), Galicia, Spain

Admission: No admission (public headland)

Cape Finisterre (Cabo Fisterra) is a rocky Atlantic headland on Galicia’s Costa da Morte in northwest Spain traditionally regarded by Romans and later locals as the ‘end of the earth.’ It is characterised by steep cliffs, jagged shoreline and open ocean views.

The cape’s main attractions are the rugged coastal scenery, coastal walking routes and a lighthouse that stands near the tip of the headland. Many visitors walk from the nearby town of Fisterra to the cape to see the cliffs and ocean panorama and some pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago travel on to Finisterre as an extension of their pilgrimage.

The headland has long-standing cultural associations as a maritime landmark and navigational point for coastal shipping. Modern visitor facilities include paths, viewing platforms and the lighthouse area.

Cape Finisterre sits on the western coast of Galicia near the town of Fisterra, on the Atlantic seaboard of northwestern Spain and within the coastal landscape known as the Costa da Morte.

• Pilgrim destination and sunsets: Historic pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago often continue to this cape as a symbolic ‘end of the world’ destination; the headland is a popular place to watch Atlantic sunsets.

What to See#

• Faro de Fisterra (lighthouse): A working lighthouse sited on the tip of the cape that marks one of the westernmost points of mainland Spain and provides panoramic Atlantic views for visitors.

Cape Finisterre (Cabo Fisterra) is reached via the town of Fisterra on Galicia’s Costa da Morte. Regular buses run from larger Galician centres (including Santiago de Compostela) to Fisterra; driving west from Santiago brings you to Fisterra on regional roads in roughly 1.5-2 hours (approximately 80-100 km depending on route). From the town of Fisterra the cape and its lighthouse are reached by a short drive or a walk along the headland road.

• Plan your visit around sunrise or-more commonly-sunset for the most dramatic coastal light; the headland and lighthouse become especially busy in the hour before sunset, so arrive early if you want a quieter spot.
• If arriving by car, use the town of Fisterra (Finisterre) as your base and follow the marked coastal path to the lighthouse; pilgrims finishing the Camino often gather at the cape, so expect crowds on clear evenings.
• Allow time to walk the cliff paths rather than only staying at the car park-the best viewpoints and quieter stretches of coastline sit a few minutes' walk from the main lighthouse area.