Guide - A Costa da Morte, travelling through Western Route
A Costa da Morte is a natural paradise in the northwest of Spain, with more than 200 km of coastline where you’ll discover some of the most breathtaking coastal landscapes in Galicia.
Forests, lighthouses, cliffs, wild sandy beaches with dunes, marshes and saltwater lagoons preserve all their authentic beauty. This is a place where, even on any given day in August, you can still enjoy long walks along stunning, almost deserted beaches.
Discover the legendary Costa da Morte: welcome to a truly unique corner of Europe that will captivate you. A region where a rich heritage blends with the tranquillity and kindness of its people. Here you can enjoy a restorative experience, savour excellent local cuisine and embrace the simple art of living well.
To explore A Costa da Morte with the calm and depth it deserves, we suggest two routes we have created for you, so you can easily reach the very best of its eastern and western stretches:
- Guide to A Costa da Morte – Travelling Through Eastern Route.
Guide to A Costa da Morte – Travelling Through Western Route.
GUIDE TO A COSTA DA MORTE – WESTERN ROUTE
We invite you to explore a unique territory that will take you through the westernmost stretch of A Costa da Morte, from Camariñas to Monte Pindo, two picturesque fishing villages.
We recommend beginning your journey at the Verdes Environmental Refuge (Concello de Coristanco).
To get there, take the regional road C-552 towards Fisterra from Carballo. About 5 km after passing the small village of Montecelo, and just before the “Carrefour” roundabout, take the turnoff to Verdes.
The Verdes
Refuge is an idyllic place, nestled among small islets and gentle waterfalls, where old water mills once harnessed the river’s strength to operate. Imagine strolling through a fairy-tale forest, crossing small wooden and stone bridges while accompanied by the constant sound of flowing water—an enchanting, truly bucolic natural setting.
Refugio de Verdes
To continue your trip, return to the C-552 towards Fisterra to the town of Vimianzo, to visit its castle, which was built between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century, and is currently the headquarters of heritage craftsmanship the Palilleiras association “As Nemanquiñas”.
Vimianzo
Castillo de Vimianzo. Imagen de Galicia Pueblo a Pueblo
Then, in this locality, divert towards Camariñas to explore one of the most spectacular natural areas of Costa da Morte, the stretch between Cabo Vilán and Cabo do Trece.
For many, the
legend of Costa da Morte began in this place. The landscape of these capes is rugged and rocky, and it's an area where the sea and wind fiercely batter in winter, leading to numerous maritime accidents over the years. The Cemetery of the English is precisely a memorial to one of these tragedies.
Cabo Vilán
Imagen Concello de Camarillas
HMS Serpent was a 3rd class torpedo battleship of the British Royal Navy that was sailing through these waters when on November 10, 1890, in the middle of what could have been the first cyclogenesis of which there is evidence in this area, hit the coast at this point and capsized, causing 172 victims. There were only three survivors who spent the night afloat and arrived exhausted at Playa do Trece the next morning. The curious fact is that these lucky people were the only ones who wore life jackets, and after this tragedy, the British Royal Navy made their use mandatory for all sailors.
In the following days, bodies gradually appeared on the coast. So the residents of Xaviña and Camariñas helped bury them a few meters from the sea. The priest and the local people were decorated by the British crown for their work in the burial of the 172 bodies. That mass grave on the edge of the Atlantic is what is known today as the English Cemetery. For many years, every time an English navy ship crossed these coasts, it threw a wreath of flowers into the sea.
Cabo Vilán & Cementerio de los Ingleses
Ensenada do Trece y Cabo Vilán y Cementerio de los Ingleses. Imágenes de CMAT y Concello de Camariñas
For many peope, the origins of the legend of Costa da Morte date back much further. During the times of the Roman Empire, these lands, part of their territory, were seen as approaching the end of the known world, marking the border with death. Other interpretations speak of the Milky Way, now the Way of Saint James, where Celtic walkers arrived from across Europe to the last place where the sun died each day, only to be reborn into a new life of light.
After visiting Cabo Vilán, continue your exploration towards Muxía. Divert in the town of Ponte do Porto to reach the Sanctuary of A Virxe da Barca and its famous "Pedra de Abalar" (Rock of the Quake).
The initial construction dates back to the 12th century and has undergone modifications over the centuries. The current building is from the 18th century, with alterations in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It's a revered site for the thousands of pilgrims walking the Camino Xacobeo from Santiago to Muxía – Fisterra. Arriving at the sanctuary becomes the anticipated reward for the effort made to reach the end of the path, the beautiful place where, according to legend, the Virgin arrived in a stone boat to encourage the Apostle Santiago.
Santuario de A Barca en Muxía
Imágenes de CMAT, Turismo de Galicia y El País.
🍴 Restaurants & Bares in Muxía
From the Sanctuary of A Barca, now set course for the End of the World, to the majestic Fisterra Lighthouse. A place of pilgrimage where the boundary between land and sea becomes a gateway to the infinite, an experience that evokes both curiosity and wonder in equal measure.
Fisterra
Faro de Fisterra y Playa de Talón. Imágenes del Concello de Fisterra
Fisterra is also an excellent place to enjoy its coastal cuisine, featuring fish, seafood, and meats that showcase the region’s authentic flavours. A food experience you won’t want to miss.
🍴 Restaurants & Bares in Fisterra
O Semaforo
O´Fragón
Casa Velay
Casa Lestón
O Centolo
Tira do Cordel
Imágenes de La Voz de Galicia y Tira do Cordel
And after arrive at the Roman “End of the World,” another place awaits that you will love: Ézaro. Situated between Fisterra and Monte Pindo, here the Xallas River surprises visitors by becoming the only waterfall in Europe that flows directly into the sea.
From the Mirador do Ézaro, you can enjoy an extraordinary panoramic view of the Corcubión Ría, with Cape Fisterra peeking on the horizon.
Climbing up to this viewpoint, tackling slopes that exceed a 25% gradient, has become an almost legendary route for cycling enthusiasts. Beauty and challenge come together in this untamed corner of Galicia.
〰️ Naturaleza Adventures in Ézaro
Travesías en Kayak en Ézaro
Ézaro
Casacada del Ézaro. Imagen de Google
Mirador del Ézaro. Imagen de Google
Allow us to introduce another magical place in Galicia: Monte Pindo, the ancient Celtic Olympus. This majestic and powerful mountain bears witness to ancestral tales that will captivate you.
Imagine immersing yourself in a space filled with mystery and magic, where ancient Celts held ceremonies and rituals. At Monte Pindo, legends and spirituality merge with the beauty of its landscapes.
But Monte Pindo is much more than a site of ancient traditions. It also served as a refuge for nearby populations, a place to find shelter and protection against the attacks and plundering by dreaded pirates. In its nooks and crannies, you'll feel history pulsating in every corner.
If you're a nature and adventure enthusiast, Monte Pindo offers the chance to explore enchanting trails, relish spectacular panoramas, and become part of a place that has witnessed centuries of extraordinary tales.
And if you
feel like taking a long walk along the sea,
Carnota Beach, the longest in Galicia, with its approximately
7 km of golden sand, offers an almost endless horizon that seems to stretch on forever.
O Pindo y Carnota
Monte Pindo y Playa de Carnota. Imágenes del Concello de Carnota
Next, continue your journey towards Lira to reach Muros, just 12 km away. It's one of the best-preserved fishing villages in Galicia. Follow the AC550 road along the coast. Before reaching Muros, you'll encounter the beautiful Lariño Beach, featuring its picturesque lighthouse at one end, and the stunning Louro Beach with its lagoon and the Monte Louro mountain.
🍴 Restaurants & Bares in Lariño
Taberna el Ariete en el Faro de Lariño
At either of the previous two beaches, you can enjoy a fantastic day of sun, sea, and waves. For those who prefer a beach with turquoise waters and calm waves, on the other side of Monte Louro lies San Francisco Beach, highly recommended for spending a day with children.
Lastly, just 4 km from this beach, you'll find
Muros, with streets and arcades
reminiscent of some streets in
Santiago de Compostela.
Muros
Playa de Area Maior en Muros, Faro Lariño y Muros. Imágenes de Grancalili, Concello de Carnota y Economía digital
Choosing a lovely vacation home in Galicia offers privacy and freedom to experience the region like a local: tranquillity, great food, and the perfect blend of calm and adventure. At VILANOVAA, charming villas with private pools await you—places to switch off without hurry or to revisit, day after day, that corner of A Costa da Morte that captured your heart.
