The Camiño dos Faros, or the Lighthouse Method, is a rare coastal path that adheres to the Coast of Demise from Malpica to Cape Finisterre in Galicia, Northwestern Spain. Although adventurous and never with out its challenges, this 200-km village-to-village hike can also be fairly snug, since every stage ends in a village with a spread of lodging: hostels, residences, guesthouses, and lodges.
In contrast to the various Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, the Camiño dos Faros has no albergues till Muxía, the place it intersects with the Camino Finisterre.
I strongly advocate reserving all of your lodging prematurely. Whereas flexibility is interesting, particularly when climate is unpredictable, this path isn’t one you’ll be able to strategy casually with no clear plan for the place you’ll keep every night time.
Formally, wild tenting just isn’t allowed alongside the Camiño dos Faros, as a result of the whole path runs by means of the Purple Natura 2000 community, which encompasses protected pure areas within the European Union. Since there are only some official campgrounds close to the path, I don’t advocate tenting. Lodging are plentiful and reasonably priced, making an inn-to-inn strategy one of the best ways to hike this route.
Reserving and Cost: We booked all our lodging through Reserving.com. All of the lodging we stayed in accepted card funds.
Breakfast: We tried to guide lodging with breakfast every time potential to maintain mornings easy and stress-free. Breakfast is normally served à la carte and comes at an additional price. In villages like Muxía, nevertheless, this wasn’t wanted due to the loads of cafés out there.
Laundry: We did laundry twice throughout our trek–at Apartamentos Turísticos Playa de Osmo in Corme and O Refuxio do Náufrago in Camelle–each of which provided free laundry amenities, together with detergent.
Water: Faucet water is drinkable.
Lunch: Planning forward is important. Relying on the stage, meals will not be out there alongside the route. You’ll both must request a packed lunch out of your lodging or top off on provides beforehand.
Guidebook: Strolling the Camino dos Faros
Easy methods to Ebook the Camiño dos Faros
Ebook a Flight to A Coruña Airport or Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport
The closest airports to Malpica are A Coruña Airport and Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport, close to Santiago de Compostela. A Coruña is nearer to the path’s start line, whereas Santiago’s airport is nearer to its conclusion. Total, both choice works equally nicely, with no main benefit to selecting one over the opposite.
I defined get to Malpica in our Camino dos Faros Trekking Information.
Ebook Lodging
The Lighthouse Method is formally divided into 8 levels. With transit days, the whole size of the journey might be 10 days. When you plan on mountaineering the whole path, construct in a relaxation day in Muxía on the newest.
Day 1 | Keep in Malpica: Fonte Do Fraile (the place we stayed), Hostal J.B (beachfront guesthouse), Apartamento con vistas al mar (1-bedroom condo), or APARTAMENTO MENCER (2-bedroom condo).
Day 2 | Keep in Barizo: Casa da Vasca (the place we stayed) or As Garzas (a Michelin-star restaurant and guesthouse)
Day 3 | Keep in Corme: Apartamentos Playa de Osmo (the place we stayed)
Day 4 | Keep in Laxe: O Náutico Laxe sea view (the place we stayed), Cabanas Narea (fashionable bungalow residences), Faro de Laxe Pisos Turisticos (3-bedroom condo), or Lodge Playa De Laxe (3-star resort)
Day 5 | Keep in Camelle: O Refuxio do Náufrago (the place we stayed) or Casa El Rincón de Alberto. Or Keep in Arou: Os Faros Pisos Turísticos (residences) and Apartamentos María de Lucía (2-bedroom condo)
Day 6 | Keep in Camariñas: O Mar de Preciosa (the place we stayed), Lodge Puerto Arnela (2-star resort), Hospedium Lodge Barómetro de Camariñas (3-star resort)
Day 7 | Keep in Muxía: Albergue Bela Muxía (the place we stayed), Apartamentos Costa da Morte Muxía (studios with wash machines), Albergue Arribada (non-public and dormitory rooms), or Solpor do Coído (guesthouse).
Day 8 | Keep in Lires: LIRESCA (the place we stayed), Aparthotel Ría de Lires (residences), Casa Raúl (previous stone guesthouse), or Cabanas da Ría (bungalows).
Day 8 | Keep at Cape Finisterre: Lodge El Semáforo de Finisterre (the place we stayed). Alternatively, keep in Fisterra: Lodge Costa Da Morte (2-star resort), Porto Actual Lodge (3-star resort with vibrant sea-view rooms), Hospedium H Cabo Sport (3-star trendy resort), or Lodge Faro de Finisterre (2-star resort).
Day 9 | Transit Day to Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña
Keep in Santiago de Compostela: Moure Lodge (2-star resort), Lodge Montes (resort close to Santiago Cathedral), or Lodge Pazo De Altamira (3-star resort)
Or, Keep in A Coruña: Noro Plaza (4-star aparthotel), Lodge Riazor (4-star beachfront resort), or La Gallega by Higher Luxurious Housing (snug 1-3 bed room residences).
Day 10 | Departure Day
Good to Know
Some levels are exceptionally lengthy, notably Stage 6 from Camariñas to Muxía (34.2 km). Take into account splitting these levels over two days or shortening the route by taking a taxi or bus.
Stage 1 formally ends at Niñóns Seashore. The closest lodging to Niñóns Seashore, Casa vacacional Niñones, is positioned 2.3 km inland from the coast. To keep away from this detour, we stayed in Barizo.
Staying in Barizo creates a domino impact on the next levels. Stage 2 formally ends in Ponteceso (Pensión Teyma), however if you happen to start the stage in Barizo, it’s extra sensible to remain in Corme.
Arrival in Malpica: The place to Keep Earlier than Stage 1
Malpica de Bergantiños is the official start line of the Camiño dos Faros and marks the northeastern fringe of the Costa da Morte. This coastal city boasts a fishing port, lengthy sandy seashore (Praia Space Maior), and a smattering of eating places and lodging.
We stayed at Fonte Do Fraile, a quiet 3-star resort on the western finish of Malpica, that includes clear, snug rooms and a cafeteria that serves an à la carte breakfast from 8 a.m. The check-in course of was seamless. Total, we had been very glad with our expertise.
Fonte Do Fraile doesn’t provide dinner, however the city heart has a number of eating places and cafés. Since many aren’t open every day, it’s finest to have backup choices. For dinner, take a look at Michelin-listed Materials (Google Maps), Restaurante O Burato (Google Maps), and Restaurante San Francisco (Google Maps)
Extra Locations to Keep in Malpica | Hostal J.B (beachfront guesthouse), Apartamento con vistas al mar (1-bedroom condo), APARTAMENTO MENCER (2-bedroom condo), or GARA MALPICA, terraza al mar (1-bedroom condo).
All lodging in Malpica
Stage 1: Malpica to Barizo – Lodging Choices
Stage 1 from Malpica to Barizo is simply 12 km. It’s a brief and candy begin to the Lighthouse Method. Take pleasure in this leisurely stage with a connoisseur meal at As Garzas, a Michelin-star restaurant and guesthouse with a number of elegantly-furnished rooms. Both keep in As Garzas, or neighboring Casa da Vasca.
We stayed in Casa da Vasca, which presents small, however snug rooms, a few of which have a sea view. Hikers get pleasure from on-site eating, even on days when the restaurant is formally closed to exterior company. We loved a decadent lunch at As Garzas, adopted by a light-weight dinner at Casa da Vasca, which served the most effective salad of the whole journey.
Casa da Vasca begins serving its à la carte breakfast menu at 8 am. We selected probably the most beneficiant choice at 10 EUR per particular person, which included eggs, bacon, toast with marmalade and butter, contemporary orange juice, espresso, and a platter of chilly cuts and cheese. The parts had been so beneficiant that we had been capable of make two sandwiches for lunch. When you desire a lighter breakfast, I’m positive they’d fortunately put together takeaway sandwiches upon request.
All Barizo lodging.
Stage 2: Barizo to Corme – The place to Keep In a single day
Corme is a small coastal village, positioned on the mouth of the Ría de Corme y Laxe estuary.
We stayed at Apartamentos Playa de Osmo, an condo advanced above Praia do Osmo. The resort is definitely reached by a footpath branching off the waterfront promenade, although this path doesn’t seem on digital maps.
With a wrap-around balcony and a fully-equipped kitchen, our sea-view condo was an absolute dream. I like to recommend choosing up breakfast provides from a grocery retailer earlier than checking in, as retailer hours are restricted and also you’ll need to keep away from working errands within the morning. They supply 2 capsules for espresso.
Had we not missed the grocery retailer’s opening hours, we might have fortunately dined within the condo, particularly after the demanding second stage. As a substitute, we had dinner on the close by Restaurante Miramar (Google Maps).
Apartamentos Playa de Osmo additionally presents complimentary laundry amenities within the basement, which we gladly made use of.
All lodging in Corme.
Stage 3: Corme to Laxe – Lodging Suggestions
Laxe, located throughout the Ría de Corme y Laxe from Corme, is a energetic village that includes a big crescent-shaped seashore backed by dunes, a 14th-century Gothic church (Igrexa de Santa María da Atalaia), and a string of beachfront eateries.
We stayed at O Náutico Laxe sea view, which faces Rúa Rosalía de Castro, Laxe’s primary avenue, although the resort’s primary entrance is on Rua Vista Alegre. We weren’t capable of dine on the resort restaurant due to a personal occasion, however we loved a implausible meal at Restaurante Mar De Fondo (Google Maps), the place the Pulpo a Feira was really distinctive.
Our room at O Náutico Laxe sea view was vibrant, spotless, and thoughtfully geared up with a espresso maker. The breakfast was authentically Spanish: orange juice, espresso, a slice of scrumptious cake, and bread with olive oil and pan con tomate. Whereas not precisely a feast, it was sufficient to go away us glad.
Prime locations to remain in Laxe | Cabanas Narea (fashionable bungalow residences), Faro de Laxe Pisos Turisticos (3-bedroom condo), Lodge Playa De Laxe (3-star resort), and Apartamento Xanela o Mar (2-bedroom condo).
All lodging in Laxe.
Stage 4: Laxe to Camelle – The place to Keep
Stage 4 from Laxe to Camelle runs alongside an exceptionally stunning, granite-embedded stretch of the Atlantic Coast. Camelle, nestled in a tranquil bay, presents a number of eateries and lodging.
We stayed at O Refuxio do Náufrago, and I can confidently say it lives as much as each one in all its glowing critiques. This impeccably-run guesthouse presents free laundry amenities, a communal eating space with complimentary tea and low, an out of doors terrace, and lovingly-furnished rooms.
The proprietor units out a beneficiant breakfast unfold, together with a number of selfmade muffins, the night time earlier than, permitting hikers to get pleasure from breakfast every time they like the subsequent morning.
If O Refuxio do Náufrago is fully-booked, take a look at Casa El Rincón de Alberto and all out there Camelle lodging.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to press on to the picturesque village of Arou, the official ending level of stage 4. Try Os Faros Pisos Turísticos (residences) and Apartamentos María de Lucía (2-bedroom condo)
All lodging in Arou.
Stage 5: Camelle to Camariñas – The place to Keep In a single day
The path to Camariñas takes you previous Faro Vilán, probably the most photogenic lighthouses alongside the Costa da Morte.
We stayed in O Mar de Preciosa, which was one in all our favourite lodging alongside the entire path. We notably liked our room, with its seaview balcony terrace and boho-style furnishings. The bottom-floor honor bar provided a pleasant collection of drinks, together with craft beers, together with luggage of Bonilla a la Vista potato chips.
Self check-in directions had been clearly communicated prematurely. Though we didn’t meet any workers till the next morning, we had been capable of talk seamlessly by means of the Reserving.com app, and the staff promptly addressed our questions and requests, together with arranging a taxi switch.
Breakfast is accessible for an extra cost, and it’s ready with nice care.
Extra lodging in Camariñas | Lodge Puerto Arnela (2-star resort), Hospedium Lodge Barómetro de Camariñas (3-star resort), or Hospedium Lodge Devalar Do Mar (3-star resort)
All Camariñas lodging.
Stage 6: Camariñas to Muxía – Lodging Choices
The longest stage of the Lighthouse Method (34.2 km) traces the Ría de Camariñas estuary from Camariñas to Muxía. For many hikers, it’s smart to shorten a part of this route by taking a taxi or bus.
Muxía is probably going the liveliest city alongside the whole route, largely because of the regular move of Camino Finisterre pilgrims.
We stayed within the well-run Albergue Bela Muxía, which presents non-public and dormitory rooms. The workers was so accommodating and sort. Although easy, our room was spotless and nicely located on an higher flooring, providing views of the village. The Albergue contains a communal eating space and kitchen in addition to laundry amenities (for a charge).
For those who don’t need to cook dinner, I extremely advocate eating at Lonxa d’Alvaro (Google Maps), which serves regionally sourced fish, seafood, and grilled meats. And for breakfast, we actually loved Cafetería Antoxiños (Google Maps), which opens vibrant and early at 7 a.m.
When you’d like to incorporate a relaxation day in Muxía and deal with your self to a spa expertise, think about reserving two nights on the Parador Costa da Morte.
Extra lodging in Muxía | Apartamentos Costa da Morte Muxía (studios with wash machines), Albergue Arribada (non-public and dormitory rooms), and Solpor do Coído (guesthouse).
All Muxía lodging.
Stage 7: Muxía to Lires – The place to Keep
Stage 7 of the Camiño dos Faros is a demanding stage with many rolling ascents and descents. The official endpoint of the stage is Praia de Nemiña, fashionable with surfers. Good lodging are restricted, so most trekkers will doubtless need to proceed on to Lires.
Situated on the head of the Lires estuary, Lires (Santo Estevo de Lires) is a beautiful village with many Hórreos (stone granaries on stilts). Like Muxía, Lires is positioned alongside the Camino Finisterre pilgrimage route.
We stayed in LIRESCA, a superb resort and restaurant with snug rooms and sort homeowners, who patiently and fortunately answered our many questions. Breakfast is à la carte, and it’s additionally potential to order takeaway sandwiches for lunch.
Extra lodging in Lires | Aparthotel Ría de Lires (residences), Casa Raúl (previous stone guesthouse), or Cabanas da Ría (bungalows).
All lodging in Lires.
Stage 8: Lires to Cape Finisterre – Lodging Choices on the Finish of the Path
The Method of the Lighthouses formally ends at Cape Finisterre, house to a lighthouse, café, restaurant, and resort. The resort occupies a former maritime sign station, or “Semaphore,” constructed within the late nineteenth century to speak with naval vessels.
Cape Finisterre, or Cabo Fisterra, can also be the ultimate vacation spot for a lot of pilgrims strolling the Camino de Santiago, and watching the sundown from this windswept headland has grow to be a shared ritual for hikers of each the Camino and the Lighthouse Method.
The custom carries a resonance that goes far past its uncooked magnificence. This headland is a deeply layered sacred panorama, the place Celtic solar worship, fertility rites, and later Christian diversifications converge. Ending the trek right here appears like standing at a crossroads of delusion, religion, and nature’s majesty.
Kati and I made a decision to deal with ourselves with a keep at Lodge El Semáforo de Finisterre, a becoming and memorable technique to finish this unbelievable journey. When you’d love to do the identical, guide as early as potential.
Total, we totally loved our keep. Regardless of not having eye-level home windows, our room felt vibrant and welcoming, full with a calming bathtub, a Nespresso machine, and a fan for added consolation.
If there was one space for enchancment, it might be breakfast. Though included within the room price, the pre-set meal served on a tiered stand felt underwhelming for the worth. Providing a number of made-to-order selections, akin to eggs or waffles, would have elevated the expertise.
When you’re unable to safe an in a single day keep in Lodge El Semáforo de Finisterre, proceed your journey to the village of Finisterre (Fisterra) both on foot or by taxi.
Finisterre Lodging | Lodge Costa Da Morte (2-star resort), Porto Actual Lodge (3-star resort with vibrant sea-view rooms), Lodge SempreFisterra (guesthouse), Hospedium H Cabo Sport (3-star trendy resort), or Lodge Faro de Finisterre (2-star resort).
All Finistere lodging.
The place to Keep in Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña
On the finish of the path, you’ll doubtless must journey to both Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña, relying on which airport you might be flying from.
I shared how we traveled again to Santiago and A Coruña in my Camino dos Faros Trekking Information.
The place to Keep in Santiago de Compostela | Moure Lodge (2-star resort), Lodge Montes (resort close to Santiago Cathedral), Lodge Pazo De Altamira (3-star resort), or Lodge Palacio del Carmen (5-star resort). All Santiago de Compostela lodging.
The place to Keep in A Coruña | Noro Plaza (4-star aparthotel), Lodge Riazor (4-star beachfront resort), or La Gallega by Higher Luxurious Housing (snug 1-3 bed room residences).
We stayed in Lodge Plaza. Wanting again, it might have been higher to remain within the historic heart, close to Praza de Maria Pita and the Galerias da Marina, and Orzan Seashore.
All A Coruña lodging.
Extra Hikes in Europe
Coastal Multi-Day Hikes:
Treks:
Mountaineering in Spain:
