Finisterre

Finisterre, also known as Cabo Finisterre, is a headland on the Atlantic coast of Galicia, Spain. It lies at the western edge of the Costa da Morte, near the fishing town of Fisterra in the province of A Coruña, within the autonomous community of Galicia. The cape is marked by a lighthouse and forms a rugged promontory with cliffs, sea views, and other coastal scenery that attract visitors and walkers.

The name derives from Latin finis terrae, end of the land, a label used by the Romans for the promontory and its perception as the edge of the known world. In medieval and later periods, Finisterre acquired associations with Christian pilgrimage, and some pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago travel beyond Santiago de Compostela to the cape, sometimes continuing along the coast toward Muxía or returning by sea.

Administratively, Finisterre is associated with the municipality of Fisterra, which encompasses the town of Fisterra and the cape area. The local economy centers on fishing and tourism, with the cape and lighthouse among the main attractions. The region is part of the Costa da Morte, a name given for the coast’s dangerous seas and storms, a feature that has shaped local history and cultural identity. The area offers coastal paths, viewpoints, and access to beaches and coves that highlight the character of Galicia’s Atlantic coast.