Excursions
For a Half Day
Finisterre: This delightful traditional Galician fishing village is just under 50km (31 miles) from Santiago de Compostela, along the C-543 road, on a cape (cabo) on the western coast of Spain. For the medieval pilgrims, Cabo Finisterre was literally ‘the end of the earth’. It is the westernmost point in all Europe and an ancient holy place for Druids, Romans and Christians. The Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), south of the Cape, is a dramatic landscape of cliffs and sandy beaches. On the south side of the harbour, there are a number of sardiadas (open-air sardine grills) offering a fine assortment of fresh fish and mariscos (shellfish dishes).
One can get to Finisterre by bus with Arriva (tel: (902) 277 482) or Compostela Vision (tel: (902) 254 040; website: www.compostelavision) (journey time – 2 hours 30 minutes). It is a 4km (2.5 mile) walk to the headland, where, at the cape, a lighthouse perches high above the waves. Beyond the lighthouse and the trinket vendors is the viewpoint, Vista Monte do Facho, which offers spectacular views.
For a Whole Day
A Corua: The official capital of the province, A Corua is a thriving port and business centre on the north coast of Spain, approximately 60km (37 miles) from Santiago de Compostela. It also has some fine beaches, a bustling and attractive harbour with a characteristic honeycomb web of white-framed windows on its waterfront and striking tourist sights, most notably the Torre de Hrcules (Tower of Hercules), an imposing restored Roman lighthouse, which still functions. The Old Quarter of the city rivals that of Santiago de Compostela, with monuments such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria do Campo. Trains from Santiago de Compostela to A Corua run regularly (journey time – 1 hour 10 minutes). The local tourist information office on Ra Jardines de Mndez Nez (tel: (981) 184 344 or 216 161) provides details of attractions.
Pontevedra: A distinctly Galician town comprising a maze of alleyways and colonnaded squares, lies 117km (73 miles) southwest of Santiago de Compostela. Pontevedra provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to wander around an ancient city that is both lively and lived in. The Museo Provincial houses a number of paintings by Spanish masters Ribera, Zurbarn and Murillo, although more notably the work of artist, caricaturist and writer Alfonso Castelao (author of Sempre en Galicia (1935-47), a bible of Galician nationalists) celebrating the strength and resilience of the Galician people and their culture. Buses and trains from Santiago de Compostela to Pontevedra run every 30 minutes (journey time – approximately 1 hour for both). The local tourist information office is located on Ra Xeneral Guiterrez Mellado 1 (tel: (986) 850 814).
For information on all the above places, visit www.turgalicia.es
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Excursions