Free walking tours in Camariñas and what to see

Must-sees

Camariñas is a fishing town on the Costa da Morte, in A Coruña province, with its fishing harbour at the centre of daily life. It's famous for bobbin lace: you'll still see palilleiras, the lacemakers, working at their doors, and the Museo do Encaixe explains the history of this craft. By the harbour you can see the remains of the Soberano castle, and up top the hermitage of the Virxe do Monte has good views of the estuary.

A few kilometres away is Cape Vilán, with its lighthouse on a sea-battered crag. It was the first electric lighthouse in Spain, and beside it is an interpretation centre on the shipwrecks of this coast. Following the road north you reach the Cemiterio dos Ingleses, where the sailors of the British ship HMS Serpent, wrecked in 1890, were buried. This whole stretch of coast, between rocks and wild beaches, is among the most spectacular in Galicia.

Free tours and guided visits

Camariñas has a couple of guided activities closely tied to the sea. One is a route with shellfish gatherers, showing how they work the estuary and their daily routine. The other covers the Shipwreck Route, the stretch of coast between Cape Vilán and the Cemiterio dos Ingleses, with the stories of the sunken ships. There are also Costa da Morte excursions from Santiago and A Coruña.

How long to spend

The town, the harbour and the museum can be seen in a morning. For Cape Vilán and the Shipwreck Route you need another half day, especially if you do it on foot or by bike. With two days you can add Muxía, across the estuary, and a stretch of the Camiño dos Faros, the trail along this coast.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in the centre, near the harbour, with restaurants and services to hand. If you prefer peace and quiet, the municipality's villages and the Xaviña area have rural houses and apartments surrounded by countryside. Accommodation is limited in summer, so it's best to book. Muxía, across the estuary, is the nearest alternative.