In the province of A Coruña, Galicia, we find a municipality called Muxía, where you can enjoy a deep-seated relationship with the sea and the atmosphere of an unspoilt fishing village.
It's located in the region of Finisterre, the heart of Costa da Morte, so you can imagine the breathtaking scenery fringed by the breakers of the Atlantic Ocean that awaits you. On top of that, the town centre is made up of a tight knot of streets that's worth losing yourself in for a few days.
The municipality of Muxía is home to almost 4,500 inhabitants, distributed among 14 parishes: Buiturón, Bardullas, Coucieiro, Caberta, Leis, Frige, Moraime, Mugía, Morquintián, Nemiña, Nuestra Señora de la O, Touriñán, Ozón and Villastosé.
It is also very close to places of interest such as Santiago de Compostela, a city 78 kilometres away, while the distance from Muxía to A Coruña is around 100 kilometres.
What to see in Muxía? Whether you're going to stay for several days or if you want to know what to see in a single day, we are going to list the essential sights in this municipality.
First up is the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Barca - the virgin of the ship - which dates from the Middle Ages and displays a statue of the virgin on its Baroque façade. But it is not the only religious monument around, since there are several other Romanesque churches that you can visit in the area such as San Xulián de Moraime or Santa Leocadia de Frixe.
The Hórreo de San Martiño de Ozón is located in the parish of the same name. It is worth a visit as it is one of the largest hórreos, traditional raised grain stores, in Galicia.
As we mentioned, this town has close ties to the sea, and specifically to the famous Prestige disaster that occurred off its coast in 2002. After the clean-up of the oil spill was completed, A Ferida or The Wound, a huge stone sculpture, was erected in memory of the damage caused by the sinking of the tanker.
Its people are also linked to the sea, and proof of this is visible in the curious mural painted by Joseba Muruzábal in honour of Claudina, a woman who dedicated her life to collecting barnacles. In the work, titled Claudina, the Ninja of the Waves, she is depicted jumping in the surf and waiting on the shoreline. Painted on a wall above the harbour, it’s worth a visit - especially if you’re with children.
Another great activity to do with children is the to walk the Paseo del Río Negro, a riverside path that takes you to Os Muíños, where you can see windmills. On the way you will have to follow raised wooden walkways and also the beach of Area Maior, where the river flows into the sea.
Where to eat in Muxía? In the town centre you will be able to enjoy the best gastronomy in the area, offered in restaurants and bars by the water and in the town centre. Seafood such as muscles and clams and fresh fish are the mainstay of the traditional dishes.
Finally, one of the best things to see in Muxía is to climb (or drive) to the Mirador del Monte Facho. From the top, you'll admire an impressive panoramic view that takes in the coast towards Cape Vilán.
Finally, you can't miss spending a day on one of the spectacular beaches in the area. Nemiña Beach, one of the longest, is a perfect example of the relaxing places available to you.
It's a complete experience, so don't miss out on spending a few days discovering this area of the Costa da Morte. There are a number of holiday cottages that you can stay in within the town and along the coast that you can have all to yourself in order to soak up the essence of Galicia.
