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Welcome to Muros!
First of all, thank you very much for booking my accommodation!
I have created this personal guide so that as my guest you can enjoy your stay more and find those places that locals know 😊.
Our flats in Muros :-)
About me 👋
Hi! I'm Juan Gestal, your host in Muros. I'm a computer engineer and work as a teacher at a vocational training institute. 👨💻
One of my great hobbies is travelling 🌍 and I have created this guide so you can enjoy my village to the fullest.
I invite you to discover my favourite spots in Muros and its surroundings 🏘️.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any extra recommendations 📩. Tell me what you like and I'll be happy to help!
What to do in Muros? 😎
Stroll through the streets and arcades
Take a walk through the streets and arcades of Muros' old town, over 800 years of history! 😲
Do you dare to find the streets with the most pessimistic names? Like Rúa da Amargura (Street of Bitterness) or Rúa da Soidade (Street of Solitude)... 😅
Enjoy its squares 🏖️
The three coolest squares are Curro da Plaza (Town Hall Square), Plaza de la Pescadería Vella (Old Fish Market Square) and Plaza del Mercado (Market Square).
Curro da Plaza, where the Town Hall is located, is always full of life. In ancient times, it was closed off for bullfights. There are places to eat like Casa Sampedro or to have a drink like Teatro Brewery. 🍻
Plaza de la Pescadería, it's the wine area! 🍷 Plus, it has a beautiful fountain with a stone lizard that you'll love.
And don't miss the Muros Market building, it's very beautiful.
The seafront promenade and the dock
Stroll along Muros harbour, where you can see fishing boats, traditional tools, and what the fishermen have caught. 🐟
At the dock, near Restaurante Don Bodegón, you can see some classic boats like the 'dorna'. ⛵
Visit the fish market and observe the day's catches: octopus, prawns, horse mackerel, hake... and even spider crabs! 🦀
And if you're curious, don't miss the reverse auction which usually starts at 4:00 PM. A traditional type of auction where the price drops until someone buys! 🤑
You might even see dolphins during your walks along the harbour! 🐬 Sometimes, they come close, offering a natural spectacle you won't forget. So keep your eyes peeled! 👀
Visit the Churches
Muros has some impressive churches that you'll love. ⛪
Church of San Pedro de Muros: This church is one of the oldest in the area, with origins dating back to the 10th century! 😲 Although what you see today is from the 16th century, the main facade with its pointed arch and bell tower will impress you. Inside, you'll find Baroque altarpieces and a Romanesque baptismal font that will make you feel like you're travelling back in time. 🏰
Chapel of the Virgen del Carmen: This Baroque chapel dates from the 18th century and is small. You can see the image of the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of sailors! ⛵️
Sanctuary of the Virgen del Camino: This church is not just a place of worship; it's a symbol for seafarers! 🌊 Fishermen and sailors from Muros always commend themselves to the Virgen del Camino. It also houses a 14th-century crucified Christ, which has great historical value. ⚓ And if you get close to the beach in front, you might see shellfish gatherers working.
Visit the Pozo do Cachón Tide Mills 🌊
The Tide Mills are true historical treasures. They used tides to store water in dikes to power the millstones and grind grain. It's like travelling back in time! ⏳
The Pozo del Cachón Tide Mill is one of the largest and dates from the 19th century. It was restored in the 90s, and although it's a little deteriorated now, it's still impressive! 🏰
Restaurants
Note, some establishments may be closed out of season, it's best to call and make sure they're open before you go!
What about for breakfast? ☕
Cafetería Mamaia 💸
The best cafe in Muros, without a doubt. They have everything: coffee, chocolate, churros, smoothies, toast... Perfect to start the day with energy!
Cafetería O'Café
If you want to have breakfast with pastries, eat empanada or desserts, they have a good selection here. They have a terrace under the arcade.
And for lunch/dinner? 🍴
Here are some of my favourite places to enjoy local food. And don't forget to try the Tortilla Romana , a unique dessert from Muros!
Restaurante El Muelle 💸
A place for tapas and typical Galician dishes: squid, octopus, razor clams, scallops... It's affordable and the potato omelette is delicious. In summer, getting a table on the terrace is a challenge, but it's worth it!
Restaurante Pizzería A Dársena 💸💸
Here you'll find a Galician touch, but also pizzas and burgers. If you're looking for variety, this is your place. Plus, they usually keep the kitchen open later than other restaurants, so if you're running late, this is your spot.
It's affordable and their octopus is usually quite good. Oh, and if you fancy the Tortilla Romana, they have that too! Although it's not homemade, it's from a bakery.
Although it may seem that having an extensive menu means they aren't specialised, this is a good place to have fish. 🐟
Restaurante Vila de Muros 💸💸
Vila de Muros, located on Calle Ancha, is the best restaurant in the area. Perfect for an aperitif, lunch or dinner, and even for drinks later now that they've opened another venue opposite, La terraza del Vila de Muros.
The place has a special oven, and both the octopus and the grilled vegetables are delicious... and the ría squid are incredible! They serve beef rib-eye, seafood, and ría fish.
If you go, don't miss the homemade Tortilla Romana, the Muros dessert that arrived by boat from Italy.
Hamburguesería Mac Burguer 💸
The classic Chicken Mac, the best burger in the world! For me, of course. They have fast food (burgers, pizzas, hot dogs) and combination platters. They offer takeaway, but sometimes in summer, there's a bit of a wait.
Right next to MacBurguer there's an alley with the steepest stairs in the village! Do you dare to climb them?
Don Bodegón 💸💸
This is a place with a nautical theme and stone walls. Specialising in meats like beef or pork churrasco, although they also have shared platters.
It's a very affordable place with a very pleasant atmosphere, separate from the bar area where you can go for a drink.
Pulpería Pachanga 💸💸
Located in Plaza de la Pescadería, this place is small but has a large terrace. It's perfect for tapas and typical Galician raciones. In high season, if you're lucky, you might even find grilled sardines.
Restaurante Marbella 💸💸
It's a bit further from the centre, but it's worth it for the impressive views of the village and the estuary from its terrace. Perfect for an aperitif while enjoying the landscape.
Marisquería Fontevella 💸💸💸
It's not in Muros; the Fontevella restaurant is in Caldebarcos (about 20 km away). It's one of my favourite restaurants in the area. With a family atmosphere and quality products, it offers spectacular views of Carnota beach.
Ideal for enjoying good fish, octopus with clams, or meat. Food tastes better with good views! 👀
And for a drink? 🍹
La terraza del Vila de Muros 💸
The Terraza del Vila de Muros is the new venue of the Vila de Muros restaurant, where you can enjoy a good drink or a gin and tonic.
It's located on the emblematic Calle Ancha, directly opposite the restaurant, and is an ideal place to relax after a day exploring the village.
A Cova 💸
At Cervecería A Cova you can have drinks, both inside and on its terrace facing the seafront promenade.
The bars in the Town Hall Square like Teatro are another option.
Beaches 🏖️
There are plenty of beaches around the estuary. In this selection, I've gathered the most convenient ones to visit and the most representative and beautiful. But you might discover one that you think is amazing that I've missed.
Castillo Beach (0km) 🏝️
Castillo Beach isn't an impressive beach like those in the surroundings, but it's the beach right in the village, which you can walk to without needing a car.
It's located next to the harbour and has showers. It's comfortable and good for sunbathing 🌞 or for a hassle-free swim.
If you don't fancy going by car, this is your spot.
San Francisco Beach (3.2km) 🌊
At the foot of Monte Louro is this extensive white sand beach with a family atmosphere.
It has a pine forest 🌲🌲🌲, if you like to picnic 🧺, a playground with swings for the little ones, and a wide variety of restaurants nearby.
It has showers for your comfort, and although finding parking nearby can be tricky in high season, with a little patience, you're sure to find a spot. 🚗
Area Maior Beach (7km) 🏄♂️
On the other side of Monte Louro is my favourite beach, Area Maior or Xalfas.
It's a wild beach, with a lagoon with native birds, white sand and... waves. A perfect place if you want to surf or have fun being pulled by the waves 🌊. However, if you prefer a quiet swim, I recommend going to San Francisco which is sheltered by the estuary and the waves are small.
Carnota Beach (16km) 🌅
Carnota beach is often named as one of the best in Spain and the world 🏅. It's a wild beach over 11 km long.
I recommend walking barefoot and strolling through the pools and rocks, feeling the white sand under your feet.
Be careful if the tide comes in and traps you on a small sand island; then you'll have to get your legs wet to get back to your car 😂.
The most beautiful area of the beach is the Boca do Río entrance. Use the link below to get there!
Route to the North
Here begins our route to the north, where we will explore the most impressive landscapes and emblematic places. 🌄
Louro 🌳
Louro is a village with beaches near Muros. Here you'll find San Francisco Beach 🏖️, an ideal place for families, with a cool pine forest 🌲 and plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy good tapas.
You can't miss visiting O'Caldeiron, an old salting factory that has been impressively renovated 👌. In Muros, we have another salting factory called Casa Anido. Both belonged to my ancestors, Catalans who ventured to set up canning factories on this Galician coast 🧳.
Normally, O'Caldeiron is closed out of season, but if you find it open, don't hesitate to go inside and see its spectacular inner courtyard! 🌿
I always try to get the "romantic table" 💕, the one right by the door with views of the beach. It's very popular, but you might be lucky! 🍀
If you want to eat tapas and raciones, I recommend two good places: Café Bar San Francisco 🍻 and Restaurante Formoso 🍽️. Both are very good and ideal for enjoying a sunny day and tasty food.
Monte Louro ⛰️
Get ready for an adventure! 🚶♂️ If you like walking, you can't miss a climb up Monte Louro. From there, the views are simply spectacular! 🌊🔭 You'll enjoy the lighthouse 🏙️, hear the roar of the waves crashing against the rocks, and marvel at the coastal panorama.🙌
Monte Louro Lagoon 🌊
If you fancy taking some impressive photos 📸 of Monte Louro and its Lagoon, and seeing different birds 🦆, don't miss this place. 🦅 Furthermore, the lagoon has a touch of magic, as in ancient times, local sailors believed the mountain was a sacred place that protected them from storms. 🌩️
Continuing along the AC-550 you will find a sign to the left indicating the path to the lagoon. It's not very visible. Also, to enter, you have to turn around a bit further ahead, as it's a continuous line. Be careful with the underside of the car when leaving the road and park where the arrow indicates. 🚗💨
If it's summer and in season, you can pick blackberries 🍇 along the way and eat them or make jam. Be careful not to prick yourself with the bramble. 🌿 The path is flat, but if it rains it can get muddy or it might not have been pruned in a while and there might be weeds. Two minutes walk away is the spot in the photo. I'll leave you the exact location so you don't miss it 😎
Area Maior Beach and Ancoradoiro 🏖️
A little further on, there's a turn-off to the left you can take to reach Area Maior Beach (my favourite!) or Ancoradoiro Beach (don't swim here, the waves are very dangerous!).
There's also a pine forest for picnics. 🌲
Lariño Lighthouse 🌅
The Lariño Lighthouse is one of my favourite places to grab a drink and enjoy incredible views of the surrounding wild beaches. ⛵ Furthermore, the lighthouse is located in a place full of history, as it was formerly used to guide fishermen sailing through these dangerous waters, known for their currents and treacherous rocks. ⚓
Coming here for a drink after going to the beach is great! And you can also take the opportunity to do some hiking in the area. 🚶♂️
If you like playing padel 🏸, there's a court here. It's often empty, but to be sure, you can book it for free from the following website.
Lira 🌊
Leaving Lariño behind, we arrive at Lira, a coastal village offering wild beaches, seafood gastronomy, and historical heritage. 🏖️ Furthermore, it is said that in ancient times, during periods of piracy, pirates took refuge on its coasts 🏴☠️, making the place steeped in stories of battles and hidden treasures. ⚔️
In Lira we can contemplate one of the most impressive horreos (granaries) in Galicia, 35 metres long, which rivals the Horreo de Carnota. Its church and dovecote are also noteworthy. 🏰
My favourite restaurant in Lira is Bar Xouba. Decorated with nautical motifs, they offer seafood products, affordable prices and the ladies who run it are super friendly! Plus, they have the typical dessert of the area, the Tortilla Romana, a delight! 🍽️
Carnota 🌊
Continuing along the road we reach Carnota, a village that stands out for its famous horreo (granary), considered a national monument 🏅, and for its incredible beach, the longest in Galicia. 🌅
Which horreo is better, Lira's or Carnota's? Well, both are supported by 22 pillars. Lira's is longer, 36.53m compared to Carnota's 34.64 metres. Carnota's is wider, 1.90 metres compared to Lira's 1.60 metres. But Lira's is taller... I prefer Carnota's because it's more proportionate. You may or may not agree with me. But both are impressive and are the pinnacle of the Finisterre style.
Carnota beach is stunning. And not just for beach days. Rainy or cloudy days also have their charm for a stroll. It's a huge wild beach, with pools, rocks, streams, etc. It is, without a doubt, one of the best beaches in Galicia, rivalling Playa de las Catedrales 🏖️ or Playa de Rodas in the Cíes Islands 🏝️. You can't miss it! 🌊
You can access the beach from many places, but the best place to do so is via Boca do Río, so I've left you the location.
Caldebarcos: Restaurante Fontevella 💸💸💸 🍴
Passing Carnota you reach Caldebarcos, where Fontevella is located, one of my favourite restaurants in the area. 🦑
It's advisable to book in advance ⏰. If it's full, a similar alternative is the restaurant Casa Manolo, which offers a similar menu but without the incredible views.
Ézaro 💦
Ézaro is a magical place ✨ located on the Costa da Morte, surrounded by mountains, forests, and beaches. It's an ideal place for nature activities 🌳.
The main attraction of Ézaro is the waterfall of the Xallas river, the only river in Europe that flows into the sea as a waterfall 🌊.
Another attraction in Ézaro is the viewpoint 🏞️, accessed by a steep hill that will make your car suffer 🚗, and has made cyclists suffer 🚴, as it has been the finish line of the Vuelta a España 🚴♂️. Once at the top, you'll have impressive views of the coast and Monte Pindo 🏔️. In the background to the right, you'll see Finisterre 🌅.
Ézaro has a good beach 🏖️, with volleyball nets, beach bars where you can have a mojito 🍹, etc. Also, if you want to see the waterfall from below, you might be able to rent a kayak 🚣♂️.
And from here? You have two options: 🚗
1. Return to Muros through the mountains 🏞️. On your way, you'll find viewpoints where you can stop and enjoy impressive views of the estuary. Plus, the journey is shorter than along the coast.
2. Continue to Corcubión and Finisterre 🌅. Corcubión is a charming fishing village, similar to Muros but smaller, and Finisterre isn't particularly pretty. I wouldn't stop in the village and would go directly to see the lighthouse 🏖️ and sit there watching the horizon and how the waves crash against the rocks. Then I would return to Muros via the mountain road, stopping at the viewpoints.
Route to the South
Here begins our route to the south.
Bornalle 🏡
Bornalle is a small village near Muros with lots of horreos (granaries) 🌾. Walking among its stone houses 🪨 is pleasant and leads to a lovely family beach 🏖️.
Esteiro 🌊
Esteiro is a village located about 15km from Muros. Its beach is family-friendly 🏖️, has showers 🚿, a bridge from which to jump if the tide is high 🌉, and a pine forest with a beach bar 🍹. It's a pleasant place, and although it doesn't have the charm of Muros, it has beautiful areas to stroll through 🚶♂️🌳.
O Freixo ⚓
O Freixo is a small fishing village famous for its seafood 🦪, especially its cockles 🐚. It has a maritime port and shipyards 🚤.
I wouldn't include it in the guide if it didn't have two of the best restaurants in the estuary, Pepe O Coxo and Restaurante Rios.
Noia 🏰
Walking through the cobbled streets of Noia will transport you to the medieval age ⏳.
In its old town, you'll find the Church of San Martín ⛪, which has an imitation of the Portico de la Gloria 🎨, with the Tasca Típica 🥘 (an old Galician stately home converted into a restaurant and tapas bar), and other curious things like the gravestone museum of the Church of Santa María A Nova.
At the Mesón O Forno you can have a seafood platter 🦀 for about 25€.
Pontemaceira 🛤️
About 20 minutes drive from Noia is Ponte Maceira, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain 🏞️. A picturesque Galician village, with a 12th-century medieval bridge 🏗️, the Pazo de Baladrón (19th century) 🏤, the Chapel of San Blas ⛪, a mill 🛠️, and a dam in an impressive natural setting 🌿.
If it's summer, you can swim in the river 🏊♂️, but be careful, the water is freezing! 🥶
Activities
Here are a few more activities to do around Muros and its surroundings 🌊🏞️.
⛵ Fancy a boat trip around the estuary, squid fishing 🦑, or rowing in a kayak 🚣♂️ or paddleboarding 🏄♂️? Visit the website of O Chivo, an expert company in these types of activities. 🐟🌟
Fancy doing Surf, Kite Surf or Paddle Surf? 🏄♀️ You can find information on the Abel Lago - Watersports website 🏖️✨.
🚶♂️🌿 Do you enjoy exploring on foot? Here's a website with plenty of hiking routes to discover the most magical corners of the area. 🌳🌄 Get your boots ready, your camera 📸, and enjoy! 🗺️✨
Emergencies
- 🚨 General emergency number: 112
- 👮 National Police: 091
- 👮 Civil Guard: 062
- 🚑 Medical emergencies (ambulances): 061
- 🧑🚒 Fire Brigade: 080
🏥 Muros Health Centre
- Phone: +34981867616
- Address: Rúa Serres, s/n, 15259 Serres, A Coruña
🏥 Santiago de Compostela Clinical Hospital
👮 Civil Guard - Muros Post
- Phone: +34981826013
- Address: Rúa Serres, s/n, 15259 Serres, A Coruña