Camino packing list - 13 essential items
Planning your first pilgrimage walk and wandering what to pack for the Camino de Santiago? Choosing the right gear and not packing too heavy is important for the successful walk. We've walked 10 Camino de Santiago routes and learnt from our experience what to bring with and what to leave out. I've created this Camino packing list to make packing easier for fellow pilgrims. Hope it helps you to choose the right items.
Camino de Santiago packing checklist
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3 most important Camino items to pack
1. Backpack
It's important to choose the right backpack for the Camino de Santiago. I usually walk with a 30-40L (depending on the season) backpack. It is more than enough especially if you're not planning on carrying a laptop/mirror camera, etc. as I did. Remember, the bigger backpack the more unnecessary stuff you’ll fit in. If you walk in summer you can get away with a 30-35L backpack.
For hiking in winter or late fall/early spring when you need warmer clothes a 40-45L backpack for men and women will be big enough. Make sure your backpack has a rain cover or buy a separate one.
If you use a luggage transfer service you can bring a big backpack/suitcase and walk with a day pack carrying only valuables, water, and snacks. Make sure your daypack is comfortable for walking. Osprey Talon 22 Hiking Backpack or smaller Osprey Daylite 15L Daypack are great options.
Read more on the best backpacks for the Camino.
2. Shoes
It's importance to bring a good pair of shoes for the Camino. You’ll spend 5-8 hours a day walking in them. We recommend walking the Camino, especially longer routes, in hiking shoes, not in sneakers. We walked a part of the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon in our running shoes. At first, they were very comfortable but after a couple of days of walking on cobblestones, our feet were destroyed.
If you buy a new pair of shoes wear them for a while before you start the pilgrimage. Even very good shoes might cause blisters when new. If you're planning to do some Camino training the best is to train in the same shoes you're going to walk the Camino.
Read our recommendation for the best shoes for the Camino de Santiago.
Suggested shoes for women
In the last 2 years I've walked five Camino routes in my current Merrell Moab hiking shoes. They're comfortable and light. I got light rain a couple of time and my feet didn't get wet but in heavy rain they wouldn't work. I never had any blisters but I always wear them with Merino wool socks.
For walking the Camino in the winter when it rains a lot and on some routes, you can even get snow I can recommend Salomon GTX boots. These shoes are amazing for more challenging hiking routes and walking in bad weather conditions e.g. heavy rain or snow.
I compare different shoes on the Camino in this YouTube video.
Suggested shoes for men
Campbell currently has Merrell Moas shoes (men's version). He's done a couple of Camino routes and several coastal hikes in them. These shoes are a great; light, durable, relatively waterproof, comfortable, and have a good grip.
For off-season when you can get a lot of rain and occasional snow Campbell wears waterproof hiking boots Salomon Ultra 3 Mid GTX. They are very comfortable and light, stay dry for hours, and keep your feet warm especially if you wear merino wool socks.
3. Socks
We're big fans of Merino wool socks. We wear them always when we walk the Camino. I did a test run last year on the Spiritual Variant. I walked one day in Merino wool socks and one in synthetic hiking socks. I didn't get any blisters wearing the Merino socks and my feet didn't sweat though it was a hot and long walking day. I changed my synthetic hiking socks after 2 hours because my feet started chafing. I have 3 pairs of Danish Endurance socks that I've been using for the last 4 years.
Just like me Campbell always hikes and walks the Camino in Merino woold socks.
We like the Merino wool socks so much that we even wrote a separate article on them.
10 essential items for your Camino packing list
These are the standard items that we usually pack for the Camino de Santiago. Some of them might be not necessary depending on the Camino route and your accommodation type. E.g. if you walk the Coastal Route or Litoral Way of the Portuguese Camino you won't need hiking poles when for the Camino Frances and Camino Primitivo they will be very helpful. If you stay in hotels you won't need a sleeping bag but if you stay in public albergues you'll need one.
1. Trekking pants
I usually walk in stretchy leggings the same I use for running and exercising. They are comfortable and light, stretch a lot, dry quickly, and take up little space. I always pack two pairs of pants. Some people prefer walking in hiking pants. I wear long pants/leggings even in summer for extra sum protection.
Campbell always walks in quick-dry hiking pants. For summer you can bring a pair of long trekking pants and a pair of hiking shorts or as an option buy a pair of convertible pants with zip-off legs.
2. Hiking shirt
Depending on what you prefer to wear for hiking it can be a long-sleeve top or a running T-shirt. I usually pack two running tops; one long sleeves and one short-sleeve. Even for walking in summer wearing a thin long-sleeve top is good for extra sun protection.
Campbell usually wears a hiking shirt or running T-shirt on the Camino. They’re great; light, comfortable, breathing, dry very quickly, and easy to wash. Pack two shirts.
Walking in summer always apply sunscreen on open areas of your body.
3. Rain jacket or poncho
I suggest packing either one. In Northern Spain, it rains quite a lot throughout the year. If you walk in July or August the chances of rain are smaller. We walked some shorter routes without having any rain. For spring/early fall you can get away with a rain poncho. For the rest of the year, a good waterproof jacket is a must-have.
Campbell usually packs his rain jacket for the Camino. In the peak summer months, you can get away without it but I still recommend bringing a rain poncho and a rain cover for your backpack.
4. Flip-flops
Flip-flops or any other comfortable footwear are a great item to pack for the Camino. It's an amazing feeling when after a long walking day you take off your hiking shoes and put on flip-flops. They're great to have for wearing in albergues, on the beach, and outside.
5. Headwear
For the summer months, it’s a must-have item. Most of the Camino routes go through open areas without any shade, so you will have to protect your head. I don't like hats and prefer walking in a cap.
A hat works better for sun protection as it covers your neck as well. Sunglasses are another useful item to add to your Camino packing list.
6. Quick-dry towel
A quick-dry towel is a useful item to add to your Camino packing list. It is very light, packs small, dries quickly (as you can guess from the name), durable, and come in many different colors. If you stay in hotels you get towels but most albergues don't provide them or you have to pay extra.
7. Sleeping bag
In our experience, most albergues provide blankets but usually, without covers, I prefer to use my sleeping bag, and if it's cold I use it with a blanket. A light sleeping bag with a comfort temperature limit of +12°C/55°F will be good for sleeping indoors even in winter.
If you walk the Camino in summer, you can pack a silk liner instead. We walked a couple of Camino routes in July and often it was too hot at night to use a sleeping bag.
If you plan to stay in hotels you don't need to carry a sleeping bag or liner, all hotels and guesthouses provide blankets and bedding.
8. Water bottle
We prefer carrying a reusable water bottle over buying plastic bottles every day. Tap water in Spain and Portugal is usually fine to drink. I didn't drink tap water in the Meseta part of the Camino Frances as I heard from other pilgrims that they had stomach issues after drinking tap water there.
9. Headlamp
Having a headlamp on the Camino is very useful if you're planning to stay in albergues. The lights are usually turned off quite early so if you want to read or find something in your backpack you can use a headlamp. You'll need it in the mornings if you start walking very early in the dark.
10. Trekking poles
We use trekking poles a lot for hiking in the mountains. For walking the Camino we don't usually take them but I know many pilgrims do. Trekking poles are great if you have knee or hip problems, shin splint, etc. They help a lot to reduce stress on joints. We used them on some routes with many ascents and descents e.g. the Camino Primitivo, Camino de San Salvador, or Camino de Gran Canaria.
Other useful items to pack for the Camino
2-3 of pairs of underwear.
A change of clothes (for sleeping/wearing in albergues).
A fleece. It's always nice to have a soft and warm fleece. Even in summer if you start walking early it might be a bit chilly.
A neck bag. You can carry your documents and valuables in a neck bag.
A travel lock. Some albergues have lockers but don’t have locks if you want to lock your valuables pack a travel lock.
Toiletries. Your normal stuff that you usually take traveling but in smaller containers.
First aid kit. You can buy a ready-made kit, take out some unnecessary stuff, and add whatever extra you need.
A Credential (Camino passport) is a small paper book with your name where you collect stamps from albergues, hotels, churches, restaurants, etc. along the way. You need it to stay at public albergues and to get your Compostela certificate in Santiago.
A book or Kindle. You usually have time for reading in the evening.
Do you want to read something fun or interesting about the Camino? Campbell just finished reading a whole bunch of novels that playoff on the Camino. See our reviews of some of the Top Novels on the Camino de Santiago. Some of them are fun, some of them are interesting and some of them are strange.
If you need practical information for planning the pilgrimage check out our post that contains useful tips for planning and walking the Camino.
Camino de Santiago planning resources
- Learn more about the Camino | A detailed guide to the Camino de Santiago |
- Calculate your estimated Camino budget | The cost of walking the Camino de Santiago |
- More packing tips for the Camino de Santiago | Camino de Santiago: To Walk Far, Carry Less |
- What are the origins of the Way of St.James? | History of the Camino |
Questions or Comments?
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
Hi Campbell and Alya. Thanks for the wonderful blog - it's truly a marvellous resource in an age of endless cat videos and where the US President seeks advice from Kanye West.
I'm flying from Australia to do the Portuguese Coastal way in October 2019 and am seeking your views on whether you think it would be difficult to do it with a 30L backpack, noting that I will bring a sleeping bag.
Many thanks in advance for your help, cheers, Chris
Hi, Chris! Thank you for the comment! We're glad you've found it helpful! Your backpack might be quite packed but I believe it's possible if you don't take extra stuff. I'm currently walking with a 40l pack carrying a sleeping bag and a laptop and there is still quite a lot of space, I guess if it wasn't for the laptop I would be able to pack everything into a 30l backpack. If your sleeping bag doesn't fit in you can always attach it from the outside you'll just need a bigger rain cover to keep it dry in case of rain.
Enjoy the Camino!
Hi I am planning to do the Portuguese Coastal , starting early June 2020. Could you please let me know where you got your credential in south Africa. (I live in Johannesburg.
Many thanks
Lexie
Hello Lexie, you can contact Andrée Lombard, chairperson of Confraternity St James of South Africa (CSJofSA). Telephone and email on their website https://www.csjofsa.za.org/ Andrée has been so helpful, they also supply members walking the Camino with the appropriate letter required for visa application.
Hi. Thanks for all the details. Amazing post.
I am doing the Camino Primitivo at the beginning of April. Any special recommendation, based on your previous experience?
Hello, Almir! Thank you for the comment! For the Primitivo, I'd definitely recommend having a rain poncho, good waterproof shoes and a backpack cover, in the mountains in Asturias it might rain quite a bit in April, there might be even snow on some parts of the Camino. We walked it in June and at least half of the time it rained but you might be lucky and got no rain at all just be prepared in case you do.
Buen Camino!
Hey, there!
Great info!
I'm planning on hiking the Camino Del Norte Sept-Oct. What city do you recommend flying into(coming from United States) to begin the hike?
Hello, Michael! Thank you for the comment! You can fly either to Barcelona or Madrid there are direct buses from both cities. We flew to Barcelona and from there took a bus to Irun (the starting point of the Camino del Norte).
Cheers!
Hello,
I am planning on walking the Camino Portugues from Porto (probably on the coast to Caminha, then on the central route) and I am wondering if I should bother with trekking poles. I live in the Alps and use them here but there is so little evelation there that I am wondering if I should. What do you think? Thank you.
Hello, Valerie! If you use hiking poles only for ascends and descends you will be fine without them on the Portuguese Camino as you said the inclination on the route is close to 0, plus most of the time you walk on asphalt or boardwalks it won't be slippery if it rains. Still, many people use them for different reasons (extra stability, to improve the posture when walking with a backpack, etc.). We didn't have poles on the Portuguese Camino and didn't feel like we needed them but t's a personal choice, we use them exclusively in the mountains.
Buen Camino!
What a great blog. I am planning to complete one of the routes late September/October, so weighing up my options. One factor that I can't seem to find you covering is where there is availability of portage/backpack transfer as I am no longer able to carry the weight due to loss of cartilage in my inner knee joints. Any tips?
Best wishes,
Jacqui
Hello, Jacqui! Thank you very much for the comment! We cover backpack transfer service in all the posts about specific Camino routes not in this post. You can arrange backpack delivery on any Camin route, it usually costs 5-6 Euro per backpack per day. From what we've seen many pilgrims use Correos service (Spanish post). Once you decide on the route you can enquire on their site the estimated cost for the whole route or per stage. We've never used it but know many people who did.
Buen Camino!
Much enjoy your helpful site. Will be going on Portuguese Camino del Mar ! August.
Roberto de Madrid
Hello, Robert! Thank you for the comment! Buen Camino!
A good, well put together blog. A comment on Travel Insurance with World Nomads - I just found out that it is only available to those under 65 years of age. I was 66 a few weeks ago! C'est la vie as they say in St Jean PdP.
Ciao ti scrivo dall'Italia e partirò per il cammino da Porto, mi piacerebbe fare la via costiera ma ho solo 8 giorni di cammino.
Posso farcela? O mi conviene fare la via centrale?
Grazie del blog...mi consigli una buona app con mappe.
Grazie!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello, Cinzia! Thank you for the comment! Whichever route you choose 8 days it's not much time to complete the route. The Central route is shorter, about 260 km, if you want to walk the whole route you'll have to walk more than 30 km a day. If you walk the Coastal Route your daily distance will be about 35 km. I don't know if you personally can walk that far every day or not. As an option, you can start in Porto walk either route and somewhere in the middle take a bus to skip a couple of stages and then continue walking. Just remember to get the Compostela you have to walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago de Compostela.
Buen Camino!
Hi I’m preparing to walk the Coastal route on 19 June aiming to do 20/25kms a day. Where do I find lists of Albergues en route so I can book ahead somewhat.
Hello, Perry! If you open our post "Portuguese Camino Coastal Route" at the end of each day you'll find a list of suggested accommodation options for that day. Keep n mind that you can book only private albergues, hostels and hotels, public albergues (the most budget accommodation on the Camino) can't be booked in advance, they work on the principle "first come first served".
Buen Camino!
Hi, thank you for a very detailed article! I am doing a small part of this hike in September this year as i am not able to start with my friends from Porto. Do you know if it is possible to start walking this route from Tai, ending in Santiago de Compostelo? If so do i purchase the Camino passport in Tai or do my friends get it for me in Porto? And if not, can i still do the hike without this just for the fun of it? Hope to hear from you soon.
Hello, Chantelle! Many people start walking the Portuguese Camino from Tui based on this I guess you'll be able to get a Credential (Camino passport) there, at the cathedral or in one of the albergues. You can walk the Camino without it but you won't be able to stay in public albergues though private albergues and hotels on the way don't require it, and you won't get the Compostela (Certificate confirming you walked the Camino) in Santiago without it. By the way, we got both our Credentials in South Africa beforehand.
Buen Camino!
You anwsered to all I wanted to know! 🙂 You are great, thank you!
Hello, Iva! Thank you very much for the feedback! We're glad the post was helpful!
Buen Camino!
Hi there
Thank you so much for such a lovely site.
I am hoping to do 3 weeks of Camino solo as a thirty year old woman.
Which route and Stratton point has the nicest views, atmosphere and warmest weather for the month of June? How many km a day did you walk? If I have three weeks should where should I start?
Thank you very much
Stephanie
Hello, Stephanie! Thank you for the comment! Based on what you say I think The Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino might be the best option for you. If you start in Porto it'll take between 12 and 14 days to walk to Santiago. In June it's nice and warm in Portugal, we walked this route in May and it was very warm. From Santiago you can continue and walk to Finisterre and Muxia, it's a short extension of the Camino that takes you to what was considered "the end of the world" in old time. It'll take you about 4-5 days. In total you'll be walking for about 3 weeks. On the Coastal route we walked 20-25 km a day, not very long stage. Hopefully it'll help you to decide!
Buen Camino!
Thanks for the info... My 17 yr old son will be going this July with a small group of kids from his HS... he is looking forward to the journey but your blog helps with providing some of the details he needs to have a successful trip.... thanks
Hello, Jaime! Thank you for the feedback! I'm sure your son and his mates will enjoy the walk, it's a great experience!
Beun Camino!
You anwsered to all I wanted to know! 🙂 You are great, thank you!
Hi Stingy Nomads
I loved your blog and I am literally using it as my main guide to plan my camino de santiago that I am planning to start in about 10 days! It was in my traveling pipeline for a long time and finally, I reelly feel it's a good time for me to do it now.
I choose the litoral portuguese camino because I love the view of the sea and don't want a crowded route even tough I am a woman and traveling alone.
I have several questions for you and thank you in advance fo replies:
1- I thought I would do only 7 days; in this case, which step would you recommend me to skip (doing it by bus or train)?
2- I thought using the backpack transfer as I am not sure I can walk with heavy bag but do I need to reserve the transfer ahead of time or can I do it while on the camino (as I have not yet reserved any albergues)?
3- What do you think of the availability of public albergues during this period; May 25- June 8? 4- You probably know of "couchsurfing", do you think I can use it on the camino?
Thank you so much for your blog and for helping...
All the best,
Aliya
(You are Alya and I am Aliya!)
Hi, again! What a coincidence with our names! My name is actually spelled with "i" sometimes). I guess I answered your first question in reply for your comment on the Packing list for the Camino.
Regarding backpack transfer I'm sure you can arrange it on the way I would just recommend to contact one of the companies beforehand to find out some details. As I know the delivery can be arranged only between private albergues/hotstels/hotels not between public albergues. I guess the main reason is because you can't book public albergues in advanced they work on principle first come first serve, plus I guess they don't want to take responsibility for somebody's luggage as most of the times public albergues are run by volunteers. I would recommend to pack really light you don't need much stuff for a 7-day walk just a couple of clothing items and toiletries, I'm sure you can fit it into a 30l backpack.
As for availability of public albergues we walked this route about the same time the end of May and never had a problem with finding beds in public albergues. We do know couchsurfing but never used it for the Camino logistically it's quite difficult to find a host exactly on the route as most of the time you stay in small towns I'm not sure how many people who live in those place are in couchsurfing.
Enjoy the Camino!
What an awesome website. I look forward to learning more about your travels. I think I've been bitten by the adventure bug so this website will no doubt give me some great tips! thanks
I'm leaving early May walking the Portugues Way from Lisbon. I'm time poor and will bus to Fatima then bus to Coimbra, walking then to Porto where I'll meet with my daughter and together continue onto Santiago de Compostela. I'm very excited! Thank you very much indeed for your comprehensive advice; I've been paining over clothes and reading where less is better. Great to learn from someone who's walked the trail!
Hello, Jen! Thank you for the comment! Hope you'll enjoy the Portuguese Camino! We walked it in May as well and it was beautiful, many flowers and trees in blossom.
Buen Camino!
Hello! Thank you for detailed description! I found this text very useful! I'm going in two weks on Camino. My wife and me will start in Pamplona. Could you please write me where in Pamplona can I get first credential for Camino.
Hello, Ivan! We have never been to Pamplona (we walked other Camino routes not the French one) but I know that many people start walking the Camino Frances there from our experience I can say that you should be able to get your Credential at one of the albergues (public or private) or at the cathedral in Pamplona, sometimes Tourism information offices sell Credentials as well.
Buen Camino!
Thank you for writing this blog, it is really insightful and inspiring! I do have a question though: My sister and I are planning to walk the Camino Coastal Route from Porto Portugal to Santiago. Where in Porto would we get the Credential? Am I understanding correctly it has the different alburgues listed to stop at?
Hello, Robin! Thank you for the comment! You must be able to get the Credential at Se cathedral (where the walk starts) or at one of the listed albergues in Porto, many albergues on the way sell it as well so if you don't get it before the walk you can still get it on the first day. I remember on the way out of Porto (if following the Senda Litoral) there wad an information center where you can get a stamp I think they might sell Credentials as well. You won't miss it it says "Get stamps here" or something like this.
Buen Camino!
Thank you so much. First time I found all the info in one place
Hello, Marieta! Thank you very much for your comment! We're glad our post was helpful!
Buen Camino!