The Essential Camino de Santiago Packing List
Walking at sunrise after passing Cruz de Ferro
One of the most important ways you can prepare to walk the Camino de Santiago is by packing well. You want to keep your backpack light while also being prepared for some of the most common obstacles you will face along the Way.
Pack Weight
When preparing for my Camino, I read that a good goal is for your pack to weigh about 10% of your body weight, but it should definitely be no more than 20 lbs or ~9 kg.
My sister and I had a hard time meeting the 10% goal. Our backpacks each weighed around 16 lbs or ~7 kg (without water) at the time we left. As we started walking, we realized we could do without a few things so we mailed them ahead to Santiago de Compostela.
Losing a pound or two from our packs made a world of a difference for us. My hips didn’t ache as much, and my feet felt better once I got rid of that weight.
Be prudent when developing your packing list. Every ounce matters!
Summer Camino Packing List
Below is everything I brought with me when I walked the Camino Francés in the summer. I noted what I would have packed more of, what else I wish I had brought, and what I wouldn’t bring again.
Jump to a specific packing category:
Alto del Perdón, just past Pamplona
MAIN GEAR
30 - 40L Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover
Key Point: Get properly fitted and don’t buy a backpack that you will be tempted to overpack.
Your hiking backpack is one of the most important things to get right as far as Camino gear goes.
I used the Osprey Kyte 36 and absolutely loved it. My sister used the Gregory Jade 38. These were great sized backpacks that allowed us to fit everything we needed without overpacking.
I suggest finding your backpack at REI or another reputable outdoor store with experts who can fit you. Based on the length of your torso, your backpack length will change so that the hip, chest, and shoulder straps fit properly. The people fitting you can also load up the backpack with weight so that you can get a sense of how it will fit when it’s actually packed with your Camino weight.
We both chose to buy our backpacks at REI because of its 100% satisfaction guarantee, which meant we were allowed to take home our gear, test it out on practice walks, and return it if it didn’t work for us.
The rain covers came with our backpacks and were absolutely essential for rainy days on the Camino.
Would I take it again? Yes, I loved my backpack!
Trekking Poles & Rubber Tips for Poles
Key Point: Buy them when you get to Europe unless you’re checking your pack and please please please buy the rubber tips so that you aren’t clicking the pavement the whole Camino.
Only bring trekking poles with you if you plan on checking your bag! Airports are way too unpredictable when it comes to what they will confiscate from carry-ons at security. If you’re just doing a carry-on, buy them in Europe and donate them at the end of your pilgrimage.
We bought our trekking poles at Decathlon in Paris at the beginning of our trip. We decided to buy them in Paris because I wasn’t sure how well-stocked the Camino stores in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (SJPP) would be.
Sidenote: Decathlon is a budget sporting goods store in almost every major city in France and Spain. It will be one of your best friends if you need to replace gear along the Camino. I ended up buying new insoles for my shoes at a Decathlon a week into my walk.
When we arrived in SJPP, we both bought rubber tips for our trekking poles. A decent amount of the Camino is on paved roads, so this prevents the constant clicking and scraping of the metal ends. Please do your fellow pilgrims a favor and buy the rubber ends. They aren’t that expensive and will make you 100% less annoying to those you walk with.
If doing the Camino Francés again, I would just buy the trekking poles in SJPP to avoid traveling down from Paris with them.
Would I use them again? Yes, they were so helpful on some of the hardest days on the Camino and kept my arms moving to improve circulation and avoid swollen hands and fingers.
Waist Pack
Key Point: Gives you easy access to some of your daily essentials while you’re walking and acts as a small purse or bag when you’re exploring cities or towns in the evening.
I wore a small Eddie Bauer waistpack around my waist while walking the Camino. It was great for easy access to things I needed throughout the day and things I wanted to keep close to me even if I had my backpack off.
I would then convert it to a small crossbody bag when exploring cities or towns in the evening.
Here is everything I kept in my waistpack:
Passport
Pilgrim credential
COVID vaccine card
Phone
Headphones
Map of the day’s walk ripped from John Brierly’s guide
Small card holder with credit cards and cash
Travel-size face sunscreen for reapplying regularly
Small print out of daily psalms to meditate on
Hand sanitizer
Chapstick with SPF
Would I take it again? Yes, I think it was essential!
Headlamp
Key Point: Great for early-morning starts.
Bringing a headlamp is essential because you may start walking before sunrise to beat the summer heat on many days. It also ensures that you are very visible to cars if walking along roads in the early morning.
A headlamp with a red light setting is also great for getting your stuff ready in the dark while minimizing how much you disturb your fellow pilgrims in the albergues. The red light isn’t as harsh as your phone flashlight is!
Would I take it again? Yes
Stuffable Compression Backpack
Key Point: You could probably do without it, especially if you don’t plan on traveling before or after the Camino. Or you could buy a cheap one at the end of the Camino.
I have a 20L stuffable Eddie Bauer backpack that I have used on short hikes for years. I packed it thinking it would be useful to have a backpack smaller than our hiking packs should we need it for exploring cities.
I didn’t use it until we took a day trip to Costa da Morte from Santiago after finishing the Camino. Then I filled it up with gifts and souvenirs we bought for our family and friends.
Since I didn’t use it until the end of the trip, I could have just bought a bag after finishing the Camino instead of carrying it the whole time.
Would I take it again? No, I probably would have just bought a cheap bag at Decathlon or somewhere else to take on my post-Camino day trips.
Water Bottle
Key Point: Bring a water bottle that can fit a good amount of water and is light but sturdy!
I brought a 32-oz wide mouth Nalgene water bottle. It was the perfect size, holding enough water to get me between towns while also not being too heavy. I never ran out of water—though I notoriously am bad at staying hydrated, so take my water advice with a grain of salt.
In the name of light packing, some people just refill the thin plastic water bottles you buy at convenience stores. I personally thought it was worth the weight to have a thicker, BPA-free reusable water bottle; I didn’t love the idea of drinking from those thinner bottles after that plastic sat in the hot sun all day.
Would I take it again? Yes
Roll-up Water Pouches
Key Point: I brought these as back-ups in case I needed more water and never used them.
I bought these roll-up water pouches thinking they would be a good way to carry extra water on super hot days, especially while walking across the notoriously sunny and shade-free Meseta.
We walked the Camino mid-May through mid-June, and, besides a brief heat wave during our very first week, we didn’t encounter too many unbearably hot days. I never ran out of water from my Nalgene or felt the need to fill up an extra pouch.
Again, this is coming from someone who isn’t necessarily the best at staying hydrated, but I think there are enough water fountains along the Way to keep you going without these pouches. You may also reconsider if you’re walking during peak summer (June - August).
Would I take them again? No
My Eddie Bauer waist pack
My Nalgene water bottle, roll-up water pouch, stuffable backpack, headlamp, a dry bag, spork, shoelace, and reflective armband
FOOTWEAR
Altra Lone Peak Trail Runners
Key Point: Loved going with a trail runner for May/June Camino, loved the Altras brand, buy a better insole from the start if you need arch support!
Your walking shoes are the most important thing to get right when buying gear. Your feet will make or break your Camino.
If walking the Camino in the summer, I would definitely go with a trail runner. They are super lightweight and comfortable. Because most of the Camino is really just walking rather than intense hiking, you don’t need the support of a heavy hiking boot or shoe unless you know your foot has particular needs.
I tried on a ton of shoes at REI and actually bought two different pairs to test out. I ended up returning the Brooks that I bought because they were nowhere near as comfortable for my feet as the Altras.
I had a love/hate relationship with my Altra Lone Peak trail runners.
PROS:
They were so lightweight.
The toe boxes of Altras were very wide, so my toes weren't crammed together while walking all day.
They were breathable and didn’t make my feet too hot.
They dry pretty quickly after getting wet.
They really didn’t take any time to “break-in.”
I DIDN’T GET A SINGLE BLISTER on any walks before my trip or during the Camino.
CONS:
They had little arch support and were zero-drop, meaning the heel isn’t raised any higher than the toes (mimicking how feet are barefoot)
They were not waterproof (though waterproof shoes will also keep moisture trapped in, leading to very hot, sweaty feet while walking in the heat of summer)
How I combatted the CONS:
I determined that it was more important for my foot to not get too hot than to stay completely dry during a rainstorm. My feet ended up only getting soaked once on the Camino.
I swapped out the insoles a couple of times while walking until I found the right amount of arch support for me. I wish I had found better insoles before starting the Camino because the damage I did to my feet the first day over the Pyrenees took a while to heal from as I walked, even with my new insoles.
My sister ended up with a pair of Oboz hiking shoes, which are waterproof but a bit heavier than my Altras. While she did get a few blisters towards the end of the Camino, she loved her choice of walking footwear.
Would I wear Altras trail runners again? Yes, though I would definitely swap out the insoles from the start or try on a different style that has more support in the sole. You can’t beat the wide toe box and the fact that I didn’t get any blisters, which has made me loyal to the brand!
Birkenstocks
Key Point: Birkenstocks are great for walking around cities in the evening, but I would bring a more comfortable hiking sandal that you could wear on the Camino to give your feet a break from your trail runners or hiking shoes.
I have a pair of Mayari Birkenstocks that I have worn all around Greece, Italy, and (now) Spain. They are awesome, supportive sandals, perfect for walking around cities in the summer.
The one downside is that they aren’t hiking sandals. On days when my feet were killing me in my trail runners (because I hadn’t found insoles that worked yet), I wished I had brought my Chacos so that I could have walked in those.
Would I bring them again? No, I would swap them out for a hiking sandal like Chacos or Tevas that I could wear both on the trail and in the cities in the evening.
Shower Shoes
Key Point: Buy a cheap pair and trash them at the end.
You’re going to be in albergues with hundreds of other pilgrims for weeks on end. Do your feet a favor and buy a cheap pair of plastic flip-flops that you can wear in the showers and then throw out at the end of your Camino.
I also brought a gallon-size plastic bag to keep my shower shoes in while they were packed in my hiking backpack. I didn’t want whatever bacteria those things were collecting to get all over my clothes and toiletries.
Would I bring them again? Yes, absolutely essential
Merino Wool Hiking Socks (2 pairs)
Key Point: You’re wearing these socks all day every day, so invest in a few pairs of good Merino wool hiking socks.
You’re going to be wearing these socks pretty much all day every day for weeks. Invest in a few good pairs.
Merino wool socks are recommended for a ton of reasons. They are breathable, moisture wicking, odor resistant, and do a good job at keeping your feet either cool or warm, depending on what you need.
I bought a couple of pairs of merino wool socks from REI, and they were great on the Camino. I’ll be honest, on a practice walk I wore them without the silk liner underneath, and they were a little itchy (apparently very odd for merino wool socks, which are supposed to be notoriously soft and comfortable). But on the Camino I was wearing them with silk sock liners underneath, so that didn’t matter much to me.
There are a ton of options for merino wool socks out there, so shop around to find what you like.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Sock Liners (2 pairs)
Key Point: Wearing sock liners under your Merino wool hiking socks will save your feet from blisters.
When doing research on Camino foot care, I saw so many people swear by the two-sock method.
By wearing a pair of sock liners under your Merino wool hiking socks, the wool socks will rub against the liner instead of your skin, decreasing your chance of getting blisters. The liner apparently also helps wick moisture away from the foot.
I wore my sock liners every day, and I never got a single blister in the 490+ miles (790+ km) I walked.
Would I bring them again? Yes, but I might bring three pairs.
My Altra Lone Peaks, insoles, shower shoes, Birkenstocks, Merino wool socks, and silk liners
CLOTHES
Leggings (1)
I brought one pair of leggings and never wore them while walking. We had a heat wave during our first week, so I actually shipped them ahead to Santiago once I got to Logroño. I wish I had kept them with me to sleep in during some colder nights towards the end of the Camino. But I don’t think I would have ever walked in them.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Shorts (2)
Out of my two pairs of shorts, I preferred the Nike running shorts to the Patagonia hiking shorts because the Nikes had long, built-in compression shorts that helped prevent chafing. I would definitely take two pairs of shorts with the compression shorts built in.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Long-sleeve shirt (1)
Oftentimes I would wear my merino wool long-sleeve shirt over one of my short-sleeve shirts in the morning while it was still a bit cool outside. It was also great for added sun protection on my arms or for a cozier shirt to wear in the evenings.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Short-sleeve shirt (2)
I bought two merino wool short-sleeve shirts and wore them every day on the Camino. They held up so well!
Would I bring them again? Yes
Dress (1)
Key Point: Yes, great for exploring cities and attending Mass.
I had a light-weight long-sleeve linen dress that was perfect for attending Mass and exploring the bigger cities. As a practicing Catholic, I wanted to have a modest dress for attending Church because Mass is where I worship God in a sacred space and receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
Europeans are also known for having a more elevated style than Americans. You won’t see them walking around in leggings and t-shirts. So it was good to have something nicer than my walking clothes to wear while exploring cities like Burgos and León. Let’s be honest, the walking clothes get pretty gross after just a few days of walking and hand washing them.
The dress I bought for the Camino has turned into one of my favorite dresses, and I still wear it all the time, especially when traveling during the warmer months.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Spandex shorts (1)
I wore them under my dress, and they also came in handy to wear under my Patagonia shorts to help with chafing.
Would I take them again? Yes
Sports bras (2)
You’re never doing anything too high intensity on the Camino, so focus on bringing a comfortable and mildly supportive sports bra.
I brought two, but wish I’d brought three! There are some days you just really won’t feel like doing laundry. While it may be a little bit gross to re-wear a dirty t-shirt and pair of shorts, I did it. But I never wanted to re-wear a sports bra that I had been sweating in the entire day before, so it would have been nice to have a third one to throw into the rotation.
Would I bring them again? Yes, but I would pack three.
Underwear (3)
Same goes for underwear. I brought three but wished I had packed four.
Would I bring them again? Yes, but I’d pack four pairs.
Fleece quarter-zip (1)
The Patagonia quarter-zip was one of the things I shipped ahead to cut down on pack weight and size. It would have been nice to have on some of the colder nights, but I never would have needed it while walking.
Would I bring it again? I would try to find a lighter and more compressible quarter-zip. This one was too bulky.
Light rain jacket (1)
I brought a very lightweight and thin Columbia rain jacket. This jacket was water resistant, not completely waterproof, meaning it was perfect for drizzly days, but for heavy rain, it wouldn’t have held up. For 90% of the time I needed rain protection, this jacket sufficed. But we also were lucky and did not get too much rain.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Poncho
For heavy rain storms, my poncho was the way to go because it was completely waterproof and covered most of my body AND my entire backpack. Even though I only had to bring it out one time, it was definitely worth bringing!
Would I bring it again? Yes
My two pairs of shorts and leggings
All of the tops I brought on the Camino
My dress and Nike spandex
My poncho, rain jacket, and fleece quarter-zip
SUN PROTECTION
Buff
Key Point: Works as a headband, sweatband, or sun protection for your neck.
I brought a buff that I wore every day on the Camino. It was great as a headband in the early morning. Once it got sunny, I put on my baseball cap and wore my buff around my neck as a form of extra sun protection.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Hat
Key Point: Sun protection is super important, so make sure you have something to cover your head along the Way.
I knew I wanted to have some type of hat for the Camino to protect my scalp and face from the sun. I debated between a bucket hat and a baseball cap and ended up going with the cap. It was more my style and a little less clunky.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Sunglasses
While on the subject of sun protection, make sure you protect those eyes.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Sunscreen (Face & Body)
Sunscreen is absolutely essential. You will want to apply it every morning before you leave and reapply at least every couple of hours. Even if it doesn’t feel hot, reapply that sunscreen!
I used mineral sunscreen on my face because that skin is more sensitive. While I don’t love chemical sunscreen, I used up one that I already had for my arms and legs, and then we bought more along the Camino when we ran out.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Chapstick (with SPF)
Speaking of sun protection, make sure your chapstick has SPF in it to protect your lips.
Would I bring it again? Yes
All of my sun gear: baseball cap. sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and buff
TOILETRIES & FIRST AID
Hangable Plastic Shower Bag
Key Point: Bring a waterproof shower bag that you can hang and not have to put on gross shower floors.
I have an REI shower-roll toiletry bag, and the bottom panel is detachable. I took off the bottom plastic pouch and used it to store my shower items: shampoo bar, conditioner bar, soap bar, and razor.
One of the best pieces of advice I saw when preparing for the Camino is to have a shower bag that you can hang so that your stuff never has to touch a disgusting shower floor. I brought a couple S hooks and used them to hang this bag on the shower rods or doors in albergue showers.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Razor
While I wasn’t the most diligent about shaving on the Camino, I definitely was not going to go weeks without shaving. That’s just not my style.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Shampoo Bar, Conditioner Bar, and Soap Bar
Some people can do an all-in-one bar, but my hair needed something more.
Would I take them again? Yes, for the shampoo and soap bars. I might take a travel-sized liquid conditioner if walking again.
Microfiber Travel Towels
I have used microfiber travel towels for years! I brought one large towel for my body and a smaller one for my hair. They are so compact and one of my essential travel accessories.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Ziploc Bag as Toiletry Bag
It’s not cute, but it’s lightweight and functional.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Vaseline
Great for dry skin, especially areas where you are getting chafing.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Deodorant
I brought a couple travel-size deodorants. You can always bring one and buy more if you run out.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Eye drops
I have had LASIK, so my eyes can get a bit dry by the end of the day. A small eye drop bottle came in handy!
Would I bring it again? Yes
Hand sanitizer
Great to have, especially if you can’t wash your hands before eating along the Way.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Travel Toothbrush, Toothpaste, and Floss
I brought all the essential dental care products!
Would I bring them again? Yes
Face Wash
Bring a travel-size face wash. You’ll want to clean your face from all the sweat, dirt, and sunscreen that will be on your face at the end of every day. I’m all about using clean, non-toxic products for my everyday skincare, so I put some of my Beautycounter counterstart cococream cleanser in a travel-size container for the camino.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Moisturizer
I wasn’t going to let the Camino keep me from some basic skincare. Bringing moisturizer helped keep my skin hydrated while walking in the sun all day. I use Beautycounter’s countermatch adaptive moisture lotion.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Makeup
I never wore makeup while walking, but for exploring cities, it was nice to have concealer and an eyebrow pencil to freshen up my face.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Travel Hairbrush
I have a tiny foldable travel brush that also has a compact mirror. Both the mirror and the brush were nice to have.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Nail Clippers
Depending on how long you’re on the Camino, you will need to clip your fingernails and toenails. Clippers are also great in a pinch for cutting through some things.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Hair Ties
While they are primarily for hair, I also used them to keep a bag of cashews that I bought at a convenience store closed.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Tissues
I brought a pack of travel tissues and used them all within the first week when my allergies acted up.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Period Products
I brought tampons, pads, and some daily liners. You can definitely buy more stuff as needed while on the Camino, but if you’re particular about what you like to use, just bring it!
Would I bring them again? Yes
½ Roll Toilet Paper
I read that you should always carry some toilet paper to be prepared for bathroom emergencies along the Camino. My sister and I never needed to use it for that purpose, but remember to pack whatever toilet paper you do use to keep the Camino clean and safe for all other pilgrims.
I actually kept having to replenish the toilet paper I carried because I used them as tissues so often while walking.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Face masks
Key Point: I had to bring these because of COVID restrictions when I walked. I hope you don’t have to!
When I walked the Camino, France and Spain still had some COVID restrictions. They required masks on all public transportation, so we brought a couple reusable masks. Hopefully, I will never have to use them again!
Would I bring them again? I hope not.
FIRST-AID KIT
Key Point: Bring all the first-aid basics and any prescribed medication. Learn from my mistakes, and don’t forget allergy medicine! You can also find almost anything you forget or run out of at Spanish pharmacies.
Bridget and I split a first-aid kit, which was great for packing efficiency. I would bring everything that we had in our first-aid kit were we to walk again. We did not bring seasonal allergy medicine, but I would bring that if we were walking again. More on my allergy experience below!
Supplies in a first-aid kit:
Band-Aids
Mole skin Pads
Gauze
Pre-Wrap
Sports Tape
Safety Pins
Ibuprofen
Benadryl
Neosporin
Compeed
Melatonin
Imodium
Any Prescription Meds
Small Sewing Kit
Seasonal Allergy Meds
I usually don’t have very bad allergies in the summer, but something was blooming in Spain when I walked the Camino.
My allergies got me bad—not once, but twice! I was an absolute mess at the beginning of the Camino; pollen was everywhere. Then when we made it to Galicia towards the end, they started acting up again.
At home in the USA, I use Zyrtec. The ingredient in them that helps with allergies is Cetirizine HCI. I was able to go to a pharmacy in Spain and ask the pharmacists for “un antihistamínico.” They gave me something that helped!
Just know that there aren’t over-the-counter medicines in Spain, so you will have to ask a pharmacist for any type of medication you want.
Would I take it if I walked again? Yes, absolutely essential
My shower bag with an S hook, travel towels, soap, shampoo/conditioner bars, and a razor
All my basic toiletries: minimal makeup, travel brush, hair ties, eye drops, face wash, moisturizer, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss
LAUNDRY
Laundry Bar
I brought a laundry bar to scrub areas that needed some extra care when washing (underarms area of shirts, socks, underwear, etc.).
Would I bring it again? Yes
Laundry Strips
I also brought a pack of Sea to Summit Trek & Travel Pocket Laundry Wash, which contained 50 little laundry detergent leaves. I wouldn’t bring this product again. I felt like I had to use 3-4 leaves for the water to even look a little soapy, and they were not effective in actually cleaning my clothes.
My sister found a tube of travel laundry soap at a convenience store along the Way that worked WAY better (pun intended).
Would I bring it again? No, I would buy tubes of travel laundry soap at convenience stores along the Camino as needed.
20L Osprey Dry Bag
Instead of using my 20L Osprey dry bag to keep water out, I used it as a tub to keep water in and wash my clothes! It definitely came in handy for laundry when the albergue laundry station was less than ideal. Not every place has a good setup for doing laundry. Sometimes your only choice is to wash clothes in the same sink where people brush their teeth and wash their hands. In those cases, I used my dry bags as my laundry tub!
Would I bring it again? Yes
Clothesline
I brought a portable clothesline with me. While I didn’t have to use it very often on the actual Camino, it was great to have when staying at budget hotels where I was doing my own laundry before and after the Camino.
Would I bring it again? Probably yes, but if I really needed to cut down on pack weight, I could do without it.
Safety Pins / Clothespins
Not every albergue has enough clothespins, and on a windy day, you’ll definitely want to secure your clothes on the line so that they don’t blow away. Clothespins (or safety pins for a lighter, more compact option) are great to have.
Safety pins are also great for pinning wool socks that aren’t quite dry yet to your backpack while you walk.
Would I bring them again? Yes, absolutely
My laundry dry bag, clothesline, and laundry soap
SLEEPING
Sleeping Liner
Key Point: A sleeping bag liner is a great option for the summer; treat it with permethrin to help avoid bed bugs.
Because we walked the Camino during the summer, we were okay with just bringing sleeping liners instead of sleeping bags.
That being said, there were still some chilly nights on the Camino. You should be okay if you wear pants/leggings and a fleece jacket while you sleep! Some albergues also have blankets you can use, though there’s no telling when they were last washed.
We treated our sleeping bag liners with permethrin before we left to help prevent picking up any bed bugs.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Ear Plugs
You’ll be sleeping in albergues with dozens of pilgrims every night. Ear plugs are essential to getting good sleep.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Eye Mask
Eye masks are also essential to getting good sleep in shared accommodations. And they’re great for falling asleep when it’s not quite dark yet; I went to sleep at 7pm one night because I was so tired.
Would I bring it again? Yes
My eye mask, earplugs, and sleeping bag liner
TECHNOLOGY
Phone
Your phone is going to be one of your most useful tools. I used it for maps, making albergue reservations through Camino apps, staying in touch with family and friends, and reading on the Kindle app.
You’ll have to figure out how you want to get cell service based on your phone plan! Luckily, I have T-Mobile, so my plan came with free international roaming. It was slow, but it did the trick!
Would I bring it again? Yes
Charging Cord
You’ll have to charge that phone somehow.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Adapter
Depending on where you are coming from, you’ll need a travel adapter. I chose a multiple USB wall charger because it allows up to four different devices to charge at once. Albergues will sometimes have limited outlets, so it’s nice to be able to share your charger with others!
Would I bring it again? Yes
Headphones
I really debated on whether or not I wanted to spend my Camino in silence or not. But I ended up bringing my headphones and listened to a lot of great music and audiobooks while walking. My sister and I would also use her airpods to listen to one of our favorite podcasts, the Bobby Bones Show, together at the end of our walking day.
I also brought a pair of headphones with cords for the plane rides to and from Europe. Worth it!
Would I bring it again? Yes
My tech: headphones, chargers, and travel adapters
BOOKS
Journal
I’m so glad I brought a journal with me. While it was one of the heavier items I packed (yours could be lighter depending on the type of journal you bring), I wrote at the end of every day and am so grateful I did.
My journal helped me process the journey and gave me a place to record little details, feelings, and insights that I would definitely have forgotten. I love re-reading my journal entries from when I was on the Camino.
Would I bring it again? Yes!
Guidebook
Like many other American pilgrims, I used John Brierly’s Camino Francés guide. It has a lot of good information to prepare you for your Camino and guides for every single stage of the journey.
I would rip out the map of my day’s walk and keep it in my waist pack for easy reference while walking. I also ripped and threw out pages once I had passed those locations to lighten my pack as I walked.
Would I bring it again? Yes, it was a great resource!
My journal and guidebook
DOCUMENTS
Pilgrim Credential
Your pilgrim credential is basically your passport into pilgrim-only albergues and proof that you completed the walk to get your official Camino Compostela (certificate) once you reach Santiago.
You can get one at a pilgrim’s office, some albergues, or the town hall at your starting point. I ordered mine ahead of time through American Pilgrims on the Camino and had it sent to my house a couple of weeks before I left.
Would I bring it again? Yes, it’s essential.
Passport / Form of Identification
You will obviously need your passport for international travel! Keep it on you at all times!
Would I bring it again? Yes, required!
License
I brought my driver’s license as a second form of identification. I never needed it, but it’s good to have a backup ID in case your passport goes missing.
Would I bring it again? Yes
COVID Vaccine Card
I had to bring my official COVID vaccine card to get into Europe. I hope you don’t have to!
Would I bring it again? Hopefully, not
Charles Schwab Debit Card
I have a Charles Schwab checking account that I use for withdrawing cash during all of my international travel. It’s great because it doesn’t charge you for ATM fees. You will need to carry cash with you for some of the more rural albergues and restaurants.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is my go-to card for racking up travel points. I buy pretty much everything with credit cards, treating them like debit cards though. Never buy anything with a credit card that you can’t pay cash for. Pay off the whole balance each month to avoid crazy interest rates and going into consumer debt.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Backup Debit/Credit Cards
It’s always good to have backup forms of payment in case you lose a card.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Travel Insurance
I never travel without travel insurance, but it is especially essential on the Camino. If you break your leg crossing the Pyrenees and need to be helicoptered out of there, you don’t want to be stuck with that entire bill. Depending on your policy, it will also cover things like delayed/canceled flights, lost luggage, stolen goods, etc.
Would I bring it again? Yes, very important
Copy of Passport, ID, etc.
You want to have copies of your passport and any important documents in case they get stolen. I kept my extra documents in a Ziploc bag taped to the inside of my backpack.
Would I bring it again? Yes
All of my important documents: passport, vaccine card, credit/debit cards, and pilgrim credential
SPIRITUAL TOOLS
Rosary Bracelet
I bought custom-made rosary bracelets in Camino colors on Etsy for my sister and myself to wear on the Camino. While I could have used my fingers for praying the rosary, it was nice to have something more tangible.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Print-out of Daily Psalms
The Catholic Church has a schedule of readings for every day of the year that are universal worldwide. This typically includes a reading from the Old Testament, a psalm, a second reading from the New Testament (on Sundays), and a passage from the Gospels. Fun side note: this means that the readings you hear at a pilgrim Mass on a Wednesday in Spain will be the same readings that Catholics at daily Mass hear in Nigeria or the Philippines or Argentina.
I compiled all the daily psalms to pray while I was walking the Camino. It was so beautiful to have something different to meditate on every day. One of my favorites: “Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom” (Psalm 145).
Would I bring it again? Yes
Rock from Home
On the Camino Francés, it’s a tradition for pilgrims to bring a rock from home and carry it with them for most of the Camino. When they reach the Cruz de Ferro, they place their stone at the foot of the cross. It is a beautiful symbol of giving the burdens you are carrying to Jesus.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Would I bring it again? Yes
My print-out of the daily psalms, a rock from home, and a rosary bracelet | Bonus: a little Tiny Saint keychain of St. James that I kept on my backpack
MISCELLANEOUS
A Couple of Pens
You never know when you’re going to need a pen while traveling.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Padlock
I brought a lock in case we stayed at any hostels that needed them .
Would I bring it again? Yes
Tennis Ball
I used this to roll out my feet and tight muscles.
Would I bring it again? Yes
Ziplock Bags
You never know when you’re going to need them! I brought probably 1-2 extra gallon bags and 3-4 sandwich bags.
Would I bring them again? Yes
Spork
Bridget and I used my spork once when we bought a pint of ice cream to share. For that use alone, it was worth it. We never cooked in albergues, so I never had more use for it.
Would I bring it again? Yes
S Hooks
I used S hooks for hanging my shower bag every time I showered so that I didn’t have to put any of my stuff on the gross floor. A great Camino hack!
Would I bring them again? 100% yes!
Shoestring
Most albergues will have all pilgrims leave their walking shoes near the entrance. It’s easy to lose your shoes or grab the wrong pair when you’re walking out the door at 6am.
I brought a neon pink shoestring to tie my walking shoes together, making them easy to find when I left the albergue the next day.
Would I bring it again? Yes
That’s a Wrap!
There you have it! That’s everything I brought with me when I walked the Camino de Santiago. Did I miss anything? What are your best Camino packing hacks? I’d love to hear them.
Buen Camino!
