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This is my personal list based on my 33-day Camino Frances in May. I may have gone slightly overboard on Amazon preparing for my trip – and I have zero regrets. But please note that every pilgrim is different – adjust it to your needs, season and walking style. It may not be complete for everyone, so feel free to add what works for you.
👟 Footwear
- Trail running shoes — the alpha and omega of your Camino. Walk them in before you go.
- Sandals + flip flops — to be honest, I brought both. Sport sandals for walking when it’s hot, flip flops for evenings and showers.
- Merino lightweight wool socks — I was very skeptical before buying them, but they literally saved my feet. One tiny blister in 33 days. Enough said.
🎒 Gear
- Backpack — another alpha and omega of your Camino. Should be lightweight and fit 10% of your body weight.
- Fanny pack — keeps your most important things within reach while walking.
- Walking poles — if you want to survive the uphill into the Pyrenees and the downhill to Zubiri and Molinaseca.
- Poncho or rain jacket — saved me several times. Weather on the Camino can change drastically.
- Sleeping bag liner — keeps you warm and gives you privacy in the albergue.
- Travel towel — for those who like to stay clean. 😛
- Water bottle — let’s not add to the plastic waste. Water quality in Spain is excellent.
- Packing cubes — pack like a pro. And avoid the dreaded rustling of plastic bags at 5am in the albergue.
👕 Clothing & Accessories
- Moisture-wicking t-shirts x2 — don’t bring too many. I had to get rid of a few along the way.
- Long-sleeved shirt — absolute must-have for cool evenings and early mornings.
- Hiking shorts or lightweight pants — I had both and wore both.
- Quick-dry underwear — no comments. Just don’t overdo it.
- Casual dress or outfit for towns (women) — nice to have when you reach a city.
- Light fleece / warm layer — depends on when you walk. In May I was very happy to have mine in the Pyrenees.
- Buff — I used mine as a scarf, hair bandana, and even a hair elastic. One item, endless uses.
- Hat — I saw every possible style on the Camino, from visors to wide-brimmed hats. Choose whatever feels comfortable for you.
- Swimsuit — I walked in May and used it many times. If you’re walking May through September, don’t skip this — there are swimming pools and rivers along the way.
- Sunglasses — protect your eyes from the burning Spanish sun.
🧴 Health & Toiletries
- Sunscreen — non-negotiable. You walk 6-7 hours a day under the Spanish sun. Without it you’ll turn lobster red faster than you think.
- Feet cream — I skipped the Vaseline so popular among pilgrims and went with a good feet cream instead. Combined with merino socks it worked like magic.
- Compeed blister plasters — a Camino legend for a reason. I shared mine generously along the way. Pack enough.
- Toiletries, first aid kit, tissues — keep it minimal and travel-sized. First aid kit depending on your needs.
📱 Tech
- Phone & charger — we are pilgrims, but it’s the 21st century. We share pictures, check the map and call our loved ones. Keep it charged.
- Power bank — I wished I had one when my phone didn’t charge overnight in the albergue. Don’t make my mistake.
- Headphones — sometimes Spanish guitar music while surrounded by endless fields of barley is an absolute must.
💳 Documents & Money
- Passport — don’t forget it. No passport, no Camino.
- EU health card and/or insurance — hope you won’t need it, but pack it anyway.
- Pilgrim credential (if purchased in advance) — your official Camino passport, stamped at each stop along the way.
- Cards & cash — not everywhere along the way accepts cards. Always have some euros on you.
😴 Sleep & Comfort
- Sleep mask — for comfort.
- Earplugs — for quiet.
❗ Camino Tradition
- Stone from home — to leave at Cruz de Ferro. You can read about this beautiful tradition here.
❌ What NOT to Pack
📚 Books — I was dreaming of sitting with a nice view reading mine. Spoiler: I left it in Orisson.
👖 Jeans or anything cotton — heavy and never dries. Leave them home.
🧴 Full-size toiletries — everything is available along the way. Travel-size only.