Travel
Packing for the Camino de Santiago: Travel Light, Walk Happy
On the Camino, every gram counts. Here’s how to pack light without leaving out the things you’ll be glad you brought.
By
How to Live in Spain
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2 min read
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The most common Camino mistake is carrying too much. Aim for a backpack of about 10% of your body weight, including water, and you’ll enjoy the walk far more.
The backpack and shoes
A 30 to 40 litre pack, properly fitted and with a rain cover, is plenty. Your shoes matter more than anything else: walk at least 100 km in them before you go, so they’re broken in.
Clothes
Two or three sets of quick-dry clothes are enough, because you can wash one set each evening. Bring a rain jacket or poncho: Galicia is often wet, even in summer.
Albergue essentials
Albergues provide beds, but a sleeping bag liner or light bag adds hygiene and warmth. Pack earplugs, flip-flops, a quick-dry towel and a headlamp, plus blister care: plasters, blister patches, tape and a small needle.
Your pilgrim passport
Get a credencial, the pilgrim passport, and have it stamped along the way. To receive the Compostela in Santiago, you must walk at least the last 100 km and collect two stamps a day on that stretch.
Print our Camino de Santiago packing list and tick it off as you pack.
Keep your pack to about 10% of your body weight
Walk 100 km in your shoes before you go
Two or three quick-dry outfits are enough
Galicia is often wet, even in summer
Collect two stamps a day in the last 100 km
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