28 Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas for Pilgrims (2025)
Are you trying to find a Camino de Santiago gift that’s both meaningful and practical? After walking 800+ miles myself on three Caminos, I’ve got you covered.
In this Camino gift guide, you’ll find ideas for practical items for the trail–like the best clothing and gear–as well as more luxurious gifts, and gifts to help them remember their journey on the Camino for years to come.
As a pilgrim myself, these are all items I know your loved one would love to receive if they don’t have them already. Many of them are items I have myself and used on my Caminos.
I know it can be hard shopping for someone walking this trail, especially when they need to keep their pack as light as possible. But these Camino de Santiago gift ideas are either essential for the trail or are generally lightweight and easy to pack.
Quick Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas
Don’t have time to read through this whole list? Here are some of my top recommendations:
- Best Practical and Meaningful Gift: Capture Your Camino Journal
- Nicest Experience: One Night at the Parador Hotel in Santiago de Compostela
- Most Useful Item: Osprey Hiking Pack
- Recommended Clothing: Columbia Fleece Pullover
- Best Keepsake: Camino de Santiago Art Print
Gift to Help Your Loved One Make the Most of Their Camino
For many pilgrims, the Camino de Santiago is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s more than a hike, it’s an opportunity to reflect and reevaluate their life. And it’s an adventure that they’ll want to remember, which is why I recommend this as the #1 gift that’s both practical and meaningful:
1. Capture Your Camino Journal
If your loved one is looking for a way to reflect deeply and preserve their Camino experience, then this journal is the perfect gift. It has guided prompts to help pilgrims mentally prepare ahead of the Camino, record their journey, and reflect afterwards. It’s intended to help make the journaling process easier and faster.
I created this journal after walking three Caminos and finding myself struggling to really capture the experience, especially after my longer walking days when I was really tired. This is exactly what I wish I’d had on my walks.
The journal comes in two versions: a professionally printed hardback that can serve as a keepsake for years to come and a mobile digital version that’s perfect for pilgrims who don’t want to carry extra weight.
Luxurious Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas
To really treat your loved one, consider getting them one of these more luxurious gifts. These gifts will surely be helpful for them along their Camino and will help make the experience more memorable.
2. One Night at the Parador Hostal Real de Santiago de Compostela
For a really special experience, I recommend booking a night at the Parador in Santiago de Compostela for your loved one. All pilgrims hiking the Camino de Santiago set out with the goal of making it to this city, and this hotel is one of the best in the city for celebrating the of the journey.
This hotel is conveniently located right on the main cathedral’s square. Plus, it has strong ties to the Camino having been built in the 12th century as a pilgrim’s hospital.
It’s apparently one of the oldest hotels in Spain, and it’s one of the most luxurious as well. I stayed there at the end of my first Camino, and it was such a treat.
3. Garmin Watch
If you’re looking to really treat your loved one with a gift for the Camino de Santiago, then I highly recommend a Garmin watch. While the Apple Watch is super popular, I find a Garmin watch is much better for people serious about getting active, especially for longer distances.
The exact version I use doesn’t seem to be available anymore, but it’s very similar to this Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Sapphire Solar. I love this watch so much because it doesn’t need to be charged very often and even recharges some in the sun.
I used my Garmin watch for my Camino de Santiago, hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, and marathon training. Even when using it for hours every day on the Camino, I only had to charge it every few days.
This watch can track so many activities and has helpful hiking features like maps and barometric pressure. I found the flashlight feature helpful as well when I was trying to get ready for bed or get up in the mornings without disturbing others around me.
Garmin has tons of great watches at varying price points, so you can also check out some of their other watches.
4. Massage in Santiago de Compostela
After hiking day after day on the Camino, pilgrims are often quite tired and their bodies could use some rest and rejuvenation. What better gift than a massage at the end? Book this massage to treat your loved one at the end of their journey.
Note that this experience is cancellable for a full refund up to 24 hours before. That way you have some flexibility and can rebook for a different day if needed if your loved one ends up getting to Santiago de Compostela earlier or later than anticipated.
5. Kindle Paperwhite
If your loved one is a reader and doesn’t yet have a Kindle, then this is the perfect gift for them ahead of their Camino. It’s so important to pack light on the Camino and even packing one book (other than a guide book) would be too much.
With a Kindle Paperwhite, your loved one will be able to read as much as they want without much extra weight in their pack. With days being so tiring on the Camino, it’s so important to plan restful activities, and reading is perfect.
I personally hiked all three of my Caminos with my Kindle Paperwhite and read every day. Weighing only 7.4 oz (211g), I barely noticed my Kindle in my pack. It’s so light, I even brought it with me when I hiked up Mount Kilimanjaro!
Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories Gift Ideas for the Camino de Santiago
Packing the right clothing, shoes, and accessories is so essential when planning for the Camino de Santiago. Here are a few items that any pilgrim would appreciate as a gift if they don’t have them already.
6. Columbia Fleece Pullover
For colder mornings and nights on the Camino, a fleece pullover is a must, even when hiking in the summer. I personally use and love this Columbia pullover. It’s usually sold at a very good price and is quite comfortable and warm.
This pullover is a gift that will surely keep on giving. I love wearing my pullover at home when it’s cold and bring it on all of my hikes.
7. Merino Wool Socks
Having the right socks is so important in preventing blisters and keeping feet as dry and comfortable as possible while hiking on the Camino each day. Plus, they’re great for wearing at home in winter too.
Darn Tough hiking socks are my favorite. They have nice colors, cute designs, and feel really nice on your feet. Plus, they have a lifetime warranty!
Smartwool hiking socks are also some of the best you can buy.
I’ve brought both Darn Tough and Smartwool hiking socks with me on all three of my Caminos. I also wore these socks summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking around Patagonia, and more.
8. HOKA Speedgoat Trail Running Shoes
If you had to pick one shoe that’s the most popular on the Camino de Santiago, it’s the HOKA Speedgoat trail running shoes. I hiked in them myself and highly recommend them for their comfortable cushioned fit.
That cushioning is SO nice on the Camino as the feet get so tired with day after day of hiking. I actually started my Camino de Santiago in hiking boots but had many issues with blisters. I switched to these HOKA shoes instead and my feet felt dramatically better afterwards.
If your loved one is still looking for shoes, then these could be a great gift for their Camino de Santiago. I recommend buying them from REI so your loved one can try them out for a while during their training and you can always return them later if they don’t work out, even if your loved one has worn them outside for miles of hiking.
➡️ Buy Women’s HOKA Speedgoats Here
➡️ Buy Men’s HOKA Speedgoats Here
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Want to know more about hiking the Camino in Hokas? Read my full review here.
9. Z/Cloud Chaco Hiking Sandals
Having a good pair of hiking sandals is so important on the Camino. Not only are they good to have on hand as a backup hiking shoe, but they let the feet breathe while providing strong support when in town.
I highly recommend and personally used the Z/Cloud Chaco hiking sandals. They’re a great gift for anyone hiking the Camino de Santiago and are sure to be helpful for years to come as well.
When I had issues with my hiking boots, I hiked for a few days with socks and my Chacos. The hiking sandals provided a much needed reprieve from my bad shoes until I made it to a town with a shoe store (where I bought my HOKAs).
10. Camino de Santiago Buff
Helpful for both sun protection and staying warm when cold, a Buff is essential on the Camino de Santiago. Your loved one will surely enjoy this special Camino de Santiago Buff as a gift.
I wore a Buff most days during my Camino. It helped me stay warm and avoid sunburn. It also served as a helpful headband when needed on windy days.
11. Camino de Santiago Hat
I typically recommend hiking in a bigger hat on the Camino, but if your loved one prefers baseball hats, then this Camino de Santiago hat is a great gift.
This hat says, “Buen Camino,” a common phrase spoken among pilgrims on the Camino to wish each other well on their journeys. It also features a shell and an arrow, symbols common on the Camino de Santiago.
12. Goodr Sunglasses
The sun can be quite intense along the trail, so what better gift idea for the Camino de Santiago than a pair of sunglasses? I highly recommend Goodr sunglasses as they’re fairly good quality, lightweight, and polarized.
They come in fun colors at an affordable price, and their warranty is really good. I’ve used it myself to get a new pair when I had a pair get crushed once when I was traveling.
I’ve been using Goodr sunglasses for years, wearing them on all of my Caminos, during marathon training, and also for everyday wear. Now that I’ve been wearing them, I don’t think I can ever go back to any other kind of sunglasses!
Helpful Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas
Looking for something your loved one will find helpful on the journey? Consider one of these gift ideas. These items are all part of my recommended Camino packing list and things I brought along with me on my own Camino.
Connect with Other Women Hiking the Camino
Join my free Facebook group! We’re building up a community of women who have hiked or are planning to hike the Camino there. You can also get personalized support from me!
13. Osprey Hiking Pack
Choosing the right hiking pack is essential for a successful Camino de Santiago journey. A 33L pack is the perfect size for most pilgrims, offering enough space for essentials without adding unnecessary weight. Osprey is a top-rated brand known for its comfort, durability, and thoughtful designs, making it an excellent choice.
I personally used the Tempest 30L pack, which has been updated to the Osprey Tempest Women’s 33L Pack. For men, check out the similar Osprey Talon Men’s 33L Pack.
I loved my Osprey pack. It was super comfortable and had a variety of pockets to help me stay organized and access some items more easily. I loved this pack so much that I also used it when I hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, and I’ll use it whenever I do the Camino again.
14. Guidebook for Their Camino Route
While phones can help with navigating along the Camino, it’s invaluable to carry a guidebook as well. Not only can a guidebook help make it easier to plan out the journey, but it makes the experience even more enriching with its commentary.
I carried a small guidebook with me and appreciated all of the details included. It was helpful to get a sense of the recommended hiking stages and to have so much info on hand about all the towns along the way.
Here are some of the top guidebooks for some of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes:
➡️ Buy Guidebook for the Camino Francés Here
➡️ Buy Guidebook for the Camino Portugués Here
➡️ Buy Guidebook for Starting in Sarria Here
15. Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are a game-changer for anyone hiking the Camino de Santiago. They reduce strain on the feet by redistributing weight and provide much-needed stability, especially on steep ascents and descents.
Trekking poles can be quite expensive, but I personally love and use this pair from Cascade Mountain that’s less than $100! I am so thankful that I had these trekking poles with me for my Camino. I don’t know if I would have been able to finish without them.
These are a great gift for anyone hiking the Camino de Santiago. Plus, they’ll be helpful for hikes in the future as well.
16. Patagonia Fanny Pack
A fanny pack is an absolute must for any Camino de Santiago hiker. Petty theft is the #1 crime on the trail, so it’s important to keep valuables close.
I used this Patagonia fanny pack during my Camino, and it was perfect. It easily fit my phone, wallet, and passport with room to spare. I carried it with me everywhere and had no issues with theft.
With fanny packs becoming quite popular, this gift will surely be useful for your loved one beyond the Camino. I love taking mine with me to the gym, grocery shopping, walking my dog, etc.
17. Black Diamond Headlamp
All pilgrims should have headlamps on them for early mornings and general safety. If your loved one enjoys hiking often, then a nice headlamp is a great gift that they can use beyond the Camino.
I used the Black Diamond Headlamp on all my Camino de Santiago walks (and also hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro at night). It’s rechargeable and offers a good amount of light without being too pricey.
18. She’s Birdie Personal Alarm
While the Camino is generally pretty safe, incidents unfortunately do happen from time to time. Give yourself and your loved one some extra piece of mind by gifting this She’s Birdie personal alarm.
The alarm is extremely lightweight, comes in a variety of fun colors, and is easy to use. All someone would have to do to activate it is pull down on the main part of the device, pulling it out from the top–then a loud alarm sound would activate, possibly scaring off the offender.
As a solo woman, I found myself feeling nervous before my last couple Caminos because I had read about a few incidents where women encountered some creepy men. I decided to carry one of these and it made me feel so much better!
19. Nalgene Water Bottle
Water is one of the most important things to pack on the Camino, and I highly recommend a Nalgene water bottle for keeping water as light as possible. If your loved one doesn’t yet have a Nalgene, consider getting them a bottle in a pretty color for a gift ahead of their Camino de Santiago.
You could also get some Camino de Santiago stickers to add to the bottle to make the gift even more special.
20. Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs
While hiking the Camino de Santiago, most pilgrims sleep in albergues, which are hostels with many bunk beds in each room. This often means encountering people snoring and making noises as they get ready for bed and get up in the morning.
If your loved one is a light sleeper, then they will absolutely want a pair of earplugs for their Camino journey. Check out these highly-rated Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs.
21. Silk Sleeping Mask
Northern Spain has a lot of daylight in the summer months with the sun setting quite late and rising fairly early. If your loved one is sensitive to light when trying to sleep, then a silk sleeping mask is the perfect gift to help them sleep better on the Camino.
22. Sleeping Bag Liner
Your loved one will likely need a sleeping bag liner for their Camino de Santiago (unless they’re hiking in colder months and need a sleeping bag). This was an item I hadn’t owned before and had to order for myself. If your loved one doesn’t yet have one, they’ll surely appreciate this gift ahead of their journey.
I used this sleeping bag liner and found it to work very well. It was quite light and could roll up to a fairly small size. The material was comfortable, lightweight, and didn’t feel too hot even on some of the warmer nights of my Camino.
23. REI Camping Towel
It’s important for pilgrims to bring a light, quick dry towel with them. I personally used and recommend this REI camping towel in the L or XL size.
I love this towel because it can be folded up and placed into a small mesh bag, taking up only a small amount of space in a pack. It conveniently has a loop on one end, which can be helpful for hanging the towel as well.
24. REI Gift Card
Does your loved one already have a ton of hiking gear and you’re not sure what they need for the Camino de Santiago? You can never go wrong with an REI gift card.
REI was my favorite place to shop before my own Camino. The generous return policy alone makes it so worth it. The boots I initially wore didn’t end up working out well for me, and I was able to return them for a full refund even though I had hiked around 50 miles in them!
Camino de Santiago Souvenirs for Remembering the Journey
Once a pilgrim completes the Camino de Santiago, the journey stays with them forever. It’s such a memorable and once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. Here are a few gift ideas to help your loved one remember this joyous moment in their life.
Photos courtesy of TravelTribeCo on Etsy.
25. Camino de Santiago Backpack Patch
Many pilgrims like to add patches to their backpacks after their journeys, making this a great Camino souvenir for you to consider gifting.
I absolutely love these beautiful patches my friend from @cochransabroad put together. They have so many different patch designs available for all the main Camino routes and all kinds of walkers.
26. Shell Jewelry
This shell necklace is a great gift for anyone who wants to carry a little piece of the Camino de Santiago with them. This kind of shell is the main symbol of the Camino. Your loved one will certainly think fondly of their time on the trail when they wear this.
27. Camino de Santiago Art Print
To commemorate their journey on the Camino, consider getting your loved one this watercolor print of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
This cathedral is the most important stop on the Camino de Santiago. It’s the end of a long journey and has been the final destination for pilgrims on the Camino for centuries.
28. Camino de Santiago Christmas Ornament
If your loved one celebrates Christmas, then these Camino de Santiago ornaments are the perfect gift. The seller has a number of different ornaments for sale, some of which you can personalize to add the date or year your loved one walked.
Conclusion: Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas
There you have it! I hope you found this list helpful as you think through Camino de Santiago gift ideas for your loved one. If you need any additional ideas, check out my list of things to pack for the Camino de Santiago.
Help Your Loved One Make the Most of Their Camino
Before you go, why don’t you go ahead and buy your loved one the Capture Your Camino Journal so they can start mentally preparing for their journey now? Get the journal here.