27 Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas for Pilgrims

Are you looking for Camino de Santiago gift ideas for someone you know? Look no further than this list for 27 gifts that are sure to please your loved one.

I hiked the Camino de Santiago myself, spending 33 days walking almost 500 miles along the Camino Francés this year. These are all items that I know any pilgrim would love to receive if they don’t have them already. Many of them are items I have myself and used on my very own Camino.

Whatever you do, keep in mind that pilgrims must pack very lightly on the Camino. If you stray from this list and want to get your loved one something for their hike, please keep that in mind. Your friend or family member won’t have room to carry anything too heavy.

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.

1. 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.

My room at the Parador in Santiago de Compostela after completing the Camino de Santiago

Courtyard at the Parador in Santiago de Compostela. This place felt like Hogwarts!

Hallway outside my room at the Parador in Santiago de Compostela.

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 the perfect way to celebrate finishing 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 own Camino, and it was such a treat.

3. 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 Camino de Santiago gift idea 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.

4. 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 my entire 33-day Camino journey 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!

I used to think I wouldn’t like a Kindle since I like reading physical books, but the screen display on the Kindle appears like a physical book. Plus, the convenience and ease of getting books on the Kindle is unmatched. I check out library books on my Kindle all the time without ever having to step foot in a library.

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.

5. Columbia Fleece Pullover

For colder mornings and nights on the Camino, a fleece pullover is a must. 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.

6. 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. Smartwool hiking socks are also some of the best you can buy.

I personally two pairs of Darn Tough hiking socks and one pair of Smartwool hiking socks with me on my Camino.

I absolutely loved my HOKA Speedgoat shoes on the Camino! Swipe for a fun photo of them…

I’ll never forget meeting this HUGE dog named León. His paws were just about the size of my feet.

7. 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.

I’ve long been a fan of HOKAs as a marathon runner. I only run in their shoes as I find their cushioning unmatched. I’ve never found another running shoe with more cushioning.

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 would be a great gift for their Camino de Santiago. If you buy them from REI, your loved one can try them out for a while 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.

8. 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).

I was incredibly thankful to have my Chacos on hand. I probably wouldn’t have been able to continue on my journey if I hadn’t brought them.

9. 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.

10. 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.

It comes in navy, black, and dark grey. Blue is a color associated with the Camino, so I recommend opting for the navy option.

11. 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 been using Goodr sunglasses for years, wearing them on my own Camino de Santiago, 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

These Camino de Santiago gift ideas will surely be helpful for your loved one on their journey. These items are all part of my recommended Camino packing list and items I brought along with me on my own Camino.

12. Osprey Hiking Pack

Choosing the right hiking pack is essential for a successful Camino de Santiago journey. A 30L 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 and recommend the Osprey Tempest Women’s 30L 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.

If your loved one hasn’t picked out their pack yet, this is a thoughtful and practical gift idea they’ll truly appreciate. The hiking pack will be one of their most important pieces of gear on the Camino, and they’ll likely think of you whenever they use it.

13. Guidebook for Their Camino Route

While phones can help with navigating along the Camino, it’s invaluable to carry a guidebook as well. Consider getting your loved on a guidebook so they can start preparing now and get excited for their trip.

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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

I used the Black Diamond Headlamp on my Camino de Santiago (and also hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro at night). It’s rechargeable and offers a good amount of light without being too pricey.

17. 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.

18. Loop Quiet 2 Plus 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 Plus Earplugs.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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 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.

22. 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 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 Gift Ideas 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.

23. Small Journal

I highly recommend that all pilgrims either have a digital journal or bring a very small journal, like this one from Moleksine. The Camino is such an incredible experience that should be written down.

Your loved one will surely appreciate the gift of a nice journal to record their experiences and look back on them later on.

24. 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.

25. Camino de Santiago Patch

A Camino patch is a great gift idea for the Camino de Santiago. Your loved one can add this to their pack to help commemorate the journey.

I love how this one says “Buen Camino,” a common phrase pilgrims say to each other in passing along the trail. It basically means “have a good Camino.” This patch also features a shell and the cross of Saint James, both symbols of the Camino de Santiago.

26. 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.

27. Camino de Santiago Christmas Ornament

If your loved one celebrates Christmas, then these Camino de Santiago ornaments are the perfect gift. The seller has three options: the Camino trail marker with flowers, the Camino trail marker with boots, and a traditional backpack with Camino symbols.

They’re beautifully detailed, and I’ll certainly be buying one for myself after I move because I want one to remember my own Camino journey.

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.