Camino Francés 100KM remaining marker with a hiking pack and mountains in the background

28 Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas for Pilgrims (2025)

The Unanchored Passenger contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using any of these qualifying affiliate links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclaimer for more information.

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:

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:

Mikala looking down at a small journal with green grass and a forest behind her
Hand holding a phone showing the Capture Your Camino Journal on it.

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.

Garmin watch on a person's wrist showing the time
My Garmin Fenix 7S watch that I used on the Camino de Santiago

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.

Unrecognizable masseuse kneading feet of unrecognizable female patient lying on table with towel in beauty salon during massage on blurred background
Photo by Anete Lusina

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.

Hand holding up a Kindle in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
I’m so glad I brought my Kindle on the Camino! I seriously read every day. Also, if you recognize this book, you’re in the right place as I’m a HUGE Maas fan!

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.

Woman in hiking gear with trekking poles smiling at a Camino de Santiago trail marker with green mountains in the background
I love my Columbia pullover! It was perfect for cold mornings and evenings on the Camino de Santiago.

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.

Three Darn Tough wool hiking socks with different patterns.
Darn Tough hiking socks are my absolute favorite!

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.

Mikala's feet standing on a cobblestone path in front of a Camino trail marker pointing the way on the Camino Portugués.
I’ve worn HOKA Speedgoat trail running shoes on all three of my Caminos. They’re one of the top Camino shoe choices.

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.

Foot stepping forward in socks and Chaco hiking sandals on a dirt road along the Camino de Santiago
My Chacos absolutely saved my feet when my initial pair of shoes didn’t work!

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).

Woman wearing a Buff in her hair as a headband and smiling bending down to pet a large dog
You can see I’m wearing a Buff here, using it as a headband. I’ll never forget this massive dog named León who was an absolute sweetheart!

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.

Smiling hiker wearing Goodr sunglasses and standing on top of a mountain next to Camino de Santiago pilgrim sculptures
I love my Goodr sunglasses! You can see my pink pair here.

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!

Green Osprey hiking pack with a shell hanging from it and hiking poles next to it leaning against a stone wall
This is my Osprey hiking pack that I used during the Camino and also when I hiked up Mount Kilimanjaro.

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.

Camino Francés guidebook sitting on a table next to a beer at an albergue in Puente La Reina along the Camino Francés route of the Camino de Santiago
Typically I tried to review my guidebook each day to get a sense of what to expect the following day.

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.

Female hiker smiling with trekking poles and a hiking pack at the halfway point of the Camino Francés route of the Camino de Santiago
I seriously don’t know if I would have been able to finish the Camino de Santiago without my hiking poles. They were so helpful!

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.

Woman wearing a Patagonia fanny pack smiling bending down to pet a large dog
In this photo of me with León, a sweet dog I met on the Francés, you can get a good view of my Patagonia fanny pack. I always wore this when stopping and brought it with me to shower and to sleep in order to keep my valuables secure.

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.

Hand holding up a black She's Birdie personal alarm with a carabiner.
This is my She’s Birdie I used on my last few Caminos. It helps me feel so much safer walking as a solo woman.

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!

Nalgene water bottle next to a sandwich along the Camino de Santiago
Here you can see my Nalgene I brought on my Camino de Santiago. I love this water bottle!

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.

Three twin beds in a small cubicle room in an albergue in Viana do Castelo, Portugal on the Camino Portugués Coastal route. The middle bed has a gray sleeping bag liner on it.
In the middle bed here you can see my gray sleeping bag liner.

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.

Hiker with a pack and trekking poles smiling in the early morning in the mountains
You can get pretty much all your Camino de Santiago hiking gear from REI. Much of what I brought was from REI.

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.

Blue patch that says "Camino Francés 780 km Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Santiago"
Blue patch showing a cross and boardwalk on the beach that says "Camino Portugués"
Blue patch with a rainbow scallop shell that says "Everyone Belongs On the Way"
Blue patch showing an ear crossed out that says, "I may not hear you, but I walk with you"

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.

Gold necklace with a Camino scallop shell sitting over a small rock.
Photo courtesy of TALIALUJEWELRY on Etsy.

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.

Watercolor painting of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela shown in a mockup on a desk.
Photo courtesy of ValrArt on Etsy.

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.

Blue Christmas ornament that says "2024 Camino de Santiago" and shows the scallop shell symbol.
Photo courtesy of GiftsByAuroraDesign on Etsy.

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.

Anyone who identifies as a woman or non-binary is welcome to join! You can join here.

Don’t let your Camino memories slip away. Get the Capture Your Camino Journal, intended to help you prepare, document, and reflect on the Camino in just minutes a day and available in both mobile and print versions.

Hiking pack next to Camino de Santiago trail marker and text that says, "27 Must-Have Gifts for Camino Hikers"
Images showing the Camino de Santiago and text that says, "27 Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas for Pilgrims"
Hand holding up a Kindle in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela Spain and text that says, "27 Essential Camino de Santiago Gifts"

Share this post: