11 Useful Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas for Pilgrims

Do you know someone about to embark on the journey of a lifetime… walking the Camino de Santiago across Spain?

These Camino de Santiago gift ideas are useful and practical items that will come in handy while walking the Camino de Santiago.

After walking multiple Camino de Santiago routes over the past few years, I’ve been able to modify and update my Camino packing list. All of these items I carry in my backpack.

I’ve also included some items that I don’t think make good gifts, but offer some alternatives.

Here are my top ideas for gifts for someone walking the Camino.

Table of Contents

• Useful Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas
• Camino de Santiago Gear Items I Don’t Recommend as Gifts
• Conclusion | Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas for Pilgrims

Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.

Useful Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas

There are numerous Camino de Santiago routes. It doesn’t matter if someone is walking 100 KM or completing an entire route. All of these Camino de Santiago gift ideas will be useful to a future first-time pilgrim or a seasoned one.

1 | Good Hiking Socks

The most important tip for walking any Camino de Santiago route is to take care of your feet. With that in mind, good hiking socks are an essential item when walking long distances daily.

The best socks for walking are Merino wool socks, as they help keep feet dry with moisture-wicking properties. Additionally, they allow the foot to breathe.

On long-distance walks like the Camino de Santiago, it’s best to change out your socks at least once a day to really let your feet breathe. To err on the side of caution, it’s best to carry at least 3 pairs of socks. I typically carry four pairs.

As kids, we may have groaned with disappointment at the thought of socks for gifts. But for pilgrims, socks are one of the best Camino de Santiago gift ideas ever! There are a variety of styles, brands, etc when it comes to Merino socks.

My two favorite brands are Smartwool and Darn Tough. It all depends on what type of shoes your loved one will choose, but these are some of my favorite styles.

I think it’s nice to have a mixture of light cushion socks and medium cushion socks. I favored my thicker socks on days I could feel a blister forming.

Many pilgrims swear by sock liners to wear underneath socks to help prevent blisters when walking the Camino de Santiago.

2 | The Best Guide Book

This may be a personal preference, but I think a guidebook is the perfect gift for those walking the Camino de Santiago. My go-to guidebooks for the Camino de Santiago are the numerous routes covered by John Brierley. In fact, his guidebooks end up being one of the most essential Camino items in my backpack.

John Brierley’s Camino Guidebooks are incredibly detailed and focus on not only the external journey of walking the Camino but on the spiritual and internal journey as well. His books are so detailed that you will only need one guidebook. Maybe the biggest reason I’m an advocate for his guidebooks is for all the detours he mentions.

As a traveler who loves getting off the beaten path, John Brierley’s guidebooks always have a spot in my backpack.

If gifting a guidebook, make sure to know which route your loved one is walking. These guidebooks are all written by the incredible John Brierley.

• A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago Camino Frances St. Jean Pied de Port-Santiago de Compostela
• A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Portugués Lisbon – Porto – Santiago
• A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Sanabrés & Camino de Invierno: Ourense or Ponferrada – A Laxe – Santiago
• A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Inglés: The English Way also known as the Celtic Camino: Ferrol & Coruña – Santiago
• A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Finisterre: Santiago – Finisterre – Muxía – Santiago

3 | Some Sort of Journal (Lightweight)

Another fantastic gift to give someone walking the Camino is the gift of writing. While walking the Camino de Santiago, there will be lots of emotions and things that come up, whether you think they will or not.

A journal allows for a safe space to self-reflect. Make sure the journal is lightweight and small. Even a little notepad to jot down notes is perfect. A soft cover is essential to help keep the weight down.

This Journal Notebook is great for withstanding the elements. Moleskine Classic Notebook makes a soft-cover notebook.

4 | Lightweight Sleeping Bag or Sleeping Bag Liner

More than likely, your future pilgrim will be staying in Albergues. An Albergue is a simple, no-frills accommodation for pilgrims that typically has dorm-style sleeping quarters with shared bathrooms. It’s like a hostel but for pilgrims.

If planning on sleeping in the Albergues, one of the more useful Camino de Santiago gift ideas will be a sleeping bag or a liner. Oftentimes, there are no sheets or liners on the bed, so some kind of bedding is essential.

It’s debatable whether it’s best to use a lightweight sleeping bag, a lightweight silk liner, or a sleeping bag liner. Some pilgrims swear by a packable down quilt. It all depends on whether people sleep cold or hot, and also what season they are walking.

Personally, I’m obsessed with the Sea to Summit Spark Ultralight Sleeping Bag 45 F, and in love with it for its packability, warmth ( I sleep cold), and weight!

5 | Packable Towel

Another useful gift for future pilgrims is some sort of packable towel. Again, the Albergues are basic, and many public albergues don’t provide sheets for the bed or a towel.

When it comes to a towel, you’ll want to gift something lightweight that dries fast.

These are some great packable towel gift ideas.

• REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite
• PackTowl Personal Towel
• Nomadix Ultralight Towel

6 | Lightweight Reusable Water Bottle

A refillable water bottle is a must while walking the Camino. What’s great about the Camino de Santiago is that it passes through many small villages. Oftentimes, these Camino villages and historical cities have water fountains and spigots that have been in existence for centuries.

There are some days when water may be harder to find, but there will more than likely be a cafe or restaurant somewhere along the way.

I think a reusable water bottle is a more favorable option than carrying a water bladder. The water bladder can be bulky and annoying to fill. A lightweight reusable water bottle slips into the side of a backpack and can be filled with ease while walking through the towns and cities found on the Camino routes.

To me, the best option for a lightweight water bottle is the Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle. Hydro Flask offers a lifetime warranty and comes in a variety of colors.

7 | Buff

Give the gift of protection in the form of a Buff.

A buff is really a multi-functioning essential piece of gear. Buff’s can be used to protect from bad weather and add another layer around the neck. I also use it for sun protection on my neck and on my head for my ears. A buff can also help protect the neck and mouth from pesky insects.

There are a few different styles of Buff’s, but for walking the Camino, I think these are the best

• Buff CoolNet UV+ Insect Shield Multifunctional Neckwear
• Buff Merino Lightweight Multifunctional Neckwear

Buffs come in a variety of styles and patterns, so it’s the perfect way to show someone’s personality.

8 | Dr. Bronner’s Soap

Give the gift of being mindful of the Earth in the form of Dr. Bronner’s soap. What’s amazing about Dr. Bronner’s is that the soaps are made from organic and biodegradable products, making it the perfect multi-purpose soap for those walking the Camino.

Dr. Bronner’s can be used on the hair and body, for hand-washing clothing, to clean dishes, and even for brushing teeth. It’s an all-purpose soap, with a little going a long way.

If using Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap, pair this gift with silicone refillable squeeze bottles, like Humangear GoToob+ Large Squeeze Bottle – 3.4 fl. oz. The 3.4 fl oz is a great option for travelers as the size is just right for carry-on liquids.

Dr. Bronner also makes a bar soap, which lasts me an entire Camino route (and beyond).

Dr. Bronner promotes sustainability with a super progressive work culture. The company gives back to many charities and is a huge advocate for the environment and doing what’s right for us all. They publish a year All-One! Report that showcases what they are actively contributing to.

9 | Money Holder

Another great gift idea for pilgrims is a simple money holder. While they will be carrying their backpack each day, a money holder is nice to carry when walking through the villages or cities.

Many albergues also don’t have lockers, so it’s also nice to take them with you to the communal bathrooms when you’re showering or out doing laundry.

There are money belts, but I think the best option is a Neck Pouch. A neck pouch is a perfect size to hold important documents like the Pilgrim Credencial. Usually, I carry my passport, money, and credit cards in my neck pouch.

A smaller item, like a neck pouch or a Fanny Pack, also gives pilgrims a break from carrying a backpack.

10 | A Very Basic First Aid Kit

Another must-have item for pilgrims is a very basic first-aid kit. The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralightweight .3 Medical First-Aid Kit is a great option.

The simpler the better when it comes to gifting a first-aid kit. As pilgrims walk, they can add things as they go. Many pilgrims will tailor their first-aid kit within the first week of walking. There are plenty of local pharmacies where it’s easy to purchase as you go.

To really amp up this Camino de Santiago gift, add a Blister Pack or Compeed blister pads. A small sewing kit with a needle and thread can also help alleviate large blisters. Lots of pilgrims also love Moleskin dressings for their feet.

It’s ideal to carry a first-aid kit with a lot of different band-aid sizes and options. While bandages are available at pharmacies along the way, they can be a bit more expensive in Europe than in places like the United States.

One item that I never leave home without in my first-aid kit is at least one Emergency Blanket. This small item can be life-saving, and you never know when there will be an emergency. It’s always better to be prepared.

11 | Power Bank

Another fantastic Camino de Santiago gift idea is an extra battery pack or power bank. Sometimes, chargers can be limited at Albergues, so a battery pack can come in handy, especially if there are no outlets in the rooms.

A power bank is super useful, especially for those who take lots of photos and carry additional electronics like an Apple Watch.

Camino de Santiago Gear Items I Don’t Recommend as Gifts

You may notice two major gear items are missing from this Camino de Santiago gift guide. Shoes and a backpack. The reason for this is that items like backpacks and shoes are so dependent on each person’s walking style, the Camino route they choose, and what season they will walk in.

For me, I walk every Camino in Altra Lone Peak Trail-Running Shoes, but some people prefer hiking boots or a different style of trail runner. A winter and a summer walking shoe on the Camino will look very different. The best shoe is the one that works best for each individual’s foot and body.

The same goes for backpacks. I highly suggest going into an REI and getting properly fitted for a backpack. There are different styles, capacity liters, and sizes for each backpack. The most important thing is to pack light and avoid packing “fear” into your backpack.

Osprey backpacks have a lifetime warranty and are designed for ease on the trail.

Another thing that’s missing from this Camino de Santiago gift ideas guide is trekking poles. I highly suggest carrying a bag on the airplane vs. checking in a bag when flying. Many airlines do not allow hiking poles in checked baggage. No worries, it’s easy to purchase reliable hiking poles, or even find used poles along the many Camino routes.

So, want to gift someone these essential items for walking the Camino? A gift card is an amazing idea! REI is incredible with returns and helping properly fit gear, so I can’t recommend an REI gift card enough. I usually get one every year in my Christmas stocking!

Conclusion | Camino de Santiago Gift Ideas for Pilgrims

In short, these are useful gift ideas for people preparing to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. All of these items are useful and found in my own personal Camino packing list.

Additionally, I’ve added some items that don’t make great gifts as they are a very personal preference. As some gear is quite expensive, a gift card is always super helpful!

Do you have any Camino de Santiago gift ideas that aren’t on this list? I’d love to know!

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Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.