Camino de Santiago or Camino de Sicily: which is better according to your profile
If you're thinking about doing a pilgrimage route in Europe, you'll probably face this dilemma: should I go the classic route? Camino de Santiago or I try the so-called “Sicilian Way”, the Magna Via Francigena in Sicily?
Both offer experience, transformation, and a real journey. But they are not the same.
Distance and duration
🇪🇸 Camino de Santiago
- Distance: from 100 km to over 800 km
- Most popular route: French Way (~780 km)
- Usual duration: 30–35 days (full route)
- Minimum for the Compostela: 100 km (according to the Pilgrim's Office)
🇮🇹 Magna Via Francigena (Sicily Way)
- Distance: 184 km
- Stages: 9
- Average duration: 8–9 days
- Official itinerary information: Visit Sicily
Infrastructure and comfort
Camino de Santiago
- Excellent signage
- Extensive network of hostels
- Backpack transport
- Pilgrim menus in almost every town
- There are always other walkers
Sicily Way (Magna Via Francigena)
- Good signage, but less widespread
- B&Bs, country houses, small accommodations
- Fewer continuous services between stages
- More direct contact with local hosts
Landscape and climate
Camino de Santiago
- Northern Spain
- Green landscapes, forests, medieval villages
- Atlantic climate
- Frequent chance of rain
Magna Via Francigena
- Interior of Sicily
- Golden hills, open fields, historic towns
- Mediterranean climate
- Plenty of sunshine, especially in spring and autumn
Spiritual experience
Santiago
- Established religious tradition
- Symbolic arrival at the Cathedral
- Strong collective energy
Sicily
- Less institutional ritual
- More silence
- Spirituality linked to the landscape and slowness
Approximate cost
Camino de Santiago
- €30–60 per day (pilgrim mode)
- Low budget option available
Magna Via Francigena
- €60–100 per day on average
- Fewer budget hostels
- Better overall gastronomic standard
Sicily is usually more expensive, but also more comfortable in terms of accommodation and food.
Crowds vs. solitude
Santiago
- High traffic during mid and high season
- Constant community
- Official data available in the Statistics from the Pilgrim's Office
Sicily
- Much less traffic
- It's possible to walk for hours without encountering anyone.
- Ideal if the "crowd effect" drains your social energy (yes, it exists)
If crowds bother you, Sicily might be more appealing.
Who is each one for?
| Profile | Best option |
|---|---|
| First pilgrimage experience | Santiago |
| Limited time (1 week) | Sicily |
| Tight budget | Santiago |
| You seek solitude | Sicily |
| You want a consolidated historical tradition | Santiago |
| Want to discover a lesser-known route? | Sicily |
Final decision
The Camino de Santiago is a well-established experience, with solid infrastructure and a thriving international community. It's a safe and accessible choice for walkers of all levels.
The Magna Via Francigena, on the other hand, is shorter, less traveled, and less standardized. It requires a bit more planning, but in return, it offers something that is no longer so easy to find on many popular routes: silence, direct contact with the local culture, and the feeling of walking through a territory not yet dominated by mass tourism.
If you're looking for tradition, a support network, and a well-documented route, Santiago is the natural choice.
But if what you want is a more intimate experience, with fewer crowds and greater cultural immersion, the Sicily Camino can be a surprisingly powerful choice.
Special · Sicily Camino
Sicily Camino: guide and comparison to choose your route
The Magna Via Francigena (184 km) connects Palermo with Agrigento in walkable stages, with villages, history, and Sicily on a human scale. Here's direct access to the complete guide and a comparison with the Camino de Santiago.
Complete guide · Magna Via Francigena (Sicily Way)
Stages, difficulty, practical tips, and what it's like to walk this route today. If you're going to read just one thing first, let it be this.
Comparison · Sicily Camino vs Camino de Santiago
Distance, cost, crowds and experience: a clear comparison to help you decide based on your profile (and your tolerance for "airport mode").
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