Sicily Camino vs Camino de Santiago: Which Route Is Right for You?
If you're considering walking a pilgrimage route in Europe, you're likely facing this question: should you choose the classic Camino de Santiago or try the so-called
“Sicilian Way”, the Magna Via Francigena in Sicily?
Both offer real walking, transformation, and meaningful experience. But they are not the same.
Distance & Duration
🇪🇸 Camino de Santiago
- Distance: from 100 km to over 800 km
- Most popular route: French Way (~780 km)
- Typical 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 route information: Visit Sicily
Infrastructure & Comfort
Camino de Santiago
- Excellent signage
- Extensive hostel network
- Luggage transfer services
- Pilgrim menus in almost every town
- Constant community of walkers
Sicily Way (Magna Via Francigena)
- Good signage, but less industrialized
- B&Bs, agriturismi, small guesthouses
- Fewer continuous services between stages
- More direct contact with local hosts
Landscape & Climate
Camino de Santiago
- Northern Spain
- Green landscapes, forests, medieval villages
- Atlantic climate
- Frequent chance of rain
Magna Via Francigena
- Inland Sicily
- Golden hills, open fields, historic towns
- Mediterranean climate
- Plenty of sun, especially in spring and autumn
Spiritual Experience
Santiago
- Strong Catholic tradition
- Symbolic arrival at the Cathedral
- Powerful collective energy
Sicily
- Less institutional ritual
- More silence
- Spirituality rooted in landscape and slow rhythm
Estimated Cost
Camino de Santiago
- €30–60 per day (pilgrim mode)
- Possible on a tight budget
Magna Via Francigena
- €60–100 per day on average
- Fewer low-budget hostels
- Generally higher quality food
Sicily is typically more expensive, but often more comfortable in accommodation and cuisine.
Crowds vs Solitude
Santiago
- High traffic in mid and high season
- Constant pilgrim community
- Official numbers available in the Pilgrim's Office statistics
Sicily
- Far fewer walkers
- Possible to walk for hours without seeing anyone
- Ideal if crowds drain your social battery
If mass tourism makes you uncomfortable, Sicily may feel more appealing.
Who Is Each Route For?
| Profile | Best Option |
|---|---|
| First pilgrimage experience | Santiago |
| Limited time (1 week) | Sicily |
| Tight budget | Santiago |
| Seeking solitude | Sicily |
| Looking for established tradition | Santiago |
| Want to discover a lesser-known route | Sicily |
Final Decision
The Camino de Santiago is a consolidated experience, with solid infrastructure and a constant international community. It is a safe and accessible choice for most walkers.
The Magna Via Francigena, however, is shorter, less crowded, and less standardized. It requires slightly more planning, but in return offers something that is becoming difficult to find on popular routes: silence, direct cultural contact, and the feeling of walking through a landscape not yet dominated by mass tourism.
If you're looking for tradition, support networks, and a widely documented route, Santiago is the natural choice.
But if you want a more intimate experience, fewer crowds, and deeper cultural immersion, the Sicily Camino may be a surprisingly powerful alternative.
Special · Sicily Way
Sicily Camino: complete guide and route comparison
The Magna Via Francigena (184 km) connects Palermo to Agrigento in walkable stages, through villages, history, and a more intimate Sicily. Here you'll find 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 really like to walk this route today. If you read one thing first, make it this.
Comparison · Sicily Camino vs Camino de Santiago
Distance, cost, crowds, and overall experience: a clear comparison to help you decide which pilgrimage fits your profile.
English 
Español 
Français 
Italiano