2026 Minimalist Camino Portugués Packing List (20L bag)

I walked the 280km Camino Portugués from May 26th to June 9th, starting in Porto, Portugal, and finishing in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

I was meticulous with the packing, knowing I’d have to carry it all on my back, walking for hours on end every day. I even went as far as weighing items when I was between 2 shirts, or choosing wireless options over electric items. Every gram does matter on the Camino.

I’m glad to say that even though I suffered from blisters on my feet and an old knee injury rearing its ugly head, my back and shoulders were fine! When I weighed my backpack at the airport at the start of the trip, it weighed just 4.2kg.

With my full 800ml water bottle, the weight I carried on my back was usually around 5kg, which in my case is less than the recommended 10% of my body weight as a woman.

My Camino Portugués itinerary

Before we dive into the whole packing list, let’s explore my itinerary for the coastal way of Camino Portugués. I was really happy with the path I chose and the locations for my 3 rest days. All my accommodations are also added in the brackets.

I booked all my stays before the trip so I wouldn’t have to stress about it on the way. I decided not to stay in any of the public albergues, cause you can’t book ahead and you also have to carry your own blanket/bed liner as they don’t provide that.

25.05 Arrived in Porto (Lost Inn Porto)

26.05 Took a bus to Matosinhos and started walking from there towards Vila do Conde (HI Vila do Conde)

27.05 Esposende (Hostel Eleven)

28.05 Viana do Castelo (Dona Emilia Studio Apartments)

29.05 Rest day at Viana do Castelo (HI Viana do Castelo – fine for one night, but the building felt old, and probably wouldn’t stay here again)

30.05 Caminha (Arca Nova Hostel)

31.05 Took a water taxi over to Spain and walked to Viladesuso (Alojamiento Camino Portuguese Oia – not the nicest hostel, but there weren’t many options)

01.06 Baiona (Hostel Albergue Baionamar)

02.06 Vigo (R4 Hostel – great stay)

02.06 Rest day at Vigo (R4 Hostel). If you’re in Vigo during the summer, you can take a day trip to the Cies Islands.

03.06 Redondela (A Dársena do Francés – an extra 20min walk out of Redondela, but so worth it! This hostel was so peaceful and had a lovely big garden).

04.06 Pontevedra (Bulezen Urban Hostel)

05.06 Rest day at Pontevedra (Albergue GBC Pontevedra – preferred the hostel day before, but it was booked out)

06.06 Caldas de Reis (Albergue GBC Caldas)

07.06 Padrón (Camiño da Vieira – extra 1.5h walk from Padrón, but it was another great stay, the dorm itself wasn’t the coziest, but the rest of the hostel felt like a private home)

08.06 Camino de Santiago (Santiago KM-0) – Santiago was such a beautiful city! I wish I had more than just one night booked there to do a day trip to Finisterre as well.

I left on 09.06 and spent a night in Barcelona as well before flying home. An alternative option is taking a bus back down to Porto and traveling to your next destination from there.

Everything I packed for the Camino

01. Bags

• Backpack – I packed everything into my small 20L Osprey Daylite Plus backpack that I’ve had for a few years already. I was worried about it just having a webbing hip belt instead of a proper padded belt, but because I kept the weight at a max of 5kg, that was enough support. What I loved about having a smaller backpack was that I couldn’t overpack it with unnecessary things. I had to think through each item. I also made sure to have extra space at the top, and not pack it to the brim. I’d walk the Camino again with this one during warmer months. For early spring/late autumn, I’d perhaps need a bigger bag for warmer, long layers, which take more space.

• Tote bag – Simple grey tote bag for groceries and as my main bag for days off.

• Belt bag – I opted for a belt bag over a bum bag, and was happy with the decision to keep more weight around the hips, not add more to the shoulders. On days that I wore my shorts, I just put all the items in the shorts’ pockets and kept the belt bag in my backpack.

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02. Shoes

• HOKA Challenger 8 – Hoka trail runners were the most recommended shoes for this trail, and I found them really comfortable. I’m normally a EU size 38, so I sized up and got 39 instead. They’re narrow around the foot, and spacious around the toes, which felt like the perfect feet in case there’s swelling.

• Regular slides – For hostel showers and to wear in the evenings.

• What I wish I had brought: Proper thick-soled sandals for the boardwalks and other days where the trail was even. It would’ve been nice for hot days in Portugal, walking around towns in the evening, and days off. Met a few girls wearing Tevas, and they were really happy they brought them!

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03. Clothes

The main tip here is packing light, fast-drying clothes. Every hostel I stayed at had a washing and drying machine (usually around €3-4 for each) as well as a dedicated handwashing station and drying area.

• 2x light active t-shirts – 2 is enough! Wear one during the walk, wash it in the evening, and have the other for the evening and the next day. Travelling during rainier months, a third one might be necessary if clothes don’t dry quickly.

• 1x active tank (optional) – Brought this to wear on the plane, on days off, and evenings, but I ended up just wearing my t-shirts most of the time. Felt too tight and uncomfortable to wear on a long walk. Only wore this a couple of times. Next time, I’d bring a regular tank top.

• 1x active long sleeve zip-up top – Long sleeve items are usually the bulkier ones, but this athletic one packed really small and light.

• 1x running shorts

• 1x long flared leggings

• 1x packable rain jacket – Only used once, and even then could’ve done without, but never know! Would still bring it next time.

• 1x sporty bucket hat – For sun protection. Get a comfortable hat that has adjustable sizing for windier areas.

• 1x light sports bra – good to have one with a more open back (it was quite hot in Portugal, and you’re already carrying a backpack as well).

• 1x lighter bra top – For sleeping! I knew that if I ever felt cold, I could wear one of my clean t-shirts, too, but I never had to.

• 1x basic light shorts – Also for sleeping. I brought an old pair that I could’ve just left behind, had I not needed them, cause I did read a lot of people opt for sleeping in the next day’s walking clothes, but I loved having separate clothes for sleeping. Could also bring one big T-shirt instead, but oftentimes the bathrooms were outside the rooms, and not all hostels had female dorms, so I preferred having bottoms too.

• 3x pairs of underwear – Same as with T-shirts, just wash them daily and rotate, and you really don’t need more.

• 1x pair of toe socks (would bring 2x next time) – I was hesitant at first, but these came highly recommended to avoid blisters between toes. I hadn’t worn toe socks since I was a kid, but I got the Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew toe socks and loved them. They felt really comfortable. So much so that I wanna get another pair for running now too.

• 2x light hiking socks (would bring 1x next time) – very comfortable, but my feet felt better with the toe socks, so next time I’d bring 2 pairs of toe socks and 1 pair of regular hiking socks.

• 1x regular socks for free time/sleeping (optional) – you can just wear the hiking socks on days off too, or nothing with sandals, but if your feet are always cold like mine, then it’s good to have a separate pair for sleeping.

• 1x compression socks (optional) – Not to inflate my sock list too much, but I did also bring a pair of compression socks. If you lie down with your legs up the wall after reaching your accommodation, it will have a similar effect, but I rarely did that (didn’t see anyone else doing it either). I loved having the compression socks to put on after the evening and wear until I went to sleep to reduce swelling, relieve sore muscles and accelerate recovery.

• 1x bikinis (optional) – I went swimming in the sea in Portugal twice, but not in Spain, as I was too cold there most of the time. Some hostels did have a little swimming pool, but I never used it.

• What I wish I had brought: A crewneck sweater would’ve been really comfy on the evenings and most days in Spain, as I was freezing there half the time, starting my days before sunrise. Some mornings, I honestly wished I had brought a lighter pair of gloves.

• Bought on the way: A knee brace. My knee started hurting on the fourth day from a past injury, so I got a brace from a pharmacy and wore it daily after that.

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04. Hygiene & First Aid

Either get travel-sized items (great option for toothpaste) or put your products in smaller containers. I didn’t bring any makeup. Didn’t add optional tags here, as it’s very subjective. I used every single item and would go with this list the next time as well.

• smaller hairbrush

• deodorant

• shampoo bar (in a tin)

• conditioner (put mine in a little round container)

• body soap (in a bag) – used it for handwashing my clothes as well

• face moisturiser

• face cleanser (in a travel lotion container)

• pimple patches

• face sunscreen – needed to use mine up, so I used it for body as well

• SPF lip balm

• regular toothbrush – I use an electric one in everyday life, but bringing it would’ve meant bringing the charger as well, and these things are loud, which isn’t ideal for a hostel environment (especially if there’s an ensuite bathroom).

• small toothpaste

• floss

• razor

• nail clippers

• nail file

• hair clip

• small scrunchie

• tiny rubber bands – for braids

• organic cotton tampons and liners

• hand sanitiser

• bandaids – Make sure to have regular waterproof breathable ones, but also some for blisters. I only got blisters under my toes, so I bought the small blister bandaids on the way.

• painkillers and allergy pills

• Magnesium powder – daily dose in 1 sachet, so I brought one for each day

• What I wish I had brought: Tweezers for my eyebrows.

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05. Miscellaneous

• packing cube – To save some space in the bag by compressing items into one packing cube.

• waterproof bag cover – Not necessary if you have a rain poncho that covers the bag too, but it’s comfier when these things are separate.

• laundry bag – For washing machine (especially if you wanna share the machine with other people).

• regular plastic container – I took it in case I cook more some evenings, and can then bring a portion with me for the road the next day, but I only did that once, so I would probably leave it the next time.

• wallet with all the essentials – Make sure to bring cash! Especially €1-2 coins for donations on the way for stamp stations and musicians. Sometimes there are also little places selling a few simple things like bananas, water, Camino pins, and jewellery. If you’re from the EU, make sure to also bring the European Health Insurance Card.

• sunglasses (+ sleeve)

• shoehorn – Potentially very niche, but I always have it with me to slip shoes on with ease.

• 2x microfiber towels (big and small) – Took the smaller one for trying feet on the beach.

• tissues

• small lock – Didn’t use it at all. Usually had my valuables in bed with me for the night.

• 2x carabiners (big and small) – Essential! Used them for my water bottle and to hang clothes from my bag (if they didn’t dry properly the night before, or to hang a wet bikini after a swim).

• sleep mask – If you’re a light sleeper like me, this is essential for hostels.

• Loop Dream earplugs – Another essential for travelling in general, these are great, and I had no trouble sleeping with all the snorers and alarms! I put mine in my Experience Loop case, as it’s better than the Dream case.

• small notebook

• pen

• iPhone 15 Pro

• smart watch

• wireless headphones – I love my JBL noise-cancelling ones, but just like with the electric toothbrush, this would’ve been another item to charge, so I opted for the wireless headphones instead (no charger needed and they’re lighter as well). While walking, I only used them around 3 times, walking through noisier towns. 99% of the time, I was walking with just my thoughts.

• power bank – Navigation eats up a lot of battery, had to use it on the way multiple times.

• Kindle – Essential for me, I don’t go anywhere without it. If you want to save space, then technically you can also read on your phone. “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed was my favourite Camino read.

• Pilgrim passport + ziplock bag and a shell – I kept my Pilgrim passport (that I got in Porto with the shell) in a ziplock for protection in case it rains, or the bag gets wet.

• 2-in-1 charger – For USB-C and A.

• 3x cables – For charging iPhone, smart watch, and Kindle.

• 0.8L water bottle – I wouldn’t recommend a random plastic bottle normally, but my proper one is way too heavy when it’s full. This one remained light.

• spork – Used this one a lot for meals on the way.

• protein powder – As a vegan, I was a little worried about the food options on the Camino, so I brought a protein powder as a backup. Should’ve left it at home as I only like it in smoothies/oatmeal, and I ate neither on the Camino. The bag looks big in the photo, but it only had 3-4 portions left inside, so I poured it into a zip-lock bag.

• snack bars – I’d always have one in my pocket/belt bag for a quick snack on the way.

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And that’s everything I brought with me to walk the Camino Portugués! Seems like a lot, but most of these items are small and lightweight, and they all fit in my 20L backpack, with room to spare.

Extra tip: Always have snacks in your bag. Some days, I walked for 2-3 hours before I saw an open cafe. I’d also often forget that most supermarkets are closed on Sundays, and there was also one day in Redondela, where everything was closed due to a holiday.

Another tip: If your bag ever feels too heavy on the way, or you’re injured and need a break from carrying the bag, you can always use the transfer service and send your bag ahead to your next stop.

Buen Camino!