Women sometimes ask me these questions apologetically, as though a “real pilgrim” should have no interest in make-up or a nice dress. There is no prize for looking austere. Pack for the journey you are actually taking and for the way you like to feel.
Should I bring make-up?
Yes, if wearing it makes you feel good. A small make-up bag adds very little to luggage that is being transferred between hotels. You may want it for dinner, photographs in Santiago or simply because applying it is part of your morning routine.
Keep the walking day practical. Sunscreen goes on first and needs to be reapplied, so heavy make-up may be inconvenient. A tinted sunscreen, mascara and lipstick may be enough, but there is no rule. Decant liquids into small containers and protect anything breakable inside a zipped bag.
Should I bring pretty clothes?
Yes, particularly if your journey includes good restaurants, historic hotels or extra time in cities. One dress, skirt or pair of smart trousers with a top can cover several evenings. Choose something that does not crease badly and works with a light cardigan or jacket.
You do not need a different outfit for every night. You do need dry, clean clothes that are separate from your walking kit. Changing after a shower helps draw a line between the physical stage and the evening ahead.
Should I bring heels?
You can, although most women will use them less than expected. A small heel changes the position of the foot after hours in walking shoes, which some people find pleasant for a short time. Others find that tired calves, tender toes and cobbled streets make heels the last thing they want.
If you bring a pair, choose stable low heels or wedges that you already know are comfortable. Do not bring new shoes and do not plan a long evening walk in footwear that has not been tested. Lightweight sandals, loafers or smart trainers are usually more useful. Your evening shoes should let your walking shoes air and give your feet a different contact point.
Are tampons and sanitary pads easy to buy?
Yes. Tampons, sanitary pads and panty liners are readily available in Spanish and Portuguese supermarkets, pharmacies and many smaller grocery shops. In Spain, ask for tampones, compresas or salvaslips. In Portugal, the common terms are tampões, pensos higiénicos and protetores diários.
Village shops may stock fewer brands or absorbencies, and opening hours can be limited. Bring enough of your preferred product for the first days, especially if your period is due at the beginning of the trip. Menstrual cups and period underwear are practical only if they are already familiar to you; a Camino is a poor time to test a completely new system.
Keep one day’s supply, disposal bags, tissues and hand sanitiser in your walking bag. Public toilets usually have bins, but products should never be flushed. Pain relief should be carried in its original packaging and used according to your doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice.
Pack for yourself
The useful question is not whether another pilgrim would bring an item. Ask whether you will use it and whether it improves your trip enough to justify its place in the suitcase. On an Ultreya Tours self-guided journey, daily luggage transfer gives you room for comfortable evening clothes and personal items while you walk with a light daypack. Explore our Camino journeys or tell us what kind of experience you want through Start Planning.
