The Via Francigena and the Cammino di San Francesco are two of Italy's most fascinating pilgrimage routes. While the first follows a historic road towards Rome, the second connects places associated with St Francis of Assisi. Both offer beautiful landscapes, cultural discoveries and memorable walking experiences, but their histories, terrain and atmosphere make them quite different.
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Imagine leaving a medieval Tuscan village in the morning, following a quiet country road between vineyards and fields of wheat, with another historic town waiting somewhere beyond the hills. Or picture yourself walking beneath the trees of an Apennine forest, surrounded by the sounds of nature, towards a secluded sanctuary that has welcomed travellers for centuries.
These are two different landscapes, but both belong to some of Italy's most fascinating walking routes: the Via Francigena and the Cammino di San Francesco, also known as the Via di Francesco.
Both have deep connections with the country's religious and cultural heritage, and both offer the opportunity to discover places that are often overlooked when travelling by car. Yet each route has its own history, atmosphere and particular way of introducing you to the landscapes and communities along the way.
At SloWays, we believe that choosing a walking holiday isn't simply about deciding how many kilometres you'd like to cover or how many days you have available. It's also about understanding what you'd like to experience, which places spark your curiosity and what kind of memories you'd like to bring home.
To help you choose, we've explored the main differences between these two remarkable Italian walking routes, from their history and landscapes to their difficulty and the kind of experience you can expect along the way.
There's something fascinating about following a road that has connected people and places for more than a thousand years. The Via Francigena is one of Europe's great historic pilgrimage routes, traditionally linking Canterbury in England with Rome, and its history is closely associated with Sigeric, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who recorded the stages of his return journey from Rome in the late 10th century.
Over the centuries, these roads were used not only by pilgrims, but also by merchants and travellers moving between different regions of Europe. Walking the Via Francigena today means following traces of this extraordinary history, discovering how landscapes, cultures and traditions change as the route makes its way towards Rome.
One of the things we love most about the Via Francigena is its geographical variety. Depending on the section you choose, you might find yourself walking through the mountains of the Aosta Valley, the agricultural landscapes of northern Italy, the rolling hills of Tuscany or the countryside of Lazio.
The Tuscan section is particularly rewarding for travellers who enjoy combining beautiful scenery with art, architecture and local traditions. Here, the route connects places such as San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Siena, where arriving on foot makes exploring the historic centre feel even more special.
Along the way, there's plenty of time to appreciate the smaller pleasures of travelling slowly: stopping for a coffee in a village square, discovering a regional speciality at dinner or simply enjoying the changing colours of the countryside as you walk.
For those who love history, cultural discoveries and the idea of exploring a different side of Italy every day, the Via Francigena is a wonderful place to begin.
The Cammino di San Francesco tells a different story. Rather than following a single historic road, the Via di Francesco connects places associated with the life and spiritual legacy of St Francis of Assisi, whose message of simplicity, peace and respect for the natural world remains closely connected to the landscapes of central Italy.
Francis lived between the 12th and 13th centuries, travelling through towns, villages and rural communities that still preserve traces of his presence. Today, walking in his footsteps offers an opportunity to discover not only the historical places associated with his life, but also the remarkable natural environments that helped shape his relationship with the world.
The route leads through the forests of the Apennines, the green hills of Umbria, olive groves and peaceful villages, connecting some of central Italy's most evocative religious and cultural landmarks. Among them are the Sanctuary of La Verna, surrounded by woodland in the Tuscan Apennines, and Assisi, where the magnificent Basilica of St Francis preserves an extraordinary artistic and spiritual heritage.
Yet some of the most memorable moments along the Cammino di San Francesco happen between these famous destinations. You might spend the morning walking through a quiet forest, emerge onto a hillside overlooking a medieval village or discover a small church standing almost unnoticed in the countryside.
These are the kinds of experiences that make walking such a special way to explore a destination, allowing you to appreciate details and places that might otherwise pass you by.
And while the Cammino di San Francesco has an unmistakable spiritual dimension, you certainly don't need to be religious to enjoy it. The combination of nature, history and peaceful landscapes makes it equally appealing to travellers who simply want to spend time outdoors, discover a less familiar side of Italy and enjoy a slower rhythm for a few days.
If you're drawn to woodland trails, secluded sanctuaries and places where nature and history are deeply intertwined, the Via di Francesco may be the journey you're looking for.
When choosing between the Via Francigena and the Cammino di San Francesco, walking difficulty is naturally an important consideration, especially if you're planning your first multi-day walking holiday.
Neither route has a single difficulty level, as both cover considerable distances and include sections with different terrain, elevation profiles and daily walking times. However, understanding their general characteristics can help you make a more informed choice.
The Via Francigena offers a particularly broad range of walking experiences. Some stages follow relatively gentle countryside paths and quiet roads, while others cross hilly or mountainous landscapes. Selected sections in Tuscany can be especially enjoyable for walkers looking for a balance between manageable distances, beautiful scenery and interesting places to discover at the end of each day.
The Cammino di San Francesco, on the other hand, often crosses more undulating terrain, particularly through the Apennines and the hills of Umbria. Some stages involve sustained climbs and descents, which can make them physically demanding even when the distances aren't especially long.
That doesn't mean you need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the route. At SloWays, we've developed different itineraries along the Via di Francesco, including an easier version between Assisi and Spoleto, with shorter and more accessible walking stages.
Our advice is to consider three things when choosing your holiday:
A 15-kilometre walk with significant elevation gain can feel very different from the same distance on gentler terrain, so it's always worth looking carefully at the itinerary rather than judging its difficulty by distance alone.
If you're unsure which section best suits your experience, our team can help you understand the different options and choose a journey that feels both enjoyable and achievable.
One of the things we appreciate most about historic walking routes is that you don't have to complete them from beginning to end to enjoy the experience. Both the Via Francigena and the Cammino di San Francesco can be explored in sections, making them accessible even if you only have a few days or a week available.
The Via Francigena stretches across several countries, and completing the entire Canterbury-to-Rome itinerary is a substantial undertaking. However, many travellers choose to walk one section at a time, perhaps beginning with a few days in Tuscany and returning another year to discover a different part of the route.
The Cammino di San Francesco offers similar flexibility. At SloWays, our itineraries include sections such as Chiusi della Verna to Città di Castello, Città di Castello to Assisi and Assisi to Spoleto, allowing you to discover different landscapes and places associated with the life of St Francis.
For those dreaming of a longer adventure, our complete Via di Francesco journey from Florence to Rome covers approximately 445 kilometres over 32 days, but shorter itineraries make it possible to experience the route without committing to several weeks away.
We always like to remind our travellers that a journey doesn't become more meaningful simply because it's longer. Sometimes, a few carefully chosen days on the trail are enough to discover a new place, experience a different rhythm and return home with wonderful memories.
By now, you may already have a favourite. Perhaps it's the idea of walking through the Tuscan countryside, arriving in a medieval village and discovering a different local speciality every evening. Or perhaps you're more attracted to the peaceful forests and secluded sanctuaries of the Apennines.
If you're still undecided, here are some of the main differences to consider.
The Via Francigena is particularly rewarding if you love art, architecture, regional traditions and the pleasure of exploring different landscapes. Its long history as a route connecting people and cultures means that every section reveals something new, from medieval towns and historic churches to agricultural landscapes and regional food traditions.
The Cammino di San Francesco may be more appealing if you enjoy spending time surrounded by nature and discovering the stories that connect people to particular places. Its woodland paths, quiet villages and Franciscan heritage create an atmosphere that invites reflection, whether you're interested in spirituality or simply looking for a few days away from the usual pace of everyday life.
Of course, these aren't strict categories. You'll find peaceful natural landscapes along the Via Francigena, just as you'll encounter extraordinary art, architecture and lively towns on the Cammino di San Francesco.
And that's part of the beauty of both routes: whatever brings you to the trail, there's always the possibility of discovering something you hadn't expected.
Absolutely. Both routes can be experienced as self-guided walking holidays, allowing you to discover their landscapes and historic places at your own pace, without travelling with a guide.
There's something particularly rewarding about this freedom. You can stop whenever a view catches your attention, spend a little longer in a village you love or simply enjoy the pleasure of having an entire day dedicated to walking and discovering.
This is the kind of experience we love creating at SloWays. Our self-guided walking holidays combine the independence of travelling at your own pace with the reassurance of having the practical details carefully organised in advance.
Our team selects the routes, arranges accommodation and provides detailed travel information and GPS navigation through our app, which can also be used offline. Depending on the itinerary, luggage transfers are also available, allowing you to enjoy the walk with just a light daypack.
We also work with welcoming, locally connected accommodation providers whenever possible, because we believe that the people you meet along the way are an important part of discovering a destination. A conversation over breakfast, a recommendation from your host or a homemade regional dish can become just as memorable as the places you visit.
And if something unexpected happens during your journey, our team is there to help, with 24/7 assistance available throughout your holiday.
The idea is simple: you enjoy the freedom of walking independently, while we take care of the organisation and support you along the way.
No. The Via Francigena is a historic pilgrimage route connecting Canterbury with Rome, while the Cammino di San Francesco follows places associated with the life of St Francis in central Italy. Both have connections with pilgrimage and share some geographical areas, but they have different histories and itineraries.
Not at all. Although the route is closely connected to the life and spiritual legacy of St Francis, many travellers choose it for its beautiful natural landscapes, cultural heritage and peaceful atmosphere. It's a rewarding experience for anyone interested in discovering central Italy on foot.
Yes, provided they choose a suitable itinerary and prepare for the terrain. Some sections include demanding climbs and descents, while others offer more accessible walking stages. Our easier Assisi-to-Spoleto itinerary is one option worth considering for walkers who prefer shorter stages.
Yes. You can choose an individual section of the Via Francigena rather than completing the entire route. Many travellers explore it gradually, walking a different stretch on each holiday.
The Via Francigena and the Cammino di San Francesco may have different histories, landscapes and atmospheres, but they share something that we believe makes every walking holiday special: the opportunity to discover a destination at a pace that allows you to truly experience it.
Whether you're following the ancient roads of the Via Francigena or exploring the forests and sanctuaries of the Via di Francesco, travelling on foot gives you time to notice the details of a landscape, meet the people who live there and appreciate places that might otherwise remain just names on a map.
And in the end, that's what matters most to us. Not how many kilometres you've walked or how many places you've visited, but the experiences, encounters and discoveries you bring home with you.
Ready to find your path? Explore our Via Francigena walking holidays and Cammino di San Francesco itineraries, or get in touch with our team to find the journey that feels right for you.
Written by the SloWays Team
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2026
