A Guide to the Via Francigena Accommodation Options

Spanning 2,000km+ of country paths and roadsides in the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy, the full Via Francigena is an epic undertaking for those looking for the ultimate walking trip. However, the increasing interest in walking this route and its remoteness means that Via Francigena accommodation options are surprisingly limited. This is particularly true in 2025 with the Jubilee Year in Rome bringing thousands more pilgrims than normal to the trail.

In this guide, we’ll break down the stops along the Via Francigena route where you will be able to find somewhere to stay. We’ll then deep dive into the Via Francigena’s accommodation options, ranging from budget hostels up to luxurious 4 and 5 star hotels.

The stops on the Via Francigena

The modern Via Francigena as we know it now was formalised in  the 10th Century by the Archbishop of Canterbury of the time as he travelled to Rome. Up to that point, pilgrimages snaked from northern European countries down to Rome, and from the Italian peninsula up through modern-day Lombardy and Piedmont on to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino.

Today’s Via Francigena route incorporates 16 sections between Canterbury in the south of England and the end point, Italy’s capital of Rome. Each ‘section’ consists of 3-10 days of walking, with stops at small villages and towns between larger pilgrimage cities every night. 

Each of the route’s start and stopping points are located within a few hours’ travel on public transport of international airports. This makes it simple to walk any section of the Via Francigena. The route’s length means walkers can enjoy different landscapes on the way, from placid French vineyards to Alpine heights to Tuscan plains. The Via Francigena also passes through notable cities in their own right (such as Reims, Lausanne, and Siena), giving travellers a range of cultural activities to enjoy outside walking.

The Via Francigena’s accommodation options

Historically, pilgrims on the Via Francigena would have stayed in hostel-style accommodation set up by various Catholic orders. The options would have been basic, sometimes no more than a space on the floor to roll out a mat. These days hostels fulfill this need, and you can expect a bunk bed in a shared dormitory rather than a space on the floor!

The growth in interest around the route means the Via Francigena accommodation options have expanded. This popularity also means making advanced bookings more important.

Choosing the right places to stay can be challenging, and we know that factors like mobility, budget, and comfort will all impact your choice. That is why Follow the Camino works with a wide range of authentic hospitality providers.

Generally, accommodation along the Via Francigena falls under four price points:

1) Luxury Accommodation

While a hotel on the Via Francigena will not be as deluxe as those in major cities, you can still find a few 4 to 5 star options in larger towns. These could have amenities such as porter services for baggage, room service and 24 hour reception, and even an indoor swimming pool. The Antica Locanda Della Via Francigena is a good example of a more luxurious option on the route. It can be difficult finding luxury accommodation as options are limited.

2) Standard Hotel Accommodation

When selecting a hotel on the Via Francigena , consider the proximity to the walking route itself, the level of comfort and character, the services provided, and the price. The beginning and end of each section along the Via Francigena are generally in larger towns with 3 star hotels usually a standard.

3) Budget Accommodation

Not everyone is looking for higher starred hotels, so there are options for those who want to reduce their accommodation costs. These can include private rooms in hostels, or 2 star hotels or guesthouses. While this price point often comes with access to a private bathroom, this isn’t always the case and depends on the infrastructure in the town that the accommodation is located in and the other options nearby.

4) Hostel Accommodation

Anyone looking for a more ‘traditional’ way to do the Via Francigena should stay in hostels. Hostels usually consist of a large room with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. There are usually communal cooking facilities or canteen-style meals too. Some hostels offer smaller rooms, with 12 pilgrims sharing, while others are larger (up to 50 people per room!) Hostels may not be appropriate for light sleepers or anyone with different abilities. However, it’s a community-focused experience and well worthwhile to stay in hostels on the Via Francigena.

If you want to book accommodation by yourself, rooms for pilgrims are often reserved for those with a Via Francigena pilgrim’s credential. Meanwhile, guesthouses and hotels that cater to tourists are open to all but will often give a discount to those with a credential. 

Planning your Via Francigena trip

If you are planning on undergoing the Via Francigena, Follow the Camino can arrange your accomodation each step of the way. We offer accomodation at different prices points and levels of comfort depending on your needs, with clients also able to upgrade rooms on nights (though this is only available in certain cities and is subject to demand).

Organising the rooms for your Via Francigena holiday is really just the beginning. Once you have booked everywhere you plan on staying, you need to consider how you will get your baggage from A to B. While pilgrims traditionally carried everything on their backs, many modern travellers use a luggage transfer service. This ensures everything is transported by a reliable driver between your accommodations each day, ready for you at check in.

You also need to consider where you will eat every evening. While certain towns along the Via Francigena route will have plenty of options for bars, cafes and restaurants, other stops will be in small villages with every limited option. This limitation also extends to amenities such as post offices and supermarkets, making planning where you stop every night crucial. 

Additionally, to maximise your time on the Via Francigena you may wish to extend your stay in certain locations, or book day tours to local sites of interest. While this research can be done yourself, it is much more streamlined to leave it to experts in planning walking holidays.

Follow the Camini is a premier tour operator, and one of the only ones along the full Via Francigena. Get a free, customised itinerary in a quick chat with our experts!