Via Francigena: the oldest route in Europe

Have you ever wondered if there is a road that has literally shaped the history of our continent? The answer is yes: it’s the Via Francigena, and its spirit runs through the whole of Italy.

This ancient and legendary pilgrimage route represents a vital artery that, over the centuries, has followed the rhythm of kings, crusaders and pilgrims traveling from Northern Europe to Rome, extending as far as the southern tip of Apulia.

Even today, walking the Via Francigena is an adventure that goes far beyond the simple idea of “walking”. It's the most authentic way to rediscover a fascinating past that, step by step, enriches and regenerates you, turning every meter of your journey into a unique moment.

In 2026, the Via Francigena remains a living itinerary, capable of combining historical memory with new forms of travel linked to the slow discovery of the territory. Its route crosses centuries of changes that have left traces in landscapes, cities and local traditions, creating a truly unique cultural mosaic.

When you follow it, you walk a road that for centuries connected Europe to the heart of Christianity, passing through territories that still preserve their historical identity today. Each stage tells you something different: ancient pilgrimage routes, trade exchanges, and places where different ways of life met.

These are some of the reasons why the Via Francigena continues to attract travelers seeking unforgettable experiences and a more authentic connection with the places they cross.

- History of the Via Francigena;

- Historical and geographical route;

- Main itineraries in Italy and Europe;

- Points of interest and symbolic places along the way;

- Why choose the Via Francigena in 2026;

- Practical travel tips.

The Francigena is part of a series of routes that, from Western Europe, in particular from France, led in Southern Europe to Rome and then continued towards Apulia, where there were the ports of embarkation for the Holy Land. destination for pilgrims and crusaders.

The name "Francigena" derives from "the Land of the Franks", precisely in reference to the starting point of the pilgrims.

The original route, from Canterbury to Rome, was 1600 kilometers. It passed through England, France, Switzerland, Italy, the Vatican City. Over time, it turned into a commercial path. Spices, fabrics and other merchandise traveled from the East to northern European markets via Italy.

We currently have numerous historical and archaeological testimonies of the Way. The most important is the diary of Abbot Sigeric, bishop of Canterbury, who around the year one thousand told of the 80 places he crossed to reach Rome.

Since 1994, the Via Francigena has been declared "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe". Today it develops along several regions: Lazio, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, Aosta Valley, Campania, Basilicata and Apulia.

The Via Francigena begins in front of Canterbury Cathedral and follows the Pilgrim Way to Dover, where a ferry or train crosses the Channel to reach Calais.

In France, it passes through the regions of Hauts-de-France, Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté before entering Switzerland. Here it continues through the canton of Vaud, along Lake Geneva, and through Valais towards the Alps.

The route enters Italy via the Great St Bernard Pass. After the Aosta Valley, it continues through Piedmont and Lombardy, crosses Emilia, and descends the Apennines via the Cisa Pass.

Then, it crosses the whole of Tuscany from Lunigiana, Chianti to the Sienese hills and enters Lazio discovering the beauties of Tuscia until it reaches the outskirts of Rome.

The trail’s main destination was the tomb of the Apostle Peter in Rome, one of the most important sites of medieval Christianity. However, the route also extended and developed further south, reaching Apulia. Even today, the Via Francigena continues along this southern path toward Monte Sant’Angelo, Bari, Brindisi, and finally Santa Maria di Leuca.

The main Italian cities crossed by the Via Francigena include Aosta, Ivrea, Pavia, Piacenza, Fidenza, Lucca, Siena, Viterbo and Rome, extending as far as Brindisi. The entire walking route in Italy covers approximately 1,020 km.

In several sections, the path follows ancient roads that are now partially integrated into the modern road network. Where possible, the original route has been restored, while in other areas deviations were necessary.

On the website of the European Association of the Via Francigena (viefrancigene.org), the official “Via Francigena” app and an interactive map are available, helping with route planning and the search for services along the way. Numerous religious facilities also continue to welcome pilgrims heading towards Rome.

There are many ways to explore the areas crossed by the route. It can be done on foot, by bicycle, or, for less sporty travelers, even by car.

Among the most interesting itineraries are routes that pass through very different landscapes. Some sections lead through historic villages, thermal areas and spiritually significant places such as Monte Sant’Angelo and Rome. Others follow ancient alpine or hilly routes, connecting important and symbolic towns along the way.

Each stage offers a different way to experience a unique journey through nature, history and spirituality.

As you walk along the Via Francigena, get ready to move through the pages of a living history book, where every village you encounter has welcomed travellers and pilgrims for centuries, offering rest and help, leaving a trace that can still be felt today.

Think of cities like Pavia, once the heart of the Lombard kingdom, or Lucca, where massive walls still protect the historic centre just as they did in the past.

If you reach San Gimignano or Siena, you find yourself immersed in medieval towns that seem frozen in time.

Even places like Altopascio have an incredible history: here, there once stood a famous hospital where pilgrims found food and a safe bed for the night.

The Via Francigena is exactly this—a collection of stories and unique places that stay with you and help you understand how important this route once was for people in the past.

Walking the Via Francigena offers you a valuable pause in a modern world that moves far too fast.

Choosing this route in 2026 is a perfect way to rediscover the value of time and silence, away from mass tourism. You can experience a journey that reconnects you with nature, leading you through historic villages and allowing you to share meaningful moments with fellow travelers.

Whether you’re looking for a physical challenge, spiritual growth, or simply a new perspective on Italy’s landscapes, the Via Francigena gives you the space to slow down, reconnect, and fully recharge.

Setting out on the Via Francigena requires a good level of awareness and even minimal preparation. Here are some tips to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable:

- Planning: don’t underestimate elevation changes. Check each stage according to your fitness level, keeping in mind an average daily distance of around 20–25 km.

- Technology on your side: download the official Via Francigena app and keep GPS maps handy to stay on track even without signal.

- Keep it essential: your backpack should be your ally, not a burden. Travel light and carry only what you truly need.

- Signage: always pay attention to the dedicated trail markers. They are widespread and guide you safely along the entire route.

From the Alps to the heart of the Mediterranean, the Via Francigena unfolds stage by stage as a journey of over a thousand kilometers, where each segment reveals unique landscapes, cities and traditions.

Here is the full list of stages, a practical guide to help you navigate the entire route and start planning your journey step by step.

STAGE → KM

1 Gran San Bernardo → Echevennoz 14,9

2 Echevennoz → Aosta 13,9

3 Aosta → Châtillon 27,7

4 Chatillon → Verres 19,2

5 Verrès → Pont-Saint-Martin 14,8

6 Pont-Saint-Martin → Ivrea 22,9

7 Ivrea → Viverone 20,2

8 Viverone → Santhia 16,7

9 Santhia → Vercelli 29,2

sus Valle di Susa → Vercelli 278,6

10 Vercelli → Robbio 18,6

11 Robbio → Mortara 14,2

12 Mortara → Garlasco 20,7

13 Garlasco → Pavia 24,6

14 Pavia → Santa Cristina e Bissone 28,0

15 Santa Cristina e Bissone → Orio Litta 16,1

16 Orio Litta → Piacenza 23,9

17 Piacenza → Fiorenzuola d'Arda 31,7

18 Fiorenzuola d'Arda → Fidenza 22,4

19 Fidenza → Fornovo di Taro 34,0

PAR Parma → Fornovo di Taro 38,0

20 Fornovo di Taro → Cassio 20,9

21 Cassio → Passo della Cisa 19,2

22 Passo della Cisa → Pontremoli 19,3

23 Pontremoli → Aulla 32,3

24 Aulla → Sarzana 17,4

25 Sarzana → Massa 28,6

26 Massa → Camaiore 25,9

27 Camaiore → Lucca 26,1

28 Lucca -→ Altopascio 18,5

29 Altopascio → San Miniato 29,0

30 San Miniato → Gambassi Terme 23,9

31 Gambassi Terme → San Gimignano 13,4

32 San Gimignano → Monteriggioni 30,5

33 Monteriggioni → Siena 20,6

34 Siena → Ponte d'Arbia 25,7

35 Ponte d'Arbia → San Quirico d'Orcia 26,2

36 San Quirico d'Orcia → Radicofani 32,5

37 Radicofani → Acquapendente 23,6

38 Acquapendente → Bolsena 22,8

39 Bolsena → Montefiascone 16,5

40 Montefiascone → Viterbo 17,6

41 Viterbo → Vetralla 21,9

42 Vetralla → Sutri 23,9

43. Sutri → Campagnano di Roma 23,8

44 Campagnano di Roma → La Storta 23,0

45 La Storta → Roma 19,4

46 Roma → Castel Gandolfo 26,1

2 Castel Gandolfo → Velletri 21,2

3 Velletri → Cori 18,6

4 Cori → Sermoneta 18,9

5 Sermoneta → Sezze 10,9

6 Sezze → Abbazia di Fossanova 20,9

7 Abbazia di Fossanova → Terracina 20,6

7b Abbazia di Fossanova → Monte San Biagio 22,8

8 Terracina → Fondi 22,0

9 Fondi → Itri 15,0

10 Itri → Formia 21,0

11 Formia + Minturno 19,8

12 Minturno → Sessa Aurunca 24,2

13 Sessa Aurunca → Teano 15,3

14 Teano → Statigliano 27,9

15 Statigliano → Alife 15,0

16 Alife → Faicchio 19,3

17 Faicchio → Telese Terme 12,5

18 Telese Terme → Vitulano 16,1

19 Vitulano → Benevento 17,2

20 Benevento → Buonalbergo 26,2

21 Buonalbergo → Celle di San Vito 28,9

22 Celle di San Vito → Troia 17,1

M23 Troia → Lucera 21,8

M24 Lucera → San Severo 25,7

M25 San Severo → Stignano 20,0

M26 Stignano → San Giovanni Rotondo 20,5

M27 San Giovanni Rotondo → Monte Sant'Angelo 24,1

23 Troia → Castelluccio dei Sauri 23,7

24 Castelluccio dei Sauri → Ordona 19,8

25 Ordona → Stornara 20,3

26 Stornara → Cerignola 17,9

27 Cerignola → Canosa di Puglia 19,2

28 Canosa di Puglia → Andria 24,0

29 Andria → Corato 13,8

30 Corato → Ruvo di Puglia 12,2

31 Ruvo di Puglia → Bitonto 19,6

32 Bitonto → Bari 23,8

33 Bari → Mola di Bari 23,3

34 Mola di Bari → Monopoli 29,0

35 Monopoli → Savelletri 21,0

36 Savelletri → Torre Canne 9,0

37 Torre Canne → Torre Santa Sabina 29,7

38 Torre Santa Sabina → Brindisi 34,4

39 Brindisi → Torchiarolo 25,0

40 Torchiarolo → Lecce 22,5

41 Lecce → Martano 30,6

42 Martano → Otranto 30,5

43 Otranto → Vignacastrisi 25,9

44 Vignacastrisi → Tricase 13,6

45 Tricase→ Santa Maria di Leuca 18,0

BRA Ordona → Matera 217,8

LIT Monte Sant'Angelo → Bari 143,8