Italy is the heart of the Via Francigena. The landscape changes constantly — Alpine valleys give way to the flat Po Plain, which gives way to the rolling hills of Tuscany, and finally the ancient Roman roads of Lazio. Every day brings something new: a medieval hilltop town, a cypress-lined track through vineyards, a field of sunflowers, a trattoria with handmade pasta.
It's also the section with the best pilgrim infrastructure — a growing network of ospitali, helpful local walking associations, and a culture that genuinely welcomes pilgrims on foot.
Route Overview
Aosta Valley (Aosta → Ivrea)
~80 km · 4–5 stages · The transition from the mountains to the Po Plain. Beautiful valley walking, Roman remains in Aosta itself, and the industrial city of Ivrea as the gateway to the flat north.
Po Plain (Ivrea → Pavia)
~200 km · 9–10 stages · The least glamorous section of Italy — flat, agricultural, often along minor roads. But there are rewards: Vercelli (rice paddies), Pavia's covered bridge, and a genuine sense of crossing the country.
Emilia & Northern Tuscany (Pavia → Lucca)
~250 km · 11–12 stages · The landscape starts to lift and improve. The Apennine crossing via Passo della Cisa is a genuine highlight. Lucca — walled, medieval, beautiful — is many walkers' favourite Italian city on the route.
Tuscany (Lucca → Siena)
~170 km · 8 stages · The most beautiful section. San Miniato, San Gimignano, the Via Francigena's iconic cypress tracks through the Crete Senesi, and Siena — one of the great medieval cities of Europe.
Lazio (Siena → Rome)
~220 km · 10 stages · The final push. The landscape becomes more volcanic and dramatic through the Val d'Orcia and Bolsena. The approach to Rome on the Via Cassia is emotional and historically resonant.
Key Stages
Aosta — rest and recovery
0 km (rest day)After the Alpine crossing, Aosta deserves at least a half day. The Roman remains here — the amphitheatre, the triumphal arch of Augustus, the city walls — are remarkably well preserved and very much in use in the modern city.
Vercelli → Pavia
~60 km (3 stages)Vercelli sits in the middle of Italy's rice country — the flat plains here produce most of Europe's rice, and the paddies can be striking in the right light. Pavia is a university city with a stunning covered bridge (Ponte Coperto) and good accommodation.
Pontremoli → Aulla (Passo della Cisa)
25 km · ↑900mThe Apennine crossing — one of the great days on the whole route. The Passo della Cisa (1,039m) has been used by pilgrims since at least the 10th century. Stunning mountain views in both directions on a clear day. The descent to Aulla through the Magra valley is long but beautiful.
Lucca rest day
0 km (rest day)Lucca is arguably the most pleasant city on the whole route. The perfectly intact medieval walls form a tree-lined promenade around the city centre — you can walk or cycle the full circuit (4 km). Superb food, beautiful churches, and a genuinely Italian atmosphere away from the tourist crowds.
San Miniato → San Gimignano
40 km (2 stages)These two stages define the Tuscany experience. San Miniato perches on a hilltop with views across the rolling landscape. San Gimignano — with its famous medieval towers — is one of Italy's most photogenic hilltop towns. Arrive in the late afternoon when the day-trippers have gone.
Monteriggioni → Siena
20 kmThe approach to Siena is one of the great arrivals on the whole route. Monteriggioni's perfectly circular medieval walls are visible from a distance. The final climb to Siena through the Porta Camollia into the Piazza del Campo is unforgettable. Take a rest day — you've earned it.
Siena → San Quirico d'Orcia (Crete Senesi)
~60 km (3 stages)The Via Francigena's iconic landscape — the cypress-lined tracks of the Crete Senesi south of Siena. This is what most people picture when they imagine Tuscany. Undulating clay hills, solitary farmhouses, long avenues of cypress trees. Photograph-worthy at every turn.
Bolsena → Viterbo → Vetralla
~70 km (3–4 stages)Lazio begins. Lake Bolsena — a volcanic crater lake — is strikingly beautiful. Viterbo is a large medieval city with an important papal history. The landscape becomes more volcanic and rugged as you head south.
La Storta → Rome (St Peter's)
18 kmThe final day. The route enters Rome along the ancient Via Cassia and Via Trionfale, passing through the northern suburbs to the Vatican. Arriving at St Peter's Square — after weeks or months of walking — is one of the great moments of any pilgrim's life. Collect your Testimonium from the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi office near the Vatican.
Practical Information
🏨 Accommodation
Italy has the best pilgrim infrastructure on the route — a growing network of ospitali (often free or €5–15/donation) plus B&Bs, agriturismos and hotels. Book ahead in Tuscany during May–June and September — popular places fill up. The AEVF website has an ospitali directory.
🍝 Food
Italy is the food highlight of the whole route. Budget €15–30/day for restaurants — a primo, secondo and glass of local wine is often under €20. Supermarkets are excellent for picnic lunches. Agriturismos offer full board with local produce — often the best meal of the trip.
🌡️ Heat
South of Siena in July–August, temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. Start walking by 6–7am, stop by noon, rest through the afternoon. Carry 2–3 litres of water and use electrolyte sachets. Consider shifting your Italy trip to April–June or September–October.
🗺️ Navigation
Waymarking in Italy has improved enormously in recent years. Yellow shell signs and AEVF markers are now consistent through most of Tuscany and Lazio. Download the official AEVF app or Komoot tracks for real-time navigation.
Arriving in Rome
The Testimonium (certificate of completion) is available from the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, Via della Conciliazione 34 — a short walk from St Peter's Square. Bring your stamped Credenziale. There's no minimum distance requirement from the Italian Via Francigena to claim the certificate.