From Rome to the end of Italy: about 946 kilometers along the ancient Appian Way through the south to Santa Maria di Leuca – historically the route to the ports for the Holy Land.
The Via Francigena del Sud is the southern continuation of the Via Francigena: while the main route ends in Rome, pilgrims once walked on – along the ancient Appian Way through southern Italy to the ports of Apulia, from where ships sailed to the Holy Land. Today the goal is Santa Maria di Leuca, "de finibus terrae," at the very tip of the Italian boot.
The route runs through mountains, olive groves and past ancient sites – a lonely, history-laden and very southern pilgrim road.
It is the southern branch of the historic pilgrim and trade route that once led all the way to the Holy Land.
Ideal if you want to go on beyond Rome or seek the original southern pilgrim road along the Appian Way. Anyone who loves southern Italy, antiquity and stillness is rewarded.
Less suitable if you need dense infrastructure and company: the south is hot, lonely and less developed; basic Italian is almost essential.
From Rome the route follows the Appian Way through the Alban Hills and the Ciociaria, past monasteries like Montecassino, into Campania.
Continuing over the Apennine foothills, it reaches Apulia – olive groves, white towns, the sea – and ends at the southern tip in Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet.
At about 946 kilometers with over 17,000 meters of climb, the route is long and mountainous in the middle. Doable in 40–45 days; many walk sections. Waymarking and infrastructure are thinner than in the north – good planning is needed.
In summer the south is very hot; spring and autumn are more pleasant.
The route follows stretches of the Appian Way, the Romans' "queen of roads" – ancient paving, tombs and milestones accompany you.
Its goal is Santa Maria di Leuca: the shrine "de finibus terrae" at the southernmost point of Apulia, where the medieval pilgrimage reached the sea and, symbolically, the "end of the world."
The Via Francigena del Sud is itself the continuation: it begins in Rome, where the Via Francigena (Italy) from the Great St Bernard Pass ends. Its own goal, Santa Maria di Leuca, is the end of the historic pilgrim road – from here pilgrims once set sail for the Holy Land.
The best time is spring and autumn; summer is very hot in the south. Accommodation is in monasteries, pilgrim lodgings and guesthouses – booking ahead is wise. You'll need a pilgrim credential.
Italy is more expensive than Spain. Budget roughly €35–60 per day, depending on accommodation, plus food.
The starting point is Rome, with international airports and a rail hub.
''B&B Santa Rita Corato fitta camere''
Open season unknown
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A Casa dei Miei
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A casa di Aida
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A Casa di Lidia B&B Gaeta
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A casa di nonna
Open season unknownEverything you need for the Via Francigena del Sud, shipped to your door.
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