Via Aurelia

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Genoa (Genua) → Arles
• For a long time: 561.4 km
• Elevation gain:↗ 8.002 m / ↘ 7.993 m
• Duration: approx. 20–26 days
• Label: Via della Costa (IT) · GR 653A (FR)
• Difficulty: moderate to challenging
• Best time to visit: Spring (March–May) and Fall (September–October)
• Connection: Toulouse Road from Arles

Overview

The Via Aurelia is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in Europe—and one of the least known. Anyone who sets out on this route will be walking along a path that the Romans built as early as the 3rd century B.C.: the Via Aurelia, once one of the Empire's most important highways. For centuries, it served as the natural route connecting northern Italy to the French Mediterranean coast for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

The route stretches 561 km from Genoa along the Ligurian coast through Monaco and Menton to France, then continues along the Côte d'Azur via Nice and Cannes, through the dramatic Estérel Massif, deep into Provence—all the way to Arles. That is where the Via Aurelia ends. That is where the Via Tolosana begins.

What makes this route special is that it’s not a mass phenomenon. On the Riviera, you’ll share the trail with hikers rather than crowds of pilgrims. In Provence, you’ll often have lavender fields, olive groves, and ancient ruins all to yourself. If you’re seeking tranquility—and are willing to plan your overnight stays more carefully than on the Spanish Caminos—you’ll find a route of extraordinary beauty here.

Other Names

In French, the trail is called Via Aurelia — derived from the Latin name of the ancient military road. The official name of the long-distance hiking trail in France is GR 653A. The Italian section starting in Genoa is called Via della Costa (German: Coastal Trail) and is a separate route of the Way of St. James along the Ligurian Riviera. Historically, the entire route from Genoa to Arles is also occasionally referred to as Road to Italy — the general term for pilgrimage routes that led from the Apennine Peninsula to France.

Who It's Ideal For—and Who It's Not So Ideal For

The Via Aurelia is ideal for you if you value history and scenery over the herd mentality. The route is less crowded than the Spanish Caminos—you’ll meet other pilgrims, but there won’t be long lines outside the hostels. If you love the Mediterranean coast, enjoy Roman history, and are willing to plan the stages yourself, you’ll find exactly that on this route: a path full of character, culture, and tranquility.

The Via Aurelia probably isn’t for you if you’re expecting the lively Camino atmosphere of the Spanish routes—meeting new fellow pilgrims every day, affordable dorm-style hostels every few kilometers, and an infrastructure that takes every decision out of your hands. The Riviera section is also expensive: overnight stays in Nice or Cannes will blow the typical pilgrim’s budget. And in the height of summer, the heat along the coastal stretch can be brutal.

Route & Landscape

Ligurian Coast (Genoa → Menton, approx. 220 km): The route begins in Genoa, where you leave the medieval city center behind and turn west onto the coastal path. The next few days take you through the Ligurian Riviera: between the sea and steep hills, past colorful fishing villages like Rapallo, Chiavari, and La Spezia, and over rocky outcrops overlooking the water. The trail is undulating, sometimes steep, but never far from the sea. Just before the French border, you’ll pass through Ventimiglia—and then Menton, the "City of Lemons" at the very tip of the Côte d'Azur.

French Riviera and Provence (Menton → Arles, approx. 340 km): From Menton, you'll switch to the GR 653A. The trail leads through Nice and Antibes, past Cannes — and then turns inland. Through the red rocky mountains of the Good evening and from the tranquil Var hinterland, the journey continues to the Grotto of St. Mary Magdalene in Sainte-Baume. From there, Provence unfolds before you: lavender fields, vineyards, and Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Across Aix-en-Provence you'll finally reach Arles.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

The Via Aurelia can be divided into three sections: the Ligurian coast (about 10–11 days), the Côte d'Azur and the Var hinterland (about 6–7 days), and Provence as far as Arles (about 5–6 days). A total of 20–26 hiking days is realistic—depending on your fitness level and how much time you spend in the cities. With 8,000 meters of elevation gain, the trail is more challenging than it appears at first glance; the coastal sections feature many short, steep ascents and descents.

1. Genoa → La Spezia (approx. 110 km, 4–5 days) — Hilly coastal stretches, Ligurian fishing villages, many short ascents and descents
2. La Spezia → Menton (approx. 110 km, 4–5 days) — Riviera dei Fiori, Ventimiglia, border crossing into France
3. Menton → Cannes (approx. 80 km, 3–4 days) — Côte d'Azur, Nice, Antibes, coastal trails
4. Cannes → Aix-en-Provence (approx. 160 km, 6–7 days) — Estérel Massif, Sainte-Baume, tranquil Var plateaus
5. Aix-en-Provence → Arles (approx. 80 km, 3 days) — Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Salon-de-Provence, Alpilles, Rhône Delta

In the Footsteps of the Romans — Europe's Oldest Military Road

The Via Aurelia did not get its name by chance: Consul Gaius Aurelius had the road built in 241 B.C., initially extending to Pisa and later to Genoa. For centuries, it was one of the busiest thoroughfares in the Roman Empire—and after the end of antiquity, it became a pilgrimage route. Anyone walking from Genoa to Arles today is literally treading on millennia of history.

In some places, you can still walk on Roman cobblestones that have been preserved in their original state. In Arles You’ll be greeted by a Roman amphitheater that’s still used for events today. The circle is complete: a road built for legions now carries pilgrims to the Mediterranean.

Highlights Along the Way

• Genoa — medieval streets (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Piazza de Ferrari, main harbor
• Ligurian Riviera — dramatic stretches of coastline, colorful villages between La Spezia and Menton
• Menton — the "City of Lemons," located right on the French-Italian border
• Nice (Nice) — Old Town, Promenade des Anglais, Provençal markets
• Estérel Massif — red porphyry rock, secluded trails, magnificent coastal panoramas
• Sainte-Baume — The Shrine of Mary Magdalene, one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in France
• Sainte-Victoire Mountain — Cézanne's favorite subject: imposing limestone cliffs
• Aix-en-Provence — a lively college town, fountains, and Provençal markets
• Arles — Roman Amphitheater (UNESCO), Van Gogh sites, gateway to the Camargue

How Pilgrims Reach the Via Aurelia

The Via Aurelia begins in Genoa—and Genoa is the natural endpoint of the Via Postumia, which are provided by Sad which runs through Verona and Piacenza, across northern Italy, to Genoa. Pilgrims from Austria, Slovenia, or the Veneto region who have traveled westward along the Via Postumia arrive in Genoa and seamlessly continue on the Via Aurelia—following the coast onward to Arles.

On its way through the Po Valley, the Via Postumia crosses the Via Francigena, the great pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. Those walking the Via Francigena from the north (Switzerland, Great St. Bernard Pass) who reach the Via Postumia in the area around Piacenza can turn west and join the Via Aurelia via Genoa. Genoa is also easily accessible by train—direct connections from Milan (approx. 1.5 hours), Turin, Rome, and from Switzerland via the Gotthard Tunnel make Genoa a convenient starting point for anyone setting out without a pre-planned route.

Continue the pilgrimage?

Arles isn't the end—it's a hub. The city on the Rhône Delta is also the starting point of the Toulouse Road (Route d'Arles, GR 653), one of the four historic Way of St. James routes in France. From Arles, the Via Tolosana leads through Montpellier, Toulouse, and Auch to the Col du Somport in the Pyrenees—and from there onward along the Camino Aragonés to Puente la Reina, where the route joins the Camino Francés. Those who use the Via Aurelia as a feeder route and continue their pilgrimage seamlessly from Arles will ultimately have completed one of Europe’s great pilgrimage routes: from the Ligurian coast to Santiago de Compostela.

Preparation & Practical Information

The Via Aurelia isn’t a route that takes care of itself. There’s hardly any hostel infrastructure like you’d find on the Spanish Caminos—especially along the coastal stretch. Plan your accommodations well in advance, particularly for the Riviera towns. In spring and fall, temperatures are pleasant, the trails aren’t overcrowded, and lodging prices are more affordable. Midsummer—July and August—is less recommended for the coastal section due to the heat and crowds of tourists.

One Pilgrim's Pass (Credencial) You can get them from pilgrim associations and some church parishes along the route. There isn’t a formal stamping system like on the Spanish routes, but many pilgrims collect stamps—and Arles has good connections to the Via Tolosana. It’s best to get your Credencial before you set out. The easiest way to plan your stages and overnight stays is directly in the Camino Ninja app.

What the journey will cost you

Plan on a daily budget of 50–80 € per person — significantly more than on the Spanish routes. The Riviera stretch through Nice and Cannes is expensive: Basic hotels here often cost between 80 and 120 €. In the Var hinterland and in Provence, prices are noticeably lower. If you consistently stay in small guesthouses and do your own grocery shopping, you can get by on 55–70 € per day (as of August 2026).

Getting There

To Genoa The starting point is easily accessible by train: about 1.5 hours from Milan and about 3 hours from Rome. Pilgrims from Germany and Switzerland travel through the Gotthard Tunnel to Milan and on to Genoa. The train station Genoa, Piazza Principe is located right at the starting point.

Back from Arles You can take the train via Marseille (about 45 min.)—from there, you can quickly reach Paris, Lyon, and Barcelona. Nearest airports: Marseille-Provence (approx. 75 km) and Montpellier (approx. 100 km).

• Genoa Piazza Principe Train Station: Direct trains from Milan, Turin, and Rome
• Arles Train Station: Trains to Marseille, Nîmes, Paris
• Marseille-Provence Airport (MRS): about 75 km from the destination, Arles