Follow the Footsteps of the Saints: Why Faith-Based Travel is on the Rise and Where to Go

In an age of hyper-connectivity and digital overload, more travellers are turning their journeys into pilgrimages—not just in the religious sense, but as a way to reconnect with something deeper than the everyday. Faith-based travel, once a niche pursuit reserved for devout pilgrims, is now a growing global trend. In fact, in 2025, Christianity is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, defying secularisation trends and revitalising faith communities worldwide.Whether it’s walking ancient paths, visiting sacred relics, or standing where saints once stood, are choosing to enrich their vacations with spiritual and historical meaning.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), faith-based travel attracts over 330 million travelers annually, generating an estimated $18 billion in revenue. But it’s not just about numbers—it’s about the stories, the silence, and the soul behind each journey. Here are five places where you can literally follow in the footsteps of the saints.

1. Santiago de Compostela, Spain – The Way of St. James

The Camino de Santiago is perhaps the world’s most iconic pilgrimage route. For over a thousand years, pilgrims have walked its many paths, all leading to the shrine of St. James the Apostle in the stunning cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

In 2023 alone, more than 438,000 people from over 180 countries completed the Camino, according to Spain’s Pilgrim’s Office. Some walk for weeks, others bike or even ride horseback. What unites them is the quest for reflection, simplicity, and transformation.

“Even those who start the Camino for sport or tourism often find it becomes something spiritual,” says María González, a guide from the region of Galicia.

Don’t Miss: The Pilgrim’s Mass at Santiago Cathedral and the chance to see the swinging botafumeiro, a massive incense burner unique to this site.

2. Assisi, Italy – Home of St. Francis

Perched on a hill in Umbria, Assisi is a medieval jewel and the birthplace of one of Christianity’s most beloved saints: St. Francis. Known for his humility, love for nature, and radical poverty, St. Francis’ legacy permeates the entire town.

Millions of visitors each year walk through the cobbled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, many continuing on to follow the Via di Francesco, a walking route from Assisi to Rome.

Don’t Miss: The Basilica of St. Francis, adorned with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, and the Hermitage of the Carceri, a quiet forest retreat where the saint often prayed.

3. Lourdes, France – Sanctuary of Healing

Nestled in the Pyrenees, Lourdes is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing around 3 million pilgrims annually. It was here, in 1858, that a young peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous, claimed to see visions of the Virgin Mary.

Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is known for its healing waters and candlelight processions. Over 70 healing miracles have been officially recognized by the Catholic Church, though thousands more claim physical and spiritual transformations.

Don’t Miss: Bathing in the Lourdes water, joining the evening candlelit procession, and visiting the Grotto of the Apparitions.

4. Kochi, India – Legacy of St. Thomas the Apostle

India may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Christian saints, but it holds a powerful story. According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle arrived on the Malabar Coast (now Kerala) in 52 AD, preaching the Gospel and establishing some of the first Christian communities in Asia.

Kochi (Cochin) is a hub for this history. The ancient St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church and the hilltop shrine at Malayattoor attract both the devout and the curious, blending history with the vibrant culture of South India.

Don’t Miss: Malayattoor Hill, where St. Thomas is believed to have prayed. It’s especially popular during the annual pilgrimage season in March and April.

5. Iona, Scotland – Celtic Saints and Sacred Silence

A tiny island off the coast of Scotland, Iona is often described as a “thin place”—where the veil between the spiritual and physical world feels almost transparent. It was here that St. Columba established a monastic community in 563 AD, which became a center for Celtic Christianity and missionary work.

Today, Iona remains a place of quiet retreat, drawing pilgrims from all denominations seeking solitude, renewal, and a deeper sense of connection.

Don’t Miss: The restored Iona Abbey, a peaceful walk around the island, and the chance to join an ecumenical community for daily prayer.

Pilgrims are choosing train as their peaceful way to travel to Rome

As the Jubilee Year continues, more and more pilgrims are choosing the train as their peaceful way to travel to Rome. Rather than the rush of airports, the train offers a slower, tranquil space perfect for reflection and spiritual preparation.The journey itself becomes part of the pilgrimage—inviting personal reflection, prayer, and a rare opportunity to disconnect from daily distractions.

With scenic views and a steady pace, the train provides a perfect environment to embrace the spirit of the Jubilee—a time for introspection and renewal.

Trains from cities like Paris, Madrid, and Milan are seeing growing popularity among those seeking a more mindful journey. In fact, RailEurope is expecting a significant increase in passenger volume on these routes in the coming months, with more travellers heading to Rome by train this Jubilee year.

A Journey of the Spirit

Faith-based travel is not just about religion—it’s about resonance. It invites us to slow down, reflect, and engage with the past in a tactile, powerful way. Whether you’re tracing the worn stones of an ancient basilica or watching the sun rise over a windswept island, these journeys offer something our modern lives often lack: stillness, purpose, and perspective.

So whether you’re devout, curious, or simply seeking a journey with depth, perhaps it’s time to follow the footsteps of the saints. Your next adventure might just change more than your scenery—it could change your soul.