Italy Travel Guide

Are you planning a trip to the beautiful country of Italy? Look no further; we have put together the ultimate Italy Travel Guide to help you make the most of your vacation.

Italy, often known as the home of la dolce vita, means “the sweet life” and is one of the world’s most popular locations. Aside from having the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, the country has breathtaking landscapes ranging from snowy mountain peaks in the Alps and Apennines to sunny, picturesque coastlines and even numerous tranquil alpine lakes and natural hot springs scattered throughout. You may ski in the Alps, visit Roman ruins, or walk along Venice’s Grand Canal.

Here is our in-depth Italy travel guide with all the information you need – check it out if you’re planning a trip to Italy.

What do you need to do to visit Italy?

Italian Quick Facts:

• Currency: The Euro (€) is Italy’s single currency, along with 24 other nations. We split the euro into 100 cents. While each official Euro member issues its coin with a distinctive obverse, the reverse, as well as all bank notes, are identical across the eurozone. Each coin is a legal currency in any eurozone country.
• Electricity: 230 volts AC. Power outlets are spherical, two-prong plugs (type F, which also supports types C and E). Make sure to have a universal travel adaptor so you can use all of your electrical devices. If you are from a nation that uses 110V as a standard, you will need a voltage converter.
• Visa: Italy is a member of both the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. EU citizens can visit Italy freely with a valid passport or national identity card, although several non-EU citizens, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, do not need a visa to stay for up to 90 days. All other citizens should check with the relevant embassy about visa requirements. Legally, you need to register with the police within three days of entering Italy; however, hotels will take care of this for you. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date, and that you have at least one entirely blank page available.
• Safety: Italy, like the rest of Europe, is relatively safe. While violent crime against visitors is infrequent, petty theft occurs in all major towns, on beaches, and at popular tourist attractions. Tourist scams are especially common in large cities like Rome, Milan, and Naples. Make sure you don’t accept any “gifts” from merchants, such as trinkets, flowers, or jewelry. Respond sternly by stating “no” or “vai via” (“go away”). Do not assist somebody “trying to break a large cash note” since this is typically counterfeit money. Tap water is generally safe to drink, and if it is not, a “NON POTABILE” notice is frequently prominent. After exiting a restaurant or other business facility, Guardia di Finanza agents may ask you to display your bill and documentation; however, this is unusual. This is legal (they are checking to verify if the facility has produced a correct receipt and will hence pay taxes on the items sold). Before you depart, examine your insurance coverage to ensure it is appropriate. We recommend checking out SafetyWing or World Nomads for travel insurance because they provide the greatest coverage for active travelers.
• Language: While big towns and tourist attractions understand and use English, you shouldn’t rely on it. When you go into the countryside and visit smaller, rural settlements, you should expect to hear no English.

Italy Public Holidays

• 6 January, Epiphany
• April 25 is Liberation Day.
• May 1 is May Day.
• Republic Day is on the Sunday nearest June 2nd.
• August 15, Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
• November 1 is All Saints Day.
• Sunday, November 4th, WWI Victory.
• 8 December, Immaculate Conception.
• December 26 is St. Stephen’s Day.

Also, it’s Easter Monday.

Festivals in Italy

• Italy is full of festivals that celebrate everything from religion to gastronomy and art. Many Italian festivals are based on historical events and may include parades of people dressed in costumes from the time, games for the whole town, flag-throwing, food, and fireworks. These events happen most often in the summer. As you drive around Italy, look for signs advertising a festa or sagra. This is only a tiny sample of the most significant and intriguing occurrences.
• Carnevale: From January 27 to February 13, the floating city of Venice transforms into a lavish masquerade event. Commemorating the start of Lent (a period when Christians refrain from partying and eating meat), the celebration dates back to the 12th century. While the extravagant masquerade parties need invitations and have high ticket rates, the illuminated procession of boats, music, and street acts is free and available to everybody. While many Italian communities celebrate Carnevale, Venice hosts one of the world’s best carnival events. Viareggio, on Tuscany’s coast, is well-known for its extravagant floats, and parades take place on various weekends.
• Battle of the Oranges: Every year in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday, the residents of Ivrea separate into nine squads and compete in Italy’s largest food fight over the course of three days. This famed ‘war’ reenacts a 12th-century citrus fruit dispute, making it one of Europe’s largest food clashes. Participants rush through the streets or throw oranges from one of the ‘battle buses’ that patrol Ivrea.
• Marriage of the Seal: On the last weekend of May, Venice celebrates its nautical prowess with a massive parade of rowboats from St. Mark’s to the Port of St. Nicolo. Thousands of people line the rivers to witness the action and catch one of the events, which feature tiny teams competing in river sprints. Festa della Sensa culminates in the church of St. Nicolò, with a market conducted in the nearby plaza.
• L’ardia di San Costantino: Held in July, this is one of Sardinia’s largest festivals, with a thrilling horse race commemorating Constantine’s victory at the Mulvian Bridge in 312. It’s much more than a race, with an intriguing spiritual element. Aside from viewing the races, the enormous number of food vendors makes it an ideal event for dining.
• Festa della Madonna Bruna: Matera’s residents commemorate a medieval miracle, first celebrated in 1389, every July 2. For the Festa della Bruna, a statue of the Virgin Mary is gently brought through the streets on a magnificent chariot drawn by mules and followed by columns of ‘knights’ on horseback. A marching band and church and state leaders lead the colorful parade, which culminates in a massive fireworks show.
  Verona Opera Festival: Each year, from late June to early September, Verona’s Roman amphitheater hosts a series of classical performances. The iconic location has remained intact for thousands of years and is one of Italy’s top sites to witness live music.
• Calcio Storico: The Calcio Storico Fiorentino takes place in Florence each June. It is a hybrid of soccer, rugby, and wrestling that dates back to the sixth century. Teams of 27 men battle to bring the ball to the other team’s end; however, unlike football, opposing players can tackle with punches, kicks, and elbows. Count Giovanni de Bardi wrote the original regulations in 1580, and still today, cannon fire announces the start of the match.

The best time to visit Italy

While you may visit Italy all year, it’s important to know what to anticipate throughout each season, especially if you require a certain temperature or want to avoid crowds at all of the popular tourist destinations. Italy’s greatest travel months are May, June, September, and October. Unfortunately, these are the busiest and most costly times to visit. Aside from crowds, these months provide the convenience of peak season while still providing great weather.

The heat in July and August may be oppressive, especially in the south, where temperatures often approach 30°C. Many Italians enjoy their summer holidays in August, and while the main cities are calm, beach and mountain resorts are filled. You should also expect the scene in the big ancient cities—Rome, Florence, and Venice—to be rather fake, as the only people there will be other visitors.

• April and May have perfect spring weather, making them excellent for touring bustling cities and beautiful countryside.
• June and July: Summer brings beach weather and a jam-packed event calendar.
• September and October: Enjoy warm temps, fall food, and the vendemia (grape harvest).

From November to April, the weather may be cooler, and you may dodge most of the crowds and stress of the tourist season. However, on holidays, there may still be a lot of people. Off-season, expect shorter hours at tourist attractions, more midday breaks, and far fewer offered activities. The Milan region experiences temperatures as low as 0°C in the middle of winter, leading to the nearly complete closure of coastal communities.
In terms of weather and people, the ideal months to visit Italy are April through late June, as well as September or October. If you’re looking forward to spending time at the beach and swimming, keep in mind that only the south of the nation is likely to be warm enough outside of May to September.

Italy Tourist Seasons

Most places have varying seasons in which they are more or less popular with tourists.

Sport and Activities

SNOW SPORT IN ITALY.

The winter sports season in Italy can begin as early as late November and run until late April in the north. The busiest season is from mid-December to February, with less congested periods between early December and March. Italy offers numerous great places for skiing and snowboarding.

Hiking and cycling in Italy

The finest months for outdoor activities in Italy are May through June and September through October. Most areas find July and August too hot, but higher elevations may tolerate them.A tour with an Italy travel guide who has local hiking or biking expertise would be a great way to explore the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria on a less strenuous level.

Beach Options in Italy

Beaches dot Italy’s coastline, ranging from rocky cliffs to pebbled coasts and even sandy beaches. Italians enjoy coming to the beach, and while the weather is pleasant from May to September, the months of July and August are by far the warmest and busiest.

Surfing in Italy

Winter is by far the finest season for surfing in Italy, followed by fall and spring, with minimal surges or waves in the summer. Tuscany, Sicily, Veneto, Sardinia, and Lido di Ostia are all excellent surfing destinations.

KITESURF IN ITALY.

The best wind in Italy occurs from March to October, with continuous thermal breezes. Just bear in mind that July and August are major tourist months, so you might have to dodge the swimmers! La Stagnone, Porto Pino, and Porto Pollo are excellent kitesurfing sites for novices.

Italy Travel Costs

As with any nation, you may travel for as little or as much money as you choose. Italy is one of the more costly European nations to visit, but the cost of a visit varies depending on where you travel and when. Much of Italy is little or no more expensive than its Eurozone neighbors, with fairly priced lodging and restaurant cuisine.

However, the south is far less expensive than the north, and as a general guideline, expect to pay the most in Venice, Milan, Florence, and Bologna, less in Rome, and significantly lower in Naples and Sicily. Hotel prices can skyrocket during the peak of summer, in July and August, when the Italians go on vacation, but, outside of the season, you can frequently negotiate significantly reduced rates.

Some necessities are fairly priced, such as transportation and, most importantly, food, but drinking may be costly unless you stick to wine. Room prices are comparable to those found throughout Europe, particularly in large cities and resorts. As an example, if you stay in a hostel, eat inexpensive lunches, and have a cheap evening meal, you should be able to subsist on a daily budget of around €50–60. If you stay in a mid-range hotel and dine out twice a day, you’ll spend around €130–140 each day. Renting rooms or flats through services like Airbnb might help you save money on both lodging and meals. In an expensive city like Paris, this will be the greatest deal.

We spent a lot of time in Italy travel guide on our campervan journey in 2018, and it is still feasible to do so inexpensively in July. Even in notoriously costly Venice, we discovered a comfortable camper stop for €18 EUR for a 24-hour stay, regardless of the number of people, which includes all camping amenities! Italy has a robust network of area sosta (camper service areas).

These provide free or low-cost campervan camping in virtually every town, as well as rural areas. Some places are merely service stops and do not allow overnight stays, while others allow (or tolerate) overnight parking when there may be no service at all. You could easily save money by looking for more free camping areas, or you could spend a lot more money at one of the numerous fancy campgrounds around the country.

Italy Travel Tips.

Unless you choose a single-base trip, you will most likely spend a significant amount of time traveling across Italy. When deciding how to move around Italy, you should examine both personal and public transportation alternatives. Most train and bus services are reasonably priced and efficient. Regular boats connect the islands, while local buses connect more isolated regions.

However. Trains in southern Italy frequently run behind schedule and may not be air-conditioned. For certain longer travels, internal flights might be more cost-effective than using the train. We found it simple to drive our rather cumbersome campervan around for a few months, but we avoided large cities and, for the most part, toll highways. routes in rural locations might be relatively narrow, so allow more time to get to your destination than you would on larger routes. Car rentals are easily available and may be less expensive than expected.

Purchasing your food in Italy may be incredibly inexpensive and the best way to enjoy the country’s cuisine. The natives eat as follows: bread, cheese, and meat shops abound in the vicinity, and the market is your ally. They go to the market, purchase food, and prepare it at home. You may save even more money by shopping at a budget grocery store like Aldi or Lidl. If you want to know how much goods cost at Lidl, check out our video walkthrough from Italy. Also, keep a look out for “workers’ lunches” around Europe; they are typically fantastic value for money and consist of a modest set meal and a drink for the day.

Sights and Highlights of Italy

Finding out where to travel in Italy might be the most difficult aspect of your trip! With so much to see and do, we recommend taking your time and exploring this attractive nation at a leisurely pace. You may find yourself continuously hurrying from place to place rather than remaining longer and experiencing a trip in a more distinct and real manner. Cinque Terre is an excellent example since few visitors remain overnight, and the villages take on a whole new character once the day-trippers go.

Everywhere you travel in Italy, you’ll discover a history-rich culture. From ancient hilltop villages to modern busy cities, spectacular mountain vistas to sweeping coastline beauty and gorgeous beaches, each nook of the nation has something unique to offer. As if that wasn’t enough, Italy’s world-renowned, genuine food and wines are unparalleled.

• Rome: Prepare to be awestruck by magnificent art and historic landmarks.
• Venice: Take to the water and sail past Gothic palaces, domed churches, and decaying piazzas.
• Florence: Discover this stunning Renaissance time capsule.
• Naples: Work up an appetite for the world’s greatest pizza amid the city’s historic backstreets.
• Turin: Explore Turin’s majestic palaces and spectacular museums.
• Admire Siena’s magnificent Gothic architecture and Renaissance paintings.
• Enjoy the breathtaking views of the sea from the Amalfi Coast.
• Verona: Experience open-air opera in one of Italy’s most charming cities.
• In hedonistic Bologna, enjoy gastronomic delights and medieval architecture.
• Syracuse: Enjoy drama at an old Greek theater.

Suggested Itineraries

ONE WEEK

A one-week whistle-stop tour of Italy is just enough time to see the country’s three most famous cities. After a few days experiencing Venice’s distinctive canalscape, travel south to Florence, Italy’s magnificent Renaissance city. Two days in Rome will whet your appetite for the city’s cultural and architectural marvels.

TWO WEEKS

After the first week, proceed south to experience the sea and southern passion. Spend a day enjoying art in Naples, another seeing the ruins of Pompeii, and a day or two admiring the Amalfi coast. Then return to Naples for a boat trip to Palermo and the culinary delights of Sicily.

Vatican Museums in Rome.

Rome is a city stuck in time, rich with ancient treasures and majestic piazzas that recall the good old days while still providing all of the benefits of a contemporary and inventive metropolis. Rome has no shortage of museums. However, nothing in the city compares to the Vatican museums, which house some of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of art and culture. You won’t be able to see everything in one visit, so don’t miss the travellers,s and, of course, the Sistine Chapel, which has Michelangelo’s world-renowned ceiling frescoes.

As independent travelers, we like to do activities on our own, but Rome, like other major cities, may be intimidating at first. Check out some of our recommended excursions to make the most of your stay.

• Skip-the-Line The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Tour A vacation to Rome isn’t complete without seeing the Vatican. Experience the breathtaking art of the Vatican with no-wait access to the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill: Skip the enormous queues and walk in the footsteps of Roman emperors and gladiators.
• Rome Highlights Segway Tour: Take a guided Segway tour of Rome’s many stunning landmarks and discover them in a completely unique way.

Discover Venice.

Sun-speckled canals connect exotic-looking palaces on a hundred islands enriched by commerce with the East. While not the cheapest city in Italy, Venice has a feel and charm that make it worth visiting, even if only for a day. By day, Venice is a city of museums and cathedrals, filled with wonderful art. Another Venice emerges at night after the day-trippers have left. Wander the streets and enjoy a gondola ride, or visit the Old Jewish Ghetto for inexpensive cocktails at one of the numerous fashionable pubs.

Drive along the Amalfi coast.

As far as road journeys in Italy go, this craggy stretch of coastline may be one of the most stunning. However, the roads are narrow and parking places are few, so riding the bus from Sorrento to Salerno along the magnificent Amalfi Coast is a wonderful option.

Hike the Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre is a unique blend of Italian culture and nature, with stunning mountains covered in vineyards and five impressive (and traffic-free) villages carving a good life out of difficult terrain. People have already found the area and it gets very crowded in the summer, but you’ll still love it. In addition to a variety of hiking paths and some truly breathtaking views, this region is also home to some of the

• Cinque Terre Day Tour from Florence: While staying overnight is advised, if you only have one day, visit the rocky Cinque Terre region of the Italian Riviera on this full-day tour from Florence.
• Monterosso Cinque Terre Kayak Tour: From your kayak, you can enjoy a unique and private view of the gorgeous Cinque Terre National Park.
• Sailing cruise in the Gulf and Cinque Terre: A sailing cruise from La Spezia offers vistas of La Palmaria island, Porto Venere, and Cinque Terre National Park.

Lake Como

The Italian lakes are an ideal place to slow down and take a break from your busy vacation, and the delightful villages of Varenna and Bellagio are top choices. Boats zigzagging slowly between shores are the best way to enjoy the vast, captivating landscape, and you can visit beautiful villas set in plush gardens along the lakeside.

Florence

Florence, the birthplace of our modern world, is home to the best Renaissance art in Europe. You can witness Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and ascend the world’s first dome, dominating the skyline and widely regarded as the most beautiful city in Italy, all within a single day. When you visit Florence for the first time, it’s impossible not to gravitate straight towards the square at its heart, Piazza del Duomo, beckoned by the iconic form of the cathe.

The Dolomites

The Dolomites, Italy’s dramatic rocky ridges, offer some of the most exciting mountain rides in Europe. Strong, one-of-a-kind, and unforgettable mountain views can be found in the light-gray cliffs and spires that are speckled with snow. These stand out against the green, flower-filled fields and clear blue skies. The clear markings on the paths make most people’s day walks in the stunning scene If you choose to stay overnight, you can wake up to breathtaking views.

Tours around Italy

If you like the idea of traveling in a group and making new friends, we highly recommend G Adventures, a reputable company that has been running tours all over the world. They offer a wide range of tour types that cater to all types of travelers, including wellness tours and tours for 18- to 30-year-olds. We recommend using the filters.

What to eat in Italy

Italians place a high value on food and drink, making any trip to the country a treat. With a diverse range of culinary traditions and some of the freshest local ingredients, you can be sure that you’ll have some truly gourmet meals wherever you go. Don’t be afraid to ask locals for recommendations; they’ll usually give you strong opinions and sound advice.

If you’re not sure where to begin when in Italy, here are a few Ittravel meals you should try. Each has its own distinct blend of flavors and textures that combine to create a single dish that will transport your senses to paradise and back.

• Risotto alla Milanese: In central-northern Italy, on the plains of the Po River, pasta often supplants rice, typically in the form of risotto. In Milan, this dish is known as risotto alla Milanese, distinguished by its golden color and delicate, saffron-infused flavor.
• Pizza, an iconic Italian dish, is a crime to visit Italy and not gorge on a traditional pizza! Pizza has long been a common snack or meal, especially in Naples, the birthplace of tomato sauce. For a quality pizza, opt for a place with a wood-fired oven (forno a legna) rather than an electric one, so that the pizzas arrive blasted and bubbling on the surface with a distinctive charcoal flavor. Simple is excellent, and the most popular among locals is the tasty Margarita with a thin and crispy crust.
• Ribollita: In Tuscany, this dish is considered a unique autumn treat! Regional peasant cookery, the origin of this vegetable soup, thickens it with bread instead of meat, as bread was more affordable and readily available in the terribly destitute Italian countryside for centuries. In the impoverished past, people reheated minestrone from the previous day to make this rich, rustic Tuscan soup of cannellini beans, cavolo nero, carrots, celery, and more, adding stale bread and other inexpensive leftovers. Few soups are more hearty or tasty.
• A soup of beef stock, white wine, and vegetables cooks ossobuco alla milanese, a bone-in veal shank, until it becomes meltingly soft. Traditionally, restaurants serve it with gremolata, a blend of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley. Despite its popularity, restaurant menus rarely feature ossobuco (literally meaning ‘hollow bone’) due to its three-hour preparation time.
• Tiramisu: This “pick-me-up” dessert is another now-ubiquitous Italian delicacy, with various cities and regions claiming its creation. If you want to venture beyond gelato in the realm of Italian sweets, your first stop should be the deceptively simple Tiramisu, which is undoubtedly the country’s most popular after-dinner dessert. With coffee, chocolate, and creamy mascarpone, this extremely sweet and calorie-laden treat is irresistible.
• Gelato: If you go to Italy, you have to try gelato! Don’t worry if you find yourself craving a scoop (or two) of gelato every day; it’s a common practice in Italy, particularly during the summer months.

Where to stay in Italy

Your interests, such as historical sites, scenic scenery, or gastronomic pleasures, determine the best place or region to stay for a first-time vacation in Italy. Here are several suggestions, along with hotel possibilities in various price ranges:

Rome:

Rome, the capital city, is a treasure trove of ancient history, art, and culture, with renowned buildings and bustling street life, making it an excellent starting point for exploring central Italy.

Discover sights such as the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trevi Fountain.

• Generator Rome provides budget-friendly lodgings near Termini Station, including dormitories and private rooms.
• Mid-range: The Hotel Artemide offers pleasant accommodations and contemporary facilities in a prime position near the Quirinal Palace.
• The St. Regis Rome provides magnificent suites with attractive design and upmarket amenities, such as a rooftop terrace and spa.

Tip: Consider visiting Rome during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) for lower hotel costs and fewer crowds at major attractions.

Florence:

Florence, Tuscany’s capital, is well-known for its Renaissance art and architecture, which provide insight into Italy’s cultural legacy and geographical splendor.

Discover sights such as the Florence Cathedral, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio.

• Budget: Plus Florence Hostel, located near Santa Maria Novella Station, has economical dormitories and private rooms.
• Mid-range: Hotel Glance offers pleasant accommodations and contemporary amenities in a convenient position near the Duomo.
• Luxury: Portrait Firenze provides elegant lodgings with trendy decor and expensive facilities, including views of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio.

Tip: Make reservations in Florence well in advance, especially during busy tourist seasons (summer and holidays), and consider obtaining skip-the-line tickets to major museums and sites.

Venice:

Venice, also known as the “City of Canals,” is a romantic location with lovely tiny alleys, antique architecture, and renowned gondola rides, providing for an amazing experience.

Check out the Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace, and St. Mark’s Square.

• Anda Venice Hostel provides budget-friendly lodgings along the Grand Canal, including dormitory and individual rooms.
• Mid-range: Hotel Ai Reali offers pleasant rooms with Venetian-style decor in a convenient position near St. Mark’s Basilica.
• The Gritti Palace provides elegant lodgings with ornate décor and expensive facilities, including views of the Grand Canal and superb cuisine.

Tip: For a more genuine experience, stay in Venice’s less popular areas, such as Cannaregio or Dorsoduro, and explore the city early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds.

For hassle-free bookings, consider services like Booking.com for competitive prices or Holiday Swap for unique houses all over the world. Make sure to book early, especially during high seasons, and match your interests with local activities like surfing, snorkelling, or cultural discovery.