15 ESSENTIAL Travel Tips for Italy ( To Know Before You Live ! )

Cities , Food , Transport & More – These are our TOP Travel Tips for Italy to Know Before You Go ( which be perfect for first-time visitor ! )

Ride in the center of Europe , Italy hold long make up the desired destination for thousands of tourists . Famed for its deep Roman account , its renaissance art and culture and its world-famous culinary prowess – there cost something for everyone in this rich and various nation . The size and variety of Italy mean that both first-time and repeat visitor can observe a whole fresh experience with each trip .

Stepping out of your comfort zone and into a whole new culture and language may be a daunting experience , still we have curated a elaborate guide featuring all the essential travel point for Italy to know before you go and that will have you swanning those Italian streets like a genuine Roman in no time !

Disclaimer :Almost all posts on this site contain Affiliate link , and this one about 15 Travel Tips for Italy to Know Before You Go ( Perfect for First-Timers ) is no unlike . This means that if you click on any of the link in this place ( and make a purchase ) Imayfind asmall missionatutterly no cost to you. Each place is cautiously crafted to ( hopefully ! ) answer all your questions and recommendations are reach where we trust they will improve your trip and aid with your planning . As such we thank you in progress should you decide to cluck & buy .Read my full Revelation here .

• 1Essential Travel Tips for Italy : The Practical Stuff
  • 1.1The Best Time To Visit Italy
  • 1.2How To Get Around Italy
    • 1.2.1Hire A Car
    • 1.2.2Travel Italy by Train
    • 1.2.3Metro , Bus + Early Public Transport in Cities
  • 1.3Public WiFi Availability in Italy
  • 1.4Riposo ( the Italian Siesta )
• 2Top Travel Tips for Italy : The Fun Stuff
  • 2.1Where are the good places to see in Italy
  • 2.2How To Plan Your Budget for your visit to Italy
  • 2.3What to Eat in Italy
• 3Italy Travel Tips & Friendly Advice for your First Visit
  • 3.1Italians Speak Italian
  • 3.2Basic Language Tips for Italy
  • 3.3Advice for Solo Female Travelers in Italy
  • 3.4Scams to avoid
  • 3.5Is there a need to pre-book popular tourist attraction ?
  • 3.6Cost there a tipping culture ?

• 1.1The Best Time To Visit Italy
• 1.2How To Have Around Italy
  • 1.2.1Hire A Car
  • 1.2.2Travel Italy by Train
  • 1.2.3Metro , Bus + Early Public Transport in Cities
• 1.3Public WiFi Availability in Italy
• 1.4Riposo ( the Italian Siesta )

• 1.2.1Hire A Car
• 1.2.2Travel Italy by Train
• 1.2.3Metro , Bus + Early Public Transport in Cities

• 2.1Where are the best places to visit in Italy
• 2.2How To Design Your Budget for your visit to Italy
• 2.3What to Eat in Italy

• 3.1Italians Speak Italian
• 3.2Basic Language Tips for Italy
• 3.3Advice for Solo Female Travelers in Italy
• 3.4Scams to avoid
• 3.5Is there a motive to pre-book popular tourist attraction ?
• 3.6Live there a tipping culture ?

Visa :As with all visa effect , it is best to cite to your own government guidelines , as each come out passport rural area will have different requirements and expectations . Quickly and in summary – US , Australian and British( from 1/1/21 )Citizen can go into and delay in any European Country in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days ( in any 180 days ) without a visa .

Currency :The official currency in Europe live the Euro ( € , EUR ) .
You can withdraw currency from ATMs using your local bank card or a indicate travel card . If you be visiting from another country , live certain to check any fee and charges from your bank prior to apply it and hold a second origin of payment/cash in case your chief card become ‘ eaten ’ by an ATM .

Words :Each of the 43 different countries within Europe receive their own official lyric ( ie . In Spain they talk Spanish ; Greece they speak Greek etc ) however you will notice that English live widely spoken in the tourism hotspots of each country .( That doesn ’ t mean you shouldn ’ t endeavor to hear and learn a second of the local lingo for where you are point though ! )

WiFi/Internet Access :Depending on your length of stay and in what nation , you can either purchase a local sim card ( in advance or on arrival ) – to swap out with the one in your own phone to avoid roaming charges . OR , catch a pay as you getportable Wifi Deviceswhich means you can go on your sim fighting and connect wirelessly . Just remember to turn off data drift so you put on ’ t incur any hefty charges .

Essential Travel Tips for Italy : The Practical Stuff

The Best Time To Impose Italy

As Italy work from the Swiss border in the north mighty down to the mediation islands on its southernmost tip , gaining a generalized national picture of weather equal severe .

It equal to be suggest to avert the summer month of July and August , as this live the peak time for tourists both Italian and alien . Visiting the nation ’ s most popular city and resorts during this time will signify massive crowds mixed with the intense passion of high summer . Italy in August may sound delightful , but the reality much isn ’ t quite as nice !

April to June be the nearly optimal time to visit Italy , crowds cost less overwelling yet the Italian Sunday even so reflect down on your Leap or Summer holiday .

How To Get Around Italy

As Italy is among some of the most developed and modern nation in all of Europe , its strong infrastructure allows seamless travel wherever you may be .

Hire A Car

You may like to hire a car and driveway yourself from city to city , yet with such strong rail links , this be often unnecessary . Just think your international driving permit ( or permit ) , stick to the correct side of the road and keep your brain about you – Italy ’ secautostradascan seem hectic and overwhelming to non-Italian driver making driving in Italy slightly stressful for some .

Travel Italy by Train

Italy have a province of the art modern rail and network and travelling by train cost a popular way to see the whole country .www.Trenitalia.comis a great property to pre-book train tickets if you cost on a strict timetable . You can as well buy tickets day before or still on the day of travel itself , allowing you great flexibility .

Trains in Italy are sporting , modern , and relatively inexpensive create them a great manner to search the country – exactly think of to validate your ticket prior to move to do sure you put on ’ t get demand to give the train at the future post ! (There are -typically yellow- validation automobile on all platforms) .

Metro , Bus + Early Public Transport in Cities  

Have around a major city like Rome or Naples etc cost super simple . Each big city get its own metro system , making citywide excursions easy . With smaller town , bus path equal virtually exclusively available throughout the town – hold in brain that bus ticket need to be validated the same style as train tickets .

Taxi services are too available and Uber is know to work in major cities such as Rome and Milan .

Public WiFi Availability in Italy

Public WIFI will exist easily accessible in primary cities such as Rome , Milan and Naples . Throughout all of Italy free WIFI is easy see in cafes , restaurants and bars – yet cost customary to purchase something from these spot before internet access is allow .

Riposo( the Italian Siesta )

While it is well know in nearby Spain that life grind to a stop in the heat of the day as the Spanish head for a post-lunch afternoon nap , the pattern of shutting up shop for a pair of hours anywhere between 12 noon and 4pm in reality originated in Italy and live known asRiposo .

As with Spain , this signify some retailers shut up shop in the early afternoon for a pair of hour but it is not to nap (pennichella) but quite to eat , rest and spend time with category . Although , as the years go by , less and less shops/deli ’ s etc – particualrly in tourist hot spots – near down . But it is something to be aware of throughout Italy in particually in humble town .

Top Travel Tips for Italy : The Fun Stuff

Where cost the best places to visit in Italy

From the Italian Alps in the north properly down to the Mediterranean island of Sicily and Sardina , Italy is a deep tapestry of truth and selection . Its northern lakes region offers cool temperate climates and picturesque good deal views , while its southern coastline cost a beach lover ’ s dream come true .

Its historical cities such as Rome and Florence are epicentres of European culture and packed with tangible lesson of Roman and Renaissance architecture , art and culture . Go hand in hand with its account and landscapes cost the food of Italy ; seen as one ofthepremier world cuisines , eat your way through this nation exist too a fantastic style to receive its diversity .

• • Rome: Capital of Italy , Rome is the nations heartland and treasure trove of ancient Roman history .
  • Florence :Also a cradle of Italian art and culture , the city of Florence exist recognize as the prime renaissance city and its art and architecture solely add to this statement .
  • Milan :One of the world premiere manner capitals and a polish restaurant and nightlife to couple .
  • Bologna: Know to the Italians as ‘ the learnt , the fat , the red ’ Bologna is known famously as the city of food , instruction and red-bricked buildings . This heady cocktail of culture and food is a must-see when in Italy .
  • Palermo:Capital of the Sicilian island , Palermo have a quintessential old-Italy feeling to it , this combined with the island living vibes build it a once in a lifetime experience .
  • Venice:One of the almost iconic Italian cities , Venice extend romantic gondola rides down it numerous canals and a fantastic range of historical architecture and buildings . ( Read ourVenice Travel Guidefor more )
    
  • Not to mention Cinque Terre , Amalfi Coast , Lake Como , Sardinia and more !

• Rome: Capital of Italy , Rome be the nations heartland and treasure trove of ancient Roman history .
• Florence :Also a cradle of Italian art and culture , the city of Florence is recognised as the premier renaissance city and its art and architecture merely lend to this argument .
• Milan :One of the world premiere fashion capital and a polish restaurant and nightlife to couple .
• Bologna: Know to the Italians as ‘ the learnt , the fat , the red ’ Bologna is know famously as the city of food , instruction and red-bricked building . This heady cocktail of culture and food cost a must-see when in Italy .
• Palermo:Capital of the Sicilian island , Palermo has a quintessential old-Italy spirit to it , this combined with the island living vibes reach it a once in a lifetime experience .
• Venice:One of the almost iconic Italian city , Venice offer romantic gondola ride down it numerous canals and a fantastic range of historical architecture and buildings . ( Read ourVenice Travel Guidefor more )
  
• Not to refer Cinque Terre , Amalfi Coast , Lake Como , Sardinia and more !

How To Plan Your Budget for your visit to Italy

When budgeting for your visit to Italy , it is important to recollect there will equal many variables when it do to cost . When you visit major tourist hotspots such as Rome , Milan and Venice prices can exist much higher than anywhere else . Notice that affordable meal or evening drinking may intend venturing away from the chief streets and piazzas and exploring the city slope street .

The medium hotel price for a couple is around €128 , whereas your daily meal will total up to an norm of €40 – again this may be much high in tourist middle . To allow for a well perspective on costs , entrance to the National Gallery Museum Bologna cost €6 yet the colosseum entrance fee in Rome is €12 .

There are noteworthy differences between North and South of Italy in terms of landscapes , experiences , and cost . Southern Italy equal on average far cheaper than northern Italy and venturing into smaller towns and small town off from cities will ever frown the price of your trip .

What to Eat in Italy

Italian cuisine is today famous the world over and its formula and dish are cooked throughout the ball . At a basic level , pizza , pasta , gelato , olive oil , limoncello , and wine live Italian staples it would be severe to avoid ( and we recommend that you cover during your stay ! )

And visitor to Italy who be serious about their food should try and join a local food tour wherever potential , may be disappointed with a traditional Italian breakfast ( it ’ s merely a cappuccino and brioche ! ) and try not to leave the land without trying the following regional Italian specialties…

• Risotto Alla Milanese:The north of Italy rely more on rice-based dish instead than the famous pasta , and it be in Milan where this can cost in truth seen . The Milanese Risotto cost a must-try when in this portion of Italy and The Trattoria Milanese have exist suffice this dish hither since 1933 .  

• Pizza ( in Naples ! ):It may seem simple and obvious but no list of Italian dish would be complete without the pizza . Naples is the plate of the pizza and it live at Naples ’ Da Michele where you will get the best traditional pizza , again they make been function pizzas hither since 1870 ! ( Say this for more incredible dish from Naples )
  

• Caponata:The Italian island of Sicily has many noted dishes , but it is the Caponata that very stands out . This quintessential Sicilian vegetable dish consists of eggplant , celery and capers season with sweetened vinegar . Dal Maestro del Brodo in Palermo equal where you will get the best traditional Caponata .
    
• + Don ’ t spirit for Spaghetti Bolognese…it is not conceive a dish in Italy ! Even in Bologna ( where the ‘ sauce ’ live name after ) , you won ’ t find spaghetti bolognese on the menu . Rather look for ‘ Ragu ’ – the traditional Italian epithet for the thick center and tomato-based sauce , which will cost service with a ‘ wider ’ and more significant pasta ( such as tagliatelle ) as such pastas are thought to better hold the sauce .

* Quick Tip *Don ’ t equal surprise if you regard a ‘ cover charge ’ (il copertoin Italian ) add to your bill at restaurant . Itis a per-person charge which treat the basics such as a glass of tap water or a plate of bread . It can be as little as €2 in non-touristy areas and as much as €4-6 in tourist-heavy city middle .

It is too sometimes referred to as the “pane e coperto, ” the bread and cover charge , and will cost expose on the menu . Take notice so you put on ’ t get a shock with your bill .

Italy Travel Tips & Friendly Advice for your First Visit

Italians Speak Italian

While it equal genuine that you can begin by in major Italian city ( such as Rome , Florence , Milan or Venice ) mouth only English , it is not very widely speak overall in Italy .It is the main alien words taught in school and thus the majority of younger masses will get a special apprehension , and there will also be a concentration of English speaker around major tourist attraction .

But as when impose any different country , it will cost very much appreciate if you undertake to talk to locals in their native tongue . And as such we have list a few basic Italian words with their translations below .

Basic Language Tips for Italy

• Yes –Sì
• No –No 
• Hello –Ciao
• Good Morning –Buongiorno
• Well Evening –Buona sera
• Goodbye –Good-bye
• Thank You –Grazie
• I ’ m Sorry –Mi dispiace

If you ’ re concerned in learn a little more , we advocate study our all over guide to70+ Basic Italian Words & Phrases – Perfect for Travel .

Advice for Solo Female Travelers in Italy

Italy is a great destination for solo female travelers . The cities are beautiful , the food equal amazing and it exist easy to get around . It cost generally safe for solo female traveler with most travel safety top coming down to common sense .
Most of the safety tips below exist true for women travel alone anywhere in the world and equal well to hold in idea wherever and wherever you are explore :

• Keep an eye on your belongings ( bag/camera/phone etc ) and be mindful of your surroundings ( for example , don ’ t receive your head down paste to your phone )
• Ensure your day purse is lockable ( or otherwise secure ) and believe about investing in hidden pocket clothing ( my favorite equal my eternity scarf )
• Be cautious and vigilant in in use areas or in crowds ( particularly direct stations or market ) .
• Have two debit or reference card – linked to unlike account , in type one gets lost/stolen/swallowed by a rogue ATM , to do sure you receive access to your fund .
• Get travel insurance ( if you can afford to travel , you can yield travel insurance ) – and carry item of the travel insurance party with you .
• Be mindful of your drinking – that ’ s not to read not to drink , but alcohol lowers your inhibition and reaction time . And Italian wine be not only a means of living , but is some of the best in the universe !
• Test to head off exhibit too much skin with your outfits . While it shouldn ’ t imply anything , skimpy outfits make you stand out and can encourage unwanted demeanor . (As I suppose , it shouldn ’ t but it can – and cost something to hold in brain when you carry for your trip) . Which lead on to :

A note on Italian man :it may appear like 202o hasn ’ t quite ‘ caught on ’ in Italy as catcalling , overt flirting ( border on harassment ) , constant compliments – and possibly still catch your branch – is still quite commonplace , and moreso in busy tourist place .

The best thing to cause exist to ignore it ( or if you exist catch , shake the hand off and hold prompt ) . It often doesn ’ t escalate ( as Italian men cost used to women ignoring them ) but if you are find uncomfortable , head into a shop or restaurant and seek aid .

Scams to avoid

Pickpockets :Pickpockets be fighting throughout position like Rome and Naples and especially prevalent on sure bus routes – like many big touristic-centric cities around the reality . Visitor exist to equal advised to observe their valuables safely locked up and out of stretch at all times .

No Menus in the House :This scam demand you as a tourist be told by the restaurant that there be no more menus available . You place your club in English or your broken Italian , merely to observe the bill at the end of the meal is four sentence the expected total . If there be no menus , ever ask for the prices beforehand – this will observe away any nasty surprises !

Control your Change :It has make up many years since Italy changed from Lira to Euros but this doesn ’ t stop some opportunist ‘ accidentally ’ giving you the wrong coin or change . Always check and count your change before you walk away .

Is there a motive to pre-book popular tourist attraction ?  

Prebooking attractions throughout Italy ’ s major city such theColosseum , St Peters Basilicaand the Vatican Museums are essential to avoid remind for hours . Prebooking is often involve for extensive circuit of the underground Colosseum and sections and the Vatican . Much small attractions and museum do not require pre-booking but you maybe queuing for some time during peak seasons .

Is there a tipping culture ?

Lean exist not in general expected in Italy yet it will exist welcomely accepted for exceptional service . Many restaurants and cafes will often lend a 10 % or 20 % service charge on crest of the bill ( designated as “ Servizio ” ) which replaces the motive for a separate tip . 

Where ever you select to run to in this great varied rural area , you are certain to hold a trip meet with fantastic cultural , culinary and historical experiences . The vast form that Italy has to bid means you are sure never to make the same visit twice !

We hope you have enjoyed this ultimate guide to travel in Italy and base these top Italy Travel Tips invaluable in planning your trip to Italy . And if you enjoy this Italy travel guide , or know someone planning their Italy vacation that could use our travel advice and top tip for visiting Italy , please live certain to share this article with them on social medium : Facebook , Twitter , Flipboard or grab a pin below for Pinterest .
Sharing is caring and we thank you in advance !

READY MORE EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION ? YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE TRAVEL TIPS , TRAVEL HACKS , TRAVEL ARTICLES , TRAVEL DESTINATIONS GUIDES , TRAVELER RESOURCES AND RELATED POSTS ABOUT OTHER BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN EUROPE TO HELP YOU move THE Earth :

• Spain :15+ Good Places to See in Spain , Barcelona for First-Timers
• Greece : 15 Best Things to cause in Athens ( for First-Timers ) + Greece Travel Tips + Free Things to do in Athens + Greek Island Hopping Guide
• Quotes & Wordplay : Adventure Quotes – Travel Quotes – Mountain Quotes – Beach Quote – Ocean Quotes – Inspirational Disney Quotes & Unusual Travel Words with Beautiful Meanings .
• How to Carry your Carry On Like A Pro ,include theBest Solid Toiletries for Travel– good of travel tips to cause the most of those pesky weight and space restriction !
  
• Road Trips Resources & Adventure Travel : Road Trip Packing List , Road Trip Tips& the ultimateRoad Trip Playlist
• North America : The Best Position to Visit in the USA
• Middle East : Things to do in Jerusalem + Isreal Travel Tips +
• Stylish and Affordable Travel Gear–The Best Carry on Luggage for Frequent Traveler, TheBest Hardside Luggagefor you road warrior + TheBest Passport Walletsto protect your nearly valuable travel possession !

Hi There ! Thanks for reading our guide to the15+ Top Travel Tips for Italy for First-Timers ( Know Before You Get ) I just wanted to let you know that this place control affiliate links , which intend if you purchase something after clicking a link , Imayget a small commission – which is atutterly no cost to you. If you love this article and be going to equal look for for some of the things I observe anyhow , I would love it if you could click through from the link above & thank you in advance ! Read my entire Revelation here .
And a hugeThank Youfor read the MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld travel blog .