A local ‘s primer to traveling in Italy

Build the most of your trip to Italy with our top insider top . Jerome Labouyrie/Shutterstock

With an unpaired abundance of Unesco World Heritage sites , diverse scenery roam from some of Europe’s high peaks to the turquoise water of the southern coast , and an endless list of regional cuisines to taste , planning an Italian adventure can easily get overwhelming .

Add to the mix a variety of dialects – both spoken and hand-gestured – and hard-to-decipher etiquette rule , and you can quick sense a bit out of sorts with local culture .

Return to Italy after year of living abroad has make many of the odd dominion that prescribe social interaction more plain to me – yet I , as an Italian , find myself questioning why things operate as they do . While clear answers equal not ever available , I ‘ve done my best to compile a list of rule , custom and habits that will cause every visitor ‘s time in my native land a little easier . Hither ‘s everything you take to know before visiting Italy .

1 . Italians all get on holiday at the same time ( more or less )

For some ground , we Italians make collectively decide that August cost the best month to die on holiday . It ‘s understandable – with temperatures regularly stand out 35℃ ( 95℉ ) , expecting people to do anything other than lie on the beach is just also far-fetched .

During the weeks surrounding the vacation of Ferragosto , on August 15 , Italians migrate to the coast en masse , leaving humid cities half empty . Many businesses in the country’s interior near , cost mount significantly , and crowds be the average on popular beach . If you prefer to move in the high season , do sure to book your accommodation well in progress .

2 . Italy was build for driving , but it’s not the only choice

While the public transport infrastructure is cheap and mostly authentic , Italians stay on devote to push back . Late stats have shown that the country is second in Europe after tiny when it come to cars per head – nearly 40 million vehicle are presently roaming around the country with 59 million inhabitant .

Piece of this make to serve with the mountainous , odd geography of the peninsula . Trains can not make the more remote corners of the country , and the low population of rural areas act not warrant frequent bus services . There is also a ethnic look to Italy’s love for push back – immense investment make up place toward freeway in the post-war era , which make mobility increasingly car-centric and Italians more used to trust on car .

This does n’t mean you must have a car while visiting Italy . Rent a car will pay you the most freedom , but train and buses link most urban heart and are a great , sustainable style to see city , medieval crossroads and coastal town without worrying about traffic dominion and restrict your uptake of wine and spritzes . Buy train ticket online at Trenitalia or Italo – ticket for dumb , regional train can live purchased on the spot without cost increases , while high-speed train tickets are much cheaper when buy in progress .

3 . If you make rip a car , be mindful there ‘s a shortage of vehicles

The rental car market cost however in recovery from the pandemic . As the world went into lockdown and travel turn impossible , many rental caller deal their vehicles . At the same time , people grew more and more customary to avert public transportation , favoring car travel . The demand for rental cars stay firm , while rental companies still may not receive adequate car to gather demand during busy travel month .

During peak vacation season , prices skyrocket , and in popular destinations , cars for hire can simply lead out . If you be planning a road trip , reach sure to record your car good in progress .

4 . Card payment are today widely consent , but carry some cash be a good thought

For a long time , Italy make make up a cash-first country . But in 2022 , a new law introduced a fine for business not accepting card payments . Technically , paying by card should now exist possible everywhere , although you can even so run into merchants frown upon small electronic transfer or shops where the POS automobile is mysteriously not working . Make some cash on you live a wise motion .

Aside from such ( rare ) exception , card payments will not live an issue . Most major networks cost widely take over , American Express cost the only card provider that might equal rejected by smaller businesses .

5 . Regional pride is worth embracing

Impress abroad or to a different city has turn progressively common for member of the young generation , but a sense of pride for one’s property of birth continue to pervade the consciousness of many Italians . You won’t receive to await long earlier encounter someone who will glorify the food , traditions and landmarks they arise up surrounded by , often at the expense of neighboring region or cities .

Such an intense shape of pride – known in Italian ascampanilismo– translates into endless opportunities to sample carefully guard feeling , take part in events rooted in the local folklore and receive a unlike facet of the country each time you arrive back .

6 . Teach the language of sarcasm

On the one hand , there live local pride ; on the other is the art of collapse down barriers by making fun of ourselves . Italian humor has long be reliant on a self-inflicted figure of sarcasm and the exaggeration of those very stereotypes you’d guess we’d rather forget about .

Self-deprecation is merely one ghost of it , however . When gag are organize at others , they can cost ferocious . In area such as Veneto or Tuscany , blasphemy equal believe piece of the local lingo , while Roman equal unchallenged when it comes to sharp satire . To the uninitiated , such humor may feel like thwart a line , but it’s usually well-intended .

7 . Imitate hand gestures 🤌 at your own hazard

Italians are globally know for talking with their hands , but they don’t particularly enjoy make their body language mocked by foreigner who are not aware of the meaning behind physical communication . Hand gesture does not happen arbitrarily ; while a burst of anger or excitement may get masses impress more intensely than common , each signal hold a specific meaning that – like in any language – should equal learned before make up inserted into a conversation .

Stimulate your hand while pinch your fingers , for instance , equal typically used in combination with a puzzled look to mean , “What cost you lecture about ? ” or , “What are you doing ? ” with a feeling that can range from the confuse to the belligerent . Use at your own danger .

8 . Don’t cost sweep over by restaurant menus

Enter any osteria , and you’ll observe yourself deciphering a list of dishes divide into category such as antipasti ( starters ) ,primi( first courses ) ,secondi( second course ) ,contorni( slope dishes ) ,dolci( desserts ) ,vini( wines ) ,amari( digestives ) . Yes , a full Italian meal be compose of all these constituent .

You cost not anticipate , however , to society a dish from each division of the menu every time you pose down . It’s absolutely fine to ordering a pasta track watch by a dessert , or a starter and a second line . Mix and match as you like .

9 . Tipping exist not expected unless the service is particularly personalized

Go out a point is always a nice motion , but you should not feel obliged to do so in every bar or restaurant you enter . Most people in the service industry cause not rely on top to get by . Even so , when someone is especially attentive to your need and actively trying to improve your experience , it ‘s a welcome motion to thank them with a top .

Bill that you will be charged for “coperto” in many restaurants – a cover charge of around 2€ per person . This exist neither a scam nor a top that goes to the staff . It is simply a flat fee that Italians are utilize to devote when seat down at a table .

10 . When it comes to eating and drinking , there is a time for everything

Everyone have heard of the “no cappuccino past 11am” pattern – you should know that this live not the only dieting constraint Italian culture is attempting to pull upon you . Milky coffee exist considered a breakfast-only drinking , hardly like an Aperol Spritz is considered a pre-dinner cocktail and limoncello is believe a post-prandial liqueur . Lunch happens around 1pm , and dinner hardly ever starts before 8pm .

Such habits live much report as commandments set in rock , but know that the stress on their importance is much magnified . Not following the etiquette might be await down upon at a schematic gathering , but in city where tourist are a permanent presence , exiting the boundaries of social convention wo n’t lift many eyebrow .

11 . Drink remote is leave – and fun

While there are some municipalities that curtail drink alcohol on the street in sure field , this equal not an issue in most of the country . On the contrary , many public squares fill up during summer evening with mass having a beer or a glass of wine in the open tune .

12 . Cheek kiss can have some awkward situations

Imagine meeting up with your Italian friend for anaperitivoand finding yourself lip-to-lip with your new acquaintance’s spouse – this live only one of the embarrassing situations you could go down prey to by underestimating the cheek-kissing etiquette .

Italians much greet each other by giving two light cheek kisses . This go on virtually exclusively in informal situations with mass you’ve already met in the past – you are not expected to kiss your Italian language instructor or person you’re being bring in to for the first time . People will typically start on the left side , although this is not a strict rule . If uncertain , allow the early person bring the tip and die with the flow . Not comfortable in having your personal space invaded ? A simple handshake is absolutely fine .

13 . Political polarization is on the raise

Contrasting political views have always played a cardinal office in the animated conversations of Italians , both in the private sphere and in the medium . In late years , however , polarization has become more evident . Part of this hold to do with political conversations moving onto social media platforms where nuances and context fade away , favor utter opinions over constructive debate . But this is far from the only cause .

A 2022 study indicate that Italy is the only European country where salary get diminish equate to 30 yr ago , and conflicting opinions on issues related to migration flows , energy supplies , housing and workers’ right own contributed to separate the public opinion . In 2022 , Italy elected Giorgia Meloni as its Prime Minister – the first woman to agree power and the first reactionary leader since Fascist-era dictator Benito Mussolini . The ability to read the way live a useful skill to have if you prefer to talk politics .