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Italy Travel Guide

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Carlo DeSando

Wonderful Time in Italy We were covered from the moment we landed in Rome. The drivers were great, the connections were flawless, and it was well-planned a...

Chances are, once you’ve experienced the joys of travelling in Italy, you might never want to visit anywhere else. Its cultural legacy is awe-inspiring, with remnants of the Roman Empire manifest at (pretty much) every turn. Then there’s the diverse landscapes, and the fabulous food - all underpinned by an unmistakeable character of living life to the full.

Travel Facts about Italy

Where to go in italy - regions and areas, top attractions - what to see in italy, best things to do in italy, when is the best time to visit italy.

• How to get to Italy

How to get around Italy

Where to stay in italy, food in italy you need to try, culture and festivals in italy, nightlife in italy, plan your trip to italy, things you need to know before going to italy, typical cost and money saving tips for italy, what to pack for a trip to italy, is italy safe for travel, what you should avoid in italy, useful resources for your travel to italy, travel ideas for italy, created by local experts.

8 days  / from 2671 USD

Experience the hit TV show 'The White Lotus' in Sicily

Stay in beautiful Taormina with gorgeous views of Mount Etna and discover Sicily, including famous filming locations. Go on exclusive wine tastings, discover the Greek theater in Taormina with a private guide, visit other Sicilian towns and enjoy the crystal clear water on this week-long trip.

8 days  / from 3319 USD

Enchanting Italian Lakes

Experience the picturesque lakes of Northern Italy, including Lake Garda, Como, Lugano and Maggiore; explore the charming Borromean Islands – former favourites of Ernest Hemingway – and stroll the romantic streets of Verona and Milan. All of this, and much more, with this self-drive trip!

16 days  / from 3319 USD

From Venice to Florence: A Grand Tour of Northern Italy

From the atmospheric canals of Venice and the picturesque coastline of Cinque Terre, to the trendy designer boutiques of Milan and the Renaissance-infused streets of Florence, Northern Italy has plenty to offer. Experience it all with this comprehensive trip.

All the information here is from The Rough Guide to Italy , our in-depth Italy travel guide - check it out for your all your Italy travel needs.

• Language: Italian, with a whopping 34 dialects.
• Population: just under 60 million, with around three million residing in Rome, the capital.
• Politics: Italy has been a democratic republic since 1946, when the monarchy was abolished by popular referendum.
• Heritage: Italy is home to a staggering 55 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 50 cultural and five natural. Tuscany alone has more classified historical monuments than any other country in the world.
• Food and drink: the average Italian eats 23 kilos of pasta annually, and the nation drinks an astounding 14 billion cups of coffee every year.

For more Italy travel tips, read our facts about travelling in Italy article .

Every trip to Italy is unique and that's why it's essential to stay protected. With our go-to travel insurance provider, Heymondo , you get great value and 24/7 support wherever you are.

Figuring out where to go when you visit Italy is no mean feat. From ancient hilltop towns to modern bustling cities, dramatic mountain landscapes to sweeping coastal scenery, each pocket of Italy delivers something different.

Rome , Italy’s capital, is the one city in the country that owes allegiance neither to the north or the south. It’s quite unlike any other city, and in terms of historic sights it outstrips everywhere else by some way.

Rome from above aerial view of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum © Calin Stan/Shutterstock

Piemonte and Lombardy

The northwest regions of Piemonte and Lombardy make up the country’s most cosmopolitan region, and the two main centres, Turin and Milan , are its wealthiest cities. In the north, the presence of the Alps makes skiing and hiking prime activities, while Lombardy’s lakes and mountains are time-honoured tourist territory.

Liguria , the small coastal province to the south, has long been known as the “Italian Riviera” and is accordingly crowded with sun-seekers for much of the summer. Its capital, Genoa , is a vibrant port town with a long seafaring tradition.

The Veneto and Friuli Giulia

The Dolomites stretch into the northeastern regions of the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia , but the main focus here is Venice . This unique city is every bit as beautiful as its reputation suggests.

Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna ’s coast is popular among Italians, and Rimini is Italy’s brashest (and trendiest) seaside resort. Then there’s the ancient centres of Ravenna , Ferrara , Parma and regional capital, Bologna , one of Italy’s liveliest cities, and traditionally its gastronomic and academic capital.

Central Italy represents perhaps the most commonly perceived image of the country. Tuscany , with its classic rolling countryside and the art-packed towns of Florence , Pisa and Siena , is one of Italy’s most visited regions.

Neighbouring Umbria is similar in all but its tourist numbers, though it gets busier every year, as visitors flock to towns like Perugia and Assisi .

Campania ’s capital, Naples , is a unique, unforgettable city, the spiritual heart of the Italian south, and close to some of Italy’s finest ancient sites in Pompeii and Herculaneum, not to mention the country’s most spectacular stretch of coast around Amalfi.

Puglia , the “heel” of Italy, has underrated pleasures, notably the landscape of its Gargano peninsula, the souk-like qualities of its capital, Bari , and the Baroque glories of Lecce in the far south.

The island of Sicily is a place apart, with a wide mixture of attractions ranging from some of the finest preserved Hellenistic treasures in Europe, to a couple of Italy’s most appealing beach resorts in Taormina and Cefalu, not to mention some gorgeous upland scenery.

The stage of Taormina's Greek Theater with the Etna in the background, Taormina, Sicily © K. Roy Zerloch/Shutterstock

Sardinia feels far removed from the mainland, especially in its relatively undiscovered interior, although you may be content just to laze on its beaches, which are among Italy’s best.

Discover more places in Italy

• Friuli-Venezia Giulia Travel Guide
• Le Marche Travel Guide
• Liguria Travel Guide
• Lombardy and the Lakes Travel Guide
• Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Travel Guide
• Puglia, Italy
• Rome Travel Guide
• Sardinia, Italy: What To Do, Weather & More
• Sicily Travel Guide
• Trentino-Alto Adige Travel Guide
• Tuscany, Italy
• Umbria Travel Guide
• The Veneto Travel Guide
• Venice Travel Guide

Picking landmarks and attractions in Italy everyone should see in a lifetime is a nigh impossible task, but we’ve taken a stab at selecting some of the best places to travel in Italy; sights that will enhance every Italy trip experience.

• The Colosseum is perhaps Rome’s most awe-inspiring ancient monument, an enormous structure that despite the depredations of nearly two thousand years of earthquakes, fires, riots and wars, remains relatively intact.
• Venice’s magnificent Piazza San Marco houses the Basilica di San Marco, Italy’s most lavish cathedral.
• Hemmed in by lush hillsides and dramatic mountains, Lake Como’s captivating landscape is best enjoyed by zigzagging between shores by boat.
• When in Florence , it’s impossible not to gravitate straight towards the square at its hears, Piazza del Duomo, beckoned by the iconic form of the cathedral’s extraordinary dome.
• Romain remains at Pompeii and Herculaneum - these two sites, buried by the volcanic debris of Vesuvius in AD 79, afford an unparalleled glimpse into ancient Roman daily life and architecture.
• The Amalfi coast - this rugged stretch of coastline has to rank as one of Italy’s most breath-taking routes. Secluded coves and picturesque towns punctuate the scenic journey.

Discover more great places to see in our ultimate list of things not to miss in Italy .

Grand Canal, Venice, Italy © Apple Kullathida/Shutterstock

History and culture

Rome alone has enough historic attractions to warrant dozens of visits (and that’s no exaggeration). Discover more about the Eternal City’s ravishing ruins and architectural treasures, from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum , to the Spanish Steps and the Vatican .

Florence is an exquisite city of exquisite art, the jewel in its elegant crown Italy’s finest art gallery, the Uffizi, home to Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and Caravaggio’s “Medusa”, to name but a few of its masterworks. Though meandering Venice’s winding alleys and canals feels like you’re exploring a museum (such is the city’s beauty and uniquely curated vibe), the Accademia museum is an absolute must-visit for art-lovers.

Water-sports

The extensive Italian coast offers plenty of opportunities for sailing and windsurfing. Scuba diving is popular in Sicily and off most of the smaller islands. Water-sports aren’t just restricted to the coast - they can be found in places such as lakes Como and Garda in the north, and Trasimeno and Bolsena further south towards Rome, while river canoeing, canyoning and rafting are popular in the mountain areas of the north of the country. Discover more about sports and outdoor pursuits - our Italy guide to all things active.

Of course, Italy’s coast isn’t all about high energy pursuits. Its beaches are stunning places to soak up the sun; people watch and pose; eat, drink and generally be very merry. Discover the best beaches in Italy , spanning secluded coves, lively seafronts, and dramatic cliff-backed harbours.

Skiing and snowboarding

With the Alps on the doorstep, it’s easy to spend a weekend skiing or snowboarding from Milan, Turin or Venice. Some of the most popular ski resorts are Sestriere and Bardonecchia in Piemonte, and Val di Fassa in the stunning Dolomite mountains. Find out about the best winter resorts for skiing .

Hiking and biking

All these mountain resorts are equally ideal as bases for summer hiking and climbing. The dramatic, spiky landscape of the Dolomites , for example, is perfect hiking country, with its trails often subject to snow, ice and scorching sun in the same day - this is Italy travel at its most epic. For less strenuous treks, the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria make perfect walking and mountain-bike country - consider booking a tour in the company of an Italy travel guide who has local hiking or biking know-how.

Varenna old town in Como lake © Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock

Italy is a truly year-round destination, so the answer to the question “what’s the best month to go to Italy?” will depend on what you want from your Italy travel experience. 

Generally speaking, though, the best time to travel to Italy is spring ( April , May and June ) or autumn ( September and October ). emperatures are warm and you’ll skirt the stifling heat of the summer months - top Italy travel advice if you want to avoid the crowds, too.

Visiting Italy in November , December , January , February and March is doable, but keep in mind that it can be cold. Especially in the north.

Find out more about the best time to visit Italy .

The best way to travel to Italy is to fly. Regular direct flights serve most of Italy from the UK, and you can fly direct from various cities in the US to Rome and Milan. Alternatively, if you travel to Italy by train, you’ll limit your carbon footprint and get to see incredible scenery too. An Interrail (European residents) or Eurail pass (non-European residents) is good value if you plan to make stops en route.

Read on for the best ways to get to Italy .

If you’re wondering how to travel around Italy, the extensive rail system is inexpensive, pretty reliable and quick, apart from regional trains, which tend to be slow and don’t necessarily extend to everywhere you might want to go, though regional buses cover the corners the trains don’t reach. For trips to the islands, you can hop on a ferry or hydrofoil, and the northern lakes region operates frequent ferries outside the winter months.

Learn more about transportation and how to get around Italy .

When you visit Italy, an immeasurable variety of accommodation awaits - boutique hotels, youth hostels, self-catering villas, family-run B&Bs, rural farmhouses, mountain monasteries. While rarely particularly cheap, standards are reliable and accommodation is well regulated. Bear in mind, though, that while accommodation is plentiful, you’ll need to book ahead to bag your ideal bunk down spot in popular resorts and major cities.

Discover how to find the best accommodations in Italy .

One of the joys of travel to Italy is sampling the variety of quality food and drink. Italian cuisine is region specific - the northwest brings a French influence, with its rich butter and cream sauces, while Umbria specialises in salamis, hams, and black truffles, and the southern diet features Mediterranean vegetables. Naples is considered to be the home of the humble pizza, all along the coast seafood dominates, and pasta is prevalent pretty much everywhere. When it comes to drink, Italians take their coffee seriously, and Italian wine is world-renowned, with Tuscany producing classic Chianti, and Veneto’s Prosecco an effervescent delight.

Read more about local food and drink in Italy .

Florence cityscape © Bob Hilscher/Shutterstock

If you travel to Italy, chances are you’ll come across a festival of one kind or another. The Italians love a party, and there are thousands of festivals throughout the year. Religious processions are widespread, Good Friday being particularly well celebrated, and carnival (the big party before the sobriety of Lent). Then there are traditional events, such as the Palio horse race in Siena , food festivals, often celebrating regional cuisine, as well as arts festivals, often taking place against a backdrop of Roman or medieval architecture.

Read more about public holidays in Italy .

The resort area of Rimini is arguably the clubbing capital of Italy, mainly concentrated on the seafront itself, and in the fashionable enclave of Misano Monte (15km south of Rimini and about 5km inland). Also home to legendary nightclubs, cosmopolitan fashion powerhouse Milan does things a little differently. Milanos like to start their evenings early, with an extended “Happy Hour” that begins around six with an aperitivo - a pre-dinner drink that typically lasts until 9pm.

Though not short of night clubs, Roman nightlife is more focussed on al fresco food-based activities. Bustling, bohemian Trastevere comes up trumps for hearty homecooked food and, while Naples lays claim to inventing it, Roman pizza is something to write home about.

The saying goes that Rome wasn’t built in a day, so you shouldn’t expect to see more than a fraction of the city’s attractions in a short visit. That said, if you’re looking for ideas for a few days in Italy, a (preferably long) weekend in Rome will deliver in magnificent style. The same goes for city breaks in Venice, Florence and Milan, and lesser-visited Bologna and Genoa.

As for ideas for a week (or more) in Italy, you might consider touring the Italian Lakes , or soaking up southern Italy , taking in Naples, Pompeii, Vesuvius, the island of Capri , and Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Alternatively, exploring the island of Sicily makes for an idyllic longer break.

For more inspiration see some of the Italy itineraries from our Italy travel guide and local travel experts.

• Dining do’s and don’ts - always wish your table mates “Buon appetito!” before eating, never start to eat until everyone is seated, and always serve others before yourself.
• Be mindful that tucking into takeaway treats on the move isn’t always welcome (or legal). Florence, for example, has banned eating on the streets around All’ Antico Vinaio, on account of the mess incurred by the popularity of the areas’s takeaway eateries.
• Be respectful (quiet, and observe any rules around photography) when visiting churches and other religious sites.
• Say “Permesso” when you need to pass someone on the street, as you’d say “excuse me” in English.

Positano, italy. Amalfi Coast © iacomino FRiMAGES/Shutterstock

Practical travel tips for Italy

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Italy

• Eating and drinking in Italy
• Getting around Italy: Transportation Tips
• Shopping tips for Italy
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Italy
• Travel Tips Italy for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Italy
• How to spend 7 days In Italy - 8 unique itineraries
• The Best 10-Day Italy Travel Itinerary
• How To Spend 14 Days In Italy - 5 Unique Itineraries
• How to get from Rome to Florence
• Electricity - the supply is 220V, though anything requiring 240V will work, and plugs either have two or three round pins.
• Italy’s currency is the euro (Italians pronounce it “eh-uro”).
• Banks give the best exchange rate. Banking hours are normally Monday to Friday mornings from 8.30am until 1.30pm, and for an hour in the afternoon (usually 2.30–4pm).
• Most towns and villages have at least one ATM.
• Opening hours - most shops and businesses open Monday to Saturday from 8am until 1pm, and from about 4pm until 7pm, with additional closures on Saturday afternoons, though an increasing number remain open all day. Traditionally, everything except bars and restaurants closes on Sunday, though in large cities and tourist areas, Sunday shopping is more common.

For advice about practical matters when travelling in Italy, check the travel advice for Italy .

In general, you’ll find the south of Italy less expensive than the north. As a broad guide, expect to pay most in Venice, Milan, Florence and Bologna, less in Rome, while in Naples and Sicily prices drop quite a lot. As an indication, you should be able to survive on a budget of about €50–60 per day if you stay in a hostel, have lunchtime snacks and a cheap evening meal. If you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat out twice a day, you’ll spend closer to €130–140 per day. Transport and food are relatively inexpensive, and room rates are in line with much of the rest of Europe, but bear in mind that in July and August, when Italians take their holidays, hotel prices can escalate.

• Comfortable shoes - yes, even if you’re strutting around fashionable Milan. Exploring Italy on foot is fabulous fun, so you won’t want to be hindered by inappropriate footwear.
• That said, Italians are known for their style, so even if you’re setting off for a beach or adventure holiday, you’ll want to pack something smart for the evenings.
• Travelling from outside mainland Europe? Bring multi-plug adapter.
• While English is widely spoken, pack an Italian phrasebook . Attempting to speak little lingo is polite, plus it could come in handy in remote rural regions.
• Italian summers are hot, hot, hot - don’t forget the sunscreen.

Italy is relatively safe for visitors, though you can reduce the chance of petty theft by taking sensible precautions - don’t flash anything valuable, and make sure bags can’t be snatched. You’re most at risk in busy areas, where pickpockets and scippatori or “snatchers” on scooters are most likely to operate.

Read more on travel safety in Italy , and for up to date information about safety and travel requirements for Italy, check government guidelines. UK nationals should heed Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice , while travellers from the US should check governmental travel advisory guidelines for Italy .

Statue of Apollo, Pompeii © BlackMac/Shutterstock

• Don’t sit down for a coffee if you’re going to down it in one - the cost of a coffee drunk at a table can be double that of drinking it at the counter.
• Don’t ask for a cappuccino as lunchtime approaches - in Italy, the frothy stuff is only supped with breakfast.
• Common sense this one, but steer clear of restaurants that try to usher folks inside. Italy has an abundance of excellent eateries - you don’t need to pay over the odds at joints that hustle for business.
• Avoid depending on debit and credit cards. Lots of gelateria, street food vendors and trinket stalls only take cash - you wouldn’t want to miss out on that ice cream of a lifetime by being beholden to cards.
• Check out The Rough Guide to Italy - our exhaustive, in-depth Italy travel guide that covers everything you need to know before you go, and while you’re on the road.
• You can pick up regional Rough Guides to Italy too, and city guides. Explore the full range .
• Our expert-curated (fully customisable) Italy itineraries are packed with inspiration.
• Given that enjoying Italy’s food, glorious, food is an essential Italy travel experience, taking a food tour is a great way to sample authentic cuisine, whether you’re in Rome , Naples , or Venice .

Top image: Amalfi coast, Italy © proslgn/Shutterstock

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 21.03.2024

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Italy: a first-timer’s guide

Feb 28, 2024 • 8 min read

One of the best things to do in Italy? Spend time on the water (coast, lake or canal) © Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

With its iconic monuments, timeless landscapes and irresistible food,  Italy is one of Europe’s most alluring destinations. Its historic cities promise thrilling art and architecture at every turn while its varied coastlines and Alpine heights provide a stunning outdoor playground.

In fact, the country is so packed with possibilities that it can seem almost overwhelming. Where should I go? How do I get there? How much will it cost? This planning guide tackles these questions and provides clear practical advice on how to get the most out of your first Italian trip.

When should I go to Italy?

The short answer is anytime. Spring and fall are best for sightseeing , touring and seasonal food. It’s warm without being stifling and nature is in full color. But with the glorious blue-sky weather come crowds and high-season prices in the main cities.

Summer sees cities empty as holidaymakers head to the coast. Prices skyrocket in popular areas, peaking in mid-August when beaches are packed and resorts full. Meanwhile, the festival season swings into gear with high-profile events such as Il Palio di Siena, featuring a wild bareback horse race around Siena 's Piazza del Campo , and Spoleto’s Festival dei Due Mondi , with musicians, artists and actors performing to passionate throngs.

Winter is generally quiet – except in ski resorts – and it can be wet and cold. But low season rates and empty museums make it a decent option for a city break.

How much time do I need to visit Italy?

Realistically, you’ll need at least two or three days in top cities such as Rome , Florence and Venice . That won’t give you enough time to cover everything, but it will allow you to get a feel for the place and explore some of the headline attractions.

If you’re happy to move fast, you could cover Italy’s highlights on a whistle-stop 10-day tour. That would give you a couple of days each in Venice and Florence, a day in Bologna , Pisa and Naples , and three days in Rome. Alternatively, you could focus on a particular area. For example, with a week you could explore southern Tuscany and parts of neighboring Umbria , or cut a swathe through Sicily’s baroque southeast .

Is it easy to get in and around Italy?

Italy is well served by air with flights from across the world. Major airports include Rome Fiumicino (officially Leonardo da Vinci) and Milan Malpensa , the two main intercontinental gateways, Venice Marco Polo , Pisa International (for Florence and Tuscany), Naples International  and Catania (Sicily’s busiest airport). There are also excellent rail and bus links, especially to northern Italy, and ferries to Italian ports from across the Mediterranean.

Once in Italy, you've got transport options . Trains are best between major cities and along the coasts, while buses are better for the mountains and hilly inland areas. For more remote parts you’ll really need your own wheels. Most major cities have decent public transport, though you can often cover their historic centers on foot.

Top things to do in Italy

Tour rome’s greatest hits.

First port of call for many travelers is Rome, Italy’s charismatic capital. You’ll never be able to cover all of its monuments and masterpieces, but there are some you won’t want to miss. The Colosseum and Pantheon are obvious highlights, along with the Roman Forum and Palatino . Then there’s the Vatican where you’ll find St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (in the Vatican Museums ). And, of course, you’ll want to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure you return to the Eternal City.

For a taste of authentic Roman cuisine, try a slice of pizza from Forno Roscioli or a pasta carbonara at Flavio al Velavevodetto in the Testaccio neighborhood.

Marvel at masterpieces in Florence

One and a half hours north of Rome by train, Florence is the second of Italy’s ‘big three’ (Venice completes the trio). Visitors have been rhapsodizing about the city for centuries and still today it thrills with its Renaissance palazzi (palaces), frescoed churches and artworks such as Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia , Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Galleria degli Uffizi , and Brunelleschi’s red dome atop the landmark Duomo . Art apart, there are markets and boutiques to explore and Negroni cocktails to be sampled, including at the historic Caffè Rivoire .

With more time, you could add a day-trip to Siena or a tour of the Chianti wine country .

Get lost in Venice’s backstreets

As soon as you set foot in Venice you know it’s special. And confusing. To get your bearings take vaporetto (water bus) No 1 along the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco where you’ll find several landmark sights. Chief among these are the Basilica di San Marco and the Gothic Palazzo Ducale , former residence of the ruling Doge. Elsewhere, you can catch modern art at the world-class Peggy Guggenheim Collection and browse colorful produce at the centuries-old Rialto Market .

To fuel your wanderings, Venice is famous for its cicchetti (bar snacks). A top spot for these is the canal-side Bracaro ae Bricoe bar in the Cannaregio sestiere (neighborhood).

Feast on pizza, art and street life in Naples

With Mt Vesuvius brooding on the horizon, Naples is sprawling, loud, sometimes edgy and often magnificent. Its Dickensian backstreets are a joy to explore and its regal palaces showcase world-class collections of Greco-Roman antiquities and baroque art – check out the Museo Nazionale Archeologico and Cappella Sansevero for a glimpse. Then, of course, there’s the city’s revered pizza, served at historic pizzerias such as Da Michele .

Beyond the city, Pompeii is an easy day trip and the Amalfi Coast is within striking distance via the sunny resort town of Sorrento .

Cruise the Italian Lakes

Ringed by brooding Alpine summits and steep wooded slopes, the Italian Lakes have been a popular holiday spot since ancient times. At Lake Maggiore , you can explore the Isole Borromee with their ornate palaces and lavish gardens, while further east you can go celeb-spotting on Lake Como , cruising around its exquisite villas and villages.

To reach the lakes you’ll often have to pass through Milan , Italy’s northern powerhouse. A day here would be enough to take in some of its signature sights: Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper , the fairy-tale Duomo , the Quadrilatero d’Oro shopping district.

My favorite thing to do in Italy

Italy’s obvious beauty and blockbuster sights abound, but what I love are its simple pleasures: a leisurely lunch in a favorite trattoria, the sight of pine trees towering over Roman ruins, a glass of prosecco on a Venetian canal-side.

I also love wandering around Rome and seeing how its life plays out against a backdrop of ancient monuments and historic palazzi . There’s always something going on and even without trying I usually come across something special, an amazing baroque fountain or a teeming market in a medieval square. The city’s streets really are an experience in themselves. I mean where else can you wait for a tram just yards from where Julius Caesar was stabbed?

How much money do I need for Italy?

Italy isn’t cheap. Accommodation rates vary enormously between places and seasons but prices are universally high in popular destinations. That said, you can still find deals if you book early and avoid peak periods. Sightseeing can also add up with top sites charging top dollar. On the plus side, eating out doesn’t have to cost the earth, especially if you stick to pizza and gelato.

Some average daily costs:

• Double room in an agriturismo (farm stay) €40-80
• B&B room €60-140
• Coffee (standing at a bar) €1.10
• Midrange meal €25-35
• Glass of wine €5-8
• Museum admission €10-20
• Public transport ticket (Rome) €1.50 for 100 minutes unlimited travel (but only one metro ride)
• High-speed train ticket Rome to Florence €55

Frequently asked questions

This is italy, so do i have to dress up all the time.

In a word, no. When sightseeing go for comfort, especially when it comes to shoes – you’ll be walking a lot and cobbled streets can be murder on the feet. Note also that major religious sights often enforce dress codes, so make sure you can cover your shoulders, torso and thighs. For going out in the evening, smart casual is the way to go.

What’s the score with tipping?

Tipping is not strictly necessary in restaurants as most places add servizio (service) to the bill. If they don’t or if you want to leave something, a few euros is fine in pizzerias and trattorias; 5% to 10% in smarter restaurants.

What’s this about not drinking a cappuccino after 11am?

Italy has a whole (unwritten) rule book on the dos and don’ts of drinking. As a foreign visitor you’ll get a pass if you order the wrong drink at the wrong time, but it helps to know that Italians regard cappuccinos as breakfast drinks, call an espresso un caffè , and drink beer with pizza.

What’s the card vs cash situation?

Businesses are legally obliged to accept digital payments but it’s always best to have some cash on you. You probably won’t have any problems but it’s not unheard of for payment machines to be mysteriously broken in smaller bars, shops, museums or restaurants. Major credit cards are widely accepted (Amex less so).

This article was first published May 24, 2019 and updated Feb 28, 2024.

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How to plan an Italy trip

Want to know how to plan an Italy trip? You’ve come to the right place. Italy trip planning is one of our favorite things to do. So much so that we set up this website.

We wrote this article to take you step by step through planning your trip. From deciding when to go and how much it will cost to what to take and how to use your mobile phone, it’s all here to remove the overwhelm and make your trip planning easier. Even if you choose to hire a travel agent to assist with your bookings, it is a good idea to walk through these steps as it will help the agent build the best trip for you.

You can see an overview of the steps you need to follow in the article contents below. Follow our guide and you’ll be on your way to planning your own trip or choosing the right tour for you and your travel companions.

Article contents

Step 1 – Decide when you want to go and your budget

When to go to italy.

There is no bad time to visit Italy but there may be one that suits you better. Depending on your interests and the places you want to see you need to be aware of seasonal differences that you need to know about:

• Summer – June to August: peak tourist season, weather is hot and prices higher. Many Italians are on vacation and the coastal areas are very busy especially in mid August
• Fall / Autumn – September to November: September remains hot and busy in most of the major tourist centers. By October the weather is cooling and ferry services on the coast and lakes stop running. At this time grape harvest is in full swing. November is generally quite wet but there is lots of sunshine between the showers.
• Winter – December to February: As the weather cools so do the crowds. Attractions are much less busy and the lead up to Christmas is magical with lights and decorations in shop windows. In January and February restaurants in many coastal areas are closed. February’s Carnevale in Venice is generally one of the most expensive times to visit the city
• Spring – March to May: In March and April wildflowers bloom and the countryside is awash with color. Easter is a popular holiday for Europeans to visit Italian cities especially Rome, Florence and Venice.

NOTE: peak season in the most visited destinations is May – October.

Our favorite time to visit Italy in the shoulder months. In April and May and October and November the weather is generally sunny and mild, the crowds are manageable and you can find great value deals on your flight and accommodation.

Although we are past the worst of the pandemic and travel restrictions, things can change quickly – you can check our article Can you travel to Italy plus current situation.  We update this regularly with the latest travel news.  

READ: Our full article on the best time to visit Italy

How much will it cost?

This will depend on your expectations, interests and travel style. You can travel very cheaply in Italy if you visit lesser-known regional areas and avoid the big cities. Even in the big cities it is possible to find free attractions and budget accommodation if you know where to look.

If you want to see the main sights and enjoy experiences such as cooking classes, private boat cruises and wine tours then the sky is really the limit when it comes to cost.

Most travelers fall somewhere in the middle however and a reasonable daily budget per person for food, transport and activities is around €100 on top of flights and accommodation.

READ: Our full article on Budgeting for your trip to Italy.

Expert Assistance

Need some help planning your trip?

Book in for a trip consultation with our expert Italy travel planners ready to help you build your dream vacation in Italy whether that be a classic first timer trip or an off the beaten path adventure

Step 2 – Do some preliminary research and preparation

Where to research your trip to italy.

From online news and magazines, blogs, Instagram, Facebook groups (check out Italy Travel Planning ) and even podcasts like ours – there are thousands of resources online. I am sure you’ve already seen quite a few of them already. Sometimes endless options can be overwhelming so we recommend collecting ideas in an online folder or scrapbook and organizing them into destinations that you really want to see.

You’ll probably want to “do it all” but really have a think about your interests and what will best suit you and your travel style. Once you have some ideas, it’s best to consult a structured resource to check your assumptions and thoughts.

Traditional guidebooks definitely have their place for planning a trip to Italy. Well researched and structured, they’ll give you in depth information on destinations and sights to see as well as practical tips to help you plan. Even after 30+ trips to Italy we still consult guidebooks for new destinations we want to visit. You can find our favorite Italy guidebooks here .

Italy travel planners

We noticed that even guidebooks can provide too much information in the planning process so we created one page travel planners for the top places to visit in Italy. Our planners tell you the top sights, best viewpoints, must have experiences and our favorite places to eat (including best gelato stops) in each place.

You can print them off or keep them on your phone and there’s a link to an online map so you can map out your days. We have guides for Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. Our goal is always to simplify the trip planning process and we know you will find them useful.

DISCOVER: Our Digital travel guides and planners .

Group tour itineraries

Tour companies – like ours ! – put a lot of effort into designing tours that cover the main sights and even lesser known regions. They know the times it takes to get around and how long you can stay in each place to get a taste or feel for the destination.

We often check itineraries of places we would like to visit as an input into our own planning.  Here are some recommended tour companies and itineraries to investigate.

Private tours

If you want maximum flexibility and comfort, consider a private driving tour . From the moment you land, to when you depart, you’ll have a personal driver with local knowledge making sure your trip is exactly what you imagined.

Passports and visas

At this stage of your planning it is a good idea to check the validity of your passport and if you require a visa. Citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand may enter Italy and stay up to 90 days without a visa within an 180 day period. You must have 6 months validity on your passport when you enter Italy. Go and check this now as it can take several months for new passports to be processed.

All other nationalities should check this Italian government site that will walk you through whether a visa is required for your visit.

Citizens of the European Union can travel with photo identification.

Please note – this information is subject to change and it is always best to check with your local foreign office for the latest advice on travel to Italy.

• United States –  click here
• Australia –  click here
• United Kingdom –  click here
• Canada –  click here

READ: Can you travel to Italy plus current situation .

Step 3 – Confirm your itinerary

Itinerary planning is where many people get stuck. We understand. There are so many amazing places to see in Italy that deciding where to go and how much time to spend there can be hard. As a general rule, we like to spend a minimum of three nights in each place to minimize time spent traveling and also enjoy each place as much as possible. So if you have a 10 day trip then 3 main stops would be a good baseline to start with.

Where to go

From your research, you probably have an idea of where you want to go. You may want to visit the popular cities and regions on your first trip however each city and region in Italy offers something special.

Most popular cities

Most popular regions.

On our site, you can also browse Italy’s lesser-known cities and regions on the destinations page or visit our article on hidden gems in Italy for inspiration.

Itinerary suggestions

As a general rule, for a 3-5 day trip we suggest choosing one destination – a city or region. If you have a week to 10 days then you can plan 1-3 places in either the north OR south of Italy. In a two week trip you could cover 3-4 places and see both north and south.

Try not to squeeze too much in. It’s easy to underestimate transit times and getting in and out of airports and train stations. Plus you want to have plenty of time to enjoy yourself and soak up every last moment.

Suggested itineraries

If it is your first trip to Italy, like many first-time visitors you may choose to start your journey in Rome and visit Florence and Venice. This 10 day Italy itinerary covers that route. It includes detailed instructions on how to make the most of your time in Italy.

Want our FREE Italy trip planning checklist? >> Click here .

Alternative 10 day itinerary suggestions

Most people travel to Italy for 10 to 14 days so we built some itinerary suggestions to cater for that time frame that cover both northern and southern Italy.

Group Tours

Packaged group tours of Italy are a popular way to travel and avoid the stress of planning your own trip. They are also a great option if you would like some company along the way. Here is a quick summary of popular tour companies:

• Untold Italy small group tours – we run exclusive small group tours for food and wine-loving travelers wanting to get off the beaten path to see hidden Italy beyond the major cities and tourist areas. We lead groups of 14 people on journeys of discovery to experience the regions of Sicily, Puglia, Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, Bologna and surrounds, Capri and the Cilento coasts > learn more
• Trafalgar – popular and well respected brand appealing to the 50+ age group. Travel is by coach and the focus is on culture and history. Expect group sizes of 40-45 passengers and 4 star hotels. Trafalgar also include interesting local experiences such as wine tastings and unique stays in their itineraries. Check out their popular Best of Italy tour
• Intrepid Travel – small group tours with an average of 10 travelers with plenty of free time built in for exploring. Their popular Italy Real Food Adventure is an 8 day itinerary that showcases their travel style well
• Peregrine – Intrepid’s premium brand offers some interesting hiking tours of the Italian Lakes and Amalfi Coast
• Tourradar – is a market place for group packaged tours where you can browse hundreds of package tours by different operators, and by date. You then filter by your interests and age group and read detailed reviews. You can browse fully organized tours to independent self-drive or train itineraries

READ: Our full article on the Best package tours for Italy .

When should you start booking your trip?

Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world, so in our opinion, it is never too early to start the booking process. Book accommodation as soon as possible, and at least 6-12 months in advance especially for peak times in July and August.  We prefer to pay the higher rate for flexible bookings on both Booking.com and Plum Guide .

Day tour and attractions also sell out months in advance at peak times. In 2020 our preferred booking site GetYourGuide refunded all tours canceled due to the pandemic and stand by their policy of allowing cancelations with a full refund up to 24 hours before your activity starts.

Flight bookings will depend on where you are flying from. For long haul flights the best deals are generally found 6-12 months in advance while deals pop up regularly for travel within Europe.

Rail bookings can be made up to 4 months in advance on high speed intercity and standard intercity trains.

Step 4 – Book your flights, inbound travel & insurance

Flights to italy.

It is easy to fly direct (or with a single stop) into Italy from most places in the world. Rome Fiumicino [Leonardo da Vinci](FCO) international airport is the main hub for air traffic but you can also easily fly into Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Venice Marco Polo (VCE) airports from major hubs around the world.

There are many other airports throughout the country that can be accessed within Italy and Europe. Pisa is useful for trips to Tuscany and the Cinque Terre and you will need to fly into both Sicily and Sardinia.

To source the best flight deals to Italy we use a combination of Skyscanner ,  CheapoAir  and  Google flights .

• Skyscanner  – portal where you can view cheapest days and routes to fly and set alerts for price drops
• CheapoAir – uncovers the best deals on first and business class flights around the world
• Google flights  – great for checking schedules and airline routes

Secure the best deals by setting up alerts on Skyscanner for the month you wish to travel and wait for price drops. It’s good to have a price that you wish to pay in mind but be prepared to be flexible on dates and stopovers. It is often cheaper to fly into Milan rather than Rome and that city is a useful entry point for northern Italy itineraries.

TIP: always use an incognito browser window to search for flight deals. Prices are amended up for users known to be searching for specific dates and times.

Inbound rail from within Europe

Major Italian cities – Milan, Rome, Florence and Venice – have fantastic fast speed train links from other capitals and major cities in Europe. The website  Seat 61  is a great resource for planning train travel within Europe.

Bus travel to Italy

If you’re on a tight budget and traveling within Europe, then you might want to consider coming to Italy by bus. Low cost operator  Flixbus covers 3,000 destinations in 39 countries.

You can compare schedules and prices using Omio – a useful site for booking a combination of train, bus and air travel within Europe.

Organize travel insurance

Once you have booked your flights or tour, we recommend organizing travel insurance straight away. The main reason you should purchase insurance is to cover health costs and emergency repatriation to your home country should you fall ill. Since 2020 you need to check whether there is cover provided for issues relating to covid19 however general health cover is recommended regardless.

Cover for cancelation, delays and loss of belongings is a bonus and again they may not apply under pandemic conditions. You need to read all the terms and conditions of your cover including any exclusions before you commit to buy.

Policy costs vary by your country of residence, what is covered, age, existing conditions and the insurer. You can visit Worldnomads for a quick quote. We use this company for our family travels and find the cost, coverage and claims process to be good to excellent.

Another option if you are in the United States is Safety Wing’s Nomad Insurance . Unfortunately neither option provides policies for those aged over 69. In this case you can try Travel Insurance Master – a service that allows you to compare quotes and insurance policies.

Step 5 – Book accommodation and transport

Accommodation.

Choosing where to stay at each stop is an important part of itinerary planning. Italy has many different options for tourists and you can expect the usual range of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation as well as apartments and villas.

If you plan to spend any time in the country, consider staying at an agriturismo or farm stay. This is accommodation offered by Italian farmers who earn additional income by providing rooms and meals. Very popular in Italy and Europe, prices ranges from budget to luxurious. You can find agriturismi (plural) with swimming pools, hammams, restaurants and wine cellars. We always try to build them into our itinerary. 

LISTEN: Find out about farm stays in Italy in this podcast episode .

How much will accommodation cost?

Here is a rough guide to average prices for a double room. This will vary with prices higher in popular areas at peak times

Upscale / Luxury – €210+ [USD $240+] per night Midrange / Boutique – €120-260 [USD $135-295] per night Budget / B&B – €70-130 [USD $80-150] per night Ultra budget / Hostel or shared room in AirBnB – €30-45 [USD $30-40] per night

Best accommodation sites

Our favorite sites for booking lodging are Booking.com and Plum Guide – between them, you’ll find a huge range of options from hotels and resorts to bed and breakfast, apartments and farm stay accommodation.

Plum Guide is particularly useful for longer stays in apartments and villas and if you’re traveling as a family and need some extra space. Use the code “Untold5” for a 5% discount here .

Other sites we use and recommend

• BookingsForYou – beautiful villas and apartments in Tuscany, Italian Lakes and Puglia – 5% for readers when you mention our site or code – UntoldItaly – when booking
• VRBO – has some great options for long stay villas and apartments, particularly on the Amalfi Coast
• Agriturismo.it – great for finding smaller farm stays but the booking engine is terrible. You can usually find the same properties on Booking.com
• Airbnb – we have used Airbnb on many occasions in Italy but are now finding better value and booking conditions on Booking.com and VRBO

LISTEN: To more accommodation options and what to look for in this podcast episode .

Further reading:

• Where to stay in Rome – a district by district guide to the best areas to stay
• Best places to stay in Florence – neighborhoods and areas best suited to your trip
• Where to stay in Venice – a neighborhood and area guide
• Where to stay in Milan – best areas, places and hotels

READ: Our Italy accommodation guide .

Transport while in Italy

As a general rule, if you are traveling between cities and major towns then the best way to travel around Italy is by train. If you want to explore the countryside and small villages you will need to rent a car.

When you are mapping out distances to travel between destinations use Google maps or Rome2Rio .

Train travel in Italy

Trains in Italy are modern and efficient. Fast speed services link the major cities and regional trains connect smaller towns and villages. Two major train networks operate throughout Italy – Italo and Trenitalia .

You should book in advance for high speed intercity services where seats are allocated. If you purchase non-flexible tickets you can make significant savings with advance bookings. They are not required on regional services.

READ: Our Complete guide to train travel in Italy .

Recommended train booking sites – Omio and The Trainline

You can book directly with the Italian operators or an easier way is with:

Omio – compare train times and prices across both Trenitalia and Italo schedules and keep your ticket details on their handy app. Click here to search for rail tickets on Omio

The Trainline is a similar service to Omio offering schedules, pricing and booking for train companies in Italy and Europe. They also have a useful app and great instructions in English. Click here to search for rail tickets on The Trainline

High speed train intercity travel times on popular routes

Rome to Florence – 1 hour 30 minutes Rome to Naples – 1 hour 15 minutes Rome to Milan – 3 hours Rome to Venice – 4 hours Florence to Venice – 2 hours Florence to Milan – 2 hours

Car rental in Italy

One of the best ways to see the smaller towns and countryside in Italy is to rent a car and take to the open road. Driving in Italy is quite straightforward. You just need to do some forward planning and use your common sense. Here are some tips to

• You are required to carry an International Drivers Permit – these can be arranged in your home country at minimal cost
• Standard transmission on cars is manual or stick shift. If you want to rent an automatic car expect to pay extra, if you can find one available
• Rent the smallest car you can to fit you and your luggage – roads are often narrow and you don’t want to get stuck!
• Heavy fines apply if you enter ZTL zones or historic districts where driving is not allowed

We use both Car Rental by booking.com  and AutoEurope to find the best car rental deals in Italy including one way options. They both search international and local providers so you get a wide variety of choice and there is 24/7 support if you need it. AutoEurope is usually your best option if you want a one way rental.

Click here to search for car rentals in Italy with Car Rental by booking.com .

READ: Our guide to Renting a car in Italy .

Internal flights

If you want to visit the islands of Sicily or Sardinia, or travel very long distances, flying makes the most sense.

Check on Skyscanner  or  Google flights  for routes and prices. Remember to set alerts for those routes you want to fly and book early for flights in the summer months.

READ: Our guide to all transportation in Italy .

Step 6 – Book Attractions, tours and activities

Major attractions.

The major cities of Italy – Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan – are some of the busiest cities for tourists in the world. And most visitors want to spend time at their famous attractions

We strongly advise you to prebook advance skip-the-line tickets for the following attractions – the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery and Doge’s Palace. Otherwise, you could spend precious vacation hours standing in lines to enter these sites. Note – in winter months booking in advance is not as necessary.

We have given you the official booking sites and an alternative for approved ticket partners should you have trouble using the official site – unfortunately, that happens a lot! The direct sites are usually cheaper but the partner sites are generally more user friendly. Always check the terms and conditions of your purchase, particularly in relation to changes and refunds. GetYourGuide has a very easy cancelation policy which in many cases allows cancelation with refunds up to 24 hours prior to departure.

• Colosseum – official ticket site OR buy Colosseum tickets on Get Your Guide
• Vatican Museums – official ticket site OR buy Vatican Museum tickets on Get Your Guide
• Omnia pass – Colosseum + Vatican + one other museum + hop on, hop off bus – click here for details
• Uffizi Gallery – official ticket site OR buy Uffizi tickets on Get Your Guide
• ‘David’ statue [Accademia Gallery] – official ticket site OR buy Accademia tickets on Get Your Guide
• Duomo roof climb – official ticket site OR buy Dome climb tickets on Get Your Guide
• Doge’s Palace  – official ticket site OR buy Doge’s palace tickets on Get Your Guide
• San Marco basilica  – official skip the line tickets OR buy a tour of San Marco including tickets on Get Your Guide
• ‘Last Supper’ painting – official ticket site OR buy Last Supper tickets on Get Your Guide
• Duomo rooftop  – official ticket site OR buy Duomo tickets on Get Your Guide

READ: Our full review of Get Your Guide .

If you want to learn about the sites you are visiting then we recommend a group day tour. We prefer small group or private tours where you learn about the culture and history of the places you are visiting. It’s so much more fun than reading plaques and you are also able to ask questions.

So make sure to build in a couple of tours when you are planning a trip to Italy.

Our favorite small group tour companies are Take Walks (formerly Walks of Italy) and Liv Tours  and we prefer With Locals for private tours. Both offer very well designed and engaging tours of the major sights in Italy as well as interesting food and cultural tours.

• Take Walks have a longstanding reputation for excellent service, groups under 20 people and guaranteed departures. So if you are the only person booked on a tour it will still go ahead. We recently enjoyed our Colosseum at night tour and day trip to Tuscany with them
• Liv Tours – family run Italian company offering true small group tours of 6 people or less. All of their tours use expert guides who will help you fall in love with Italian history, culture, and food. Tours include a popular golf cart tour of Rome’s highlights and their fascinating Women’s history tours
• With Locals offer great value private tours. You choose from a series of set itineraries and guides in cities across Italy. There are tours focused on history, food, culture and other themes or they can be customized them for your group. We tried their 10 Tastes of Naples recently and it was lots of fun. They also have great options for families
• Eating Europe – food tour specialists who will ensure you discover the best local dishes

Save 5% on Liv Tours with code – ‘untold italy’ >> click here to browse tours

• Rome: A 3 Day Itinerary
• The best tours in Rome
• Unmissable day trips from Florence
• Day trip from Rome to Pompeii
• Best tours of the Vatican
• Tickets and tours for the Colosseum
• Rome’s best food tours

Activities and experiences

Seeing the sights of Italy is always a treat but you’ll also love immersing yourself in Italian culture. These days you can choose from a wide range of experiences and activities. From food and wine tours, to football matches, concerts and exploring the countryside by vintage car, there are memorable experiences to suit you.

Recommended experiences

• Cooking class with Nonna Nerina near Rome – Grandma Nerina teaches you how to make fresh pasta and welcomes you into her home. If you can’t wait until you get to Italy to do this she also does online classes
•   Capri boat trip –  small group on a private boat means a slower pace and more time to see the island. You can read what to expect on this day trip here

Our favorite companies for searching for interesting and unique things to do in Italy are:

• Cookly – cooking class and food and wine experiences like truffle hunting from small operators across Italy
• Get Your Guide – has the biggest listing of tours and experiences

Step 7 – Get ready for departure

Organize your money and credit card.

The local currency in Italy is the € Euro.

You do not need to carry too much cash when you are there. Credit and debit cards VISA and Mastercard are widely accepted while American Express and Diners Club are not as popular. You may want to consider a foreign currency card like the Wise Mastercard where you can convert Euros easily and cheaply from your US dollar, Australian dollar or Canadian dollar accounts (plus many other currencies)

Be aware of foreign currency charges and ATM withdrawal fees applied to your account when you are abroad. You may want to review the cards you are taking with you prior to your trip. We recommend that you take two – one as a back up for emergencies. And inform your bank before you go. Sometimes they can be overzealous and place a block on your card if they see unusual activity.

Book airport transfers

Planning your arrival in Italy is recommended. Most of the airports are a fair way out from the city center – and in the case of Venice, in the middle of a lagoon!

Compare different transfer services on Suntransfers – a company that specializes in transfer options from major airports. They have options to suit all budgets and prices for coach, mini bus, private car and limo services.

Rome – transfers from Fiumicino airport

Taxis are fine to take in Rome. There is a set rate into the center of €48 and the ride takes around 45 minutes. Or, if you would prefer to be met at the airport you can pre-book a transfer. A transfer is the best option if you are traveling with more than 2 people and have several items of luggage. We recommend:

• Welcome Pickups – available 24/7, a private car transfer means you are met at the arrivals hall and will take between 30 minutes and one hour door-to-door.
• Suntransfers – offers a wide range of vehicles for groups of all sizes. Transfers can be canceled up to 48 hours in advance with no penalty.

Another popular way to transfer into Rome is to take the Leonardo Express train . This non-stop service between Fiumicino and Rome Termini (the main station) takes 32 minutes. Trains depart every half hour from 6:08 to 23:23, and the cost is €14. You can purchase tickets at the station on the day. Unless you are staying close to Termini you will then need to get a taxi to your accommodation.

The cheapest transfer option – this bus goes direct from the airport to Termini – €6-7 one way.

READ: Our full article on Rome airport transfers .

Venice transfers

The water bus company Alilaguna runs shuttles every 15 -30 minutes in peak season to and from the airport and the islands on the lagoon. This bus stops at San Marco and Rialto as well as some other secondary stops. The fare is €8 one way €15 return and the journey takes 1½ hours – you can book online here

A private boat transfer or shared transfer in a water taxi is the fastest (and most glamorous) way to transfer to your accommodation in Venice. Journey times and prices depend on the number of people in your party and exclusivity. A direct private transfer to the airport takes around 45 minutes.

• Private transfer – around €200 for 6 people – book here
• Shared water taxi transfer – around €32 per person – book here

You can also take a taxi (cost €25) or express airport bus to Piazzale Roma (cost €8) and then take a vaporetto (water bus) or walk your hotel/accommodation. A one way trip on the ferry costs €7 per person and is valid for 60 minutes.

READ: Our full article on Venice airport transfers .

Florence transfers from Florence airport

Florence airport is very close to the city center and a 15 minute taxi ride away. There is also an airport bus that takes around 20 minutes.   A 20 minute tram ride takes you to the main Santa Maria Novella train station and costs €1.50.

Florence transfers from Pisa airport

Many people fly to Pisa to reach Florence as it is a larger airport. If you arrive during the day take the PisaMover train to Pisa Centrale train station – journey time 5 minutes. Then take a train to Florence. Starts at 6.00 am and the last train departs at midnight and it costs €5.00.

On our last visit we arranged a transfer with Suntransfers as we arrived too late for the last train. There is also a coach transfer option.

Amalfi Coast or Sorrento transfers from Naples airport or train station

We recommend organizing a private transfer for this journey. The train, ferry and bus via Sorrento can take 4 hours while a car service is around 1.5 hours. You can compare different services on Suntransfers – a site specializing in ground transportation.

You may find sites or groups where specific drivers are recommended. We do not recommend booking a driver this way for safety reasons – how do you know that the person recommending the driver is reputable, let alone the driver? And also for practical reasons – small operators may not have capacity or availability.

Plan how to access the internet

Consider how you will access the internet on your trip. You may be happy to disconnect and use paper or offline maps however many of us need internet access.

Italy has high speed internet and there are many options to stay connected depending on your needs. If you use minimal data and are happy to use offline maps and guides then you should be able to get by using wifi at your hotel or accommodation. Do not expect wifi to be available in restaurants and cafes because in Italy restaurants are for eating.

If you plan to use wifi make sure to turn off international data roaming before your trip to avoid unpleasant bill surprises.

Paid internet options

• Use your provider’s roaming plan – usually very expensive and slow speeds if coming from outside Europe
• Local SIM – purchase a tourist SIM before your depart or when you arrive that has enough data for map navigation and research. Italian provider TIM comes highly recommended and there are outlets at the airports and train stations
• Portable wifi device – connect multiple devices to high speed internet for reasonable prices. We use and recommend Solis Wifi (Get 10% off with our code – UNTOLDM )

READ: Our full guide to Cellphones and getting online in Italy (SIMs, wifi and more) .

Packing for your Italy trip

The key to packing for Italy is to pack the minimum that you need. Many people like to take carry-on luggage only for their trips. This is a great way to travel as you will find it much easier managing trains, cobblestones and stairs that are a feature of travel in Italy.

But, most of us find that a challenge, so try to stick to a medium bag per person plus one carry on item. Large suitcases are not a good idea. You will also thank yourself if you consider your footwear carefully. Three comfortable pairs will see you through most trips.

Note – We have a complete packing guide coming soon.

LISTEN: to packing strategies in this podcast episode .

Must have items for your trip

• Luggage – get the size right with our guide to the best luggage for Italy
• Untold Italy travel planners – one page checklists of the must see sights, restaurants and gelato bars in Italy’s most popular places
• Collapsible water bottle – stay hydrated and fill up at free water fountains all over Italy
• Camera – for your vacation snaps. We recommend lightweight mirrorless models like these ones
• Packing cubes – these make packing, organizing your luggage and unpacking so easy. We love them!
• Power cube – don’t bring lots of bulky converters. This one has 3 USB ports
• Battery pack – keep all your devices charged
• Plug adapter – you will need one!
• Face masks – for your safety and you may be required to wear one indoors
• Hand sanitizer wipes – to keep germs at bay

READ: Our Complete packing guide for Italy .

Get started and plan your Italy trip now!

We hope you now have more confidence to start planning your trip to Italy. This will no doubt be a trip that you’ll remember and cherish for years to come. And, like many of us, you may find it sparks a passion to return to bella Italia again and again.

Latest Italy Travel Podcasts and Articles

Italy in november – reasons to visit and what to expect, italy in september – reasons to visit and what to expect, visiting italy in october – reasons to visit and what to expect, visiting italy in august – reasons to visit and what to expect, how much does a trip to italy cost [updated for 2024], renting a car in italy – 12 top things to know, can you travel to italy – latest travel information [may 2024], italy in july – reasons to visit & what to expect, planning a trip to italy.

We love travel in Italy and sharing our knowledge. Read our Italy trip planning guide or join our FREE Italy travel planning community . Our 140,000+ members are happy to answer questions about your itinerary, how to get from place to place, the best places to stay and fun things to do.

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Italy Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

Italy is one of Europe’s most iconic and popular destinations. Home to incredible food, fabulous wine, tons of ancient ruins, undying romance, and picturesque landscapes, it should come as no surprise that this is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.

I’ve been visiting since 2006 and I never tire of it.

The vineyards in Tuscany, history in Florence , ancient streets of Rome , gorgeous views and hills Cinque Terre , romantic canals in Venice — I love it all.

Italy is best experienced slowly so pace yourself. Soak in the atmosphere and way of life as you explore. Italians move slowly and enjoy la dolce vita and so should you! Relax, take in the scenery, enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of wine. The slower you go, the better you’ll be able to appreciate the charms and nuance of this iconic southern European gem.

This travel guide to Italy can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time here.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Italy

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in italy.

1. Explore Venice

While crowded, Venice is an astounding place to visit. I love the city’s iconic architecture and picturesque canals. Don’t miss the Piazza San Marco, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, the Basilica San Marco, and the city’s countless museums. Moreover, be sure to head to the old Jewish Ghetto for hip bars and cheap drinks (the English word ghetto comes from this area of Venice). Venice is also home to several world-class festivals. In late winter, the epic Carnival takes place here and, in August, the prestigious Venice Film Festival takes over the nearby island of Lido. If you have time, be sure to explore the neighboring islands on a day tour. They are charming in their own right.

2. Wander Rome

Rome has so much to see and do that you’ll need to make several trips to even scratch the surface. Besides obvious highlights like the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, and Trevi Fountain, make sure you explore the Trastevere neighborhood. It’s my favorite area in Rome and feels almost like a village inside a big city. Trastevere offers delicious food, funky bars, and ancient winding streets. I love the family pizzerias and cafes here for people-watching and the gelato. Vatican City, the smallest independent city-state in the world, is nestled within the heart of Rome and is home to the Pope, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and many fantastic museums. You can fill an endless amount of time here so don’t try to rush your visit!

3. Tour Pompeii

Located a 20-40-minute train ride from Naples , Pompeii is an ancient city that was destroyed by a volcano, preserving it in a blanket of ash still frozen in time. Walk around the Roman city as it stood the day that Mount Vesuvius exploded in 79 CE, moving in and out of homes, villas, baths, and businesses where pots and vases still lay. What really struck me was entering the houses and seeing that the fountains and most of the beautiful frescoes are still intact. Admission is 16 EUR while a guided tour with a professional archeologist is 50 EUR. It’s a huge site and will take a full day to visit in depth.

4. Hike the Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre consists of five colorful coastal villages on the west coast of Italy, backed by steep vineyards and mountains. These small towns are by no means undiscovered by tourists but still absolutely beautiful and teeming with great shops and cafes. Each village has its own unique charm and personality so be sure to visit all of them. I absolutely love the fun hikes in the stunning hills high above the sea between the villages that range in difficulty. The Cinque Terre express train makes it super easy to pop around to the different villages if you don’t want to hike between the towns. Trail #7 is my favorite.

5. Relax on the Amalfi Coast

Other things to see and do in italy, 1. party at the venice carnival.

Carnival is ten days of masquerade madness every February leading up to Mardi Gras. The tradition goes back centuries, starting in the 12th century and reaching the height of popularity in the 18th century. Today, it’s one of the biggest festivals in Italy, with millions of people attending every year. The iconic and diverse masks are a central part of the festivities and every year there is a contest for the most beautiful mask. If you want to splash out, you can even attend a traditional masquerade ball! Just be sure to book your accommodation early as the city fills up months in advance.

2. Explore Milan

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy. Spend some time taking in the glamor but don’t spend more than a day or two here unless you’re looking to splash out. While you’re here, don’t miss the beautiful Milan Cathedral, which boasts 3,500 statues, 135 spires, and five bronze doors. Sforzesco Castle, a 15th-century castle that houses Michelangelo’s last sculpture, is also worth a visit. There’s also Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper , located inside Santa Maria delle Grazie church (which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as well as Leonardo’s Horse, one of the largest equine statues in the world. To get away from the crowds, spend some time relaxing in Parco Sempione, Milan’s most famous city park. It’s a vast oasis of green space and perfect for a picnic when the weather is nice.

3. See the Leaning Tower in Pisa

The entire city of Pisa is focused on taking photos of this famed tower. Started in 1173 and finished in 1399, it’s the bell tower of Pisa’s cathedral, located next door. Although it was meant to be perfectly vertical, the tower started leaning during construction due to the weight of the building on an unstable foundation. Admission to the top is 20 EUR or 27 EUR for a ticket that includes all the monuments in the complex. DiscoveryPisa runs a guided tour of all three sites for 30 EUR if you want a more in-depth experience.

4. Visit Siena

Everyone who visits Siena walks away loving it. Located in Tuscany, it’s one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy and boasts a labyrinth of lanes gathered around the arena of Piazza del Campo. Spend a few days admiring this charming city and exploring one of Italy’s most popular and famous regions. The main draw to the city is the stunning Siena Cathedral, which was constructed with white and black marble and is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country (the interior is massive and ornately decorated and lined by huge columns). Be sure to also visit the Torre del Mangia, a narrow 14th-century tower that offers stunning views of the area, as well as the 14th-century Fonte Gaia fountain, which is decorated by centuries-old marble panels.

5. Wander Naples

Naples , made famous as the birthplace of pizza, is a gritty city home to a wealth of historical treasures. There’s the medieval Naples Cathedral, the 18th-century Villa Comunale Park, and nearby Naples , Pompeii , one of the most amazing and important sites to visit in the country. The Archaeological Museum of Naples is also worth a visit, and if you enjoy hiking you can climb up the iconic Mount Vesuvius. Naples is the gateway to the south so you’re very likely to come here if you’re crisscrossing the country. Its location near Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento makes it the perfect starting point for exploring the region. Best of all, it’s a foodie city like no other; I ate my weight in pizza during my visit!

6. Explore Florence

There’s no real need to explain why one should visit Florence — the city speaks for itself. Everything people say about it is true: great food, amazing museums, ancient buildings, small streets, awesome gelato. The city has it all. Be sure to visit The Uffizi, which holds the world’s most important collection of Renaissance art (including the The Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Botticelli, Bacchus by Caravaggio, and Doni Tondo by Michelangelo). The famous David statue is also in Florence, housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia. It’s one of the most impressive sculptures in the world and at 5.17 meters (17 feet) tall, it’s a lot bigger and more detailed than you think it would be! While here, make sure you take a few wine tours throughout the region to get a feel for the verdant countryside.

7. Drive around “the Heel”

Few travelers ever visit the southern heel of the Italian “boot.” But, if you have time, it’s worth the trip. This is where most of the fruits and vegetables in Italy come from so a trip down here will give you the best glimpse into rustic Italian life far from the maddening crowds of Rome and Italy’s other tourist hotspots. Don’t miss the picturesque Polignano a Mare, with its rugged cliffs and white-washed houses. Gallipoli, with its labyrinth of narrow lanes and historic port, is also worth visiting. There are tons of amazing beaches in this part of the country too, including Marina di Pescoluse (Salento), Cala Porto (Polignano a Mare), and Torre Guaceto (Brindisi).

8. Eat your way around Sicily

There’s Italian culture and then there’s Sicily. Sicily has its own unique cooking style, traditions, and customs. It’s unlike the rest of Italy. Be sure to spend some time in Taormina and Palermo (the capital of Sicily). The UNESCO Valley of the Temples is also in Sicily, a national park home to incredible Greek ruins that are over 2,000 years old. Don’t miss the stunning Mount Etna , an active volcano that you can ski on it in the winter or take a tour of the top in the summer.

9. Stroll through Sorrento

Sorrento is a small city in southwestern Italy surrounded by a dreamy landscape of rolling hills, deep valleys, and the Lattari Mountains. There’s not a lot to do in the town itself but Sorrento makes an ideal starting point for numerous excursions to nearby cities and islands around the famous Amalfi Coast, like Capri and Ischia. I especially love driving along the winding coastal roads overlooking the sea. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby Blue Grotto .

10. Attend Settimana Santa (Holy Week)

This is the last week of Lent, known as Holy Week. During this time, there are several processions throughout Italy, drawing crowds of thousands. Throughout the week, there are various gatherings in Puglia, Abruzzo, and Sicily but the major event occurs on Easter Sunday and is led by the Pope himself. It’s an amazing time to visit, but expect huge crowds and for accommodation to sell out months in advance.

11. Visit Alberobello

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is an interesting and picturesque little town just south of Bari (a port city on the Adriatic Sea) known for its unusual white cone-shaped houses (they’re super peculiar). It’s well worth a visit between the months of November and April (to avoid the flocks of tourists) as there are a couple of museums to peruse, in addition to some great restaurants, bars, and markets.

12. Tour the Vatican Museums

Founded in the early 16th century, it is a complex of museums spanning over 12 acres. There are so many priceless highlights, including Michelangelo’s works in the Sistine Chapel. You could easily spend hours here. Consider getting a guide to make the museum come to life. Admission is 17 EUR and skip-the-line guided tours with Get Your Guide cost 50 EUR. For a more unique experience, check out the

13. See Chiesa di Sant’Efisio

When you find yourself in Cagliari on Sardinia, wander over to the Stampace quarter to see this church. Dedicated to the patron Saint Ephisius, this is the most important church in the city. The original building dates to the 13th century, though it was rebuilt and expanded in the 16th century and then again in the 18th century, this time in the Baroque style. Admission is free.

14. Take a cooking class

Italy is a dream destination for foodies and the best way to learn about this amazing cuisine is to take a cooking class . You’ll get to visit a local market, learn about the history of some of the country’s best dishes, and then learn how to make them yourself so you can impress friends and family back home. You can find cooking classes all over the country. They are very common. Prices vary depending on what city you take a class in, but most cost at least 70 EUR and last a few hours.

15. Take a walking tour

Walks of Italy offers incredible, detailed tours all around the country. They are my favorite tour company in the country. And they are relatively inexpensive and you definitely get your money’s worth. If you are big into history, culture, or architecture these tours are for you. You’ll walk away with a much richer understanding of the country. Don’t miss them.

For information on specific cities in Italy, check out these city guides:

• Cinque Terre Travel Guide
• Florence Travel Guide
• Milan Travel Guide
• Naples Travel Guide
• Pisa Travel Guide
• Rome Travel Guide
• Sorrento Travel Guide
• Venice Travel Guide

Italy Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostel dorms average 27-40 EUR per night for rooms with 6-8 beds. Private rooms are usually between 55-100 EUR per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities and include breakfast. During the summer months, expect prices to double. In Rome and Florence, prices throughout the year are about 20% higher than anywhere else.

For those traveling with a tent, campgrounds are available around the country, usually costing between 15-30 EUR per night for a basic plot for two people.

A night in a two-star budget hotel ranges between 70-125 EUR per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, AC, and occasionally free breakfast. Prices are on the higher end in cities like Rome and Venice and also double during the summer.

On Airbnb, private rooms start around 45-90 EUR, while entire apartments usually start around 100-150 EUR. Expect prices on the higher end in hotspots like Rome and Venice. Prices can also double (or triple) when not booked in advance. Additionally, expect even higher prices in the busy summer months.

Food – Italian cuisine is beloved around the world, though every region in Italy offers its own distinct flavor. Tomatoes, pasta, olives, and olive oil form the backbone of most dishes, with meat, fish and various cheeses rounding out the menu. Gelato and pizza, of course, are also super popular. Some traditional dishes include bigoli in salsa (pasta in anchovy sauce), risotto al nero di seppia (risotto with cuttlefish ink), gnocchi alla Sorrentina (potato gnocchi), cassoeula (a meat and cabbage stew), and tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo (pasta with mushrooms and truffles).

A casual restaurant meal of pizza or pasta usually costs 10-20 EUR. In tourist hot spots, add 5-10 EUR to that.

Quick eats like pizza by the slice, paninis, and light snacks cost between 3-8 EUR. Snacks like croissants are less than 2 EUR.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 8-10 EUR for a combo meal while Chinese, Thai, or Indian food is 10-12 EUR for a main dish. Dessert is usually around 4-8 EUR for something like tiramisu.

Your average restaurant meal costs around 30 EUR with a drink. Most main dishes cost around 15-20 EUR while a pizza is around 10-15 EUR. For higher-end meals, expect to spend about 70 EUR for a three-course meal with a drink.

Beer costs around 4-5 EUR while a glass of wine costs 4-8 EUR. For non-alcoholic drinks, a latte or cappuccino is around 1.50 EUR and bottled water is 1 EUR.

If you plan on cooking your own groceries, expect to spend 50-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Italy Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Italy, my suggested budget is 60 EUR per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, cooking all your meals, limiting your drinking, taking public transportation to get around, and sticking to mostly free activities like hiking, free walking tours, and the beaches. If you plan on drinking a lot, add at least 15 EUR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 140 EUR per day, you can stay in an Airbnb or budget hotel, eat out for a couple of meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi, and do more paid activities like touring the Colosseum or exploring Pompeii.

On an upscale budget of 255 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This isn’t a real luxury budget but it’s a budget that affords you the ability to do anything you want. If you want real luxury, you’ll need to read a different blog for that!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). I just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Italy Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

It’s very easy to break the bank in Italy, owing to all the historic sites, expensive accommodation, and delicious but pricey restaurants. After all, Italy is one of the most expensive Eurozone countries. You’re going to be spending a lot on a visit here. However, there are still lots of ways to reduce your expenses. Here are some tips to help you save money in Italy:

• Skip the bread – Many restaurants offer you bread when you sit down — but they don’t mention that it’s not free. If you’re on a budget, decline the bread and save a few Euros each dining experience.
• Picnic – Head to the store or one of the many markets in the country and grab food for a picnic. It’s cheaper than eating out and you can lounge in one of the many parks to watch the day go by. Food markets are a good place to try things, get fresh cheese and cold cuts, pasta, and snacks like ‘arancini,’ a super-filling rice ball stuffed with meat or cheese.
• Drink the tap water – When out at a restaurant, ask for tap water or you will automatically get expensive bottled water included on your bill. Since the tap water is safe to drink, bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Buy wine at the store – You can buy a great bottle of wine for 6-10 EUR at the store. It’s a lot cheaper than drinking at the bar. Take it outdoors and sit around and enjoy the day/evening or skip expensive nightlife and go out for a long dinner and just drink it at the hostel. Just make sure you have a travel corkscrew on you if you’re going to sit outside somewhere!
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the country for cheap. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 6 EUR you really can’t complain! (And it’s cheaper than the train.) Taking the bus in town inside big cities instead of taking taxis everywhere or renting a car will save you lots of money.
• Take a free walking tour – Most cities in Italy offer free walking tours that cover all the main highlights. It’s the best budget-friendly way to explore and also a great way to meet other travelers if you’re alone. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is expensive in Italy, even in the hostels. Use Couchsurfing to stay with locals who have extra beds or couches for free. It’s the best way to save money and meet people. Just be sure to send your requests early (especially in the summer). Also, it’s a good idea to research the area you’re staying in first so you’re not so far away from the city center (or city!) that you need to spend a lot of time/money getting into town to see the sites.
• Get a city tourist card – Many tourism offices offer tourist cards that provide free or discounted entry to the main attractions. Some even include restaurant discounts and free transportation. If you plan on sightseeing a lot, these cards can cut your costs drastically. Check the local tourism board in each city for info when you arrive.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities. I used this service and not only did I save money, I got to meet interesting people and learn more about life in Italy. This is a good option to book a few days in advance. Just make sure to pick someone who has good ratings because newer drivers can have a tendency to be unreliable or cancel at the last minute.

Where to Stay in Italy

There’s a lot of hostels and hotels in Italy to choose from. To help you save money on accommodation, here’s a list of my recommended hostels and budget hotels in Italy:

• Loly Boutique Hotel (Rome)
• The Beehive (Rome)
• Hotel Montecarlo (Venice)
• Generator (Venice)
• Hostel of the Sun (Naples)
• Ulisse Deluxe (Sorrento)
• Hotel Bologna (Pisa)
• Hostel Pisa Tower (Pisa)

How to Get Around Italy

Public transportation – Public transportation is available in all the major cities in Italy (many of which have comprehensive metro systems). Tickets usually cost between 1-2 EUR for a single journey. Some cities also have day passes that offer unlimited travel. In Rome, you can purchase a one-day pass for unlimited travel for 7 EUR. A one-week pass costs 24 EUR, for example. While public transportation is generally reliable, traffic can be a nightmare — especially in Rome.

Train – The best way to get around Italy is via their extensive train network. Prices are affordable too, with most trips costing just 10-30 EUR. Rome to Florence takes just 90 minutes (on the fast train) with tickets starting at 20 EUR. Rome to Venice takes around 4 hours with tickets starting around 30 EUR. Rome to Naples is just over one hour and costs around 20 EUR.

Italo and Trenitalia are the two main rail systems. Tickets on Trenitalia are often a standard price, while Italo’s ticket prices fluctuate more widely. It’s worth it to check both.

To find routes and prices for trains around Italy (and Europe), use Trainline .

Bus – The bus is slower than the train but cheaper, with prices on FlixBus starting as low as 6 EUR. This isn’t the most convenient or fastest way to travel, but the buses are comfortable and good for short and medium journeys. Most buses come with outlets and free Wi-Fi too.

The 4-hour trip from Rome to Florence costs around 7-15 EUR, while a longer trip like Venice to Naples takes 10-15 hours and costs just 20-32 EUR.

Flying – If you’re pressed for time and are looking to jump from one city to the next, a budget airline might be the way to go. Prices can be incredibly low — just 20-100 EUR round trip on airlines like Ryanair.

That said, when you factor in the time spent at airports, you’re likely not going to save much time. Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights and you usually need to print your boarding pass out too (or pay a fee).

Ferry – If you want to visit some of Italy’s amazing islands, you’ll have to book a ferry. Ferries are frequent and you don’t need to book too far in advance, but during peak season it’s a good idea to book at least a few weeks ahead. You can use FerryHopper to find routes and prices. The popular one-hour ferry from Naples to Capri starts from 25 EUR.

Car rental – Car rentals are generally quite affordable here, usually starting around 25-35 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Just make sure you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) as it’s required before you rent a car. Also, keep in mind that Italian drivers can be on the aggressive side so drive cautiously. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Italy

There’s no wrong time to visit Italy. Historically, the peak season has been July and August, but post-COVID cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are busy pretty much year round. Temperatures can soar as high as 36°C (98°F) during the summer, and popular cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence experience a huge influx of visitors. I’d try to avoid visiting in the summer if you can as it’s just too crowded, too hot, and prices increase during this time as well.

Personally, I think the best time to visit Italy is during the shoulder season (March-May and September-October). It’s still warm but the crowds have thinned and prices are lower. This is a particularly great time to hang out in the Mediterranean. Expect daily highs around 22°C (72°F).

Winter is from November to February. It gets cold, and tourist crowds thin out considerably. Temperatures vary quite a bit from north to south, with it sometimes dropping to 2°C (36°F) in Milan and 4°C (39°F) in Rome. On the other hand, November to December is fantastic — you’ll find Christmas markets and festivals galore!

How to Stay Safe in Italy

Italy is a safe country to travel as violent crime against tourists is very rare. However, scams and pickpocketing are common, especially around high-traffic tourist sites in places like Rome and Venice. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight on public transportation and when out and about. The biggest things to watch out for are pickpockets on public transportation and in crowds. Don’t leave your bag open or put your mobile phone in loose jacket pockets on the tram or subway.

Be wary of people selling discounted tickets on the street. Chances are they are fake so always buy tickets from reputable sellers only. If you take a taxi somewhere, make sure the driver uses the meter so you don’t get ripped off.

If you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about other common travel scams to avoid here.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe in Italy, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Catcalling is not uncommon in Italy. Also, on public transport be mindful of groping on public transport. For specific tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the country as they will have better advice for you.

If you rent a car, make sure you drive carefully and also have extra insurance. The roads in much of the country are very winding and narrow and drivers here are on the aggressive side.

Natural disasters here are uncommon, but since there are several active volcanoes in the country they can occur. Venice is also prone to flooding, so always be mindful of the weather while you’re here and heed any warnings or advisories.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Italy Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Walks of Italy – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Italy.
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Italy Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Italy and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

Where to Stay in Florence: The Best Neighborhoods For Your Visit

Where to Stay in Milan: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Milan

The Best Walking Tours in Florence

The 8 Best Hotels in Rome

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Fearlessly Italy

The Ultimate Italy Travel Guide – A Local’s Guide To Traveling To Italy

Even though a popular tourist destination, when planning a trip to Italy , there are several things to keep in mind, especially if it’s your first time. Our extensive Italy travel guide will cover the most important steps to organizing the trip and all the useful information that you need to save in order to avoid surprises and know what to do if a problem arises.

From how to get to Italy, to how to get around to a detailed cost breakdown, this is a complete checklist that allows you to start planning right away.

Being a very tourist-friendly country, the planning process is pretty straightforward. But like for every trip out of your comfort zone, careful preparation will make things easier and smoother once you are here.

Apart from the necessary planning tips, our Italy travel guide will cover essential information including the important numbers you need to save, how to get to Italy, how to move around the country, and a detailed cost breakdown.

Table of Contents

Travel Guide To Italy – What To Know Before Planning Your Italy Trip

What do you need to know before traveling to Italy? Apart from basic facts like currency, how to apply for a visa, and deciding whether you should visit Northern Italy or Southern Italy , we suggest you start booking hotels and transportation in advance to find better prices and more places. This is particularly important if you are traveling in the high season.

With our Italy travel guide, we give you the tools to organize a trip on your own. But if you’d rather sit and relax and delegate all things logistics, below you will find also a choice of the best companies for top Italy tours , including Italy bike tours and Italy food tours , both complete packages and day trips.

Italy Facts

• Language: Italian plus German and French in some regions and local dialects that change depending on cities, towns, and small villages.
• Population: Around 60 million according to 2019 stats.
• Size: 331.338 km².
• Government: Republic, EU member, Schengen area.
• Currency: Euro.
• Borders: France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino, Vatican.
• Regions: 20.

How To Get To Italy

The most common way to reach Italy is by far by plane. All airlines fly to Italy from all over the world, both flag carriers such as British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Etihad, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air China, Air India, and low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air, RyanAir, EasyJet, Vueling.

Apart from the major international airports of Rome’s Fiumicino and Milan’s Malpensa, there are flights from other European hubs to Italian cities like Florence, Venice, Naples, Cagliari, Alghero and Olbia in Sardinia, Palermo and Catania in Sicily, Bologna and more.

Click here for the prices and to book your flight

You can reach Italy by railway both with day and night trains from several European countries such as Austria, France, Germany, and Switzerland, and with a few changes and also connections to cities in Spain and Eastern Europe.

Recently there has been a revival of night trains as they are seen as a more sustainable way of traveling by many and an alternative to airplanes. After a steady decline in the past decades, now all over Europe, long-distance rides and night trains are becoming a new favorite, like the scenic ride you can enjoy on the Paris to Switzerland train .

Booking a train trip is perfect especially for slow travelers, because you can stop in several places and also enjoy cities originally not on your bucket list.

Click here to check the timetables and book your train

By ferry/cruise

You can reach Italy also by ferry from different countries such as France, Greece and Spain. In the high season, meaning summer and close to Christmas, there certainly are more ferries and cruises, but you can book trips pretty much all year long.

Some of the main ferry companies are Grimaldi, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), and Tirrenia. You can reach Genoa from Barcelona with Grandi Navi Veloci, and from several Greek cities, you can reach Venice, Brindisi, Ancona, and Bari with companies like Blue Star Ferries, Superfast Ferries, and Fragline Ferries. Grimaldi and Tirrenia connect Italy also to Tunisi while Marmara Lines to Cesme in Turkey, Virtu Ferries connects Sicily to Malta and Jadrolinija connects Dubrovnik to Bari in Puglia, southern Italy.

Click here to check the prices and book your ferry

Best Time To Visit Italy

Any time is good to visit Italy, where to go in Europe with kids for a dream holiday. Each season has its own perks. Summer is usually hot everywhere, so you might prefer to visit the coast and be close to the sea or a lake, or maybe be in the mountains where the air is fresh. Summer is also the most crowded season, so you will always need to queue to enter major landmarks. Obviously, it’s also the season when the weather is more stable and you will need to pack fewer clothes.

Fall and Spring are lovely seasons to visit the cities as they are not too crowded nor too hot or cold. Bot Fall and Spring can give you some showers, but then the nice weather comes back. Usually, fall is rainier than April or May , which are among the best months to choose if you are booking a walking holiday in Italy .

Winter is the season for skiing, so Valle d’Aosta, Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige are pretty busy. However, in many Italian regions , winter is quite mild and properly dressed, you can visit big cities and small towns without problems.

How To Get An Italian Visa

Italy is in the Schengen area, so if you are doing a European road trip and were granted a visa to another Schengen country, you can also visit Italy. If you are applying just for Italy, you need to check with the Italian embassy or consulate in your country to make sure what are the requirements and what documents you need to submit.

First of all, inquire if you need a visa because not all nationalities do. To find out if you do need a visa and what procedure you need to follow, answer a few easy questions on the Italy Foreign Ministry’s website . I always recommend checking with the local consulate in your country as the time it takes to issue the visa depends a lot on where you are located and also on your nationality.

How long should you stay In Italy?

The duration of your Italy trip really depends on how many holidays you have, how much you want to visit and ultimately, also on your budget.

If it’s your first trip and you really want to visit all the major cities, I suggest no less than ten days. With ten days at your disposal, you would ideally be doing a Venice-Florence-Rome itinerary with no time for day trips. If you spend two weeks in Italy , it’s more likely that you can take some day trips from the main cities or include other places such as Naples or the Cinque Terre, also very touristy.

All a different matter is if it’s not your first time in Italy and you have already visited the main destinations. This way, you can even devote a week to a single region or a few days for a city break, especially if you live in another European country a few hours plane away.

How To Get Around Italy

If you are planning a road trip, you can rent a car wherever you land in Italy. With a navigator that is now included in many rental cars or even your Google Maps app, it will be easy to find your way. Around Italy, from a region/city to another, you will likely enter high-speed highways with a toll. Sardinia is the only region without highways. Although, the navigator will tell you when you are going to a paid highway and sometimes will also give you the option to choose a toll-free route.

Something you need to pay attention to is the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) imposed in many cities including Rome and Florence, but also small towns like Bracciano, near Rome. If you are renting a car, make sure you pick your hotel out of the ZTL because fines are pretty high. Some day and some hours, ZTL gates are open, so you can get through, but when they are closed, only authorized vehicles can. Check out the municipality website of each city you are driving to.

To rent a car in Italy, you need to be 23 or 25, depending on the agency, and extra-EU citizens also need an international license, which you can get in your home country.

Click here to rent your car

If you’d rather not drive and visit mainly the biggest cities, traveling by train in Italy is easy and straightforward. The railway network in Italy is pretty widespread, especially going northward. Trains stop in all the big cities, most towns and also many smaller villages. If you are visiting smaller villages, chances are that you will need a car (or a tour) for the surroundings, unless you are interested in the village itself.

Traveling by train is easy also because from one city to the next, you will directly get to the historic center so ready for sightseeing. This will make it also possible to stay less in each place and still visit a lot.

Click here to check timetables and book your train

Another way to travel around Italy is by plane. You can find most cities connected through the flag carrier Alitalia but also other regional airlines such as Meridiana for Sardinia, and low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet.

While traveling by railway is easy and can take you to many cities, if you are in the north and want to reach the south, a flight is the fastest way. Or also if you want to travel to Sardinia, you can either choose the ferry or the plane.

There are several flights every day from and to Rome Fiumicino, Milano Malpensa, and Milano Linate, being among the biggest airports. But also airports like Cagliari-Elmas, Olbia-Costa Smeralda, Palermo, Venezia and Bologna are pretty busy.

The tickets are not too expensive and it applies the general rule that by booking in advance you can find better offers and promotions. Sometimes it’s also possible to find last-minute offers and plan some detours from your original itinerary or add more places to visit.

Click here to check the prices and book your flight

This is probably the cheapest option but also a slow and, sometimes, limiting one. There are several extra-urban coaches that connect different cities and different regions. For example, you can book a bus from Rome to Sicily, but it will obviously take much longer than the plane and also the train.

Sita – www.sitabus.it (soprattutto per le tratte da Veneto, Toscana, Campania, Basilicata e Puglia), Arpa – www.arpaonline.it in Abruzzo, Sais – www.saistrasporti.it in Sicilia, Busweb – www.busweb.it, Saj – www.saj.it in Calabria, Marino – www.marinobus.it in Puglia e Basilicata, Arst in Sardegna, Sena – www.sena.it in Toscana, Autostradale – www.autostradale.it in Lombardia, Busitalia in Umbria.

Click here to check timetables and book your bus

To reach the islands you can opt for the ferry instead of the plane. Some of the companies operating the ferry routes to and from Sardinia are Tirrenia, Grimaldi, GNV and Sardinia Ferries, with Tirrenia being the one that operates the whole year.

To reach Sicily, there are also Caronte & Tourist, Liberty Lines and TTTLines. You can reach Sicily from Cagliari, Civitavecchia, Naples, Salerno, Livorno, Reggio Calabria, Genoa.

The Italian ports from where you can board to reach Sardinia Civitavecchia near Rome, Livorno, Genoa, Naples and Palermo.

How Much Does A Holiday In Italy Cost? Expenses Breakdown

Your Italy trip doesn’t have to be expensive. The overall budget depends on many factors, such as the season, the places you want to visit, the type of hotel you want to book and the type of restaurants you want to try.

Ideally, a holiday in Rome would be more expensive than a trip to Sardinia. But this is not always the case. For example, if in Sardinia you are aiming at a 5-star resort in the exclusive Costa Smeralda, your holiday will certainly be more expensive than booking a guest house or an apartment in Rome, even those in the city center.

Here I’m going to do a costs breakdown for a typical trip to Italy of medium budget. Choosing a higher or lower lifestyle, will make your costs go up or down.

Travel Insurance

A very popular travel insurance is World Nomads . Their rates vary depending on the options, how long is the trip, and how many people are traveling. As per some examples, for 10 days in Italy for one 30-year-old traveler, the standard coverage costs about 75$, while for a 2-week Italy trip for a family of three with a mother, father, and 4-year-old toddler, the standard coverage will be around 275$.

Transportation from the airport

This depends on where you land and where you are going from the airport. But since one of the most common airports is Rome’s Fiumicino, you can already take note of some 50/60 euro Roman taxi fare to the city, while from Ciampino is a bit cheaper, around 30 euro. The price from the local airport to Florence is less than 25 euro, while in Milan, from Malpensa airport to the city is almost 100 euro. You can also check Uber services in different Italian cities if they are more convenient than regular taxis.

Obviously, you can opt for public transportation, either train or coach, and it would be much cheaper. From Fiumicino to Roma Termini train station is 14 euro for the direct train called Leonardo Express, while if you want to get off at other minor stations, you can take the train to Ostiense that costs 8 euro and stops in stations such as Trastevere and Ostiense. Check out Omio for timetables and tickets.

Transportation around Italy

The costs of moving around in Italy vary according to your transportation choices. As mentioned above, the cheapest way to move around is by bus, but if you are short in time, this might not be ideal.

Train travel in Italy is not too expensive especially if you plan your trip, and purchase your tickets, in advance. As an example, a train ticket from Rome to Milan is about 80 euros if you buy it a couple of weeks in advance, while it can cost you some 100 euros if you purchase it the days before the journey.

The ticket from Rome to Florence costs around 40/45 euros. Sometimes you can also find offers for 25 euros. If you are interested in taking some day trips from Florence, tickets to Pisa, Siena or Lucca are all less than 10 euros. If you are going south, a trip to Naples from Rome is about 40 euro, and from Naples to reach Pompeii is around 4 euros. Prices change also depending on the season.

Renting a car is not necessarily more expensive but obviously you also need to consider the price of petrol. Check out Discover Cars for rates and promotions.

Depending on the city and on the season, your hotel rates will vary enormously. Booking in advance can make quite the difference and also choosing an apartment instead of a hotel can be much cheaper.

Cities like Florence and Venice are usually more expensive when it comes to accommodation, while smaller towns and lesser-visited regions like Marche or Basilicata offer less costly options.

To mention some examples of what we paid during our trips, in Florence , we booked a guesthouse we didn’t particularly love some half an hour walk from the historic center in May and we paid 62 euros per night for a double room. On our two-day trip to Milan , we booked and enjoyed Delle Nazioni Milan Hotel , very close to the main train station Stazione Centrale, and we paid 122 euros for two nights in June.

In Turin , we booked an apartment for 202 euros for 4 nights and we loved our stay there. Although it wasn’t in the city center, it was easy to reach by tram and the flat was comfortable and equipped with everything we needed.

When it comes to Sardinia, on the other hand, we stayed in Mamoiada, Nuoro province, for the Mamuthones festival and a B&B cost us 80 euro per night, while in Olbia in August, we paid 120 euro per night for a double room comprehensive of baby’s cot.

Apart from the city center of the major tourist destinations, especially Venice, eating in Italy is not too expensive. In average restaurants, a starter, a side dish and the dessert range around 5 to 6 euros, the first course of pasta or rice can be prices between 10 to 18 euros, while the main course is usually between 15 and 25 euros. Wines make the price go up whether you order a bottle or just a glass.

A sandwich ( panino ) in a bar or coffee shop is usually around 2 to 5 euros, a salad maximum of 10 euros. Sometimes you can also buy one of the always more popular Buddha bowls take-away for some 10 euros and have it in your hotel room.

Gelato can cost around 2 to 4 euros depending on how many scoops and what type of cone or cup you choose. High-quality artisan gelato is not more expensive than an industrial ice-cream, but the taste and experience are much different, so make sure you know what and where to buy yours.

What To Visit In Italy

Let’s face it, this is a bit tricky because there are just too many places to visit in Italy. If you have never been, you might want to visit major cities or popular areas. Some of the places to visit in Italy if it’s your first trip:

No need for an introduction here. Italy’s capital and an unmissable destination, there are so many things to do in Rome that even if you stay two weeks only here, you won’t run out of places to see. With something for everyone, in Rome, you can spend the whole day sightseeing and never have enough of it. If you are on a classic Italy tour for first-time visitors, you can easily book a Florence to Rome train to reach the capital in an hour and a half.

Explore its ancient ruins such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Baths of Caracalla, the main sights of the Christendom in the Vatican City , famous landmarks such as Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps in the historic center, quaint neighborhoods such as Trastevere, and trendy and former working-class districts filled with colorful murals such as Ostiense and Testaccio. Obviously, don’t forget to try some of Rome’s hearty traditional dishes .

Make sure you read our article on the best places to visit near Rome if you can afford more time in the city!

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a must-see for everyone visiting Italy for the first time. Or even the second and the third. If you are into art and beauty, hardly any city can compete.

Start your Florence tour from the Santa Maria del Fiore complex and carry on to see landmarks such as Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Maria Novella Basilica, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Garden and more. All without forgetting to try the traditional dishes in the best Florence restaurants .

If you have limited time and are forced to make a choice, our article will help you decide whether you should visit Rome or Florence !

They call it the most romantic city in Italy. Whether you agree or not, Venice is a must-visit. Stroll around its canals and bridges, take a gondola ride, and try the local food. If you are traveling to Italy in winter, try to see Venice Carnival, it’s a beautiful parade of posing, camera-loving masks.

Some of the places to see in Venice are San Marco Piazza and Basilica, the Doge Palace, the Bridges of Sighs and of Rialto, the Jewish Quarter, and the nearby colorful island of Burano.

Milan is often the city where international flights land so you can easily make it the first leg of your itinerary. If you don’t have much time, you can see Milan in one day , while if you can afford a longer stay, you can explore more of its landmarks, nightlife, and restaurants.

Some of the places you should see, whether you stay one or two days in Milan , are the gorgeous Gothic-style Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, Castello Sforzesco, and La Scala Opera House.

Naples and the Amalfi Coast

Famous all over the world for its landscape and dolce vita lifestyle, the Amalfi Coast, Costiera Amalfitana in Italian, never fails to impress. With places like Positano, Ravello and the same Amalfi, it attracts thousands of tourists every summer.

If you are in Campania, however, you shouldn’t miss its capital, Naples. Gorgeous and historical city, Naples is also the home town of the pizza and many other delicacies. If you are on a weight loss diet, here you will likely cheat on it.

From Naples, you can also take a day trip to see the spectacular ruins of Pompeii and the town of Sorrento on the Bay of Naples.

Cinque Terre

Always more famous and popular among tourists, the Cinque Terre of the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region is a great destination for hikers and sea lovers. Italian for Five Lands, the Cinque Terre are Vernazza, Monterosso Sul Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Manarola.

They are picturesque towns on the Ligurian coast in La Spezia province. You can go from one to the next by hiking or by taking the frequent local train. You can either stay in one of the five towns overnight or make it a day trip from Genoa, the capital of the Liguria region.

The Alps and the Dolomites

If you like the mountain, some of the places you should visit are the Dolomites of Trentino Alto Adige or the Alps of Valle d’Aosta.

Your door to the Dolomites can be the cities of Trento and Bolzano , fantastic destinations to explore and where to spend a few days, or other towns in Trentino Alto Adige such as Bressanone and Merano.

You can reach the Dolomites also from the Veneto and Lombardy regions, while a great place to visit high peaks of the Alps is the scenic Valle d’Aosta region on the border with France. Here, you can hike and ski the gorgeous Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Cervino and Gran Paradiso, apart from wandering its quaint towns such as Vens.

The Islands: Sardinia and Sicily

Are you coming in summer and want to hit the beaches? What better places than the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily? Both islands boast stunning coastline and beautiful beaches all around. It’s the summer holiday paradise for swimming, sunbathing and breathing some fresh air compared to the inland areas far from the sea.

Both Sicily and Sardinia are not known only for their beaches. There are many towns and villages to see if you are a fan of offbeat travel, such as Cabras, Pula, and Fordongianus in Sardinia, or Taormina and Ragusa in Sicily, to name a few.

Don’t miss our guide to the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia .

What To Eat In Italy

With each region and each city boasting its own recipes, deciding what to eat in Italy really depends on where you are traveling to. From breakfast to lunch to dinner, you can experience the typical Italian dining style and try the most popular and traditional dishes in every area.

So if you are in Rome, enjoy your tonnarelli cacio e pepe, bucatini all’amatriciana or spaghetti alla carbonara. In Naples, try their delicious pizza, in Bologna tortellini or lasagna, in Turin, polenta or bagna cauda and in Florence meat-eaters will sure order the Fiorentina steak at least once in their trip.

Some of Italy’s most famous dishes?

• Pizza . No need for an introduction here. You find it all over Italy and everywhere in different ways and shapes. The round on the plate mainly for dinner, except for tourist areas or some restaurants. By the slice with the most different toppings is pretty much all over Italy and it’s a favorite street food.
• Pasta. This, too, in Italy is everywhere. Short, spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, fettuccine, you name it. Each region has its own shape, way to make it and sauce to season it.
• Stews. Made it using different types of meat from lamb to sheep to beef, and different herbs and seasonings. Also the stews you are likely to find them in every region. They mainly are winter dishes, but in tourist areas, you can find them also in summer.
• Pastries and sweets. Don’t even get me started here. From north to south, if you are on a diet when visiting Italy, you will have a hard time refusing a pastry at every occasion. Croissants, bombe, crostata, cakes, tiramisu, panna cotta, gelato, you name it. From breakfast to all throughout the day, you can close off every meal with a dessert.
• Soups. Made with veggies or meat, they sometimes are used as first courses or as a consommé to open the meal.

Shopping in Italy

Whether you are looking for gifts or for something for yourself to remember your trip by, there are plenty of things to buy in Italy .

While clothes and shoes might be too personal, some of the most favorite gifts to bring home to friends and family are a bottle of good wine, some jewelry, accessories like bags (ask for Pollini or Coccinelle), or a piece of local handicraft which can ceramic, glass, or textile.

Some nice and much-appreciated gifts certainly are to be found in the food department. You won’t get it wrong if you buy artisan chocolate, traditional pastries, good-quality Italian pasta, or a good pasta sauce.

Italy tour packages and city day tours

While our Italy travel guide gives you plenty of tools to organize a trip your own, if you want your holiday to be just relaxing and free from all the planning hassle, here are some tour companies and websites providing great expeditions and day trips.

G Adventures

G Adventures organizes 2-week or 10-day tours to Italy striving to give an in-depth experience of the country and its society. With G Adventures, you can either book a classic tour to all the major destinations or some more location-specific trips.

Intrepid Travel

With small group tours, Intrepid Travel promises “real-life experiences”. Their tours go from 14 to as little as 4 days and cover a different range of places and activities such as a retreat in Veneto, a trip to the south from Rome to the Amalfi Coast

Take Walks – Former Walks of Italy

Take Walks is one of my favorites, I took many tours with them and all delivered plenty. They don’t organize full packages around Italy but only day tours or themed tours lasting a few hours in different cities such as Rome , Florence , Venice , and more.

With Take Walks, you can join different types of tours, from cooking classes to day trips to cultural tours to the most important landmarks of a city.

Get Your Guide

Get Your Guide (GYG) is not exactly a tour company but a website where you can book a tour from many different companies and agencies. This is why you will find a huge variety of experiences as well as ticket sales and taxi transfers.

TourRadar is similar to GYG with the difference that they feature companies offering full-package tours so trips of 2 weeks, ten days, one week, or even a month.

Useful sentences when you travel to Italy

No Italy travel guide is complete without some useful expressions you might need in Italy, especially in non-touristy areas. Here are some to remember:

• Buongiorno – Good morning
• Buonasera – Good evening
• Buonanotte – Goodnight
• Arrivederci – Goodbye
• Grazie – Thank you
• Sì/No – Yes/No
• Ciao – Hi

Check out our guide to greetings in Italian

Daily-use phrases

• Che ora è? – What time is it?
• Come stai? (informal)/Come sta? (formal) – How are you?
• Scusa/scusi/mi dispiace – I’m sorry
• Non lo so – I don’t know
• Permesso – Excuse me

Eating/At the restaurant

• Colazione – Breakfast
• Pranzo – Lunch
• Cena – Dinner
• Ristorante – Restaurant
• Forno, fornaio – Bakery
• Pasticceria – Pastry shop
• Sono vegetariano/vegano – I’m vegetarian/vegan
• Non mangio carne – I don’t eat meat
• Sono intollerante al glutine – I’m gluten-intolerant
• Sono allergico a X – I’m allergic to [whatever ingredient/food]
• Posso avere il menu per favore? – Can I have the menu, please?
• Posso avere il conto per favore? – Can I have the bill, please?
• Mancia – Tip
• Posso avere un bicchiere d’acqua per favore? – Can I have a glass of water, please?
• Liscia/Gasata – Still/Sparkling
• Dov’è il bagno? – Where is the toilet?

Don’t miss out guide to the most common Italian words for foods and drinks .

• Che strada devo prendere per raggiungere X? – How do I get to X?
• Dritto – Straight
• Destra – Right
• Sinistra – Left
• Macchina – Car
• Bici, bicicletta – Bike
• Treno – Train
• Aereo – Airplane
• Metro – Metro, subway
• Parcheggio – Parking lot
• Solo andata – Single ticket
• Andata e ritorno – Return ticket
• Dov’è il rifornitore di benzina più vicino? – Where is the closest petrol station?
• Dov’è la stazione ferroviaria/dei treni? – Where is the train station?
• Binario – Platform
• Dov’è la stazione degli autobus? – Where is the bus station?
• Questo treno/autobus ferma a X? – Does this train/bus stop at [your destination]?
• Biglietto – Ticket
• Bancomat – ATM
• Non funziona – It’s broken, it doesn’t work
• Polizia/Carabinieri – Police
• Parla inglese? – Can you speak English?
• Mi può aiutare per favore? – Can you help me, please?
• Albergo, hotel – Hotel
• Camera singola/Camera matrimoniale/Camera doppia con due letti – Single room/Double room/Twin room
• Bagaglio, valigia – Luggage, suitcase
• Contanti – Cash
• Bancomat – Debit card
• Carta di credito – Credit card
• Caro, costoso – Expensive
• Economico – Cheap
• Mercato, supermercato, negozio – Market, supermarket, shop
• Edicola – Newsagency, kiosk
• Vorrei, sto cercando – I would like, I’m looking for
• Quando costa? – How much is it?
• Ospedale – Hospital
• Pronto Soccorso – ER
• Farmacia – Pharmacy
• Febbre – Fever
• Vertigini – Dizziness
• Nausea, vomitare – Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrea – Diarrhea
• Dolore – Pain
• Ferita – Injury
• Infiammato – Inflamed/inflammation
• Bruciore di stomaco – Heartburn
• Gastroenterite – Stomach flu
• Medico, dottore – Doctor
• Pediatra – Pediatrician
• Dentista – Dentist

Important numbers to know in Italy

Here are some of the most important Italian emergency numbers :

• Police: 113
• Carabinieri: 112
• Ambulance – Health emergency: 118
• Firefighters: 115
• Street assistance – ACI: 116
• Guardia di Finanza: 117
• Viaggiare informati – information on street traffic: 1518

Do you need to book hotels and restaurants? Learn everything about the days of the week in Italian !

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Italy Travel Guide: The Ultimate 2-week Road Trip

Italy, the country of pasta & pizza, architecture & history, jaw-dropping sceneries, world-famous cities & medieval little towns, and mouth-watering gelato. That’s right – Italy has it all, and that’s why it is one of the most-traveled destinations in Europe . Multiple visits are needed to see all the country’s highlights. Discover the best of Italy within 2 weeks in this Italy Travel Guide.

Italy Travel Itinerary

All popular cities, like Venice and Rome , are well connected by train, car, or airplane. The best and fastest option is traveling by train, and the best way to see the country is by car, so this Italy travel itinerary is a mix of those.

Also have a look at our 7-day Italy itinerary !

Day 1-3: Rome

Start your trip in the capital of Italy: Rome . Rome has some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions; the Colosseum and Vatican City. Flights to Rome are usually the most affordable, which makes it a great start location.

Where to Stay in Rome

Rome offers accommodation for every kind of budget, including plenty of great hostels ( search all hostels in Rome here ).

Hotels in Rome 😴

Piazza Navona and San Lorenzo are central areas within walking distance of many of the top attractions. However, San Lorenzo is slightly cheaper if you’re traveling on a budget.

Day 4: Tuscany – Best of the Italy Travel Itinerary

Tuscany, with its rolling hills and vineyards, is one of the most picturesque regions in Italy. Escape the city, rent a car in Rome, Italy , and drive 3 hours along Lago Di Bolsena to Saturnia , the thermal area. Spend the afternoon and have dinner in this tiny medieval village called Montemarano.

We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Day 5: Tuscany ( Siena )

No better way to start your day than by dipping into the natural hot springs in Saturnia. Between 7-8 AM is the best time to visit, and if you stay at this hotel , it is just a 5-minute walk.

Here are all your hotel options in Saturnia.

Hop back into the car and continue your Italy travel itinerary for 3 hours along the most scenic roads toward Siena. Do note that your navigation has to be set to ‘Avoid Highways’. Siena is a beautiful old city with a UNESCO status.

Close off the day by having a delicious Italian dinner at Osteria Permalico . After that, spend the night in charming Siena ( this was our hotel ).

Where to Stay in Siena

If you’re only staying for one night in Siena, stick to the city center (around the Torre del Mangia), so you are close to all the historic landmarks, bars, and restaurants.

Hotels in Siena 😴

Alternatively, if you want to get back on the road early the next day, opt for rural accommodation within easy driving distance of the city.

Day 6: Tuscany (Siena to Florence)

On your last day in Tuscany, roam around Siena for a couple of hours, and visit Piazza Del Campo and the cathedral Duomo di Siena.

Siena’s old city center has a great ambiance. Cars are not allowed inside the old city center. Therefore, the city is a favorite on every Italy travel route. Read more information about where to park your car in our Tuscany Guide .

Read: The best things to do in Siena, Italy

Around noon, continue to your last stop: Florence . Optionally, visit San Gimignano or Volterra and drop off the car in Florence.

Day 7: Florence

Welcome to Florence. Spend the next 24 hours wandering around this ancient city and discover sites like the Duomo of Florence and the ancient bridge Ponte Vecchio.

While you’re in Florence, don’t miss out on a foodie adventure. Hop between cafes and restaurants, trying delicious fresh pasta and finding the best gelato!

Where to Stay in Florence

Florence has plenty of great accommodation options, from cute guesthouses and budget-friendly hostels ( search for your hostel here ) to luxury hotels.

Hotels in Florence 😴

Santa Croce is the best area to stay with loads of small bars and walking distance from all the things to do in Florence.

Day 8-10: Cinque Terre

In the morning, take the train from Florence to Cinque Terre , a 2.5h journey. Cinque Terre is a national park with five incredibly picturesque villages with hiking routes where you want to spend as much time as possible.

Spend two nights in Riomaggiore , Monterosso , or La Spezia, which is right outside the national park. ( Find the best train tickets here )

Read: Everything about Cinque Terre

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

Accommodations inside Cinque Terre National Park are booked far in advance. Hotels are mostly available in Riomaggiore and Monterosso but expect to pay way over your typical budget per night.

Hotels in Cinque Terre 😴

A more affordable choice is to stay in La Spezia , where hotels start at 35 EUR a night. Alternatively, for the most budget-friendly option, search for a hostel in the area .

Day 11: Cinque Terre to Venice

It’s time to head to Venice , your final stop on your Italy travel itinerary. Take the train from La Spezia to Venice, a 5-hour ride with one transfer in between. The train is super convenient in Italy as some of the best you will see in Europe.

Find the best train tickets here

Day 12-14: Venice

Welcome to the city where everything goes by boats and bridges. Venice is one of the world’s most unique cities and an absolute must-see when you travel to Italy. Spend your last days in Italy strolling along the canals or crossing bridges sipping Italian coffee.

The mornings or late afternoon are the best times to stroll down the narrow streets of Venice as the city center gets busy during midday as the day trippers arrive in the city.

See the best things to do in Venice

Where to Stay in Venice

Stay in the middle of the city but tucked away in a quiet street 5 minutes walking from San Marco Square at Novecento Boutique Hotel .

Hotels in Venice 😴

If you’re on a tight budget, your best option is to stay outside of Venice on the mainland.

Costs of Traveling in Italy

The costs of traveling in Italy depend on where you eat, sleep, and how you get from A to B. These are the average expenses when you follow this Italy travel itinerary, eat at medium-priced restaurants, and travel by train + car.

Travel on a budget in Italy, from $570 − $630 USD weekly per person, mid-range $1220 − $2800 USD, and high-end from $2660 − $4090 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $65 − $300 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $20 − $40 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $20 − $30 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $50 − $150 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $20 − $80 USD
• Activities: $20 − $45 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

How to Get Around Italy?

Transportation plays an essential part in your Italian experience. Your Italy travel itinerary can be done by train, car, or plane. The fastest and most affordable way to travel in Italy is by train. However, a car gets you to those scenic country roads.

Renting a Car in Italy

For full flexibility and to go off the beaten path, driving a car is a perfect option. All major cities in Italy are well connected by train, but to visit Tuscany or the Dolomites, you need to rent a car. Avoid popular cities by car, as parking costs are sometimes the price of a train ticket.

Italy by Train

Traveling around Italy by train is excellent. They are incredibly fast (up to 350 km/h!), affordable, and much cleaner for the environment compared to an airplane. Book the train tickets a few days in advance to secure your spot on the train.

See tickets and availability for your train trip in Italy

Italy by Airplane

Just like the train, all major cities have international airports with domestic flights that connect cities internally as well as international flights.

However, the train might be a faster option for your trip around Italy, as the extra airport time adds up quickly.

Best Time to Visit Italy

Tourism in Italy is huge because it is one of the most-visited countries worldwide, so it is recommended to avoid the high season.

The best time to go to Italy is in spring, from April to June, and fall, from September and October. Prices are lower, fewer tourists, and comfortable temperatures.

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9 Best Things to do in Cefalù, Sicily

Exploring the elsa trail and diborrato waterfall in tuscany, cortona, italy: the gem of southern tuscany.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Hi, just wondering what you guys did with your rental car after Saturnia springs? Wondering if going back to Rome & returning it would be the best option to take the train to Florence. Definitely want to do Rome the first couple of days, Saturnia springs, as well as Elsa trail & Diborrato waterfall in Tuscany, then either Florence or Venice (would love if you could suggest one over the other) and definitely would like to stop in Cinque De Terre for a day or two. Just wondering if returning the car and going by train is best in that case. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!!

Hi Victoria, time-wise it’s better to rent a car for the part from Rome to Florence and carry on by train from Florence :-) However, it depends on how much the rental company charges you for returning the car at another city. If that’s way too much, you can drive back to Rome and take the train.

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Italy regions

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Italy travel guide: explore Italy and hundreds of popular destinations

Italy is perhaps the most culturally rich country in Europe, and a visit offers one of the most attractive and varied experiences in Europe, perhaps the world.

It is the combination of historically remarkable landmarks and towns, small medieval villages untouched by modern life, and the great diversity of landscapes that make Italy such an interesting destination - but don't forget to spend time absorbing the Italian way of life during your visit.

Amalfi / Capri / Lucca

From the capital Rome and the extraordinary ancient monuments (the Ancient Roman empire, older Etruscan sites, the Nuraghe monuments of Sardinia...) to the high Alpine mountains, from the dramatic coastlines of the islands of Sardinia and Sicily to the beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the hill villages of Umbria and the Marches, there are a myriad of discoveries to be made in many regions of Italy - some already well-trodden by visitors, others less well known.

Find the best places to visit in Italy in our regional travel guides:

North-east italy.

• Trentino-Alto Adige (capital: Trento)
• Friuli-Venezia Guilia (capital: Trieste)
• Venice & Veneto (capital: Venice)

North-west Italy

• Aosta valley (capital: Aosta)
• Liguria (capital: Genoa)
• Lombardy (capital: Milan)
• Piedmont (capital: Turin)

Central Italy

• Emilia-Romagna (capital: Bologna)
• Tuscany (capital: Florence)
• Marche (capital: Ancona)
• Umbria (capital: Perugia)
• Rome & Lazio (capital: Rome)
• Abruzzo (capital: l'Aquila)

Southern Italy

• Molise (capital: Campobasso)
• Campania (capital: Naples)
• Apulia (capital: Bari)
• Basilicata (capital: Potenza)
• Calabria (capital: Catenzaro)

The two principal islands of taly are Sicily and Sardinia

The promenade in the early evening, or sitting in front of a cafe as vespas whizz past carrying teenagers to romantic encounters, are an equally important aspect of Italy. Similarly the culinary heritage of Italy is an important part of your trip, with many delicious regional specialties to enjoy as you travel around (when possible we have included recommendations for local food and wine to enjoy for the places in Italy reviewed in this travel guide).

Bologna / Maremma

To start finding places to visit in Italy simply choose a region (from the main menu) or, if your geography is a litle rusty, use our map of Italy . See also the ' most beautiful villages of Italy ' and the towns and villages that have received the Italian Orange Flag award for sustainable tourism.

One suggestion when you are planning your trip: before rushing headlong to see the 'major' sites of Tuscany or Lake Garda, or the beaches of Sardinia, take a look at some of the less visited regions of Italy - many have a great deal to discover even if the tour buses haven't yet discovered them!

Burano / Matterhorn

You may also like to see our features that look at the history of Italy through the history of its towns and settlements, and are a fascinating addition to your travel planning - see history of Italy or visit the individual travel guides for the Italian towns.

Europe This Way

Italy This Way is part of the Europe This Way group - visit Europe This Way for more travel sites and destinations across Europe including France and England.

See the French version of the Guide to Italy

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Amalfi cathedral: a visitor guide

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Italy Travel Guide

Your ultimate italy travel guide, with tips, ideas on things to do, and best things to see in italy. great for first-time and returning travelers..

Located in southern Europe, Italy is a Mediterranean country bordered by three seas (Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian).

Known as the birthplace of Western culture, Italy is a stunning country affectionately referred to as the  Bel Paese (the beautiful country) .

A country full of history and beauty, it is a must-see for travelers.

From Unesco World Heritage Sites like the ruined city of Pompeii to coastal beauties like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, Italy is a great place for those who want to experience something different.

Add in great Italian cuisine and it makes a perfect vacation.

Get inspired to visit Italy and plan your dream trip with our Italy travel guide .

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Table of Contents

Fast Facts About Italy

• Currency:  The official currency is the euro and 1 euro is equal to 1.12 USD.
• Power:  Power voltage is 220V at 50 Hz.
• Entry:  To enter, you will need a U.S. passport valid for at least 6 months after your departure date.
• Getting Around : The best way to get around is by public transport or renting a car but beware, Italians are hairy drivers!
• Sales tax:  The value-added rate (VAT) rate is 20%. 
• Best Sim Cards:  TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, and Iliad are the main mobile providers. A prepaid SIM card can be purchased through any of them.
• The Capital City of Italy is Rome  – See the  Best Things to do in Rome

Things to See and Do in Italy

• Off the Beaten Path  – step outside of Rome and explore the many villages that surround Italy’s capital.
• Hike Mount Etna:  Take your adventure to a new level by climbing Italy’s highest Volcano.
• Learn How to Make Traditional Balsamic Vinegar   – sold for up to $100 US for 100 ml, learn all about the ins and outs of making this delicious Italian vinegar.
• Meet David on a Walking Tour of Florence  – get introduced to the beauty of Florence and be catapulted to the front of the line to see the famous statue of Michelangelo’s David
• Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa  – Pisa may be crowded with tourists, but this is one sight you do not want to miss.
• Explore Romagna  – not only is Romagna home to Pavarotti, Enzo Ferrari, Ferrucio Lamborghini but it is also the gastronomical capital of the country.
• Explore the Vatican Museums : When in Rome you can’t miss Vatican City and these museums. Even if you are not a history buff you will be blown away by the beauty of this part of Rome.
• Explore the Italian Riviera : From hiking the famous Cinque Terre trail to relaxing on Sestri Levante beach, this is what Italian luxury is like. A visit to the Italian riviera is a perfect way to spend a week in Italy.

Italy Travel Guides

• Best Things to do in Rome
• Best things to do in Venice
• Best Things to do in Florence
• The Best Things to do in Amalfi Coast
• 15 Reasons to visit Emilia Romagna
• Best Things to do in Bologna

Accommodation

Budget: You can find a number of budget hotels in Italy for around 30-40 euros per night. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and breakfast, private rooms, and great city locations. 

Mid Range: For mid-range hotels, expect to pay between 50-80 euros per night. Enjoy private air-conditioned rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a hotel restaurant and bar, and free Wi-Fi.

High End: Upscale hotels will range from 150-1,220 euros per night.

Take in the best with top-of-the-line hospitality, elegant rooms and suites, spa services, indoor and outdoor pools, multiple fine dining restaurants, fitness centers with personal trainers, private balconies, and more.

If you intend to visit Italy for food you won’t be disappointed.

Italian cuisine is famous for pasta, tomatoes, cheese, fish, and meat.

While many might think that spaghetti and meatballs are the traditional dish of Italy, this is not true, and in fact, is rarely eaten in Italy (except for tourist places).

The national dish is Ragu alla Bolognese Sauce (meat-based sauce served in tortellini, gnocchi, or tagliatelle pasta). Other favorites include pizza, lasagna, and bottarga (cured fish roe).

There are a number of restaurants where you can try authentic Italian cuisine, as well as cafes.

Try a cappuccino for about 1.34 euros (but remember, if you want to follow tradition, it is custom not to drink one after 10 or 11 AM).

In total, expect to pay about 10-20 euros per meal for most restaurants, or 50 euros per meal for three-course restaurants.

The Best Ways To Get Around Italy

Getting to Italy: The Leonardo de Vinci-Fiumicino Airport is one of the busiest airports to fly into and is 20 miles from the city center.

The Malpensa International Airport is great when going to Milan and is a 20-40 minute train ride to the city of Milan.

Transportation: Trains are a fast way to get around. You can find trains both for regional trips as well as between cities. High-velocity trains are a speedy and fairly inexpensive way to travel throughout Italy.

Go from Rome to Florence in 2 hours, for example, and pay just 25 euros.

Buses : Italy has a number of buses for shorter trips, as well as metro services in larger cities like Rome and Milan. Tickets start at 1-2 euros.

Make sure to purchase your tickets before boarding or you can get a fine up to 100 euros.

Taxis:   Taxis are an alternative way to get around. You can hail one down or call for a taxi, though note that if you call, the meter starts running once you call.

A typical price for a taxi is about 15 euros, depending on the distance .

Car Rental :   To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old and have a U.S. license as well as an International Driver’s License. It is advised that you know the rules of the road before driving in Italy.

Prices start at around 55 euros per day. But you can find great deals for car rentals too so look around.

When to go to Italy

The best time to visit Italy is from April to June and September to October.

July and August are usually quite crowded, and hotel rates are at their peak, whereas spring and early autumn have lower prices and the temperatures are neither too hold or too cold for outdoor and sightseeing activities.

If you are spending most of your time in the north then I would definitley say the best time to visit would be during the fall and winter. You have fewer crowds but great mountain activities like skiing.

Where to Stay in Italy

Hotel Italia: A traveler favorite, stay at this great hotel in Rome. Just 9 minutes from multiple airports and minutes away from numerous attractions (including the famous Trevi Fountain), this is the place to stay.

Acca Palace : Stay at this four-star modern hotel in Milan. Sleep in private suites with a balcony and a minibar and enjoy amenities like room service, dry cleaning and laundry services, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and transportation to the airport.

San Gallo Palace—Florence: Just 30 minutes from the Florence airport and minutes from attractions like the Florence Cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery, this hotel puts you in the heart of everything.

Italy Accommodation Guides

• Where to Stay in Rome
• Where to Stay in Venice
• Where to Stay in Florence
• A Luxury Tuscan village
• 15 Best Italian Coastal Villages

What to Pack for Italy

Similar to many European countries, the climate of Italy is highly diverse depending on where you plan on traveling.

If you are spending your time on the Amalfi coast you will be packing differently than if you are up in the Italian Dolomites.

Considerable differences in temperatures between the north and south are more prominent during the winter months.

Winters are cold and damp in the north and milder in the South.

However, most of Italy has hot dry summers with July being the hottest month of the year.

• Toiletries –  beauty items and toiletries can be expensive in Italy if you want to save some money than pack some extra in your bag.
• Blend in  – Italians love to dress up, so why not pack some basic classic items that you can mix and match throughout your trip. Try to avoid baseball caps and white sneakers.
• Wedges  – Italy is known for its cobblestone streets. If you want to pack a fancy pair of heels for a classy night out on the town than stick with wedges over stilettos. Wedges allow you to walk smoothly over the cobblestone.
• Layers  – this is especially important for those traveling throughout Italy during the winter months. The general rule of thumb is to pack at least four layers: a base layer,  long sleeve shirts, a fleece (mid-layer) and a top layer such as a windbreaker. Don’t forget a warm pair of gloves, a thick scarf, and a hat!

Italy Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to Europe we make sure to start with these companies.

We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices as well as great customer service. 

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

Booking.com : This is our go-to site when comparing prices for accommodation. It is usually and has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.

Trip Advisor : What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.

Air BnB: Airbnb is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.

Hostelworld: With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.

Skyscanner: This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.

Rome 2 Rio: If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry, or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs. I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.

Get Your Guide: For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.

World Nomads Insurance: When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Italy Travel Guide: Related Articles

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Landscapes that will take your breath away, rich history, and delicious food, your trip to italy will be nothing short of unforgettable.  , unmissable sites.

• UNESCO sites
• Thermal baths

Food and wine

Rhaetian Railway, the engineering masterpiece crossing part of the Alps

Viaggio Italiano

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Po Delta, a birdwatching paradise

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Emilia-Romagna

Small and proud, with a focus on sustainability. Here are the most charming rural villages to visit in Italy

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Tax breaks for moving to the charming villages of central and southern Italy

Seaside Villages

Castelmola, a window on the sea a few steps from Taormina

Frosolone: one of the most beautiful Italian villages, in Molise

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A wellness weekend at the Euganean Spas

Ischia, the island of wellbeing among thermal gardens and natural springs

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Montecatini Terme, historical thermal centre in Tuscany

Terme di Caramanico, a haven of wellness and relaxation

Restourants

Emilia-Romagna: a journey into the heart of the Food Valley

Pesto Genovese

In Palermo, his majesty the bread with spleen

Lazio and the majestic Roman artichoke PGI

Piedmont, an extraordinary laboratory of products, all to be tasted, and to be drunk.

Festa del Redentore a Venezia 2024

Pre-Raphaelites: Modern Renaissance

Best Wine Stars 2024

Rimini Wellness 2024

Arezzo Antiques Fair

2024 MONZA FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX

Giro d’Italia 2024

Golden Gala

Sherwood Festival

Lucca Summer Festival

Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix

ITALIAN OPEN BNL

FIM Superbike World Championship

Catania Book Festival

Van Gogh in Trieste

The Pistoia Dialogues

Amber Wine Festival

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Discover italy.

Aosta Valley

The Aosta Valley is a paradise for visitors seeking outdoor experiences in nature while exploring history and traditions The smallest region in Italy, dotted with the highest peaks in the Alps, it is the ideal destination for anyone who enjoys winter sports and high-altitude walks. Its green valleys and fairy-tale castles make the Aosta Valley an enchanting place to experience all year round.

Piedmont is sure to enchant you with its mountains, hills, typical flavours and uniquely elegant cities An extraordinary heritage of art and history, culture and nature, characterises Piedmont, a region with a thousand faces, one more interesting than the other: cities of rare elegance, mountains that lend themselves to splendid skiing or walking, fascinating villages, hills that are among the best known in the world for their extraordinary wine production.

Lombardy: a dynamic land immersed in the present and reaching toward the future, but with an extraordinary heritage of art and nature Lombardy is a region in the north of Italy known for its industry and finance, of course, but also for its art and extraordinary landscapes, starting with the picturesque lakes and its mountains, Valcamonica and Valtellina in primis. Capital and symbolic city, Milan represents the industrious heart that goes hand in hand with other cities with a vibrant spirit.

Trentino is sure to amaze you with its immense natural heritage, the spectacular splendour of the Dolomites and fascinating sites steeped in history Discover Trentino’s culture of slow travel, taking the time to savour every corner among nature and cultural trails and educational farms. You will find hundreds of hotels offering wellness centres for truly relaxing holidays for the whole family in some of Italy's most beautiful villages, set in unique landscapes.

South Tyrol

Alto Adige is a dream place to discover all year round amidst green valleys and snow-capped peaks Combine the relaxation of spa treatments with the pleasure of fun in the snow for a real wellness boost amidst Alpine lakes, beautiful villages and state-of-the-art ski facilities suitable for all ages. All this and more in the majestic scenery of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Alto Adige.

Veneto, a region of wonder, with cities of art of undisputed beauty, as well as the most pristine nature The beauty of Lake Garda, the charm of the Dolomites, the sea of Jesolo, the hills covered with vineyards and the relaxing thermal baths, on top of an immense artistic and historical heritage, elegant cities such as Venice and Verona, quaint villages and breathtaking landscapes. Veneto is all this and much more.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Friuli Venezia Giulia: a treasure chest nestled between sea and mountains A border region sandwiched between the Friulian Dolomites and the Upper Adriatic, blessed with an immense cultural heritage resulting from the influence of different cultures and peoples, cosmopolitan and modern, Friuli Venezia Giulia will also seduce you with its temptations of relaxation, sport and fun.

Tucked-away villages, secret little beaches and superb nature: how enchanting Liguria is! Liguria is a wonderful strip of land enclosed between the sea and the mountains, with pastel-coloured houses and breathtaking views. With lush unspoilt nature, many small towns to discover and an incomparable culinary tradition, it enraptures the eye and the heart.

Emilia Romagna, a region of unrivalled charm, with immense artistic beauty and unparalleled hospitality Emilia Romagna with its Riviera Romagnola offers beach tourism that attracts families and young people to its shores every summer. Rich in sites of historical and cultural interest, this region boasts a world-renowned wine and food tradition. Skilful hospitality does the rest, making Emilia Romagna an ideal holiday destination in every season. Video credits: Oliver Astrologo

Tuscany will win you over with its unique landscapes, cities of art, thousand-year-old history and fantastic food Tuscany’s magical atmosphere evolves day by day as you stroll around the cities of art, cycle in the parks, enjoy the sea or savour its typical products, in a region with a one-of-a-kind natural, cultural and historical heritage that has fascinated visitors for centuries.

From Assisi to Perugia, via Gubbio, Lake Trasimeno and Marmore Falls: Umbria is a truly enchanting tourist destination Peaks covered in lush forests and large valleys outlined by rivers, lakes and waterfalls; sorrounded by villages and castles, crossed by paths steeped in history, art and culture, in a natural environment that helps to restore the body and soul: Umbria, the Green Heart of Italy, is all this and much more.

Le Marche, a plunge into the history, art and architecture of a region with the scent of the sea and redolent of traditions and hospitality A great variety of landscapes and an infinite range of colours that make the area's natural beauty incomparable, plus an artistic heritage that fears no comparison: this is how the Marches, with an area of no more than 10,000 square kilometres, will captivate you forever.

Sardinia: a journey to the island of the emerald sea, nuraghi, unspoilt nature and millenary traditions Crystal-clear waters, beaches of soft, white sand, granite rocks framed by wild, fragrant Mediterranean scrub: welcome to Sardinia, an island of a thousand contrasts that will also seduce you with its unique archaeological heritage and its people's innate sense of hospitality.

Lazio is not only Rome: landscapes and monuments of Lazio Rome, the capital of Italy and a unique open-air museum in the world, is enough to make Lazio one of the most beautiful and interesting regions. Even in terms of landscape, it boasts an area of great impact and remarkable variety, with its long coastline, beautiful hills and Apennine mountains. A destination to fall in love with.

Abruzzo, a journey through history between sea, mountains, flavours and unspoilt nature in parks and protected areas A region in central Italy, Abruzzo has two souls and one heart. Predominantly mountainous and hilly, it overlooks a beautiful stretch of the Adriatic Sea. Here, you will find the highest peaks of the Apennines, such as the Gran Sasso and the Majella massif, as well as the only Apennine glacier, but also some of the most popular beaches.

Campania offers landscapes, history, culture and a gastronomic tradition that the whole world envies A consistently mild climate, lush nature framing breathtaking landscapes, unspoilt villages and fairy-tale coastlines: this is Campania, a region that sums up centuries of cultures, between West and East, in a single Mediterranean jewel known for its unparalleled hospitality. A destination for the soul, the eyes and the palate.

Molise, a tiny region with grandiose landscapes: come and discover its history and culinary tradition Molise is a region steeped in history, characterised by numerous tasty food and wine delicacies, but also by rich nature reserves and villages that seem crystallised in history. A destination yet to be discovered, amid marvellous seashores and breathtaking high cliffs

Apulia: the sunny region between two seas and warm hospitality in places rich in history Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, it is a magical combination of artefacts, history, art and unspoilt nature, amidst beautiful coastlines and picture-postcard landscapes. This is Puglia, a region of golden beaches and crystal-clear waters, intense flavours and fascinating destinations: Castel del Monte, the trulli, the islands passing through towns kissed by a unique and unforgettable light.

Basilicata, a region of ancient origins, suspended between two seas and with mountains of great beauty Basilicata is a region where the passage of man has left its mark since prehistoric times. With the ancient name of “Lucania”, it is enriched by an incredible artistic heritage. Not to mention its never-boring panorama, which ranges from the Lucanian Dolomites to the Pollino Park, passing through two seas.

Calabria is the region of crystal-clear sea, the Riace Bronzes, Reggio Calabria and Capo Vaticano, a captivating mix of history and beauty Calabria, also known as the tip of the Italian boot, is a region in Southern Italy characterised by the incredible diversity of its landscapes, with the proximity of mountains to a splendid sea that attracts tourists from all over the world.

A dive into Sicily, where a sea of art, culture and nature will seduce you and become eternal love A predominantly hilly and mountainous area, but one that wins the hearts of tourists from all over the world with its wonderful sea and rich cities with a charm all their own. Sicily is a picture-postcard island characterised by the indelible marks of the people who have lived there and made it unique, amidst artistic and cultural testimonies of enormous value.

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• Destinations

The Insider’s Guide to Traveling Italy

The best of each region—in the most romantic country on earth.

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

For centuries, Italy was the preferred destination for poetically-minded nobles from across northern Europe. The “grand tour” was an exercise in communing with the ancient Roman world at a time when it was considered the height of culture to contemplate its romantically crumbling relics and vine-clad temples. But these “grand trippers” gave little thought to Italy beyond its artifacts and ghosts. For them, Italy—as a living, breathing culture—was an afterthought.

But today, in-the-know travelers seek deeper pleasures than the (still beguiling) ruins of ancient Rome. Italy is a country of 20 provinces, each of them proudly distinct, offering their own unique culinary, architectural, art, history, fashion, sightseeing, and cultural scenes. Ahead, our guide to the very best of Italy, divided by region. Buon viaggio!

Head away from the Adriatic, and you enter a landscape of hills and forests. This is Basilicata, a hidden territory bordering the better-known environs of Calabria and Puglia. Secrecy is paramount here: the hillside towns are dotted with warren-like cave dwellings, many of which go back thousands of years. Of them, Matera is the most famous (and most spectacular). Francis Ford Coppola even debuted his own distinct hotel in this compellingly concealed region: Palazzo Margherita .

Go for the ancient Greek mythology; stay for the local charm. The beaches of this region are well known—and you won’t want to miss them—but there are countless little fishing villages to explore too. Of the list, we recommend Chianalea di Scilla; it’s here that you’ll get a true, authentic taste of the Italian south, right at the tip of the boot, with boats bobbing in the harbor and fishermen tending their nets.

As far as hotels, we love Villa Paola , a truly gorgeous sea-facing setup with minimal yet sublime decor. A reminder: The food here leans toward the excitingly spicy (thanks to the region’s famous chiles), and you’ll not be short of places to dine. Scilla, a charming fishing village facing the island of Sicily by a hair’s breadth, is a particular gem.

Best known for the Amalfi Coast and its iconic “Path of the Gods,” the region of Campania is a photographer’s dream. A swell of romantically crumbling cliffs decorated with pastel-painted towns and threaded with beguiling alleyways, this is the Italy you’ve seen in films and dreamed about.

Praiano is our go-to; this sun-drenched stretch of western Italy is sublime not just for the sunsets but for its proximity to the beachside bars in Vivaro and Fioriere. You’d be missing out if you didn’t post up at heavenly Casa Angelina , whose crisp decor and serene views will leave you floating on cloud nine. To eat, you’ll want to set yourself up at the low-key, laid-back Da Armandino in Praiano. Ori Kafri, CEO and founder of J.K. Place Hotels , speaks warmly of Capri (home to namesake J.K. Place Capri )—an island located just off the Bay of Naples. Here is Da Gelsomina , a restaurant of simple but delicious virtue. “It’s a very simple, family-run place that produces their own wine,” Kafri explains. Enjoy it “with wonderful handmade ravioli. To get there, they come to pick you up in a little car to take you to a narrow street where the restaurant is located. It has a spectacular view of the sea.”

EMILIA-ROMAGNA

Home to a staggering eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ravenna is hardly under the radar—but some places are famous for a reason. Combine the historical city with a killer food scene and a stunning classical music festival, and you get a sense of classic Italia as you switch your phone off and forget emails for a few days.

In Bologna, you'll want to stay at the Grand Hotel Majestic , which is, as its name suggests, utterly regal in feel. Think classic Italian style, exquisite views across the city, rooms furnished with antiques, enormous beds, marble bathrooms—the works. Located centrally, it’s just a stone’s throw from Piazza Maggiore and Due Torri, making it an ideal base for a culture-packed weekend.

FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA

This little-known gem is located in the very northeast of Italy. Its regional capital is Trieste, a favored haunt for artists and musicians throughout the 20th century—James Joyce among them. Give its proximity to central and eastern Europe, its culture and character are often informed by those of its neighbors, and you’ll feel that through the wine, food, and architecture. The Carnic Alps—black-stoned, snow-crusted—jut up mightily from forests of dense green pine. For bon vivants, there’s the exceptional Collio wine route. For the historically minded, there’s the UNESCO-protected Aquileia , with its sublime basilica. Until the 18th century, this was the very heart of Christianity in central Europe, and its thousand-year-old ruins and relics are a sight to behold.

All roads—so they say—lead to Rome. The timeless city moves at its own pace, but it’s truly bursting with life (after all, few would forget the bawdy, thrilling antics of Federico Fellini’s Roma of 1972). To sleep, try Hotel de la Ville from Rocco Forte, a vibrant and modernist refurbishment of an 18-century palazzo located at the very top of the Spanish Steps. It’s at the center of everything and is the best possible place from which to feel the pulse of the city — the epitome of Roman romance and contemporary cool (in that way, it’s a lot like Fellini).

But where to eat? Trust us, it’s a long list. Legendary architect and designer Achille Salvagni recommends “the Market at Piazza Campo de’Fiori, where the food is Italian, local, and incredibly fresh. Restaurant Il Sanlorenzo should be on your list for the absolute best seafood and traditional Roman fare. Dinner at La Trattoria al Moro is a must; they serve earthy and beautiful Italian cuisine.” Salvagni adds, “I also have a soft spot for the Bakery Roscioli on the piazza, where I cannot help but purchase the many types of breads, cakes, and desserts they bake daily.”

Also not to miss: Trattoria da Danilo (for the cacio e pepe ), Retrobottega (for the moody laboratory vibes), Luciano Cucina Italiana (for its truly unforgettable pasta), and Le Mani in Pasta (for its classic Italian casualness). To walk it off and get inspired, Salvagni recommends, “a visit to Capucci on Via della Fontanella di Borghese. Mr. Capucci is the most famous Roman designer, and I have always been awestruck by his creations. His work is always a great source of inspiration, and I admire the boldness of his vision.”

Liguria, home to the famed Cinque Terre, is typified by statuesque mountains, verdant hills, and stunning coastal views of the Ligurian Sea. Cinque Terre tends to draw endless crowds. Instead, opt for Santa Margherita, a jumble of pastel buildings overlooking a sea of geraniums and bougainvillea. It feels like a scene straight out of a 1950s postcard.

Then there’s Camogli, the riviera that the world forgot. You’ll find the same steep hillsides and pastel-hued homes of the Cinque Terre, but what you won’t find are the tourists in droves. Just sleepy enough to feel undiscovered but with enough local life and quaint trattorias to help you while away the days, this is a place to go before everyone else. Stay at the incomparable Belmond Splendido Mare , a discreet but glamorous grand villa nestled in the wooded hills above Portofino. Impeccable service, exceptional views, and a legendary restaurant make this one of the very best hotels in Italy.

Get ready: There’s a lot to see in this one region alone. Italy’s fashion capital of Milan can sometimes be sidelined as an entry point, but it’s grossly underrated and definitely deserves deeper discovery. This bustling metropolis is best explored on foot for the world-class shopping (explore the Brera area), inspired cuisine, and extraordinary art. Trust us: It’s the perfect base for a luxurious Italian getaway. Just a short car ride away is Fondazione Prada housed in a former gin distillery in the industrial outskirts of Milan. Helmed by its namesake, Miuccia Prada, this institution is dedicated to showcasing the finest contemporary arts through a packed program of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Austere yet intimate, this breathtaking complex houses the colorful Bar Luce , whimsically designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson.

The Mandarin Oriental Milan , quietly hidden away but minutes from the action, is one of the finest places to stay in town. Choose a suite with balconies and soak it all up in this veritable oasis, unwinding in the subterranean spa and pool. The newly opened Galleria Vik Milano , from the stylish Vik family, should top lists, too; it’s beautiful and full of character with every room designed by a different artist.

Italy’s sun-drenched Lake District is synonymous with glamour—and not a little bit of history. Gently, calmly buzzing, this is a place of mesmerizing vistas, of lush, manicured gardens, and legendary villas. It’s easy to see why this Y shape of lakes has inspired countless poets, writers, and painters, among them Ernest Hemingway. Nowhere epitomizes la dolce vita quite like Lake Como. Simply put: It’s absolutely stunning. Regal but easygoing, this is where the well-heeled come, year after year, to rest and play. The lake has a rich history, playing host to nobility and celebrities alike; you can easily spot George Clooney’s villa when you take a boat cruise, as well as Villa Sola Cabiati , which houses a suite designed for Napoleon himself. Valentina de Santis, CEO and owner of Grand Hotel Tremezzo , encourages boat sightseeing. “I love to watch the sunset from a boat,” she says. “It is such a different and special perspective of my beloved lake.”

When asked where to dine on a lake that isn’t short of places to eat, de Santis recommends a hot spot in the must-visit village of Bellagio. “I take my friends to Darsene di Loppia , a restaurant located in a historic hamlet of the same name. Speaking of Tremezzo’s grand hotel, there are few places to stay as iconic in this or any part of the world. Perched in the shadows of the Grigne Mountains and boasting every five-star facility you could ever dream of, this is the place to rest your head on the lake. From its elegant mix of period and modern decor to its luxurious suites, lavish alfresco dining, this hotel is straight-up legendary. It’s also quite close to two must-visit restaurants on Lago di Como: Al Veluu , located just up the hill from the hotel, and Locanda La Tirlindana , in nearby Sala Comacina.

A short ride down the road is Villa D’Este . This regal, 16th-century estate feels very palatial indeed, with a jet-setting buzz, opulent rooms, a floating pool, and 25 acres of well-kept parklands. Jackets are expected at dinner, a nod to its Old World glamour, so embrace it and outfit yourself while in town. A more remote option on the other side of the lake in Torno, Il Sereno is a breathtaking, more contemporary option and in a sense its own little, modern island. There’s only one way to explore its breathtaking surrounds—which is on board one of its three custom-built Cantiere Ernesto Riva boats.

Situated on the edge of the Dolomites is tranquil and stylish Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. This beautiful and relaxing setting is also best explored by boat. Take in the lake’s most iconic vistas, charming villages, tiny islands, and, of course, villas, all framed by the dramatic backdrop of snowcapped peaks. Stop by the historic Riviera dei Limoni, with a guide in tow, and learn about the citrus-scented history of this stunning lake. Lake Garda is also a spectacular setting for a hike, especially Monte Baldo, which has some of the most impressive views. Stay at wellness-focused Lefay Resort & Spa , tucked away on a hillside under azure skies. Or check in at the historic Villa Feltrinelli , which is a palace in its own right. Just a short walk away are the cobbled streets of charming Gargnano, where vibrant orange trees line the shore; this part of the world is hard to beat.

The best beaches have always been those accessible only by boat, and Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle in Marche is no exception. Years of being overlooked in favor of the Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast has left this strip of coastline untouched and unspoiled. Pack a picnic; you won’t find anything else on this serene stretch of sand, but it is very much worth a visit.

Piedmont, home to the prized truffle, is a landscape of tranquil countryside, sleepy villages, and lively marketplaces. They take gastronomy very seriously here; if you time it right, you can go on the hunt (replete with dogs and a guide) in search of the Alba Madonna truffle—the holy grail of fungi. Hike through the Langhe, an area that feels almost designed for a slower pace of travel, and stay at the charming Relais San Maurizio . This former 17th-century monastery has been lovingly restored with great sensitivity to its past roots, and this resulting hilltop respite is truly spellbinding. Enjoy its fragrant botanical gardens, a panoramic pool terrace, and a dreamy spa (that offers vinotherapy, of course). No surprise, there’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant on the property.

Don’t forget about Lake Orta, the Italian Lake District’s best-kept secret. Italians have dubbed it Cinderella for the profound subtlety of its beauty. Make sure to post up at the contemporary and stylish Casa Fantini. Located on the stunning shores of Lake Orta, Casa Fantini ’s 11 light-filled rooms look out over an intimate garden and pool to San Giulio Island, a postcard-like island home to a Benedictine monastery, stunning cathedral, and two Michelin-starred restaurants. The best place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine? From the vantage point of a Prestige Room at Casa Fantini, Daniela Fantini herself shares. “From up there, the view is stunning; there is peace, calm, tranquility, and you can spot special, enchanting, and protected corners of landscape far from the chaos, always accompanied by the presence of the crystalline water of Lake Orta.”

Puglia—white-stoned, Adriatic, the heel or spur of the boot—is best known as the land of the olive tree. Every family seems to tend at least one, but there are tens of thousands more dotting the hills, slopes, and fields of this chilled-out corner of Italy. Puglia’s most beautiful and prominent towns are pressed gorgeously against the coast or else located a matter of miles inland. For this, think Ostuni. Elsewhere, there’s Locorotondo, a village whose name rolls bubblingly off the tongue. Calm and quiet, it’s the perfect place to lose yourself. For years, we’ve adored Borgo Egnazia , a hotel that might better be considered a commune or a sprawling ancient village. The masseria -style hotel is typical in the region, but Borgo takes that sensibility to glorious new heights.

When it comes to where to dine in Puglia, Aldo Melpignano, co-founder of Borgo Egnazia, feels spoiled for choice. "There are so many options! If they are looking for true Puglian flavors, I would recommend the restaurant at San Domenico Golf . It’s a place with a very special "chef," Mimina. She has always been the cook of our family, she knows all the traditional recipes and her panzerotti are simply amazing! For a special dinner, I would suggest Casa Ciaccia in Ostuni; it’s a new place, nice and delicious and Ostuni, the "white town" as we call it, is an unmissable place to visit in Puglia."

While in this region, hit the ground running and "catch the sunrise close to Otranto, Melpignano advises. There is a lighthouse, called Faro di Punta Palascia, which is definitely the easternmost point of the country; it is considered as the place where the days start in Italy. There’s a special magic atmosphere when you see the first ray of light just surrounded by nature and the deep blue of the sea."

Located at the very foot of Italy, Sicily—the largest of the Mediterranean islands—is dominated by the broad-shouldered massif of Mount Etna. Beneath it lies incredibly well-preserved ruins (not least the spectacular Valley of the Temples), Byzantine mosaics, bustling cities, and phenomenal cuisine. This is a bright, colorful, and deeply happy place. If you pressed us for our favorite things about this beautiful isle, we’d opt for Isola Bella, a pinprick of an island with more than its fair share of natural beauty. Known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea, this is where you’ll find hidden grottoes and pebbled beaches in sublime solitude. When it comes to sleep (and so much more), check out the newly opened Four Seasons Taormina and Villa Igiea ; they’re both inspiring options on this paradisical, balmy island.

THE DOLOMITES

The mighty Dolomite Mountains provide the dramatic backdrop for the region of Trentino-Alto Adige. Championed for its picturesque landscapes, exceptional cuisine, and legendary vineyards, this magnetic part of Italy has been shaped by its amiable proximity to nearby Austria and Switzerland.

Rosa Alpina , located in the beautiful South Tyrolean village of San Cassiano, is one of our favorite hotels the world over. A luxurious family-run enclave idyllic in both summer and winter, this sophisticated hotel blends classic alpine charm with contemporary luxury and boasts some of the best Michelin-starred cuisine in a region already lauded as a gastro wonderland. What’s more: It was just adopted into the acclaimed Aman portfolio. It’s also the perfect base for big adventure; hike alpine meadows in summer or ski UNESCO mountain ranges in winter. The wineries of Bolzano are an easy day trip and give a real sense of place to any trip to these mountains.

This vast bite of Italy you’ve certainly heard of. Life feels like a never-ending harvest in this golden-hilled region. Its heart (undoubtedly) is Florence, home of the Medicis. Many will stop at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (as would we), but you should also wander over to the smaller and more intimate Basilica San Miniato while in town. Clad in the same multicolored marble as its bigger sibling, it boasts a sweeping view from its doorway that truly sets it apart. Looking ahead, you’d do well to post up—once it opens in 2023—at Collegio alla Querce (part of Auberge Resorts Collection). Beyond the domes and palazzos of this ancient city, you’ll want to book a room at Borgo Pignano , our Tuscan favorite. There’s a warm euphoria that envelopes the entire place—romantic, intimate, authentic. Elsewhere, there’s newly opened Casetta and La Fortezza; both are worth your time. The former is located in the mellifluous town of Montefioralle, a tiny, incomparable hilltop settlement that casts a spell over all who enter it.

Annette Joseph of La Fortezza is right to recommend the sunsets from her sublime property (accompanied by a glass of their very own rosé). “We live in the Tuscan region known as the Lunigiana,” Joseph explains, “and it’s truly a spectacular vista here on top of the mountain. Every night, there is an astounding light show, just as the sunrise offers an incredible wake-up call.” And this particular wake-up, Joseph suggests, should be followed with a visit to Albergo Pasquino , a restaurant located in nearby Aulla. “It’s family run, and the local fare is delicious. They cook on a giant wood-burning stove in the middle of the restaurant, which is lots of fun to watch, and they offer a local dish found only in the region named panigacci . It’s basically an Italian taco. It is served with the best selection of charcuterie and regional soft cheeses; it’s a specialty—so much so that it takes one year to apprentice and become a panigacci master.”

Poetically speaking, Umbria is known as Italy’s green heart, a stunning region of medieval hill towns, ancient forests, truffle hunts, and vineyards. At its cultural center is Perugia, home to the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria art museum. Spoleto, a favorite haunt among the Roman nobility, has held on to its authentic, historic charm and makes for a beautiful day trip into the Umbrian hillside. Start in the medieval upper town before paying a visit to the Duomo, then making your way to the modern lower town and its ancient city walls. When it comes to resting your head, try the newly opened Reschio , a charming and authentic luxury hotel housed in a historic castle that draws on the best of Tuscan and Umbrian traditions. This ancient estate is comfortably nestled among the rolling, sunbaked hills with 1,500 acres of protected wilderness at its doorstep. Each of its nine historic farmhouses has its own unique character, while the thousand-year-old castle at its center is a marvel of design, restored and modernized with panache and wit.

A city on stilts, Venice is an archipelagic townscape and the Queen of the Adriatic, spread across 118 individual islands. For all its fragility, the city—once a kingdom unto itself—feels immeasurably solid. History is here in every rubbed-round stone, stained-glass window, church bell, and labyrinthine alleyway. For poet Joseph Brodsky, Venice “resembles a gigantic orchestra, with dimly lit music stands of palazzi.” Continuity is obliterated in this tightly clustered space; a glimpsed alleyway might be impossible to find again. Take a peculiar turn from a busy palazzo, and you find yourself buried in a cacophony of silence, little side streets bending this way and that. If you’re after the best place for dinner, head to Ristorante da Ivo .

Tucked away behind the Chiese Santa Maria della Salute, Dorsoduro awaits—and it’s a taste of the real Venice, of cicchetti and half bottles of local wine. For art lovers, don’t miss the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Gallerie dell’Accademia. Sleep at the stylish Ca’ di Dio , which just opened this year and is already turning heads. Some choose to take a vaporetto (or water taxi) to the lagoon island of Mazzorbo, a restful break from the buzz of Venice proper. When in town, a Michelin-starred meal at Venissa is a must.

Tom Marchant is the co-founder of luxury travel company and trip planner, Black Tomato , which delivers high-touch experiences around the world via inspiring itineraries and access to the globe's up-and-coming, exclusive, and remote destinations. Marchant's finger on the pulse of travel trends and the world's best in hotels, restaurants, destinations, and honeymoons is unique and incomparable–and he's sharing his expertise and curated lists of where to visit, stay, eat and more in his travel column on BAZAAR.com .  

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This City Is Italy’s Capital of Fashion and Finance — What to See, Eat, and Do

Here’s how to plan the perfect trip to Milan.

Elizabeth Heath is a writer and editor living on a hill in Umbria, from where she writes about travel in Italy, the rest of Europe, and farther afield.

• Best Hotels

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Best time to visit, how to get there, how to get around.

Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure

Rome, Florence, Venice: They’re the classic trifecta of an Italian whistle-stop tour, right? Somehow, Milan manages to fall off the itinerary, especially for a lot of first-time visitors to Italy. But if you’ve been keeping this most cosmopolitan European city in the “maybe next time, if we have a few more days” category, it’s time to redraw your travel map.

Italy’s capital of fashion and finance, Milan is rightly associated with wealth and style — its sharply dressed residents may make you want to accessorize just a wee bit more thoughtfully. But there’s nothing superficial about this city, which was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and has been a touchpoint of some of the most important events in European history. “Milan is an invigorating, bustling metropolis that resembles Berlin, Paris, and New York in its international elements,” says Nicole Bono, luxury travel and events planner with Bono Events International . “It’s very different from other cities in Italy, yet doesn’t compromise on any of its Italian style and authenticity.”

With one foot proudly fixed in an illustrious past that includes ancient ruins, majestic cathedrals, and art-filled museums, Milan is also the best place to experience anything and everything that’s modern in Italy, from innovative art and fashion to exciting new hotel openings and 20 Michelin-starred restaurants. Here are some of our experts’ favorite places and experiences in the city — proof that if you miss Milan, you’re truly missing out.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Walk the roof of the Duomo. The rooftop terraces tour of the Duomo of Milan offers an up-close look at this architectural marvel and a bird’s-eye view of the city below. 
• Shop (or just gawk) along Via Monte Napoleone. Even if you can’t afford to make a purchase on one of Europe’s priciest streets, it’s fun to window-shop at Gucci, Fendi, Versace, and a host of others. 
• Eat classic Milanese cuisine. Breaded veal cutlets fried in butter, ossobuco, and risotto with saffron are some Milanese mainstays, and they taste best at a traditional eatery like Trattoria Trippa.
• Bar-hop along the Navigli. Milan’s much-loved nightlife corridor is popular for a reason. It’s still one of the best areas — in Milan or anywhere — for bar-crawling and people-watching. 
• Sleep in a stylish new hotel. A crop of new hotels, each sleeker than the next, opened in 2023 or are on tap for 2024, including one of our favorites, Casa Baglioni. They only add to Milan's collection of top-rated luxury accommodations ,

Related: 29 Most Beautiful Places in Italy 

Courtesy of Portrait Milano

Best Hotels 

Portrait milano.

Gary Portuesi , a T+L A-list travel advisor with Authentic Explorations , says this Lungarno Collection property is “one of the best new hotels we have seen open up in Italy (in 2023).” Effortlessly contemporary and design-forward, the fashion district hotel is located in the historic Piazza del Quadrilatero, and, per Portuesi, is quickly becoming “the place to be.”

Hotel Principe di Savoia

The grandest dame in a city full of them, the Principe di Savoia evokes Belle Epoque glamor. London-based luxury travel writer Nicole Trilivas calls the hotel’s Presidential Suite, with its private indoor pool, “outrageous. It’s like the ancestral penthouse of a duke with a taste for the theatrical, with working fireplaces, swirling frescoes, and mahogany and marble galore. Even the most jaded jet-setter will be impressed.”

Casa Baglioni

Portuesi says this newest Baglioni hotel “captures the highly stylized Milan of the 1960s.” With just 30 rooms and suites, many with views over the inviting Brera district, the hotel retains a homey, albeit very stylish feel. “We also love the spectacular 360 view over the city from its rooftop bar,” says Portuesi. 

Related: 22 Amazing Family-run Hotels in Italy — From Mountain Inns to Seafront Palaces

Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure

Architecture Tour

The modern Milan skyline towers over other Italian cities, and an architect-led tour is the best way to appreciate its daring and innovative skyscrapers and urban projects. Try Guiding Architects for a private tour, which can be customized to your interests. 

Terraces of the Duomo 

Whether you get there by stairs or elevator (the latter costs a few euros more), walking among the rooftop spires of the largest church in Italy is a singular experience and a humbling lesson in engineering and ingenuity. Book an early time slot to beat the crowds, and don’t miss the Gothic, stained-glass illuminated cathedral interiors. You can buy tickets on the Duomo website . 

Teatro alla Scala 

La Scala is synonymous with performing arts in Milan, and even if you can’t take in a ballet, opera, or orchestral performance here, it’s still a thrill to see the theater interiors on a tour. Bono says a guided tour of the theatre and museum is “a must for music lovers.”

QC Termemilano

Take a spa break in a remarkable setting  — a bubbling thermal pool built amid the ruins of 6th-century brick walls. In the busy urban setting of Porta Romana, the QC day spa is a tranquil haven of water, heat, and steam. In the most Milan of manners, there’s even a sauna built into a vintage old tram car.

Via Monte Napoleone

It’s a shame to visit Milan and not pay your respects at its temples of high fashion, most of which can be worshiped on Via Monte Napoleone. If you don’t scratch your fashion itch on this very expensive stretch of retail real estate, try Corso Buenos Aires, Via Torino, or Via Dante.

“Every time I go to Milan,” says Trilivas, “I visit the flagship Fornasetti atelier, which showcases art and home goods based on the artwork of post-war Milanese artist Piero Fornasetti. It’s a whimsical dream.” A suite at the Mandarin Oriental Milan is dedicated to the artist. 

A pair of handmade Italian leather shoes is the best souvenir you can bring home from Italy, and this is a hill I’ll die on. Find them, along with exquisite accessories, at this gorgeous bottega for women’s items. There are also Velasca menswear locations in the city. 

Best Nightlife 

Sip your negroni sbagliato at this old-school bar where it was invented. Bar Basso may be resting on its historic laurels a bit and service can be indifferent, but it’s still a classic Milan watering hole for a heady cocktail or two. 

Located within the Fondazione Prada cultural complex, this cheerful bar and cafe was designed by director Wes Anderson and evokes his delightful brand of quirkiness. “It’s a must-stop after visiting the museum,” says Portuesi, “and the panini are really good!” Be sure to play a round of pinball on a vintage machine.

The two remaining canals among a former network of important commercial waterways, Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese are today lined with bars and restaurants and offer Milan’s best aperitivo scene. Grande is jumping on both banks and is the more colorful of the two, while Pavese is a quieter scene.

Trattoria Trippa

Bono heads to this Porta Romana stalwart for its warm, vintage vibe and to be welcomed like a local. “The menu is filled with all the classic dishes you can enjoy in this city, such as ossobuco, risotto alla Milanese, cotoletta alla Milanese, and more,” she says. 

It may be set in Milan’s busy Chinatown, one of the largest Chinese communities in Europe, but Ronin is all about Japanese cuisine and subculture, with an izakaya bar, a Japanese grill, and private karaoke rooms. Portuesi and his team are fans of Ronin’s “Italian spin on sushi.”

Osteria Brunello

According to Portuesi, this casual, modern osteria in the buzzy Porta Garibaldi area is a wee bit upscale but worth seeking out for its “excellent wine list and amazing cotoletta Milanese and mondeghili,” a Milanese specialty of meatballs fried in butter. 

Because there are so many trade fairs and conferences in Milan, you may have to plan your trip based on hotel availability, which will be scarce when there’s a big event in town. Portuesi recommends his clients visit in May and October when the weather is pleasant, and that they avoid the Milan Fashion Weeks in February and September, as well as the Salone del Mobile (furniture fair) in April. 

Despite its northern location, Milan's summers can be sweltering, especially in July and August, when the city is also very crowded. If you can abide by cold, often rainy, foggy weather, the months of December to March (apart from Christmas and Fashion Week) will see the thinnest crowds and lowest hotel prices.

Related: The Best and Worst Times to Visit Italy

Bono’s clients often begin or end their trips to Italy at Milan Malpensa Airport, the largest international hub in northern Italy. Flights from within Europe or the U.K. may also use Linate Airport, which is closer to the city center, or Orio al Serio International Airport near Bergamo. 

From Malpensa, the Malpensa Express train connects to points in the city center and costs €13. Taxis from Malpensa to the center will cost about €110 for up to four people. 

Milano Centrale is the city’s largest railway station, with trains heading to and from the rest of Italy, as well as France and Switzerland. 

querbeet/Getty Images

From Milano Centrale station, you can access the comprehensive public transportation network of trams, buses, and subway lines that serve the city. Milan is flat and well-suited to walking or biking, but it’s big, and distances from one point of interest to another can be several miles. Taxis within the center, for example from Milano Centrale to the Duomo, run about €8-€10. As in other Italian cities, taxis in Milan cannot be hailed on the street. Instead, they wait at taxi stands, or ranks, which are generally located near tourist areas. 

We strongly recommend against driving a rental car in Milan’s congested center, where you’ll be either sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, looking for scarce parking spaces, or dodging pedestrians, bicyclists, and rumbling trams. If you pick up a car in Milan for a longer tour in Italy, plan to head out of the city in the morning, when everyone else is headed in. 

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35 Best Travel Guide Books for Italy to Read

Hey there, fellow traveler! This expertly curated selection of the best Italy travel books will help you navigate the country’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine.

Even in this digital age, there’s something magical about turning the pages of an Italy guidebook . It’s more than just collecting facts and figures – it’s about savoring the anticipation, picturing yourself in the most beautiful places, and preparing for the Italian journey of a lifetime .

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

Top Picks: Best Travel Books for Your Italian Adventure

Rick Steves Italy

A thorough, immersive guide for Italian travel , recommended for its blend of iconic sights and hidden gems.

The Rough Guide to Italy

Discover abundant off-the-beaten-path recommendations . The perfect guide for travelers who want to delve deeper into Italy’s hidden corners .

DK Eyewitness Italy

Rich in historical context and stunning visuals.

It enables travelers to appreciate Italy’s rich history and culture on a deeper level.

Keep reading to uncover the rich tapestry of Italy’s unique regions, sample its delectable cuisine, and bask in its timeless architecture, all from the comfort of your home.

The list of Italian travel guidebooks below is structured into two main sections :

• All-Encompassing Italian Travel Books
• Area-Specific Travel Guides

Each book will be reviewed based on a brief description, pros and cons, and the type of audience it’s most suitable for. Let’s start exploring!

Recommended Reading : Discover our detailed guide on the 21 Safest Cities in Italy for Travelers & Expats.

All-Encompassing Best Travel Guidebooks

1. rick steves italy travel guide.

Rick Steves Italy is an invaluable travel companion for anyone venturing into Italy’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities. Rick’s guide is packed with comprehensive, up-to-date information for planning an unforgettable multi-week trip to Italy.

It introduces readers to top sights and hidden gems , from iconic architectural wonders like the Colosseum and Michelangelo’s David to cozy corner trattorias serving delicious Italian cuisine.

• Offers strategic advice on maximizing time and budget .
• Provides candid insights to beat crowds, skip lines, and avoid tourist traps.
• Suggests the best places to eat, sleep, and experience “ il dolce far niente .”
• Contains self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and museums.
• Equips travelers with vital trip-planning tools.
• Includes detailed maps , including a fold-out map for on-the-go exploration.
• Lightweight design with over 1,000 pages, making it portable without compromising content.
• A considerable amount of information could be overwhelming for some readers.
• The “bible-thin” pages might be fragile and prone to tearing.

Suitable for:

Rick Steves Italy is ideal for seasoned travelers and those new to Italy, particularly those looking to immerse themselves in local culture. It’s also perfect for anyone planning a long trip and needing an in-depth guide to the country’s many offerings.

The book’s inclusion of COVID-related travel info makes it especially relevant in the current travel landscape.

Recommended Reading : Master essential Italian phrases for travel with our 135 basic phrases and PDF cheat sheet.

2. DK Eyewitness Italy (Travel Guide)

The DK Eyewitness Italy (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive and immersive tool that transports you to the beauty of Italy – from its breathtaking natural landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to the variety of its gastronomic traditions.

It uncovers the depth and diversity of Italy , presenting not just the acclaimed sights but also the hidden gems in this splendid country. With a beautiful blend of expert insights, practical advice, vivid photographs, and hand-drawn illustrations, this guide is an all-inclusive ticket to a memorable Italian journey .

• Offers a fully illustrated guide on top experiences and hidden gems.
• Includes accessible itineraries to optimize your daily exploration.
• Provides honest and expert advice on safety, timings, preparations, and cost savings.
• Features color-coded chapters covering every part of Italy.
• Gives practical tips on the best dining, shopping, and accommodation places.
• Contains detailed maps and walking routes for easy navigation.
• Overwhelming information could be daunting for some readers.
• The large scope of coverage may not suit travelers focusing on a specific region.

The DK Eyewitness Italy (Travel Guide) is an ideal pick for both seasoned and first-time visitors to Italy seeking a comprehensive overview of the country’s landmarks and hidden gems.

The guide’s practical advice and detailed itineraries make it a valuable resource for individuals looking for a well-planned, immersive experience. Also, art enthusiasts , nature lovers , and food connoisseurs will find this guide particularly enriching.

Seeking the perfect tribute to Italy? Check out our article 75 Italian Gifts for Italy Lovers: Best Gift Ideas for the ultimate gift guide.

3. Lonely Planet’s Italy (Travel Guide)

Italy is such an amazing place, and as one of the most in-depth guides available, Lonely Planet’s Italy offers an extensive exploration of Italy’s rich tapestry.

From traversing the beautiful ruins of Pompeii and enjoying a Tuscan wine tour to uncovering the picturesque Italian Riviera’s hidden gems, this book is your reliable travel buddy . It’s packed with the best and lesser-known experiences, making your Italian adventure unforgettable.

• Provides tailored itineraries catering to personal interests and needs.
• Delivers enriching local insights into history, culture, landscapes, and politics.
• Presents a visually inspiring collection of the top amazing experiences.
• Highlights regional dishes and drinks for an ultimate gastronomic journey.
• It gives insider tips to save time and money and avoid tourist traps.
• Offers planning tools for solo, LGBTQIA, family, and accessible travel.
• Features colorful maps and images throughout the guide.
• Includes essential language phrases and helpful travel tips.
• The extensive coverage might be too much for travelers focusing on a specific region.
• The size and weight may make it less portable.

Lonely Planet’s Italy is perfect for any traveler, whether a seasoned adventurer or a first-time visitor. Its well-rounded and inclusive approach also makes it suitable for solo, LGBTQIA, and family travelers and those seeking accessible travel advice.

If you’re a food lover or a history buff, this guide is advantageous, given its focus on regional cuisines and historical insights.

4. Glam Italia! How To Travel Italy: Secrets To Glamorous Travel

Penned by Italian travel guide and blogger Corinna Cooke, Glam Italia! How To Travel Italy is a comprehensive guide aimed at helping you design a personalized, memorable, and affordable vacation in Italy.

The book is packed with insider tips , from appreciating Italy’s art, cuisine, and landscapes, to navigating its fashion scene.

The author’s step-by-step methods for trip planning, regional cuisine, wine lists, the best time to visit (peak season and off-season), and cost-effective flight booking tips are thoughtfully designed to enhance your Italian journey. Whether planning to travel lavishly or on a budget, this guide offers priceless advice to enjoy Italy like a local.

• Provides detailed, step-by-step methods for planning your trip.
• Includes comprehensive lists of regional cuisines and wines.
• Offers practical advice on flight booking to save money.
• Gives precautionary tips for safe and healthy travel.
• Emphasizes local advice for a genuine Italian experience.
• As the book was published in 2018, some information might be outdated.
• While enjoyable, the cultural immersion aspects may not suit readers seeking strictly logistical advice.

Glam Italia! How To Travel Italy is perfect for anyone who dreams of an Italian vacation , whether they’re first-time travelers or experienced explorers.

The book’s emphasis on experiencing Italy as a local and its cost-saving tips make it a fitting choice for those traveling on a budget and individuals seeking an authentic, immersive cultural experience.

5. Frommer’s Italy (Complete Guide)

The completely revamped Frommer’s Italy , a trusted name in travel, serves as a thorough and opinionated guide for your Italian escapade. It provides well-researched , valuable information for walking through the ancient ruins of Pompeii, cruising the Venice canals, admiring Renaissance masterpieces in Florence, or exploring less-traveled places like Puglia.

Suggested Reading : Discover the best Pompeii tours from Rome – 20 curated day trips to step back in time.

The guide makes you appreciate the la dolce vita in Rome and uncovers timeless marvels like Tuscan vineyards and the cliff-edge towns of the Amalfi Coast.

• Includes full-color photographs and handy maps , with a removable fold-out map for ease of use.
• It contains meticulously crafted itineraries to optimize your trip planning.
• Provides intriguing cultural insights into Italy’s history, cuisine, and traditions.
• Honest reviews with a star rating system for a quick understanding of what’s worth your time and money.
• Offers up-to-date practical information such as transportation details, useful websites, and healthcare options.
• Comes with budget-planning tools, including precise pricing and money-saving tips for travelers on a wide range of budgets.
• Being an opinionated guide, it might only align with some readers’ tastes or preferences.
• Comprehensive and detailed, it might be overwhelming for travelers seeking a brief, casual overview.

Frommer’s Italy (Complete Guide) is ideal for travelers seeking a comprehensive, culturally rich guide to Italy . Whether you’re an avid history buff, a food enthusiast, or a leisure traveler looking to soak up Italy’s landscapes and cities, this guide provides comprehensive coverage.

Thanks to its wide range of money-saving tips and diverse itinerary options, it’s perfect for budget-conscious travelers and those seeking luxury.

6. Fodor’s Essential Italy (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor’s Essential Italy is a detailed travel guide crafted with love and expertise by local travel connoisseurs . This comprehensive guide aims to transform your journey, whether visiting the historic Colosseum, shopping in Milan’s designer boutiques, or hiking through the picturesque Cinque Terre.

Packed with over 78 detailed maps , a free pull-out map, and vibrant photographs, this guide ensures your Italian adventure is as smooth and fulfilling as possible.

Suggested Reading : Discover the top 10 shopping destinations in Italy : your Italy shopping guide, from luxury fashion to artisanal crafts.

• Features an illustrated guide to the best experiences Italy has to offer.
• Includes multiple well-organized itineraries to maximize your time effectively.
• Offers over 78 detailed maps and a complimentary pull-out map to assist in confident navigation.
• It contains stunning color photos throughout to inspire your travels.
• Presents reliable recommendations from locals on attractions, dining, accommodation, nightlife, shopping, and more.
• Provides photo-rich features on topics like “The Best Ancient Sites in Rome,” “Italy’s Best Beaches,” and more.
• Gives practical trip-planning tools and tips , including the best times to visit and how to save time and money.
• Offers historical and cultural insights into the local people, arts, architecture, and more.
• Special features on landmarks like “T he Sistine Chapel ” and “ Cruising the Grand Cana l.”
• Includes Italian language primers to help you with essential phrases and useful words.
• This guide might be too detailed and extensive for someone seeking a brief overview.
• Those who prefer minimalist design find the guide visually overwhelming.

Fodor’s Essential Italy is a perfect companion for travelers seeking a detailed, locally-informed guide to Italy. It is ideal for history buffs, adventure seekers, food enthusiasts, and cultural explorers. It’s especially beneficial for first-time visitors to Italy , assisting them with language, navigation, and insider recommendations.

7. Italy in Your Pocket!

Italy in Your Pocket! is a compact guide that promises to uncover the myriad of Italy’s rich history and vibrant culture. This pocket guide will ensure you won’t miss the charming villages, stunning mountains, bustling cities, or serene countryside.

More than just a tool to navigate Italy’s well-known tourist spots, this guide aims to immerse you in the authentic Italian lifestyle .

Authored by someone who has considered Italy their second home for over two decades, this book is your ticket to uncovering the essence of Italy that locals hold dear.

Suggested Reading : Discover the enchantment of Christmas in Italy with our guide, featuring prime locations and cherished customs.

• Highlights the beautiful contrast between Italy’s rural and urban life.
• Guides on how to avoid tourist crowds and experience the real Italy.
• Reveals off-the-beaten-path outdoor activities, accommodations, and attractions.
• Offers insight into traditional Italian events , customs, and yearly gatherings.
• Provides helpful tips on safety, interacting with locals, and integration into Italian society.
• It may not provide enough detail for travelers looking for a comprehensive guide.
• Readers already familiar with Italy may not find a lot of new information.

Italy in Your Pocket! is an ideal companion for travelers looking to experience Italy beyond the typical tourist perspective. It is perfect for adventure-seekers , cultural explorers, and individuals desiring to mingle with the locals and blend seamlessly into Italian life.

Those who appreciate the convenience and seek a compact, easy-to-carry guide will find this book especially useful.

8. The Rough Guide to Italy

The Rough Guide to Italy is a comprehensive and practical guide to discovering authentic Italy, including hidden gems and renowned hotspots.

Replete with an easy-to-follow, color-coded layout, this guide helps you effortlessly plan your trip from pre-departure to your journey’s end.

It covers regions from Rome and Lazio to Sicily and Sardinia, offering structured lists of all sights and lesser-known treasures. This guide was updated post-COVID-19 and comes with a free eBook for easy accessibility.

• Extensive regional coverage and clear structure within each chapter for easy navigation.
• Recommendations are suitable for all types of travelers, whether seeking adventures in Sicily or family activities in Tuscany.
• Provides practical travel tips , including pre-departure information, tips for traveling with children, sports and outdoor activities, festivals, culture, etiquette, and more.
• Time-saving itineraries and detailed routes showcase the richness and diversity of Italy.
• Offers insights into getting around like a local, with tips on beating crowds, saving time and money , and finding the best local spots.
• Full-color photography and color-coded mapping for visual appeal and easy orientation.
• It may overwhelm first-time travelers due to its comprehensive nature.
• Some travelers might prefer a more focused guide tailored to specific cities or regions.

The Rough Guide to Italy is ideal for first-time and seasoned travelers seeking a comprehensive understanding of Italy’s diverse regions.

Its detailed and wide-ranging content makes it an excellent resource for those with varied interests, such as food and drink, festivals, outdoor activities, and cultural exploration. Furthermore, this guide benefits travelers who appreciate planning their trip in detail with time-saving itineraries and expert recommendations.

9. Michelin Green Guide Wine Trails of Italy: Travel Guide

The Michelin Green Guide Wine Trails of Italy offers a fascinating tour through Italy’s wine regions . This guide covers 125 driving tours that take you to Italy’s renowned wineries, charming towns, villages, and captivating countryside.

It introduces you to the art of Italian wine-making , tasting, and serving. It encourages you to delve into Italy’s rich history, culture, and, unquestionably, its delectable wines.

Suggested Reading : For wine lovers in Bologna, don’t miss the Best Wine Tours & Tastings .

• Provides 125 driving tours offering a comprehensive exploration of Italy’s wine regions.
• The book offers insights into Italian wine : its creation, tasting, and the art of serving it.
• Uses a star-rating system for points of interest, facilitating decision-making.
• Features well-researched recommendations for accommodation and dining options .
• Encourages discovery of Italy’s history, culture, and, of course, its wines.
• It might not appeal to readers who are not interested in wine.
• It could be overwhelming for those seeking a less comprehensive guide.

The Michelin Green Guide Wine Trails of Italy is perfect for wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts, individuals interested in Italian culture and history, and anyone looking for an immersive, off-the-beaten-path exploration of Italy’s wineries and vineyards.

This guide will also appeal to those who enjoy self-guided driving tours and exploring new cuisines and dining experiences.

10. ITALY Made Easy for Seniors: An Alternative to the Escorted Tour

Authored by Bob Kaufman, the president of National Travel Vacations for 30 years, ITALY Made Easy for Seniors dispels the misconceptions that hinder seniors from experiencing Italy’s charm.

This handy guide includes comprehensive itineraries , covering not just Rome, Florence, and Venice but also hidden gems like Sicily, Puglia, Cinque Terre, and The Lakes.

Suggested Reading : Experience Tour Rome by Golf Cart – Uncover the city’s charm through the best private tours.

With tips specifically designed for seniors , like avoiding hilly areas for accommodation, the book also proves to be an insightful companion for first-time visitors and repeat travelers.

• Covers all major cities beyond Rome, Florence, and Venice.
• Provides practical tips specifically designed for seniors.
• Informs readers about convenient accommodation options.
• Includes “ short and sweet ” historical facts, eliminating the need to carry heavy history books.
• It doesn’t include many color pictures, which might be expected in a travel guide.
• It might not be as relevant to younger travelers or those seeking more adventurous itineraries.

Italy Made Easy for Seniors is ideal for senior citizens looking to explore Italy, particularly those making their first, second, or third trip. It’s also beneficial for anyone looking for a cost-effective and well-planned travel guide to Italy , even if they’re not seniors.

This book is a must-have for anyone yearning to delve into the enchanting Italian culture without worrying about breaking the bank or getting lost in complex planning.

11. Italy: The Best Places to See by Rail (An Alternative to the Escorted Tour)

Bob Kaufman’s Italy The Best Places to See by Rail is the ultimate guide for those who yearn for a freestyle yet well-planned journey through Italy without the confines of an escorted tour.

Leveraging his 30 years of experience running National Travel Vacations, Inc., Kaufman presents a refreshing alternative to traditional tours with his cost-effective way to travel by train in Italy .

This book empowers travelers to chart their unique path with five main itineraries covering Rome, Florence, Venice, the Lakes District, and Sicily, along with the Bernina Express over the Alps option.

The book also includes specific details for day trips from various cities and a dedicated chapter on hotel options near train stations for convenience. It is a comprehensive planning tool with relevant website references to secure rail and attraction tickets, helping save time and resources.

• Offers a flexible, budget-friendly alternative to costly and strict escorted tours.
• Presents easy-to-follow, comprehensive itineraries for exploring Italy.
• It provides an accessible format with larger and bolder text, making it easier for seniors to read.
• Includes essential details such as hotel choices near train stations, tourist attraction ticket purchasing, and recommended restaurants.
• Packed with valuable insights derived from almost thirty trips to Italy by the author.
• It might not be suitable for those who prefer the structure and convenience of escorted tours.
• Requires more individual planning and decision-making compared to pre-arranged tours.

Italy The Best Places to See by Rail is ideal for younger travelers who prefer setting their pace, waking up, eating when they want, and spending as much time as they wish on each site.

It benefits those hesitant about driving in a foreign country or feeling confined by escorted tours. With its handy tips and detailed itineraries, this book ensures a rewarding Italian vacation without breaking the bank.

Dive into Italy: Area-Specific Travel Guides

1. rick steves rome travel guide.

Rick Steves Rome Travel Guide offers a timely, comprehensive resource for travelers navigating the Eternal City. As a trusted source, Rick Steves shares strategic advice on making the most of Rome—from exploring ancient ruins and the Vatican City to experiencing local culture.

The guide includes top sights and hidden gems, valuable tips to dodge tourist traps, best places to eat, sleep, and live “ il dolce far niente ” (the sweet doing nothing).

It offers self-guided walking tours of vibrant neighborhoods and renowned sights, such as Piazza Navona, detailed maps, a helpful packing list, an Italian phrase book, and historical insights. Also included are resources for COVID-related travel information, ensuring a seamless journey.

2. Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany Travel Guide

Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany Travel Guide is your quintessential handbook for immersing yourself in the cultural heart of Italy . This fully updated guide steers you through Florence and Tuscany, sharing top sights from the Uffizi Gallery to the Duomo and hidden gems like a centuries-old perfumery.

Suggested Reading : Unleash Tuscany’s splendor with our selection of the best Vespa tours from Florence .

You’ll learn to integrate with the local culture, from strolling morning markets to sipping robust wines with locals. Rick’s strategic advice will help you optimize your time and money , navigate crowds, and find the best places to dine, sleep, and relax.

The book also includes self-guided walking tours, detailed maps , and driving tours through Tuscany’s wine country.

3. Rick Steves Venice Travel Guide

Your trusted guide, Rick Steves, invites you to glide through the canals and wander down cobblestone alleys in his latest book, Rick Steves Venice Travel Guide .

You’ll learn to maximize your time and budget effectively by offering a fully updated and extensive guide for spending a week or more in Venice.

The guide covers top sights and hidden treasures from St. Mark’s Basilica to the charming city of Padua , along with strategic advice to beat the crowds and avoid tourist traps.

Discover how to connect with local culture , the best places to eat and sleep, and even enjoy self-guided walking tours.

The book features detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out city map, with complete and current information on the city’s districts and side trips.

4. The Rough Guide to Italian Lakes

Discover the enthralling beauty of the Italian Lakes with Rough Guide’s comprehensive guidebook. This guidebook offers the most relevant and current suggestions for what to see , what to skip, and those hidden treasures that await you.

Traverse Lombard’s vineyards, get adventurous on Lake Garda or marvel at the 600-year-old Duomo in Milan.

Inside, you’ll find color maps and pictures, highlights, itineraries, and insider tips to navigate the Italian lakes like a local, bypassing crowded areas and saving time and money.

Expect enriching cultural insights and extensive coverage of regions including Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda, Milan, Verona, and more.

5. Fodor’s The Amalfi Coast, Capri & Naples (Full-color Travel Guide)

Unleash the charm of Southern Italy with Fodor’s insightful guide to The Amalfi Coast, Capri & Naples . Whether you’re planning to drive along the Amalfi Coast, explore Pompeii’s ruins, or savor authentic pizza in Naples, this guide has got you covered.

It’s brimming with maps, local expert recommendations , beautiful color photos, and valuable trip-planning tools.

The guide features multiple itineraries for effective time management, over 15 detailed maps for confident navigation, and honest suggestions on the best sights, eateries, hotels, outdoor activities, nightlife, shopping, and more.

Delve deeper into the local culture with historical insights and special features on the Amalfi Drive , Capri by boat, and the ancient city of Pompeii.

6. Puglia Travel Guide: Are You Ready to Visit Southern Italy?

If you’re yearning for an extraordinary exploration of Southern Italy, Puglia Travel Guide: Are You Ready to Visit Southern Italy? has got you covered.

This guide, penned by a native Apulian and passionate traveler, Francesco, serves as your comprehensive companion for discovering the hidden marvels of Puglia.

The book outlines the top five unmissable historic sites and over 50 spectacular beaches, from tourist hotspots to untouched natural locales, and introduces you to unique local cuisines .

Packed with more than 200 vibrant full-color photos, this guide makes planning your unforgettable Puglian adventure a breeze.

For those exploring Southern Italy, another honorable book mention goes to Lonely Planet Southern Italy , an excellent guidebook that unveils the vibrant and diverse region of Southern Italy.

Immerse Yourself Deeper in Italy: Beyond Travel Guides

If you wish to dive even deeper into the heart of Italy beyond the fantastic sights and delightful cuisines, we recommend looking at our curated list of prominent Italian best books .

These esteemed works offer profound insights into Italy’s intricate culture and society, weaving tales of love, family, politics, and the very fabric of human nature. This enriching list is in our “ 17 Best Italian Books: Explore Italy’s Rich Culture ” article.

Reading these masterpieces will enhance your understanding and appreciation of Italy before and during your journey. The books mentioned in the article are:

• Elena Ferrante – L’amica geniale ( My Brilliant Friend )
• Andrea Camilleri – La forma dell’acqua ( The Shape of Water )
• Italo Calvino – Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno (The Path to the Nest of Spiders)
• Carlo Levi – Cristo si è fermato a Eboli ( Christ Stopped at Eboli )
• Alessandro Baricco – Seta ( Silk )
• Paolo Giordano – La solitudine dei numeri primi ( The Solitude of Prime Numbers )
• Umberto Eco – Il nome della rosa ( The Name of the Rose )
• Elsa Morante – La storia ( History )
• Primo Levi – Se questo è un uomo ( If This Is a Man )
• Roberto Saviano – Gomorra ( Gomorrah )
• Niccolò Ammaniti – Io non ho paura ( I’m Not Scared )
• Italo Svevo – La coscienza di Zeno ( Zeno’s Conscience )
• Dante Alighieri – La Divina Commedia ( The Divine Comedy )
• Giovanni Verga – I Malavoglia (The House by the Medlar Tree)
• Giovanni Boccaccio – Il Decameron ( The Decameron )
• Luigi Pirandello – Il fu Mattia Pascal ( The Late Mattia Pascal )
• Alessandro Manzoni – I Promessi Sposi ( The Betrothed )
• Beppe Severgnini – La Bella Figura : A Field Guide to the Italian Mind

Best Travel Guide Books for Italy: Final Thoughts

We’ve come a long way on our literary journey across Italy! We’ve delved into general guides about the country as a whole and honed in on the specifics of its mesmerizing regions. Remember, each travel guide provides a different perspective and unique insights – just like Italy, each book has its personality and charm.

I hope this guide to the best Italy travel books proves helpful in preparing for your Italian adventure, whether you’re planning to bring one of these great books along on your trip or just reading in advance to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of this beautiful country.

After all, these books are about more than just sightseeing – they’re about living and experiencing ‘La Dolce Vita,’ the sweet life, the Italian way. – Until our next Italian journey, Arrivederci!

Recommended Reading : 23 Best Italian Grammar Books to Master the Language

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A guide to Lake Como's highlights — villas, promenades and aperitivo spots not to miss

The western branch of this northern Italian lake is its highlight, home to romantic villas and revamped waterfront promenades in pretty Como city.

Lake Como conveys notions of easy elegance and the Italian art of slow living, and has come to stand for something bigger than it is. Officially called Lario, Italy ’s third-biggest lake has been drawing visitors since the 18th century, when it was a popular stop for European nobles on their grand tours. More recently, it stepped into the spotlight as the backdrop for films including Ocean’s Twelve and Casino Royale . But the lake’s prestige dates to Roman times, when Julius Ceasar drained a swamp at its southwestern end, strategically located near Alpine passes, and funded the creation of a city known as Novum Comum.

It laid the foundation for Como, the main hub to this day and the reason why the lake is commonly known as Como. This spring is the best time to visit the city in over a decade, as sections of its waterfront sidewalks, which had been cordoned off for expansion since 2008, are once again open to walkers. The centre is dominated by the azure dome of the Duomo di Como , one of the last gothic cathedrals built in the country. Behind it is Teatro Sociale , and to one side is the shopping street of Via Vittorio Emanuele II. It’s a good place to pick up a souvenir: mulberry trees were planted on Lake Como’s hills in the 15th century, and boutiques like A Picci sell handkerchiefs and scarves using their silk.

Next to the shop, Via Lambertenghi leads to Via Alessandro Volta , named after the physicist credited as the inventor of the electric battery. The townhouse where he was born in 1745 is marked with a plaque, and around it are some of the most coveted addresses of the time. This is not least thanks to their giardini pensili — gardens built on the Roman walls that once guarded the city centre.

Equally evocative is Passeggiata Lino Gelpi , between the lake and shorefront private gardens. The path’s name pays tribute to the 19th-century mayor who reclaimed a strip of land from villa owners to pave Como’s most scenic public footpaths. It’s a front-row spot from which to watch the lake’s seaplanes land, and it’s especially lovely in spring, when wisteria blooms along the banks.

Continue walking along the waterside road for half an hour to Cernobbio , one of the lake’s most popular resorts. Local Comaschi come to eat at Harry’s Bar , in a piazza by the shore; it serves whitefish from the lake, but the pick is the sole meuniere, floured and pan fried to crispy perfection. Alternatively, taxis wind up the hillside to Il Gatto Nero . It serves specialities from the surrounding region, such as ravioli with ossobuco and saffron, and has become popular among visiting celebrities thanks to its view of the lake.

For a different perspective, take to the water. Ferries link Como to the Alto Lago (‘High Lake’), its northernmost shore. But, if budget allows, the transport mode of choice are Riva runabouts . High-end hotels offer private rides on these mahogany speedboats as part of their activity programmes. Otherwise, companies like Como Classic Boats pick visitors up from almost any hamlet with a dock.

Among the most prettiest is Torno , on the western shore, with red-tiled roofs and a waterfront bell tower. It’s opposite Passalaqua ; built in the 18th century for a scion of local nobility, this villa was crowned the world’s top hotel by The World’s 50 Best in 2023, a year after opening. A glimpse is all you’ll get, as only guests are allowed in, but as an alternative visit Villa d’Este , the lake’s historic grand dame hotel. Further down the shores, highlights include Villa Carlotta and neoclassical Villa del Balbianello , which juts out on a promontory in Ossuccio.

A former fishing community, Ossuccio is also a gateway to Isola Comacina and UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte di Ossuccio , 14 chapels leading to a hillside sanctuary. From its waterfront, the view is a snapshot of what makes Lake Como so alluring: the unassuming hamlets next to larger-than-life villas, and the green, wooded hills sloping down to the deep-blue water. In the distance, always in view, are the Alps. From the Roman Empire to modern-day Hollywood, it’s a scene that’s charmed through the ages.

3 highlights not to miss in Lake Como

1. Teatro Sociale Como’s 19th-century theatre has always had a special affinity with the opera. This summer, it’ll join other venues across the country in marking 100 years since the death of Giacomo Puccini with an open-air production of Turandot, the composer’s final masterpiece.

2. Villa Carlotta The 20-acre botanical garden of Villa Carlotta is a much-loved retreat on the lake. There are monumental trees, a citrus tunnel and a path among the ferns, but it’s most famous for its azaleas, which bloom into full cushions of red, white and pink for a few weeks each May.

3. Isola Comacina The lake’s only island is mostly uninhabited, but its trails lead past olives, lindens and laurels, as well as houses for short-term artists in residence. Every June, the popular San Giovanni Festival reenacts a fire that devastated the island in the 12th century with a red-tinted firework display.

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An Easy Travel Guide to Rome, Italy

V isiting the Eternal City for the first time? Rome is one of the most visited cities in Italy and we created an easy travel guide to Rome so that you know the best things to see and do.

In this post, we’re sharing all we’ve learned from our vacations in Rome to help you plan your getaway. We’ll cover the most popular neighborhoods, the best things to see and do, how to get around in Rome, the best time of the year to visit, how to get to central Rome from FCO Airport, and tips for traveling.

Where is Rome

Rome is located in the region of Lazio, near the and is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Italy. It has the highest population of all cities in Italy and sits about 1 hour from the western coast.

And when it comes to tourism, it’s no surprise that visitors from around the globe travel to Rome to see its beauty and Renaissance art, experience Roman cuisine and Italian cooking , shop the fashion capital, discover the piazzas and fountains, explore the historical landmarks, or even practice Italian phrases that they’ve learned.

The various neighborhoods are the most widely visited by tourists because they are where most attractions can be found. Traveling through the city is easy on foot, but you should also consider the Rome sightseeing bus or the Rome golf cart tours .

The Best Time of Year to Visit Rome

Rome can be extremely uncomfortable in the summer months (primarily June through September). In April and May, the spring temperatures are nice, the mornings are cool, and by noon you probably won’t need a jacket.

The Best Things to See and Do (by Neighborhood)

Each neighborhood of Rome has museums, churches, gardens, parks, and iconic spots to visit. This list gives a brief description of each district, and helps you understand what to see in each neighborhood. It will come in handy for deciding where to stay in Rome while planning your trip.

You may need to take public transportation to reach a specific neighborhood depending on where you stay. However, once you arrive, the area is completely walkable and getting from one point of interest to another is easy.

Modern Center

This neighborhood is located around Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps, the Modern Center neighborhood combines classic and contemporary influences. It has a mix of upscale boutiques, trendy cafes, and luxurious hotels, making it a hub for shopping, dining, and experiencing the modern side of Rome.

Palazzo del Quirinale

Complesso delle Quattro Fontane

Trevi Fountain

Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica a Pallazo

Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri

Castro Pretorio

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria

Museo e Cripto dei Frati Cappuccini

The heart of Rome’s historic center, the Old Rome neighborhood captivates with its cobblestone streets, charming piazzas, and awe-inspiring landmarks like the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

Scalinta di Trinita dei Monti (Spanish Steps)

Museo dell’Ara Pacis

Campo de’ Fiori

Palazza Farnese

Piazza Navona

Museo di Roma Palazzo Braschi

Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi

Chiesa di Sant’Agnese in Agone

By far this is the most popular neighborhood in Rome for travelers. Trastevere is a bohemian neighborhood located on the west bank of the Tiber River. It is known for it narrow, winding streets, nightlife, and charming piazzas. Trastevere has a lively atmosphere with trendy bars, and traditional trattorias.

Villa Farnesina

Galleria Corsini

Basilica di Santa Maria

Orto Botanico

Home to the iconic Colosseum, the Colosseum neighborhood in Rome immerses visitors in ancient history as they explore the grandeur of the Roman Empire, marvel at ancient ruins, and soak in the architectural splendor of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Roman Forum

Palatine Hill

Bocca della Verita

Circo Massimo

Piazza Venezia

Altare della Patria

Aventino – Tastaccio

Testaccio is a historic working-class neighborhood that has transformed into a culinary hotspot. It offers a vibrant food scene with traditional trattorias, gourmet restaurants, and a bustling food market.

Basilicia di San Giovanni

Terme di Caracalla

Knights of Malta Keyhole

Esquilino – San Giovanni

Located near Termini Station, the Esquilino neighborhood is a melting pot of cultures and flavors. Known for its diverse immigrant communities, Esquilino is a mix of ethnic restaurants, colorful markets, and architectural gems like the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.

Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

Museo Nazionale Romano

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincole

Nomentano combines residential tranquility with commercial areas. This neighborhood is characterized by its leafy parks, elegant villas, and the iconic University La Sapienza. There is a mix of students, locals, and dining. Nomentano has a relaxed and intellectual atmosphere.

Sapienza University

North Center

The North Center neighborhood of Rome, encompassing areas like Villa Borghese and Parioli, presents a more tranquil and residential atmosphere. With its leafy parks, elegant villas, and cultural institutions like the Galleria Borghese, this area provides a peaceful retreat from the city center.

• Museo e Galleria Borghese
• Villa Borghese
• La Galleria Nazionale
• Museo Nazionale Etrusce di Villa Guilia

Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world and the spiritual center of Catholicism. Home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, this iconic neighborhood offers a rich blend of religious significance, magnificent art, and awe-inspiring architecture.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican Gardens

Vatican Museums

Castel Sant’Angelo

Southern Rome

The southern part of Rome is less touristy and has an authentic atmosphere that portrays a taste of local Roman life. From food markets and traditional trattorias to vibrant street art and a strong sense of community, Southern Rome provides a glimpse into the city’s everyday charm.

Via Appia Antica

Catacombe di San Sebastiano

Catacombe di San Callisto

Museo Capitoline Centrale Montemartini

How to Get Around Rome

Getting around the cobbled-stoned streets of Rome is not hard. I’ve walked, biked, and bused throughout Rome and loved it! All are great ways to get around and the method you choose depends on how much time you have and your personal preference.

I recommend the  Big Bus Tour  or a Golf Cart Tour in Rome if you are short on time or if you booked your travel in the dead heat of summer (which can be intensely hot).

With these tours, you’ll see all the top Rome attractions with audio commentary in your language of choice. If you choose an open top tour bus, the added benefit is free wi-fi and for 3 extra euros, you can use your ticket for two days (it is worth it).

When it comes to seeing Rome, walking can not be avoided especially when getting to an attraction that require climbing hilly pathways or navigating ancient streets. In my opinion, being on foot is one of the best ways to travel in Rome.

Exploring the narrow streets can lead you to the most marvelous pasta, the creamiest gelato, or the most perfect pasta! I highly recommend visiting the Trastevere neighborhood for  Italian street food . 

Public Transportation

This is the best option for getting to a part of town that is more than 20 minutes on foot, especially if visiting a museum or park. Save your energy and use public transportation for less than 2 euros. You can purchase them at the tobacconist store.

You will need to validate your ticket upon boarding the bus (it’s an honor system). Getting caught with an un-validated ticket can result in a fine. You should also use a really good map of Rome. 

Bike or Vespa

Peddling around the city on your own time feels so liberating. Bike rental is very affordable and is an enjoyable way to experience the outdoors, get some exercise to make up for all the  Italian breakfasts  that you eat, and explore Rome.

You can find rentals for as little as 13 euros for 24 hours, complete with lock, for a standard bike. The price for e-bikes is higher.

Getting around on a two-passenger scooter is loads of fun!  Rent a Vespa to skirt traffic or explore outside the city. They can be rented by the hour or day. This will make your trip to Rome memorable as you travel in true Italian style!

How to Get to Central Rome from FCO Airport

There are several options to get from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport to the center of the city. I found the train to be the quickest and most affordable especially if you’ve had a long day of travel and want to get to Termini station.  

The most economical way to get from the airport to the city center is via a shuttle bus service from the airport. You can travel conveniently between Rome’s city center and the airport and take pleasure in a stress-free arrival or departure from the city.

The ride takes about 50 minutes and departures run from the airport every 30 to 40 minutes so you have time to collect your luggage. Shuttles stop in Terminal 3’s arrivals section. Look for the respective service at the arrival platform.

Terravision offers a shuttle service for less than 8 euros it’s quite popular. The buses are air-conditioned and there is no cost to bring your luggage aboard. It goes directly to Termini station with no extra stops. 

Another option is the public transportation system, which costs about 6 euros. The bus stops multiple times in the city center, including one close to the Vatican and one at Termini Station, throughout the 45- to 1-hour one-way trip.

Buses halt in Terminal 3’s arrivals section, at number 14. You can purchase tickets at the airport desk or online. 

A taxi is quite expensive. It will set you back almost 50 euros and the ride takes just as long as a shuttle service (about 50 minutes). You can find the taxis at the arrival level of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

The Leonardo Express train is less than 20 euros and runs every 15 minutes during peak periods. It is operated by Trenitalia and the ride takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

If you wait to collect your luggage, and then make your way to the window or kiosk to purchase your ticket, note that many others will be doing the same. Hate long lines? You can purchase tickets in advance and be ready for validation after boarding the train.

I can’t recommend a car rental unless you plan a day trip and need a set of wheels. Rome is completely walkable. Not to mention, even Italians know that finding a parking space can be a hassle.

Tips for Visiting Rome

I adore visiting Italy. And no trip would be complete without seeing some of the most iconic and historic spots in the Eternal City.

Don’t make the mistake (that I made on my first trip) and skip these incredible spots! Fortunately, I was able to see them on return visits!

Whether you are visiting the Vatican for the first time or returning because you tossed a coin into the Trevi fountain, these Rome travel tips will come in handy to make your stay enjoyable.

• Be prepared! Read these tips on the essentials for an international flight .
• Think comfort when flying coach , it will help you stay calm and confident.
• Beware of scammers, pickpockets, and panhandlers. It’s a thing in Europe and it can happen when you least expect it. 

So, what are you waiting for? Book that flight to Rome and thank me later.

Lake Maggiore holidays: How to explore Italy’s second largest lake

What to see and do on and around Lake Maggiore, and why you should choose it over the other Italian Lakes

The Italian Lakes are also a paradise for plant-lovers, with lots of famously lovely gardens thanks to that mild climate, especially around Lake Maggiore, which is divided between the Lombardy and Piedmont regions and extends to the Swiss border, and Lake Como .

Is Lake Maggiore worth seeing and should you visit its islands?

This is the second largest lake in Italy, after nearby Garda , and like its big sister it has great water-sports facilities as well as lots of scope for mountain-biking and hiking. What it most stands out for, however, are the little islands dotting it, the Borromeans, some of which are linked by a little ferry that does the rounds. The ferry stops at both Isola Bella and Isola Madre, allowing you to experience – and contrast – their very different gardens.

Madre is the largest of the Borromean Islands, and its Giardini Botanici dell'Isola Madre is a real wonder – a botanical treasure chest of plants brought here over the years at the behest of naturalist Vitaliano IX, including peonies, azaleas and verbenas, apricot, cherry and other fruit trees, and walnut trees near the Palazzo. The Palazzo itself has original interiors to ogle, and, charmingly, an antique puppet theatre that used to hold shows outdoors, including the original stage sets.

Meanwhile, Isola Bella – which was named for Isabella, Countess Borromeo – has just one minuscule village and an uncompleted summer palace, where you can see Lombardy artworks and Flemish tapestries. Best of all, the palace sits within a breathtaking Italianate garden with 10 terraces and flamboyant decoration including a vast unicorn, obelisks, grottoes and water-wheel towers. As if that wasn’t fairytale-like enough, white peacocks struck through its lush vegetation of camphor, citrus trees, roses, rhododendrons and camellias.

Back on the lakeshore, at Verbania, the dreamy gardens of Villa Taranto have one of the world’s most important botanical collections. Created by an expat Scot in 1931, it mixes the English style with Italian features including statues, fountains, terraces and waterfalls. Eucalyptus, azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, giant water lilies and rare Tasmanian tree ferns are among the plantlife here, and the Herbarium contains unique artworks made from plants.

Is Lake Como or Lake Maggiore better?

It’s often said that Como, with its soaring peaks, is the loveliest of the north Italian Lakes, with its old-fashioned steamboat rides and picturesque resorts Menaggio, Varenna and Bellagio. It also has superb beaches in the northern towns of Gravedona and Domaso, with great swimming and water-skiing, plus excellent hiking, mountain-biking, horse-riding and even golf.

But it’s impossible to choose between them, and as the best Lake Maggiore holidays can include a trip to Como, or vice versa, why choose when you don't have to? One very easy way to combine them is on Good Housekeeping's tour of the gardens of the Italian Lakes, which includes the Borromean Islands and Lake Como.

Villa Balbianello is so spellbinding that key scenes from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale were filmed at this villa in the hamlet of Lenno on the tip of the wooded Lavedo promontory. Built in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan monastery, it stands out for its terraced gardens, spellbinding loggia and superb lake views.

Other fabulous gardens around Como include the lakeshore Villa Melzi, Villa Carlotta and Villa d’Este, and you might also enjoy a day-long jaunt into Switzerland from Lake Como, aboard the iconic Bernina Railway .

What are the best towns around Lake Maggiore?

The Borromean islands are the real glory of Maggiore, but the lake is also dotted with enticing waterfront towns with pretty promenades and Belle Epoque palaces that it would be a shame to miss out on, so do try to spend at least four days here to really make the most of all that it has to offer.

Among the best town are tiny Cannobio on the northwestern shore, with pastel-painted houses, cobbled lanes, a lovely promenade for the evening passeggiata , a sandy beach and superb hiking to the Orrido di Sant’Anna gorge.

Or many people coming on Lake Maggiore holidays base themselves in Verbania, its biggest town. As well as being home to Villa Taranto and to the ferry docks for the Borromeans, it has the impressive Villa Giulia with its gardens and lots of lovely restaurants with lake-view terraces.

Stresa is another charmer, with cobbled streets and architecture dating from the region’s golden age in the early 20th century, including water’s-edge Belle Epoque villas and mansions built tor rich Milan families who holidayed here. Many of the town’s beautiful buildings are now hotels, and there is again an array of fantastic restaurants serving fresh lake fish.

Then there’s Luino near the Swiss border on the eastern side of Maggiore, best visited on a Wednesday for its street market dating back as far as 1535, with more than 350 stalls selling regional food as well as retro and vintage paraphernalia and even antiques for something truly special to take home with you.

How to experience a Lake Maggiore holiday in 2024

There are many ways to explore Lake Maggiore this year, including a no-fly tour of the Italian Lakes and Switzerland, with Eurostar travel and the chance to explore Maggiore, Como and Orta in one trip.

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• The First MICHELIN Key Hotels: All the Keys in Italy

The MICHELIN Guide announces top honors for Italian hotels in 2024.

Hotels MICHELIN Keys Rome Florence Italy

On May 7, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the brand new One, Two, and Three Key distinctions for the most outstanding hotels in Italy. This announcement comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of our hotel selection. The MICHELIN Guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world, and not a single one is simply a room for the night. These are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting. Which brings us back to the Keys. The culmination of countless hours of evaluation by our team of experts, the Key hotels below represent the highlights of our broader selection. Like the MICHELIN Stars for restaurants, the MICHELIN Keys are our most outstanding hotels. In total, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in Italy includes 8 Three Key hotels, 31 Two Key hotels, and 107 One Key hotels. Want to know more about the MICHELIN Key? Here’s everything you need to know . Or, head below to see all the Keys.

How To Look Through the List

Jump straight to the list or take a deeper dive into select key hotels..

See the palazzo in Basilicata that just earned Francis Ford Coppola his latest accolade.

Or take a look at all of Italys 3-Key hotels, in photos.

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Highlights of the Italy 2024 Key Hotel List

Under 10 Rooms: The Tiny Keys Reign Across Italy

Expect: Bold, proprietor-driven design themes, special experiences, and hyper-personal service. The tiny hotels that pepper the cities and countryside might get lost on lists full of castles and palazzos, but these little boutiques with ten rooms or less are some the most creative and satisfying accommodations in all of Italy. It’s a given that you’ll find places like these in the Tuscan countryside ( Siena House and Follonico Suite B&B — both with just six bedrooms), but don’t miss the gems in the cities. Vico Milano is a seven room space filled with dazzling design furniture and contemporary art. Velona’s Jungle Luxury Suites is a pocket-sized jungle-themed luxury boutique full of animal-print upholstery and peacock-feather prints. Both are independently owned and marvelously compact.

A Closer Look: 10 Key Hotels with 10 Rooms or Less in Italy

Pick One: A Castle or a Farmhouse Hotel in Tuscany

Two iconic options in Tuscany earned a bevy of Keys: the castle hotel and the classic farmhouse. The former speaks for itself — ancient fortifications that were once private residences, built to house the handsomely titled, and fortified against attack. Towers, turrets, and crenellations give way to handsome wine cellars and vineyard views. Look to Castello di Casole for a masterclass in how to convert a thousand-year-old estate into a historically preserved, contemporarily luxurious hotel. Meanwhile, the motif of the Tuscan farmhouse has been emulated throughout the world — but there’s nothing like the real thing. Hotels like Lupaia and Conti di San Bonifacio make farmhouse charm into nothing less than a work of art.

Make Your Choice: The Key Decision in Italy

High Drama: Hotels on the Seaside of the Amalfi Coast

It’s profoundly satisfying to us that one of the most impressive places in the world has among the world’s most impressive hotels. On the Amalfi Coast, where natural cliffsides tumble down into an endless Italian sea, hotels like Palazzo Pascal and Le Sirenuse host guests in miraculous buildings that served for centuries as aristocratic homes over the water. Casa Angelina and Borgo Santandrea sport more modern builds. In either case, the views are perennially spectacular. Also read: High Drama in the Seaside Hotels of the Amalfi Coast

Click below to jump to each distinction: 

The three key hotels.

Capri: JK Place Capri Civita di Bagnoregio: Corte della Maestà Lisciano Niccone: Castello di Reschio Modena: Casa Maria Luigia Montalcino: Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco Positano: Il San Pietro di Positano Venice: Aman Venice Venice: Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice

New York by The MICHELIN Guide – expert insights on where to dine, stay and explore

The two key hotels.

Amalfi: Borgo Santandrea Amalfi: Hotel Santa Caterina Capri: Jumeirah Capri Palace Castelnuovo Berardenga: Hotel Borgo San Felice Cogne: Bellevue Hotel & Spa Florence: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze Florence: Palazzo Portinari Salviati Residenza D'Epoca Florence: Villa Cora Florence: Villa La Massa Limone sul Garda: EALA My Lakeside Dream Lipari ME: Therasia Resort Menaggio: Grand Hotel Victoria Merano: Castel Fragsburg Merano: Villa Eden The Leading Park Retreat Milan: Bulgari Hotel Milano Milan: Grand Hotel et de Milan Milan: Portrait Milano Montaione FI: Castelfalfi Piegaro: I Borghi dell'Eremo Pinzolo: Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti Plose: Forestis Dolomites Rome: Hotel Vilòn Rome: JK Place Roma Siena: Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany Sorrento: Bellevue Syrene 1820 Sorrento: La Minervetta Taormina: Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Taormina: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel Torno: Il Sereno Tremezzo: Grand Hotel Tremezzo Venice: Hotel Gritti Palace

The One Key Hotels

Arco: Vivere Suites and Rooms Arenella: Donna Coraly Country Boutique Hotel Arezzo: Villa Fontelunga Arzachena: Cascioni Eco Retreat Bernalda: Palazzo Margherita Cagliari: Casa Clàt Caldaro: Lake Spa Hotel SEELEITEN Camaiore: Locanda al Colle Capalbio: Locanda Rossa Capri: Capri Tiberio Palace Castelrotto: COMO Alpina Dolomites Castiglione della Pescaia: L’Andana Cernobbio: Villa d'Este Chiusdino: Borgo Santo Pietro Cinigiano: Castello di Vicarello Como CO: Palazzo Albricci Peregrini - Como Cremolino: Nordelaia Cutrofiano: Critabianca Fiesole: Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence Florence: Ad Astra Florence: Brunelleschi Hotel Florence: Hotel Calimala Florence: Hotel Lungarno Florence: Riva Lofts Florence Florence: Torre di Bellosguardo Florence: Velona's Jungle Luxury Suites Forio di Ischia: Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa Forio NA: Botania Relais & Spa Forte dei Marmi: Principe Forte dei Marmi Gargnano: Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda Gavorrano GR: Conti di San Bonifacio Lake Orta Novara: Villa Crespi Lana: Vigilius Mountain Resort Lecce: La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso Lecce: Palazzo de Noha Locorotondo: Ottolire Resort Madonna di Campiglio: Biohotel Hermitage Maranza: Milla Montis Massa Lubrense: Art Hotel Villa Fiorella Massa Lubrense: Relais Blu Matera: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita Menfi: La Foresteria Planeta Estate Milan: Hotel Principe di Savoia, Dorchester Collection Milan: Mandarin Oriental Milan Milan: Vico Milano Moltrasio: Passalacqua Montalcino: Castello Banfi - Il Borgo Relais & Chateaux Montalcino: Villa le Prata - Residenza del Vescovo Montepulciano: Precise Tale Poggio Alla Sala Noto: Country House Villadorata Noto: Seven Rooms Villadorata Ortisei: Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa Ostuni: Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA Otranto: Baglioni Masseria Muzza Perugia: Hotel Castello di Monterone Pettenasco: Laqua by the Lake Pognana Làrio: Villa Làrio Lake Como Polizzi Generosa: Susafa Porto Ercole: Il Pellicano Positano: Le Sirenuse Praiano: Casa Angelina Ravello: Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast Riva del Garda: Lido Palace Rome: Hassler Roma Roma: Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection Rome: Bulgari Hotel Roma Rome: Hotel Locarno Rome: Maalot Roma Rome: Portrait Roma Rome: Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville Rome: Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie Rome: Singer Palace Hotel Rome: Six Senses Rome Rome: The Hoxton, Rome Rome: The Inn at the Roman Forum Rome: The St. Regis Rome Rome: Umiltà 36 San Cassiano: Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence San Pietro In Cariano: Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista Sant'Agnello: Mediterraneo Sorrento Santa Margherita Ligure: Grand Hotel Miramare Santo Stefano di Sessanio: Sextantio Sarentino: Terra - The Magic Place Savelletri di Fasano: Borgo Egnazia Savelletri di Fasano: Masseria Calderisi Savelletri di Fasano: Masseria Torre Coccaro Savelletri di Fasano: Masseria Torre Maizza Scala: Palazzo Pascal Schnals: Goldene Rose Karthaus Sirmione BS: Villa Cortine Sorrento: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria Tavarnelle Val di Pesa: COMO Castello del Nero Torre Canne di Fasano: Canne Bianche Lifestyle Hotel Torri del Benaco: Cape of Senses Torrita di Siena: Follonico Suite B&B Torrita di Siena: Lupaia Torrita di Siena: Siena House Umbertide: Vocabolo Moscatelli Boutique Hotel & Restaurant Venice: Ca’ di Dio Venice: Corte di Gabriela Venice: Hotel Londra Palace Venice: Il Palazzo Experimental Venice: Nolinski Venezia Venice: Palazzo Maria Formosa Venice: Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel Vicenza: La Barchessa di Villa Pisani Zafferana Etnea: Monaci delle Terre Nere

Hero Image: Castello di Reschio — Lisciano Niccone

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Pisa Travel Guide: A Historic Gem in Italy

Nestled in the picturesque region of Tuscany, Pisa stands as a testament to Italy's rich history and architectural marvels.

Renowned worldwide for its iconic leaning tower, this charming city offers visitors a journey through time, with its wealth of historic landmarks, cultural treasures, and vibrant atmosphere.

History of Pisa

Ancient origins.

Pisa's history dates back to ancient times, with evidence of settlement dating as far back as the 5th century BC. Initially a Roman colony, Pisa flourished as a maritime power during the Middle Ages, establishing itself as a key player in Mediterranean trade.

Maritime Powerhouse

During the 11th to 13th centuries, Pisa's maritime prowess reached its zenith, with its fleet dominating the Mediterranean and securing its status as one of Italy's wealthiest and most influential cities.

Landmarks and Attractions

1. the leaning tower of pisa.

Undoubtedly Pisa's most famous landmark, the Leaning Tower is a symbol of architectural wonder. Begun in the 12th century, this freestanding bell tower's unintentional tilt has captivated visitors for centuries, making it a must-see attraction.

2. Piazza del Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli)

Also known as the Square of Miracles, Piazza del Duomo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral (Duomo), the Baptistry, and the Camposanto Monumentale. This stunning ensemble of marble structures is a testament to Pisa's medieval grandeur.

3. Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa)

Dedicated to St. Mary of the Assumption, Pisa Cathedral is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Admire its intricate façade, adorned with sculptures and reliefs, and step inside to marvel at its stunning interior featuring impressive columns, ornate ceilings, and beautiful artworks.

4. Camposanto Monumentale

Translated as the Monumental Cemetery, Camposanto is an ancient cemetery complex adjacent to the Cathedral. Its marble arcades enclose a lush garden and house a remarkable collection of sarcophagi, sculptures, and frescoes, offering insight into Pisa's artistic heritage.

5. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

Located near the Leaning Tower, this museum houses a rich collection of medieval sculptures, artworks, and architectural fragments, providing further insight into the history and construction of Pisa's iconic monuments.

6. National Museum of San Matteo

Situated in a former Benedictine convent, this museum showcases a diverse array of medieval and Renaissance artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, offering a comprehensive overview of Pisa's cultural heritage.

Getting Around Pisa

Public transportation.

Pisa offers an efficient network of buses that connect key attractions within the city. Visitors can purchase tickets from authorized vendors or automated ticket machines located at bus stops.

Walking and Cycling

Exploring Pisa on foot or by bicycle is a delightful way to soak in the city's ambiance and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Several rental agencies offer bicycles for hire, providing convenient and eco-friendly transportation options.

Taxi and Ridesharing Services

Taxis are readily available throughout Pisa, offering convenient transportation for those seeking a hassle-free way to navigate the city. Additionally, ridesharing services provide another flexible option for getting around.

How to Get to Pisa

Pisa is served by the Galileo Galilei International Airport, located just a short distance from the city center. The airport offers domestic and international flights, providing convenient access for travelers arriving from around the world.

Pisa is well-connected to Italy's extensive rail network, with frequent train services operating to and from major cities such as Florence, Rome, and Milan. The Pisa Centrale railway station is conveniently located within walking distance of the city center.

Travelers arriving by car can reach Pisa via the A11 and A12 motorways, which link the city to other major destinations across Italy. Ample parking facilities are available in and around the city center, although parking may be limited during peak tourist seasons.

Cultural Events and Festivals

Luminara di san ranieri.

Held annually on June 16th, the Luminara di San Ranieri is a spectacular celebration honoring Pisa's patron saint, St. Ranieri. The city is illuminated with thousands of candles, creating a magical ambiance along the Arno River and around the Piazza dei Miracoli.

Gioco del Ponte

Dating back to the 16th century, the Gioco del Ponte is a historic reenactment and competition held on the last Sunday of June. Two teams representing the city's districts engage in a battle of strength and strategy on the Ponte di Mezzo, culminating in a thrilling display of medieval pageantry.

Is Pisa Worth Visiting?

Yes, Pisa is a great city which is absolutely worth visiting. It has the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, a landmark attraction. But beyond that, the central, more local, areas of the city are also lots of fun to explore.

Pisa's allure extends far beyond its leaning tower, offering visitors a captivating blend of history, culture, and architectural splendor. Whether you're strolling through its ancient streets, marveling at its monumental landmarks, or immersing yourself in its vibrant events, Pisa promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore our travel packages and embark on a journey to discover the wonders of this historic gem in Italy. Check out our Pisa travel packages for an unforgettable journey.

You can also take a look to the rest of our travel guides to Italy !

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How much should you tip in Europe? Here’s our guide

Knowing how much gratuity to leave — if at all — can be a minefield. from cafés to hotel housekeeping, we explain the etiquette.

T ipping is back in the news, with reports that cafés near the Olympic Village in Paris have been pushing tourists to tip between 10 and 20 per cent on top of the standard 15 per cent that’s already included. Meanwhile, in the US (where else?), everywhere from Starbucks coffee shops to local grocery stores now seem to expect customers to leave a tip of 10 to 30 per cent. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this trend, dubbed “tipflation”, is enraging locals.

Luckily for us, tipping in Europe is rarely as costly as it is across the Pond. Here’s how to navigate the shifting niceties of Parisian pourboires and Turkish bahsis without breaking the bank.

• Tipping is out of hand in the US — this is how to deal with it

Covid ushered in a kind of “tipping creep” in the UK, with QR codes and contactless-payment devices increasingly prompting users to “guilt tip” bar staff, cab drivers and delivery folk up to 20 per cent for their services. However, the advice on tipping in restaurants from Debrett’s, the authority on all things etiquette, still broadly holds: “‘Service not included’ means just that, and it is usual to offer … 10 to 15 per cent.” Legislation brought in this year means that all your tips, even via card payments, will go to staff, rather than being siphoned off by unscrupulous restaurateurs. One south London friend recommends the peak-2024 gambit of “pre-tipping” food delivery drivers a pound or two. “They come to you first on their route that way, with hot food and a smile,” she says.

What to tip for

• Coffee Nothing for a takeaway or in some cases up to 15 per cent if you sit in • Meals Discretionary if bill states “service included”; 10 to 15 per cent if not • Guides Optional, but £5 for a half-day and £10 for a full day in the case of a good experience • Housekeeping Not expected in hotels, but about £3 a day for good service, placed in an envelope clearly marked “Housekeeping”, would be warmly received

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In French restaurants a 15 per cent service charge is included in the price of your confit and claret by law and waiters get paid a living wage, so tipping is not necessary. However, a small pourboire for good service — usually rounding up bills to the nearest euro — is not uncommon. Sébastien de Lavalette, a Paris tour guide, scoffs at the notion that the 20 per cent add-ons for “naive Olympics tourists” will stick. “The French will simply refuse to pay more,” he says. The escorted-tour provider Jules Verne recommends a few coins as “customary” in France.

• Coffee Nothing for drinking at the counter or a takeaway; a rounded-up pourboire if sitting in • Meals Service is compris by law, but additional change is acceptable in case of good service • Guides €2 to €5 (£1.50 to £4) a day • Housekeeping Hotel staff in France are generally paid a living wage with benefits, but €2 to €4 a night can be left with a note

Some restaurants in Spain include a 10 per cent service charge in the bill, indicated as servicio incluido , but this is not universal. Kirker Holidays says that as hospitality and service is “a revered and well-paid profession” in Spain there is less pressure on tourists to shell out extra. In general, 5 to 10 per cent of the bill is acceptable, with tips in cash being preferred, as payment machines seldom have tipping options. Jules Verne also advises 10 per cent tips in restaurants as standard in Spain. The travel company Exodus tells guests on its Camino de Santiago Trek to Galicia to budget for a total of €20 to €25 for tipping guides.

• Coffee Nothing for a takeaway; 10 per cent if you sit in • Meals For servicio incluido meals, tipping is not necessary; about 10 per cent if the bill states servicio no incluido • Guides €5 to €10 for a half-day • Housekeeping There’s no pressure to tip, but you can leave €1 to €4 for each night of your stay, with a note

In Italy modest tipping is standard practice. Rounding up a restaurant bill by a few euros is sufficient (check if servizio is incluso ). The bespoke tour operator Audley Travel recommends that travellers tip 10 per cent in restaurants, €2 to €5 for bellboys and taxi drivers (up to €15 for a full day of touring by cab) and €20 to €40 for tour guides, depending on duration and group size. Cristina Marconi, a novelist who lives in Milan but comes from Rome, says that northern Italians tend to tip less than southerners and that card readers offer standardised 10 per cent tips in bigger cities, “as Italians no longer carry coins”. Not leaving a tip, Marconi adds, “is seen as a slight”. The writer Rosalyn D’Mello, who lives in South Tyrol, advises tourists not to be confused by the coperta , a charge for using the table in restaurants that is between €1.50 and €3 and covers table settings, linen, cutlery and other overhead costs associated, but not service.

• Coffee Nothing for a takeaway; small change or 10 per cent if you sit in • Meals Look for servizio incluso on the bill, meaning that 10 per cent has been added; otherwise tip about 10 per cent • Guides €15 to €20 for a half-day tour per couple/family and €20 to €40 for a full day • Housekeeping About €1 to €4 for each night of your stay

Tipping isn’t a strong tradition in Greece, with locals doing so only in small amounts. Tipping culture is most entrenched on islands that have high tourist footfall, such as Mykonos, Crete and Santorini. Dawn Hammett, an English teacher who lived in Greece for 20 years, says that when she first arrived in the country tipping was seen as patronising in small family tavernas. Now, however, she says that rounding up bills to the nearest €5 or €10 for good service is the norm in areas with “high numbers of American tourists”. Ask “ Perilamvaneta i filodorama? ” to check whether service is included. The luxury tour company Unforgettable Greece recommends a daily €20 to €30 for a crew on boat charters and €5 to €15 for transfer drivers.

• Coffee Up to 10 per cent to sit in • Meals About 10 per cent, unless otherwise indicatedon the bill • Guides €20 to €40 total for group and private tours • Housekeeping €1 to €2 for each night of your stay

Vishal Vora, a British academic living in Berlin, says that — much like the UK — Germany has moved, post-Covid, to almost exclusive use of cards for payment. It has also moved from a “rounding-up culture” of Trinkgeld (literally “drink money”) left in spare change on the counter to card readers suggesting add-ons of up to 20 per cent at bars, restaurants and food trucks. “As a Brit I don’t really like tipping,” he says, laughing. Informal eating and drinking venues often have a Sparschwein (piggy bank) on the counter into which you can drop a few coins if you wish.

• Coffee 10 to 20 per cent on a card-payment machine is optional • Meals 10 per cent added to card payment is the new norm, but not mandatory • Guides €5 to €10 a head is discretionary for “free tours” (the trend of young locals taking you on a tour of their town for tips) • Housekeeping €2 to €5 for each night of your stay

Audley Travel describes Croatian tipping culture as “casual”, with about 10 per cent for restaurants, rounding up at cafés and about €5 for porters marking you out as a good guest. The Dubrovnik tour guide Sandra Milovcevic says: “If you are pleased, leave a tip and you will make a Croatian smile. If you are not, do not.” The luxury tour specialist Unforgettable Croatia also notes the country’s discretionary tipping culture and says that visitors are unlikely to cause offence if they refrain from tipping. It does, however, suggest rounding up taxi fares and bar bills as a “gesture”.

• Coffee Rounding up to the nearest euro is fine • Meals 10 per cent is considered a sign of appreciation but is not expected • Guides For a private guide, a tip of €15 to €20 each is suitable for a half-day tour and €20 to €25 each for a full-day tour; for shared group tours about €5 a head is about right • Housekeeping €2 to €4 for each night of your stay

A service charge ( servis ) of about 15 per cent is often included at hotels and restaurants, though bills can be difficult to decipher and the charge is not mandatory. Kuver is a charge that usually refers to bread, olives, dips or water that are brought to restaurant tables without having been ordered. If in doubt, query the bill. It is customary to leave 10 to 15 per cent for hairdressers and waiters and round up taxi fares. When visiting hammams, Intrepid Travel advises, it is customary to tip the staff about 15 per cent. Mehmet, who has for a long time worked as a waiter in the resort town of Turgutreis, near Bodrum, says that Britons are “second only to Russians” when it comes to generous tipping. He adds that tipping in cash is best.

• Coffee Round up your bill if you sit in • Meals Check if servis is included; if not, 10 per cent is usually sufficient • Guides 50 to 100 lira (£1.25 to £2.50) a head a day • Housekeeping 5 to 10 lira is appreciated, but not expected

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