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Southern Europe

ItalyTravel guide

Explore Italy visa rulesCommon scams in Italy

Italy is known for Roman ruins, Renaissance art, regional food and varied landscapes. Its capital is Rome, and its countryside stretches from Mediterranean coasts to the Alps and Apennines.

Why go

  1. Explore Roman ruins in Rome, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

  2. See Renaissance art and architecture in Florence.

  3. Visit Venice and the mosaic-filled churches of Ravenna.

  4. Discover medieval hilltop towns and regional food.

  5. Enjoy the coasts, mountains and islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Getting there

By air

  • Rome and Milan are the main arrival points for flights from other continents.
  • Rome has Fiumicino and Ciampino airports; Ciampino serves budget airlines.
  • Milan has Malpensa and Linate airports. Bergamo airport is also sometimes sold as Milan Bergamo.

By land

  • International trains connect Italy with Austria, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.
  • From Slovenia, trains reach Opicina above Trieste or Nova Gorica, followed by a short walk to Gorizia.
  • Italy shares road borders with France, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. Cars may face random checks after crossing.

By sea

  • Ferries arrive from Greece, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia, mainly at Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi.
  • Ferries connect Corsica with Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and northern Sardinia.

Customs

  • Transport companies may check your identity before international flights, ferries or trains, even when travelling between countries in the Schengen area, which normally has no internal immigration checks.
  • Temporary border checks may take place during major events or crises.
  • Travellers from outside the European Union buying goods under a tax-refund scheme must keep them unused and unopened for the customs check when leaving the European Union.

Getting around

  • Train

    Trenitalia runs high-speed, Intercity and regional trains. Italo also runs high-speed trains between major cities. High-speed trains are comfortable and stop mainly at major stations. Their extra charge includes the booking fee. Regional trains are the cheapest and slowest, with more stops and less reliable service. Intercity trains sit between regional and high-speed services and are generally reliable. Italo fares tend to be lower when booked in advance.

  • Domestic flight

    Flights can cost less than trains for long journeys when booked in advance. The source lists ITA Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet and Blue Express as domestic airlines. Small airlines may appear and disappear often.

  • Car

    Drive on the right. Most motorways charge tolls; motorway signs are green and other main-road signs are blue. City traffic is heavy and parking can be very difficult. Park outside the centre and use public transport. Watch for ZTL signs, meaning limited traffic zones. Entering these restricted historic areas without permission can lead to a fine of about €100. Drivers without a European Union licence need an International Driving Permit as well as their home licence. Vehicles must have insurance covering harm or damage caused to other people. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, but it is zero for drivers under 21 or with less than three years of driving experience. Carry snow chains from November 15 to April 15, even when there is no snow on the road.

  • Boat or yacht

    Travelling by sea offers views of the coast and access to sights near the shore. Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily are main areas for yacht trips. A private yacht can help you avoid crowds and road traffic.

What to see and do

  • Rome's ancient sites

    See the Colosseum, Roman Forum, aqueducts and Appian Way, along with museums of Roman remains.

  • Pompeii and Herculaneum

    These well-preserved ancient sites lie just south of Naples.

  • Florence

    Explore Renaissance art and architecture, and enjoy the city view from Piazza Michelangelo.

  • St Peter's and the Vatican Museum

    These major Christian sights are in the Vatican, a separate country within Rome.

  • Agrigento and Paestum

    Their well-preserved Greek temples show the Greek influence on Italy.

  • Venice, Chioggia and Ravenna

    Explore Venice and smaller Chioggia in the lagoon, or visit Ravenna for its church mosaics.

Food and drink

  • Trofie with pesto alla Genovese

    One of the Italian dishes highlighted in the source.

  • Osso bucco with risotto

    Another dish highlighted in the source.

  • Regional Italian cooking

    Food in Italy offers much more variety than the pizza and pasta dishes commonly found in Italian restaurants abroad.

  • Aperitivo

    A drink in a bar before dinner is a common evening custom.

  • Happy Hour

    Some bars offer fixed-price cocktails with a free buffet between 18:00 and 21:00, or 6 pm and 9 pm.

Money

Euro (€; currency code EUR). One euro equals 100 cents.

  • Carry cash in the countryside. Only a few shops and restaurants in small towns accept cards.
  • Cash machines are common in cities and usually accept major international debit and credit cards.
  • Bank-owned cash machines often do not charge foreign-card fees, but your own bank may still charge you.
  • Displayed prices normally include sales tax.

Tipping: Tips are not normally expected, but you can leave something for especially good service. Many restaurants charge a coperto, a cover or service charge; bring cash if you want to tip because tips cannot be added manually to a card bill.

Typical costs

  • Northern Italy, especially Milan, is generally more expensive than southern Italy.
  • Cities usually cost more than the countryside.
  • Camping can save money, and farmstays can offer reasonably priced stays.

Language

  • Italian is the main language, with distinct local languages and dialects across the country.
  • German is also an official language in South Tyrol.
  • French is an additional official language in Valle d'Aosta; Slovene and German have official status in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
  • English is spoken in tourist businesses, but you cannot rely on it elsewhere. Speak slowly and use simple words.
Tenga il resto
Keep the change.
Pronto Soccorso
Emergency room.
La mancia
A tip.
Assicurazione
Insurance.

Staying safe

  • Italy is generally safe for travellers, but petty theft can be a problem. Take care around crowds and tourist sights.
  • Be especially careful in Naples and Rome, including near major monuments and popular gathering places.
  • Avoid spending unnecessary time around train stations at night.
  • Use normal caution when going out alone at night.
3 common scams in Italy, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Begin conversations in Italian and ask whether the person understands English.
  • Make an effort to use Italian; this is often appreciated.
  • Speak slowly and simply when using English, especially outside tourist cities.

Don't

  • Do not assume everyone speaks English.
  • Do not smoke inside bars or restaurants.

Laws to know

  • Entering a restricted city traffic zone without permission can lead to a fine of about €100.

Staying healthy

  • Public hospitals offer free treatment to eligible travellers with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
  • Emergency assistance is also available to travellers from outside the European Union.
  • Without one of these health cards, you must pay for non-emergency care yourself. Some insurers may reimburse you later.
  • Emergency rooms are called Pronto Soccorso. You may wait several hours unless your condition is serious.

Where to stay

  • Major cities and tourist areas offer hotels, family-run bed and breakfasts, and room rentals. Hostels are relatively few.
  • Camping can save money, and campsites are usually well managed. Book ahead in summer, especially for groups of young people.
  • Farmstays are popular in rural Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria, Abruzzo, Sardinia and Apulia.
  • Self-catering accommodation is available on the Amalfi Coast and Calabria coast.

Schengen Area

One visa, 29 countries

A Schengen visa from any member lets you travel across all of them, with no passport checks at the borders between them. With it, a trip to Italy can also take in:

  • Up to 90 days in any 180
  • One visa for every member
  • No border checks between members

Whether you need the visa at all depends on your passport. Check the entry rules for Italy before you plan the route.

Trips to Italy

Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.

5 nights
Easy Days in Rome and FlorenceRomeFlorenceFrom, per person~US$1,760
 7 nights
Just Us on the CoastSorrentoCapriAmalfiRavelloFrom, per person~US$3,140
 8 nights
Italy With Time to EnjoyRomeFlorenceChiantiVeniceFrom, per person~US$2,820

Outdoor adventures in Italy

Italy has mountains, long coastlines and islands to explore. Outdoor options include skiing at Cortina d'Ampezzo, sailing around Sardinia and Sicily, countryside cycling and beginner-friendly rafting in Florence.

  • Cortina d'Ampezzo skiing

    SkiingNortheast Italynear Cortina d'Ampezzo

    Cortina d'Ampezzo is a ski resort in northeast Italy.

  • Sardinia sailing

    SailingSardinia

    Book through a boat charter company. Options include hiring a boat without a crew, booking a crewed boat or booking a cabin.

  • Sicily sailing

    SailingSicily

    Book through a boat charter company. Options include hiring a boat without a crew, booking a crewed boat or booking a cabin.

  • Circeo National Park beaches

    BeacheSouth of Rome

    Visit the park's 20 km stretch of free beach south of Rome. You can bring your own chair and sun cover. Parking on the main road carries a fee.

  • Calabria beaches

    BeacheCalabria

    Choose one of Calabria's many free beaches. Pay for beach equipment only if you choose to rent it.

  • Arno rafting with Firenze Rafting

    RaftingTuscanynear Florence

    Easy About 1 hour March–November; daily departures

    Book ahead with Firenze Rafting. Meet on the Arno riverbank by Torre San Niccolò, about five minutes on foot downstream from Ponte Vecchio.

    • Cost: From €35 per person
    • An instructor travels in each inflatable raft.
    • Equipment is provided.

  • Genoa and surrounding beaches

    BeacheLigurianear Genoa

    Spring and summer

    Visit the beaches in Genoa and the surrounding area. Most have cobbles, rocks or cliffs.

    • The seabed drops steeply. You may be out of your depth just a few metres from shore.
    • Underwater rocks can be very slippery. Avoid swimming when the sea is rough.

  • Italian countryside cycling tours

    Cycling

    Book a countryside cycling tour with a tour company. Companies provide a bicycle, a guide and luggage transport. They can also transport you if you become too tired.

  • Tiber riverbank cycling and walking

    CyclingRomenear Rome

    Usually not possible in winter because of high water

    Walk or cycle along the riverbanks on your own. Steps near most bridges lead down to the river. Some steps have runners to help wheel a bicycle.

    • Winter water levels can be very high.

Airports, metros and trains in Italy

Airports with scheduled flights

  • PSRAbruzzo AirportPescaraMain international airport
  • BRIBari Karol Wojtyła International AirportBariMain international airport
  • BLQBologna Guglielmo Marconi AirportBolognaMain international airport
  • BDSBrindisi AirportBrindisiMain international airport
  • CAGCagliari Elmas AirportCagliariMain international airport
  • CTACatania-Fontanarossa AirportCataniaMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • BresciaBrescia Metro17 stations13.7 kmsince 2013
  • CataniaCatania Metro12 stations10.5 kmsince 1999
  • GenoaGenoa Metro8 stations7.1 kmsince 1990
  • MilanMilan Metro125 stations111.8 kmsince 1964
  • NaplesNaples Metro31 stations36.4 kmsince 1993
  • RomeRome Metro74 stations62.5 kmsince 1955
  • TurinTurin Metro23 stations15.1 kmsince 2006

Trains

Rail network
24,567 km
Electrified
12,205 km
High-speed lines
1,312.464 km
Top speed
300 km/h

People and safety in Italy

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian83%
  • No religion12%
  • Muslim4%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex couples can form civil unions, but not marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #39 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

44% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 93 of 198 countries can visit Italy easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required82
  • Freedom of movement11
  • Visa required105

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia12 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

What weather should I expect?

Most of Italy has hot, dry summers, with July and August the hottest months. Winters are colder and damper in the north, milder in the south, and very cold in the Alps.

Can I manage with English?

English is spoken in tourist businesses, but it is less dependable elsewhere. Begin in Italian, ask whether the person speaks English, and speak slowly.

Can I pay by card everywhere?

Do not rely on cards in small towns or the countryside, where only a few shops and restaurants accept them. Carry cash.

Do I need to tip?

Tips are not normally expected, though you can leave something for especially good service. Bring cash if you want to tip.

Which train should I choose?

High-speed trains connect main cities with fewer stops. Regional trains are cheaper and slower, while Intercity trains fall between the two.

Is driving into city centres straightforward?

Traffic and parking can be difficult, and many historic centres have restricted traffic zones marked ZTL. Parking outside the centre and using public transport is advised.

What number should I call in an emergency?

Call 112 if you are unsure which service you need. The operator can forward your call to the right department.

Does a higher hotel star rating mean more comfort?

Not necessarily. Stars mainly describe facilities, so use them only as a rough guide.

What is an aperitivo?

It is a drink before dinner. Some bars offer fixed-price cocktails with a free buffet during evening Happy Hour.

Can I visit churches around lunchtime?

Many smaller churches usually close between 12:30 and 15:30, or 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm. The largest churches are generally exceptions.

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