Italy

Italy Travel Guide
At A Glance

I love Italy. But who doesn’t like one of the most beautiful countries in the world?!

For the past few years, I’ve been traveling to Italy frequently. I am on a mission to visit all Italian regions!
So far, I roamed around Rome, hiked Cinque Terre, explored Tuscany by car, attended the Carnival of Venice, indulged in authentic Neapolitan pizza in Naples, had a road trip in Puglia, took a summer Italian language course in Urbino, visited the Amalfi Coast and Capri, spent two weeks in Florence, slept in a cave hotel in Matera, stayed in a trullo in Alberobello and more.

Let my Italy travel guide help you plan your next trip to Italy.

Italy travel guide

Language:

Italian

Currency:

Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit:

spring (April-May) or early fall (September-October)

Major airports in Italy:

Roma Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP),
Naples Airport (NAP), Venice Airport (VCE), Bologna Airport (BLQ), Catania Airport (CTA).

Famous Landmarks:

The Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Grand Canal in Venice, Pompeii ruins, Milan Cathedral, Dolomites, Trevi Fountain in Rome, etc.

Italy Travel Guide – Italy City Guides

Seeing Trevi Fountain at night is among the best things to do in Rome Italy

Rome

Florence is a must see if planning to travel to tuscany italy

Florence

Venice Italy

Venice

Naples Italy Travel Guide

Naples

Best Things to Do in Siena Italy

Siena

San Gimignano is a must-see in Tuscany Italy

San Gimignano

Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

Assisi

Italy travel guide

Cinque Terre

Travel Guide to Best Things to Do in Bologna Italy

Bologna

Villa Valmarana ai Nani in Vicenza Italy

Vicenza

Visit Matera Italy

Matera

White huts of Alberobello in italy

Alberobello

Italy Travel Guide

useful Italian Phrases

  • Hello/Goodbye – Ciao
  • Good morning. – Buongiorno
  • Good afternoon – Buona sera
  • Good night – Buona notte
  • Goodbye – Arrivederci 
  • Thank you – Grazie
  • Please – Per favore
  • You’re welcome – Prego 
  • Excuse me –  Mi scusi
  • I’m sorry – Mi dispiace
  • I understand –  Capisco 
  • I don’t understand – Non capisco 
  • One ticket, please – Un biglietto, per favore
  • Where is…? – Dov’è…?
  • Where is the bathroom? –  Dov’è il bagno?
  • How much does it cost? – Quanto costa?
  • Is it open? – È aperto?
  • Do you speak English? – Parli inglese?
  • The bill, please – Il conto, per favore
  • Cheers! – Salute!

Eating in Italy

  • National dish: Ragu alla Bolognese (Read more: Guide to Traditional Italian Food)
  • Lunchtime in Italy: between 1 pm and 2.30 pm
    (Restaurants close their kitchens from 3 pm until 7 pm)
  • Dinner time in Italy: between 8 pm and 10.30 pm
  • Tipping: not mandatory in restaurants and bars (5-10% in upscale restaurants are welcome)

Traveling in Italy:

  • Traveling in Italy by train:
    It is the most efficient way to travel around Italy. Italy has a well-developed railway network. High-speed trains connect big cities in Italy. Regional and local trains connect smaller towns and villages.
    The main Italian railway companies are Trenitalia and Italo Treno (NTV). Tickets are available for purchase on their websites online and at railway station ticket offices. Remember that the high-speed trains are usually on time, but regional and local trains are often late.
  • Traveling in Italy by car:
    Renting a car in Italy will give you maximum freedom. Italy is a member of the EU. European driving licenses are valid for driving in Italy. Visitors to Italy must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive there.
    Be aware of Limited Traffic Zones in historic centers of Italian towns. Search for parcheggio libero and parcheggio gratuito for free parking.
  • Traveling in Italy by bus:
    Buses in Italy run to all destinations, including remote villages. Tickets for buses are sold in tabaccherie (tobacco shops) in Italy. Tabaccherie are closed on Sundays.
  • City metros:
    Metros are available in the Italian cities: Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Brescia, Genoa, and Catania.

Average Travel costs in Italy :

  • Accommodation costs in Italy: average 90€/day ($95/day)
    hostel bed: 20-50 €/day
    budget hotels: 50-100 €/day
    mid-range hotels: 100 -200 €/day
    luxury hotels: 300-1000+ €/day
  • Food & drinks: average 75 €/day ($80/day)
  • Transportation:
    train: 9.90 – 29.90 € (one-way)
    city bus: 1.50 € (one-way)

Tips for Traveling in Italy :

  • Phone chargers: 230 volts and the Type C (Europlug) socket or the Type F (Schuko) socket; universal adaptor is the best option
  • Medical emergency number: 112
  • Tap water: safe for drinking
  • Visa requirements: depends on your nationality (check here); not required under 90 days for US tourists
  • Vaccination: none
  • Safety: crime is moderate, and using common sense in tourist areas is required
  • Book big attractions in advance
  • Dress comfortably and take good walking shoes (lots of cobbled streets and a lot of stairs in Italy!)
  • Museums are closed on Mondays

Most Popular Activities in Italy:

The Most Iconic Hotels in Italy:

Italy Travel Guide – posts