Italy: Over 2,000 Years of Showing Off
Ancient ruins, ridiculous food, and coastlines that don’t make sense. Your Italy trip starts here.
Italy is one of those countries that actually lives up to the hype. Rome has 2,000 years of history stacked on top of itself. Florence is basically an open-air museum with better coffee. Venice shouldn’t physically work but somehow does. And that’s before you get to the food, which is so good it’s almost offensive that other countries even try.
But here’s what most guides skip: Italy is also surprisingly easy to do on a budget if you know the tricks. Train travel between cities is cheap and fast. Eating where locals eat cuts your food bill in half. And some of the best experiences (walking Trastevere at dusk, watching sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, swimming off Cinque Terre’s rocks) cost absolutely nothing.
This guide covers all of it. City guides, road trips, costs, transport, and the stuff that actually matters when you’re trying to plan a trip that doesn’t blow your saving
2.5–3 hrs
From the UK
Apr–Jun / Sep–Oct
Best time
Italian
Main language
EUR (€)
Currency
Best Time To Visit
If you’re planning to visit popular areas, especially Rome, Venice or Milan, avoid July and especially August, when the weather can be too hot and the crowds at their most congested. In August, when most Italians are on holiday, you can expect it to be especially bad in the resorts. Daily averages around 23/24 °C (73/75 °F)
The best time to visit Italy, in terms of the weather and a little less crowded, is April to late June, and September or October. If you want to go for a swim, keep in mind that only the south of the country is likely to be warm enough outside between the May to September period.
I you visit between November and December you arrive in-time for the Christmas Markets.
For a month by month look click here
What To Expect
18°C
- Temperature
Capital: Rome
Language: The official language of Italy is Italian. ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Italian: “Ciao” and “Grazie”
Currency: The official currency of Italy is the Euro (EUR). £1 GBP is equivalent to 1.18 EUR. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: To get the best exchange rate in Italy, it’s wise to use your credit card whenever you get the chance. If you need some Euros, you will find that ATMs are very prevalent in Italy’s major cities and towns. It’s always best to have some cash on hand for buying a gelato.
Plugs: For Italy there are three associated plug types, types C, F and L. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side and plug type L is the plug type which has three round pins. Italy operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: As far as safety is concerned, however, Italy comes 38th on the list of 163 countries measured on 2018’s Global Peace Index. That’s a good score. Just watch out for pickpockets.
Getting Around: Traveling through Italy by train is the best way to go— you can sit back and relax while looking out at the beautiful scenery. In places like Rome, use the Metro, grab a bicycle, or walk around on foot.
Never ever: You Don’t Have to Tip in Italy! Service is usually included in a service charge on the restaurant bill.
Italy Travel Guides
City breaks, coastal road trips, ancient ruins, and way too much pasta. Here’s everything you need.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Italy Cost?
Italy has a reputation for being expensive. It can be. But it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a realistic breakdown.
🎒
Backpacker
€50–70/day - £43–60 / $57–80
- Hostel dorms from €20/night
- Pizza al taglio, market groceries, street food
- Public transport and walking
- Free churches, piazzas, parks, and viewpoints
🍜
Mid-Range
€120–180/day - £103–155 / $137–205
- Private rooms, budget hotels, or Airbnbs
- Trattorias, wine bars, aperitivo hour
- Mix of trains and occasional taxi
- Museum entries, guided tours, boat trips
🏨
Upscale
€250+/day - £215+ / $285+
- Boutique hotels, luxury villas, historic palazzi
- Fine dining, Michelin restaurants, rooftop bars
- Private tours, first-class rail, car hire
- Cooking classes in Tuscany, gondola rides in Venice
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: €20–40 / £17–35 / $23–46 per night
- Campsite: €15–30 / £13–26 / $17–34 per night
- Budget hotel: €70–130 / £60–112 / $80–148 per night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: €80+ / £69+ / $91+ per night
- Boutique hotel: €130–250 / £112–215 / $148–285 per night
- Luxury hotel: €300+ / £258+ / $342+ per night
City Travel
- Bus/tram/metro ticket: €1.50–2 / £1.30–1.72 / $1.71–2.28
- Day transport pass: €5–7 / £4.30–6 / $5.70–8
- Short taxi ride: €8–15 / £6.90–13 / $9.10–17
Long Distance
- Regional train: €5–15 / £4.30–13 / $5.70–17
- High-speed train (Rome to Florence): €20–50 / £17–43 / $23–57
- Car rental per day: €40–80 / £35–69 / $46–91
Eat Cheap
- Pizza al taglio (slice): €2–4 / £1.72–3.45 / $2.28–4.56
- Supermarket meal prep: €5–10 / £4.30–8.60 / $5.70–11.40
- Espresso at a bar: €1–1.50 / £0.86–1.30 / $1.14–1.71
Eating Out
- Trattoria meal: €15–30 / £13–26 / $17–34
- Restaurant with wine: €35–60 / £30–52 / $40–68
- Aperitivo with free buffet: €8–12 / £6.90–10.35 / $9.10–13.70
Budget Fun
- Church entry (most): Free
- Museum/gallery: €10–20 / £8.60–17 / $11.40–23
- Walking tour (tip-based): €5–15 / £4.30–13 / $5.70–17
Big Experiences
- Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel: €17–35 / £14.65–30 / $19.40–40
- Gondola ride Venice (30 min): €80 / £69 / $91
- Cooking class Tuscany: €70–150 / £60–129 / $80–171
Tips for Saving Money in Italy
💧 Drink from the fontanelle — Italy’s public water fountains (especially Rome’s nasoni) are everywhere and the water’s great. Skip the €3 bottles.
🍕 Eat standing at the bar — Coffee, pastries, even wine cost less if you stand at the counter. The moment you sit down, prices go up. It’s literally a different price list in most places.
🚶 Walk everything in city centres — Florence, Venice, Siena, Rome’s centro storico — these are small areas. You don’t need transport for most of what you want to see.
🎨 Hit free museum days — Most state-run museums are free on the first Sunday of every month. The Colosseum, Uffizi, Borghese Gallery — all included. Plan around it.
🚉 Book trains early on Trenitalia or Italo — High-speed rail prices double or triple closer to the date. Book 4–6 weeks out and you’ll pay a fraction of walk-up fares.
🥘 Eat where locals eat — If a restaurant has photos of food on the menu and someone standing outside trying to wave you in, keep walking. The best trattorias are one street back, no English menu, full of Italians at 8:30pm.
🏨 Stay outside main tourist zones — A 15-minute bus ride from the centre can halve your accommodation costs. Rome’s Trastevere and Testaccio, Florence’s Oltrarno, Venice’s Mestre — all cheaper, all good.
🍷 Aperitivo hour is your friend — Between 6pm and 8pm, most bars offer a drink plus a free buffet of snacks, bruschetta, pasta, and more. It’s basically a free dinner with a €8–12 drink.
🎒 Get a city pass (sometimes) — The Roma Pass, Firenze Card, and Venice city passes can save money IF you’re hitting 3+ paid attractions. Do the maths first though — sometimes individual tickets are cheaper.
📱 Get an eSIM before you arrive — Data roaming adds up. An Airalo eSIM gives you local data from around €5 for your trip. Way cheaper than airport SIM cards or hotel WiFi upsells.
Getting Around Italy
Italy’s surprisingly well connected. Trains are the backbone, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to get between places. Here’s the short version.
Domestic Flights
Only worth it for long distances — like Milan to Sicily. For everything else, the train’s faster door-to-door.
✅ Quick for north-south routes
✅ Budget airlines from €25 if booked early
❌ Airport time kills the speed advantage on shorter routes
Car Rental
The move for Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and anywhere rural. Do NOT rent a car for city-only trips. Italian city driving is chaos.
✅ Total freedom for countryside and coast
✅ From €40/day (£35/$46)
❌ ZTL zones in city centres will get you fined
Ferries & Boats
Connects the mainland to Sardinia, Sicily, Capri, and the Aeolian Islands. Venice’s vaporetto water buses are a transport system and a sightseeing tour in one.
✅ Only way to reach some islands
✅ Venice vaporetto pass: great value
❌ Can be pricey for cars (Sardinia especially)
High-Speed Rail
The best way to move between major cities. Rome to Florence in 90 minutes. Rome to Milan in under 3 hours. Comfortable, fast, and city-centre to city-centre.
✅ Fast, frequent, city-centre stations
✅ Cheap if booked 4–6 weeks early
❌ Walk-up prices are brutal
Intercity Bus
Cheap and reliable within cities. Also connects smaller towns that trains skip, especially in Tuscany, Puglia, and Sicily.
✅ Cheapest option at €1.50 per ride
✅ Reaches towns trains don’t
❌ Slower, less comfortable for long distances
Walking & Cycling
Honestly the best way to see Italian cities. Florence is tiny on foot. Rome’s centro storico is walkable. Venice has no choice — there are no cars.
✅ Free (walking) or €10–20/day (bike rental)
✅ You find the best stuff on foot
❌ Hills in some cities are no joke (looking at you, Positano)
Which Is Right For You?
Sticking to one city
Walk everywhere, metro for far bits
Multiple cities
High-speed train, book early
Countryside & coast
Rent a car. No question.
Island hopping
Ferry + local bus or scooter
Quick Tips
📅
Book Trains Early
Trenitalia and Italo prices double within 2 weeks of travel. 4–6 weeks out is the sweet spot.
🚨
Watch for ZTL Zones
Most Italian city centres have restricted traffic zones. Drive in without a permit and you’ll get a fine posted to your rental company months later.
🎟️
Validate Your Tickets
Bus and regional train tickets MUST be validated before boarding. Inspectors will fine you even if you have a valid ticket that hasn’t been stamped.
⏰
Don't Rush the Train
Italy’s Frecciarossa high-speed trains run every 30–60 minutes on major routes. If you miss one, the next is never far behind.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Italy?
UK, US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can enter Italy visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No pre-registration is currently required. That said, the EU’s ETIAS system (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is expected to launch in late 2026. Once active, you’ll need to complete a quick online application and pay a €20 fee before travelling. It’s not a visa — it’s a pre-screening system linked to your passport. For now, just bring a valid passport and you’re good. Always check the latest requirements before booking, as the launch date has shifted several times.
Is Italy safe for tourists?
Yes, generally very safe. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risk is petty theft — pickpocketing is common in Rome (metro, Termini station, tourist hotspots), Florence, Milan, and Naples. Keep valuables close, don’t flash expensive gear, and use a money belt or crossbody bag in crowded areas. Scams targeting tourists exist too (the bracelet trick, fake petition signers, overcharging at restaurants). Common sense covers 99% of it.
When is the best time to visit Italy?
April to June and September to October. You get warm weather, fewer crowds than peak summer, and lower prices on accommodation. July and August are hot (35°C+ in the south) and packed, especially on the coast and in Rome. Winter (November to February) is quieter and cheaper, but some coastal areas shut down. Northern cities like Milan and Venice get cold. Christmas markets and fewer tourists are the trade-off.
How long do I need in Italy?
At minimum, 7–10 days to cover one region well. Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first trip — enough for Rome, Florence, and either Venice or the Amalfi Coast without rushing. Three weeks lets you add Tuscany road-tripping, Cinque Terre, or Sicily. Italy rewards slow travel. Trying to see everything in a week means you’ll spend more time on trains than actually experiencing anything.
Is Italy expensive?
It can be, but it’s more affordable than most people expect — especially compared to the UK or Scandinavia. Budget travellers can manage on €50–70/day (£43–60 / $57–80) with hostels, street food, and free attractions. Mid-range is around €120–180/day (£103–155 / $137–205). The biggest costs are accommodation in peak season and major attraction tickets. Eating well in Italy is surprisingly cheap if you avoid tourist traps.
What's the best way to get around Italy?
Trains. The high-speed network (Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa and Italo) connects Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Naples, and Bologna in 1–3 hours. Book early for the best fares. For Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, and Sicily, rent a car — public transport gets patchy in rural areas. Within cities, walk. Most Italian city centres are compact and best explored on foot.
Do I need travel insurance for Italy?
Yes. Italy doesn’t offer free emergency healthcare to non-EU visitors. A hospital stay, even a short one, can run into thousands of euros. If you’re a UK citizen, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you access to state healthcare on the same terms as Italian residents — but it doesn’t cover everything (no repatriation, no trip cancellation, limited coverage). Proper travel insurance is still worth having on top. Compare options in our Travel Insurance hub.
Can I drink the tap water in Italy?
Yes. Tap water is safe across Italy. In Rome, the nasoni (small iron fountains) on nearly every street serve fresh, cold water — they’ve been running for over a century. Bring a reusable bottle and skip the bottled water entirely.
Do I need to tip in Italy?
Yes. Tap water in Croatia is safe to drink everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle Tipping isn’t expected in the same way as the US or UK. Most restaurant bills include a “coperto” (cover charge, usually €1.50–3 per person) — that’s not a tip, it’s a bread-and-table fee. If service was good, rounding up or leaving €1–2 is appreciated but not required. Nobody will chase you out the door for not tipping.and skip the plastic. The water in coastal areas and on the islands is fine too.
What power adapter do I need for Italy?
Italy uses Type C, F, and L plugs on a 230V/50Hz supply. Type C (two round pins) is the most common and works with most European adapters. Type L (three round pins in a line) is uniquely Italian — some older buildings have these exclusively. Best bet: bring a universal adapter that covers all three.
Travel Hubs Worth A Look
Get Your Free Travel Starter Kit!
