Italy has captivated the hearts of many (and for good reason). What’s not to love about endless amounts of pasta, glasses upon glasses of wine, historical sites everywhere you turn, colorful architecture, and turquoise beaches?
But before you pack your bags and eat your weight in gelato, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Here are 10 tips for your first trip to Italy!
The Ultimate Italy Travel Guide
Italy is truly a must-visit country, and one of the most-traveled destinations in Europe. There are so many highlights from Venice to Rome to Florence.
Read More!
The Ultimate Two-Week Italy Itinerary
Looking for the ultimate two-week Italy itinerary that allows you enough time in each place to rest, relax, and see the best of the best?
Read More!
Italians Practice the Siesta
“Siestas” are a practice in some European countries where people go home in the afternoon to eat lunch with their families and take a nap. Italy observes a similar midday break known as “riposo.” During riposo, many small businesses, especially in smaller towns, close in the early afternoon, typically between 1 PM and 4 PM. However, in larger cities like Milan and Rome, this practice is less common, and many shops remain open throughout the day.
When planning your itinerary for Italy, always check the opening hours of shops and restaurants. You might find it hard to grab a meal at your normal lunchtime, so it’s a good idea to keep some snacks on you.
Most Italians also only eat dinner around 8 PM. Luckily, you can take partake in the traditional Italian “aperitivo.” It’s a drink and light meal that restaurants will offer until it’s dinner time.
Customer Service in Italy
Customer service is quite different than what you’re used to in the States. While greeting people is essential, waitstaff don’t hover over tables.
In fact, you might have to wave someone down when you need a refill, or when you’re ready to pay. Don’t take it personally. It’s just the culture!
The Language Barrier
While some people do speak English, it’s not the norm and shouldn’t be expected. You’ll also find that most signage will be in Italian.
Before you leave for your trip, download an app like Duolingo, and learn some essential Italian phrases. I’d also recommend buying a local sim card so you can use Google Maps to help you figure out the local transportation system without asking for help.
How to Travel Italy on a Budget
Italy isn't the cheapest European country to explore, so here are my tips to save money, travel Italy on a budget and have an amazing time!
Read More!
Business Hours
In addition to the hours that are closed for siestas, a lot of businesses have shorter hours on the weekends so you’ll want to plan your visit ahead of time. Don’t expect businesses to be open later than 1:30 to 2 PM on Saturdays and many choose to take Sunday off.
As for restaurants, many are closed on Mondays so keep that in mind if there’s a restaurant that you’ve been dying to try!
Driving in Italy
While driving through Italian wine country is something everyone should experience at least once in their life, you don’t technically need a car when in Italy. Using public transportation is the most cost-effective way to get around plus it is super easy to use.
In cities like Florence and Bologna, biking is a popular and eco-friendly way to get around, but be mindful of traffic rules and cobblestone streets, which can make cycling tricky.
If you’re using the train in Italy, remember to get your ticket validated and if you do decide to drive, knowing how to drive manual will save you some serious money. You can find Italy’s train system website with timetables and pricing here!
Traveling Italy By Train in a Week
To get a taste of what different regions of Italy have to offer, and experience true Italian culture, check out my tips to travel Italy in a week by train!
Read More!
Beware of Peak Season in Italy
There are more than 50 million tourists that visit Italy every year, making it one of the hottest travel destinations in the world. If your Italian bucket list consists of a lot of monuments, you might feel like you’re surrounded by all of them at one time!
If you want to avoid the crowds, avoid planning your trip to Italy during the summer months. From June to August, prices for flights will increase, and hotels raise their rates.
The Best Time to Travel to Italy
Ciao, bella ! Ready for the ultimate Mediterranean getaway? Here's the highlights of each season and the best time to go to Italy!
Read More!
Plan Your Itinerary for Italy in Advance
For most travelers, sites like the Vatican, Leonardo’s Last Supper, and Pompeii are big bucket list attractions. However, these top sites tend to book out – especially if you’re visiting Italy in the busy summer months.
Avoid missing out on some of the best sites Italy has to offer by planning your trip in advance. It’s possible to buy tickets before you arrive and you can also book options that let you skip the line to help you save time!
Discovering Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast with Walks of Italy
This summer, I joined Walks of Italy on their Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast tour to discover the town of Positano and the ruins of ancient Pompeii.
Read More!
Eating Out in Italy
When you get your bill after eating out in Italy, you might come across a few mystery charges (aside from tax). For example, if you see the word “coperto,” that’s a cover charge that’s charged per person.
In smaller parts of the country, it’s anywhere from €1 and €2, but it can get up to €4 or €5 in big cities like Rome and Milan. It’s typically listed on the menu so if you check beforehand, and you won’t be caught by surprise.
There will also likely be a “Servizio” charge which replaces the tip more or less. It’s often found in areas that are heavily visited by tourists such as Rome, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, and Florence.
It’s usually between 10% to 20% and can also be found listed on the menu.
The Ultimate Guide to Eating Like a Local in Italy
Wondering how locals eat and what the food culture is like? I'm dishing up the goods! Here is my ultimate guide to eating like a local in Italy. Mangia bene!
Read More!
Try the Wine
If you’re a wine lover like me, you can’t go to Italy and not try some of the regional wines! It is home to one of the world’s best wine regions, Tuscany, after all.
When in doubt, order the house wine from your waiter or if you’re interested in learning more, book a wine tour to Tuscany.
Tips for Visiting the Prosecco Vending Machine in Italy
There is a vending machine in Italy that dispenses prosecco, wine and biscotti! Here are my tips for visiting the Prosecco Vending Machine in Valdobbiadene!
Read More!
Breakfast Etiquette
Forget everything that you know about breakfast. You won’t be eating eggs, sausage, bacon, or hash browns in Italy.
The customary Italian breakfast consists of a cappuccino and a brioche (which is what Italians call a croissant).
In the mornings, you might also hear Italians say, “Let’s go to the bar.” They mean a cafe for a cup of coffee, not a pub or cocktail bar.
If you want a coffee with your breakfast, order a caffe latte, not a latte. A latte is going to come out as a warm glass of milk, not the delicious milky coffee beverage you get elsewhere.
Overall
Italy is a wonderful destination to explore. Whether it’s your first time venturing abroad, or you’re a seasoned traveler, these small tips will help you relax and enjoy your vacation like a true Italian! Buongiorno!
Do you have any tips for visiting Italy? I’d love to read your advice for travelers as well!
This is so cool! Always dreamed of going to Italy. It’s crazy how many places you’ve visited around the world.
Our language barrier and our driving might be different and difficult for our visitors, but we love to welcome visitors in Italy! We can’t wait to be able to do it again! It’s a beautiful article you wrote, and as an Italian, I can confirm that your observation is perfect! We hope you return soon to us!
Hi Meneghino! Thanks so much for the kind words and I hope to return soon 🙂