Italy
Italy is a traveler’s dream. Extraordinary history, architecture, art and food mark every centimetre of this incredible country. The mere mention of popular Italian cities like Rome, Florence or Venice is enough to evoke a flood of romantic images. But there’s even more to discover, all the way from Sicily in the south to the Italian Alps in the North.
I’ll be honest though, traveling through Italy isn’t all golden experiences. There are definite frustrations. Getting around certain cities can be complicated, corruption is an unfortunate part of Italian daily life, and there’s so many tourists, that touts and scams are a given, rather than an exception.
You’ll still fall in love with Italy though. It just can’t be helped.
In this guide, I’ll cover the basics of traveling around Italy, including the best things to see, when to visit, what to eat and how to get around. I’ll also pass on insider tips gleaned from 8 separate trips to Italy + things I’ve learned from friends and family that actually live there.
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Best Things to Do in Italy
Italy is so spoiled with worthy travel experiences that it’s almost impossible to select the best of them. I could easily fill an entire encyclopedia full of things to do in Rome alone.
If you’ve got the time though, there are things that every first-timer to Italy should do and see. In my mind, these are the unmissable experiences – the ones that you should do if you’ll only ever visit Italy once in your lifetime.
- Explore Rome’s historic centre
- See the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica
- Join the Italians at the bar for caffe and cornetto
- Eat ALL the gelato, pizza and pasta
- Discover the sun-drenched beauty of Tuscany’s small villages
- Wander around Venice’s myriad of backstreets
- Gawk at Renaissance art and sculpture in Florence
- Drive the Amalfi Coast or circle Lake Como
- Hike between the fishing villages of Cinque Terre
When’s the Best Time to Visit Italy?
Is there a bad time to go to Italy? Probably not, as long as you’re willing to put up with some discomfort, depending on the season.
That’s because Italy’s most comfortable weather coincides with the busiest tourist seasons, in May, June, September, and October. You’ll be physically comfortable, but pay the price with crowded attractions and higher prices all over the country.
If you’re addicted to sun and sand, like I am, summer is undoubtedly the best time to visit Italy, but I recommend going in July. Many businesses are shuttered as Italians take the entire month of August off to celebrate Ferragosto. As Agri often tells me, there’s only tourists in Rome in August.
Italians are sun worshippers like no other, so August is also when visiting the beach is most expensive. Save yourself the trouble and visit in July if you can. Keep in mind that if you’re not on the beach, it’ll likely be hot and uncomfortable wandering around tourist sights in many cities. Make sure your accommodation has working air conditioning!
Minimum daily budget: 50 EUR and up.
With 50 euros, you could stay in hostels, use local transport, and eat out from time to time. You’ll waste a lot of time waiting in line for marquee attractions like the Colosseum or Vatican Museums, so if you have extra money, use it to book skip the line tickets for the places you REALLY want to see.
Money Saving Tips
1
Don't sit down for coffee
If you sit down at a table to drink your caffe, you'll likely be slapped with an extra sitting fee - especially in touristy areas. Be like the locals and stand at the banco for your morning coffee instead.
2
Eat from the grocery store
The deli in an Italian grocery store is enough to make any visitor weep. Stock up on mortadella, salami and parmesan, aqua frizzante, pane and fresh olives and have a picnic on a park bench or grand piazza for an incredible value lunch.
3
Walk everywhere
Most sights in Italian cities are concentrated in the Centro Storica, or Historic Centre. Stay as close to the Centro Historica as possible and walk everywhere. Cars, mostly, aren't allowed in there anyway.
4
Book accommodation early
There are budget deals to be found in even the most popular areas, like Rome's Spanish Steps. Plan and book early and you'll find the best reviewed accommodation, in the best locations. This goes for hotels, AirBnBs and hostels.
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Italy’s Top Tours and Attractions
Italy is one of the most visited places on earth with good reason. Incredible natural beauty and an unparalleled history will compete for your attention, never mind the food and gelato, so plan out your itinerary in advance.
This is one destination where it really pays to pre-book fast track admission tickets to popular sites. You’ll save precious hours in line by doing so, because waits for marquee attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican and Michelangelo’s David are guaranteed.
Be sure to reserve your skip-the-line tours or admission tickets as soon as possible. Italy’s eternal popularity comes with crowds year round, and these tickets do sell out far in advance.
Best Tours and Activities in Rome and the Vatican
- Join a 3 hour tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Basilica, with skip the line access that’ll save you 2-3 hours of waiting in line.
- Marvel at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palantine Hill with a combined fast track admission ticket though the security lines.
- Take a day trip out to Hadrian’s Villa and the incredible Renaissance Gardens at Villa D’Este.
Best Tours and Activities in Florence
- Get a timed entrance ticket to the Accademia Gallery in Florence to see Michelangelo’s David and other famous works of art
- Explore Tuscany’s wine region and villages on an all-day tour from Florence.
November 12, 2019
Sam
I lived in Rome for a year before moving back to London, and to be honest, the food is what I miss the most. I passed by Puglia, Florence, Pisa and Naples as well, and I feel like in a year, I had no time to discover Italy as I should have. I really want to move back!!
shelley
The food and gelato is definitely the best. I miss getting delicious pasta and pizza on every corner. I feel like you could spend lifetimes in Italy without discovering even a fraction. There’s just so much. But… didn’t the bureaucracy, corruption, and lack of efficiency get to you? Haha, I love visiting, but don’t think I could ever live there.