Things To Know When Traveling To Italy

Last Updated on March 14, 2021 by Tia

To plan the perfect trip, there are certain things to know when traveling to Italy. Things like the climate, the customs, budget, cities/islands to visit, and foods to eat.

And this is where this article comes along, to let you in on all the information you need, before embracing on a trip of a lifetime.

Because falling in love with Italy is inevitable, and the more you know about it, the better the decisions and planning you will make.

Why you should visit Italy

First things first, Italy is historical, alluring, romantic, breathtaking! By far my favorite European destination (apart from of course my homeland of Greece and Cyprus, coz a girl needs to stay true to her roots you know!)

Gorgeous Italy draws travelers keen on exploring her stunning scenery, unique culture, and gastronomical delights. As a result, it somehow manages to keep a piece of every traveler’s heart until we are ”forced” to visit again – because once is most certainly not enough!

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Geographical position and capital

Italy is a Mediterranean country located in southern Europe and home to over 60 million people. It is bordered in the north by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.

The capital of Italy is Rome, a destination of 3 million people and one I highly recommend you to visit (more on that below).

Italy is divided into 20 different regions, each with its own unique culture, dialect, customs, and cuisine so you’ll find a lot of differences between regions in the north and those in the south.

The most popular and visited region is the central Tuscany region. For more in-depth information about the regions in the country, see this map of Italy’s regions.

Fun Fact: The shape of the country resembles a tall boot, so much so that the country is often referred to as “the boot”

Things to know when traveling to Italy – Language

The official language is Italian of course, with many dialects in different regions – much as the dialects in the Greek language (Cretian, Cypriot, etc). In regards to English, you will find people who don’t speak a word of it, and others who are fluent. My advice?

learn some Italian!

Italians are the type of people that love a trier. For example, when I first moved to Italy for a year, I couldn’t speak a word of Italian. People weren’t hostile at all but didn’t really go out of their way to help me either.

The minute I started speaking even a few words of Italian and putting sentences together ALLLL of that changed! They transformed into the most excitable, warm-hearted, helpful people I have ever met in all my travels!

Sweet little grandmas would hop off their bus earlier just to navigate me to my house, the whole neighborhood was there to help me find my way around the city, buy me an espresso, or stop to pet my dog. (This is a pet-friendly nation, my entire neighborhood owned a dog!)

Why I think its important to learn a bit of Italian

So YES, learn some Italian before you go. Check out the Most Common Italian Words and Phrases to learn before you travel!

After that, if you want to learn fluent Italian, The Duolingo app is pretty great, and free too! Italian is a beautiful language and the benefits far outweigh the 5 minutes a day you will be spending on the app!

Religion

The major religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism. This is not surprising, as Vatican City, located in the heart of Rome, is the hub of Roman Catholicism and where the Pope resides. 

The Vatican City, the majestic St.Peter’s Basilica, and Castel D’Angelo in Rome are all great examples of the Italian faith and religion.

Customs – the Italian Culture

Italians are warm people, loud-mouthed and open-hearted to the max. In many ways, they are extremely similar to us Greeks and Cypriots!

They do everything with passion and gusto, and when an Italian has something to say- trust me, you will know about it! Italians are extremely close-knit with their families, grandparents stay close to their children and grandchildren, and many families live in the same houses, or buildings.

They laugh out loud, use their hands and arms a lot when they speak and are very outspoken in their opinions.

Lastly, the Italians and their rather formal society appreciate smiley people and kind manners. Therefore, when entering a shop, restaurant or bar, greet people with a ‘Buongiorno’ (good morning) or a ‘Buona sera‘ (good evening) and always say ”Gracie” (thank you).

Things to know when traveling to Italy – Cities and Islands to Visit

You could spend months, even years traveling through this country, and you will never get bored.

From the historical city of Rome,(I am linking a detailed 3-day guide to Rome here) the incredibly beautiful Florence, majestic Milano, and romantic Verona you will be spoiled for choice!

Which is why my article on the reasons to visit Italy, features my top cities and island to visit, and the reasons why! It’s a great guide to get some quick highlights of my favorite cities and islands in Italy, so you can decide where you want to travel to!

Things to know when traveling to Italy – Airports in Italy

There are over 20 airports in Italy, so even the smallest of cities are so easily accessible! Below, find a board with the most useful Italian airports to know.

Charging Your Devices

In Italy, the power plugs and sockets are of type F and L. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. This basically means you’ll need an international adapter!

Things to know when traveling to Italy -Transportation

There are numerous transportation options in Italy. these of course, can differ drastically depending on WHERE you are planning to visit! For large cities, rest assured, you will find a million options to suit all needs and all budgets.

Trains

• Trains and Buses. There are 3 types of trains in Italy. Regional, Intercity, and Fresce. Regional trains are the cheapest and have the most stops, even teeny tiny cities you’ve never heard of. Intercity trains run the length of Italy, stopping at cities and large towns. The Frecce trains serve the major cities of Italy alone. This detailed train guide has lots of information on trains.
• Long-Distance Train to take you between cities. These trains are called Italo. Italo is a privately owned railroad with high-speed very nice trains! Italo offers economy, comfort, and premier seats. The Italo train can take you from Florence to Rome in only 1.5 hours!
• Night trains. A brilliant idea for budget travelers and backpackers. You save the cost of a hotel and you arrive in a new city in the morning! The Thello Night Trains offer trains between Paris and Venice, Milan and Verona, or Venice to France.

In the city

• Rent a car or scooter. Parking in cities like Rome and Milan can be a nightmare. In Florence, the center of the city is closed off to cars too. If you are a UK or US citizen, that is something you will be used to. A scooter is definitely easier to park, but the Italians get a little crazy when they drive, so be careful and vigilant when driving! A car is a great option for a road trip through Italy – a great idea to visit multiple cities and experience more of Italy! If you are only visiting one city, there is no need for a car rental. The train and taxis are more than enough!
• Taxis and Uber. Taxis are available everywhere, and Uber is also available in Rome and Milan only.
• Hire a driver – If you wanna be extra like that haha!

Things to know when traveling to Italy -Climate

Italy is known for its beautiful Mediterranean climate, found mainly on the coast. The Inland has colder winters but hotter, drier summers.

In the south, you will find a hot and much drier climate, and in the north a harsher winter with plenty of snow. It is here that you can ski and snowboard in the glorious Dolomites, heaven for winter sports enthusiasts.

Cuisine

What is there to say about Italian cuisine? In my opinion, one of the 3 top cuisines in the world (alongside Greek and Asian), you won’t be able to control yourself when it comes to the food! So say bye-bye to your waistline and tuck in!

Italians have a love affair with food, with dishes deeply rooted in Italian culture, and recipes passed down between entire generations. Traditions matter here!

Therefore, dishes are seldom changed or modernized but rather stay true to their authentic origins. Apart from world-class pizza, pasta, tiramisu, gelato, and buffalo mozzarella, the fish and seafood are also spectacular, especially by the sea!

Check out the Top 14 Italian Foods you simply must have! so you don’t miss on the finest Italy has to offer!

Things to know when traveling to Italy -Budget

If you’ve read any of my articles, you’ll notice me saying the same thing over and over. The budget depends on how you like to travel!

All in all, Italy isn’t a particularly cheap destination, as there is so much to see and hotels are generally expensive. Below, find a board with some daily budget costs to help you!

ATMs are widespread in Italy. Major credit cards are widely accepted, but some smaller shops, trattorias, and hotels might not take them.

DAILY COSTS

Low Budget €80-100

Mid-range budget – €100–250

High- end budget €250 -300

Tips in Italy

Knowing whether you are expected to tip is definitely one of the things to know when traveling to Italy. After all, no one wants to disrespect someone’s culture 🙂

Italians are not big tippers, so you are not obligated to tip, however, I always tip when I love the service, or more importantly, the food! The following examples can act as are a rough guide:

• Taxis: Tipping is optional here, but petty change to round up to the nearest euro is acceptable.
• Hotels: In high-end hotels only, a €5 tip to porters in enough for good service.
• Restaurants: It is unlikely that the Service (servizio) won’t be included in your bill. If not, 10% is enough!
• Bars: Again, petty change can be given at the bar and a euro or two for table service is appreciated!  

Italy packing tips

As a sign of respect, you should cover your shoulders, torso, and thighs when visiting churches. At night, dress smartly when eating out!

Other than that, the dress code is relaxed, but don’t forget, Italy is home to some of the biggest fashion designers in the world! Check out my Packing guide to Italy for more tips!

You will witness gorgeous people – men and women- dressed beautifully and elegantly! If you are a fashion lover, you will love Italy, that’s for sure. This pashmina is perfect as a quick cover-up for church and cathedral visiting and as a way to warm up during the chillier evenings.

Things to know when traveling to Italy – Safety

The safety level is one of the main things to know when traveling to Italy. Italy is overall a very safe country, both for residents and travelers.

Luckily, violent crime against tourists is rare, but pickpocketing and petty theft are definitely not!

Don’t carry all your cash with you, be wary of your belongings, and don’t carry stuff in your pockets, or in a bag without a zip.

Solo female travelers safety advice

In some parts of the country, solo female travelers may receive quite a bit of unwanted attention. Eye-to-eye contact and flirtatious behavior are quite normal in Italy, and the further south you travel, the more you will feel that.

If you are a solo female traveler walk to your destination with confidence and avoid alleys and backstreets at night. Parents with children should never leave them unaccompanied – in any country, no matter the safety of the destination!

Safety tip: Regardless of your destination, my top advice is to not seem like a tourist. Holding a map in your hand, your cellphone on the other, and a pocket full of money is not wise.

If you need a map. download one on your phone. Don’t carry large amounts of cash in one place – try to divide it instead! In conclusion, try not to look ”lost”.

Things to know when traveling to Italy: Visas

Knowing whether you need to apply for a visa is one of the top things to know when traveling to Italy, Italy is a member of the European Union (EU) and part of the Schengen Convention; therefore, the same conditions apply in Italy as in other EU member states.

EU Citizens

As citizens of the European Union and European Economic Area, you will not need a visa to enter the country as has been a part of the European Union since 1958. Therefore, citizens of countries belonging to the Schengen Zone may visit Rome with just a passport or valid I.D. document.

Visa requirements for The US, Australia and New Zealand

• US citizens: American citizens do not require a visa to enter Italy if they plan to stay under 90 days. However, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date.
• Australian Citizens: Australian citizens planning on staying in Italy or any other EU member country for less than 90 days do not require a visa. Your passport has to have at least six-month validity from your planned date of return.
• New Zealand: New Zealanders do not require a visa to enter Italy and can spend up to three months in the country. However, they will need a return ticket and a passport with at least three-month validity from their planned departure date.

Visa Information for The rest of the world

• The following states do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days, but require a valid passport to enter Italy: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Bermuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, East Timor, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Salvador, Samoa, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican, and Venezuela.
• For countries not mentioned above, here is a helpful link to apply for visas to Italy

Thank you for reading, and like always, i’d love to hear your opinion and comments! Don’t forget to subscribe below for newsletters and travel discounts!

Love, Tia x

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