Italy Travel Guide

This travel guide for Italy highlights the top places to visit, how to get there, safety, scams, logistics and more to help you plan an amazing trip. Geared towards independent travel, it’s also a great for those planning organized trips as well.

One of the world’s top destinations, Italy is packed with a multitude of superb cities. It has a rich history with fascinating ruins, impressive architecture, glorious landscapes, sun-drenched beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, and vibrant culture. In fact there are so many spectacular places to visit, it could take a lifetime to explore them all. I’ve visited over a dozen cities, on three different occasions, and hope to see them yet again, and many more.

This travel guide and posts on Italy are updated as of January 2022.

Highlights Of Italy

Italy has so much to offer, I can only cover the highlights in this travel guide. Please see the detailed posts in the links below, or at the bottom of this page, for more.

Rome

Rome, one of the world’s most visited cities, has it all. Amazing history and archeological sites, world-renowned food and wine, grand architecture, phenomenal art, and friendly people. You can visit the Colosseum, the ruins at Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi fountain, St. Peter’s Bascilica, the Vatican Museums, and so much more, then spend the evening dining on incredible food and wine.

Florence

Just 3 hours north of Rome is Florence, the cultural epicenter of early Italian Renaissance art, home to Michelangelo’s world-renowned David, and a skyline dominated by the iconic 13th century Duomo. The Medici family that ruled here, with its staggering wealth and patronage of the arts, turned this city into a work of art itself.

With its 600 years of extraordinary artistic achievement, Florence is now UNESCO listed and attracts over 16 million tourists annually.

Amalfi Coast

About 3.5 hours south of Rome is the Almalfi Coast. This majestic UNESCO site, with its stunning coastal cliffs, has colorful houses, stacked on steep hills, cascading down to the Mediterranean’s turquoise waters. Considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy, there are 29 miles (48 km) of breathtaking views along the many curves of the road above the Tyrrhenian sea here. So breathtaking they don’t advise driving it on your own. There are 13 splendid seaside villages here with some of the most popular being: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Atrani, Sant’Agata, and Nerano. Being one of Italy’s most spectacular spots, however, it’s also one of its busiest.

Capri

Captivating Capri is just a 30 minute boat ride from the Amalfi Coast. This island, which attracts the rich and famous, is known for its jaw-dropping views, amazing cuisine, high-end shopping, and the Blue Grotto, a cave which glows an amazing electric blue when sunlight hits the Tyrrhenian sea here. There’s also a network of hiking trails and beautiful ports to explore.

Pompeii

Pompeii, just north of Naples is one of the world’s biggest archeological dugouts. This ancient Roman city, frozen in time over 2,000 years ago, is one of my favorite places in the world.

Preserved in a thick layer of volcanic ash, the brilliantly colored hand-painted walls, sophisticated architecture, and unique insights into life and culture here will blow your mind.

Cinque Terre

The name Cinque Terre means 5 lands, representing the 5 charming, former fishing villages here. Each offer stunning vistas of the rugged Italian Riviera coastline.

Here, the best views are experienced by hiking from village to village along a coastal trail. However, you can also take the train between the villages and explore the towns one by one. The small-town Italian charm and outstanding food, in addition to the spectacular landscape, make this an outstanding destination.

Portovenere

Portovenere, a 1 hour drive or 5-6 hour hike from Cinque Terre, is often called Cinque Terre’s ”sixth city”. This charming seaside village offers similarly stellar views, amazing food, and interesting islands nearby. It’s also not as crowded. In addition to the lovely town near the port, there are several old churches to explore, a castle, as well as nearby islands.

Genoa

The mulit-cultural port town of Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, used to be one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Full of centuries-old, lavish palaces, beautiful baroque churches, and one of the largest medieval cities in Europe, it’s another fascinating stop.

It’s also the birthplace of pesto. Made with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Genovese basil, as well as other Italian specialty ingredients, it’s hands down the best I’ve ever eaten.

Bologna

Bologna is not traditionally a top tourist spot, but the little-known fact that it’s the culinary capital of Italy, makes it well worth visiting. Arrive hungry as it’s known for its hand-made, stuffed pastas, ragu bolognese, verde lasagne, and cured meats. Plus, authentic Parmigiano Reggiano can only be made in the region. Every time I think about this city, I get ravenously hungry.

But there’s more than just food here, like the miles of UNESCO listed porticos lining the streets, and a few interesting historical facts that I bet you didn’t know. Plus, with fewer tourists, Bologna has an authentic charm that you can’t find in more popular cities.

Sicily

Sicily, at the tip of Italy’s boot is very diverse and provides a more authentic experience. With over 900 miles of beautiful coastline, breathtaking beaches, well-preserved archeological sites, like the Valley of the Temples, majestic mountains, the largest active volcano in Europe, and scintillating Sicilian food, this is another great experience in Italy.

Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands, an exquisite Archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily. All rose from the sea from volcanic activity. Only two, however, have active volcanos today. Named after the demigod of the winds, Aeolus, these UNESCO listed islands include; Lipari, Stromboli, Salina, Vulcano, Filicudi, Alicidi, and Panarea.

You can island hop via ferry to explore the identity of each, or focus on a few. I chose to hop a few islands, then hike to the top of the volcano on Stromboli, which erupts about every 20-30 minutes. It was a specular place to watch the sunset, even if we did have to wear helmets (lol). You can also choose to watch the fireworks show (from the eruptions) from the sea or other islands.

Venice

Venice oozes charm. It’s a love/hate kind of place as it’s definitely touristy and extremely crowded, but still should be visited at least once. The architecture is stunning, especially when viewed from a gondola or vaporetto. St. Mark’s Square and Basilica is awe-inspiring, and the city is full of quaint cafes, coffee shops and art galleries.

I became fascinated with photographing the gondoliers, like the guy below fighting the currents. So much skill, yet they make it look effortless.

Best Time To Visit Italy

Generally, the best time to visit Italy is spring and fall, May, June, September, and early October, when temperatures are the most comfortable. As you head further south, like Sicily, you can include March and April, as it’s warmer earlier. In the north, the extremes on either end of this can make swimming in the sea quite chilly.

The heat in summer can be intense, especially in the south, so it’s best to avoid. It’s also when the crowds are at their their peak. On top of this, many Italians take vacation in August, so many places shut down.

The rainy season is October and November, with November being the wettest month. Venice, prone to flooding, is most likely to flood from October to January. Carnevale, in Venice, is in February.

Italy Travel Guide: Languages

In Italy Italian is the official language, although there are 34 languages and dialects. About 30% speak english, more commonly in tourist areas.

Italy Travel Guide: Money Matters

Currency: The currency is the Euro. The following conversation rates are from of January 1, 2024.

• 1 USD=.91 Euro
• 1 CNY=.13 Euro

Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and Debit Cards are widely accepted. There are always a few places that only accept cash, however (to avoid the fees). ATMs, or Bancomats, are easy to find just about everywhere. Just be aware that sometimes in heavy tourist areas they can run out of cash, so don’t wait until the last minute! Pins are 4-digit, so if yours is longer, get it changed before traveling. ATMs associated with banks in Italy generally do not charge a fee on top of what your bank charges. Don’t use ATMs not associated with a bank (private ATMs) as they will charge extra fees.

Tipping: Tipping in restaurants is not common in Italy, but patrons often leave small change, rounding up the bill for great service. Check to see if there is a service charge on the bill first. It will be noted as servizio, but is usually for large groups. Coperto is for the table setting, cleaning, and sometimes bread. This is usually 1-3€ per person. Pane is for bread service, about 1-1.5€ per person. Usually only when there is no coperto. Capaishe? Whew! It’s common to tip bellhops a Euro for carrying your bags and Housekeeping the equivalent of a Euro a day. For taxis, just round up to the nearest Euro.

Italy Travel Guide: Safety

Italy is relatively safe, but pick-pocketing and petty theft do occur. Take normal precautions, always being vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Don’t carry too much cash and keep a close eye on your purse or wallet. Always check the latest situation on your government website.

Sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), which updates you as issues arise, or a similar program in your country.

Italy Travel Guide: Scams

Although Italy is relatively safe, the sheer number of tourists here attract people trying to take advantage of tourists not paying attention. The following scams are things to watch for in Italy.

Pick-pockets

This can happen anywhere in any country, but be especially cautious in crowded places here. Also, the bus ride from Termini station to St. Peter’s Square, is also called the “pickpocket express”. Be vigilant, never carry more cash than you need, and never carry all your cards at once.

Gas Scam

You may run into someone who seems slightly disoriented or lost that claims to be a “traveling fashion” salesperson. They’ll try to make friends with you and offer some of their fashion items in exchange for gas money. Beware that the gas will be much more expensive than the goods. If things seem too good to be true, they probably are.

Overpriced Tourist Restaurants

Restaurants near tourist attractions are often overpriced. On top of that, the food is usually poor quality. Walk a street or two away and avoid places that have staff near the door trying to usher you in. Places with a “tourist menu” are also best avoided.

Drinking “Friends”

This is also common in several countries. You’re approached by someone wanting to create a friendship over a drink, or given a “free ticket” to a select place. Beware that the establishment may be in on the scam and overcharge you, or be a tourist trap. Beware if they insist on a particular place, or pick the location yourself.

Taxi Scams

Taxi drivers are questionable pretty much everywhere, so it’s always good to be on your toes with them. In Italy, they may provide incorrect change, claim they don’t have change, or possibly even switch the meter to weekend rates on a weekday. Ask about the latter if you’re not sure. Also, carry small bills, to avoid needing change, and check the rate against the distance.

Fake Tour Guides

Never buy tickets or tours from someone on the street. It’s best to buy from official ticket booths or online. Verify websites by reading reviews and make sure the phone number listed actually works.

Fake Police

You may be stopped for a ”security check“ by someone in uniform and asked to hand over your passport, purse, or wallet. Request the ”security check” at the station, or ask for badge information to make sure they are ligit.

Shady Games

You may come upon someone in the street or at a highway rest stop running a game that looks easy to win. Just be aware that people in the crowd that win easily, encouraging you to try it, may be in on the game too. The game is likely rigged and you will lose your money.

Tampered ATM’s

Always choose ATMs inside, or connected to bank if you can, as they are less likely to be tampered with. Check for hidden cameras positioned over the keypad, scanners with tampered covers, and/or fake key pad covers. Really look at the machine before using it to see if something appears altered. If the machine keeps your card, try to get help to come to you, don’t walk away.

Getting Around Italy

Getting From City To City In Italy

Fly

Flights within Italy can be reasonable, making it a good option to get between cities (that have airports) more than a few hours drive away. There are over 70 airports in Italy, but airports in, or close to, cities in this travel guide include: Rome, Bologna, Sicily, Florence, Genoa, Naples, Pisa, and Venice.

Train

Italy has an extensive train network, connecting almost all main cities. It’s relatively fast and affordable, making it one of the best options for travel between cities in Italy. Popular train routes from Rome include Florence, Milan, Venice, and Salerno, but you can also travel by train from Rome to all the cities listed in this post except the small islands. Believe it or not, however, you can travel to Sicily by train, as the train rolls on and off the ferry.

Bus

Unfortunately, there is no national bus service in Italy, just many individual bus companies, making it cumbersome. The train is usually the better option. They can, however, be useful in smaller towns where trains do not go. For example, there is no train from Cinque Terre to Portovenere. It’s best to take the bus to La Spezia, then the train to Portovenere.

BlaBlaCar

BlaBlaCar is a carpooling app used in Europe. It’s most effective on popular driving routes. Drivers (and passengers) get rated, so relatively safe, but as when dealing with strangers, you can never be 100% certain. Do your diligence and read reviews. If things don’t feel right when you meet the driver, walk away.

Ferry

Ferries operate between the 5 cities of Cinque Terre, La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici, and Levanto. For Capri, ferries depart from Amalfi, Naples, Positano, Salerno, and Sorrento. For the Aeolian islands, ferries depart from Naples, Messina, Milazzo, Palermo, and Reggio Calabria.

Getting Around Italy Within Cities

Metro

Rome, Bologna, Naples, Genoa, and Sicily have a metro system, making it relatively easy to get around within these cities. That said, the metro system is really built for locals, not tourists, so it doesn’t always go directly to tourist sites. It may, however, get you closer. This is also due to the fact that tourist sites are often near archeological ruins, where digging means running into ancient artifacts. Note that pickpockets may be lurking on metro tourist routes, so be vigilant.

Taxi

Also see Taxi scams above. As of this writing (November 2021) Uber does operate in Rome and Milan. As this can change, please verify before your departure. The problem is, the way they’ve structured Uber here, it’s often more expensive than a regular taxi. This is because Italy only allows Uber Black (and Uber vans). There is no Lyft. Rome does have some taxi app services, My Taxi and appTaxi. I’ve read mixed reviews on both, but have not tried them myself. It’s worth downloading and trying. Just keep in mind that depending on popularity, there may, or may not, be taxis nearby to make them convenient enough to actually use.

Bus

Buses within cities are not recommended as traffic is usually heavy. That said, the most popular bus route in Rome is from Termini station to St. Peter’s Square. As noted above in Scams, it’s also known as the “pickpocket express”, so please be careful if you ride it. Another exception is taking a bus along the Amalfi coast. This is a great way to explore this area. Remember to sit on the coastal side if you can.

Drive

In larger cities, heavy traffic makes it challenging to rent a car and drive. In smaller ones, there is often no parking, or expensive parking, making this option less appealing. Also, some roads are so beautiful, it’s difficult to drive and focus in the road.

Vaporetto

Vaporettos are the boat transport system in Venice. It’s best to buy tickets for the day, rather than single use if you plan to use it often. I stayed on the island across from Venice (in photo below) and bought the 3 day pass and found that I loved exploring the area by riding around it!

Visa Information for Italy

Italy is in the Schengen, so operates on the Schengen Visa policy. US citizens can enter visa free for up to 90 days. They can re-enter after an additional 90 days.

Chinese citizens need to apply for a Schengen Visa. Learn more about the Schengen Visa Policy here.

Italy Travel Guide: Top Destination Blogs & Stories

Click the icons below for more detailed information on my favorite cities in Italy to learn more!

If this travel guide has been useful in planning, or just dreaming about visiting Italy add a comment below.

Safe Travels!

Julie

Note: All efforts have been made to provide accurate information in the Travel Guide for Italy, but from time to time things change. If you see something that is not right, please contact me below.

To read more about me and my philosophy on travel, see my about me page.