A country in south-west Europe, shaped like a boot, Italy is popularly known to be one of Europe’s most sophisticated destinations. A mountainous peninsula delimited by the Alps in the north and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, conforms Italy’s mainland. However, Italy also has several islands, being Sicily and Sardinia the largest and most important ones. Italy is a country well-known for its rich long history, influential art and renowned cooking. Home of the Roman Empire that conquered and shaped Western and Southern Europe and some of the greatest pieces of art from the Renaissence, Italy is probably one of the world’s top sightseeing destinations. Coupled with top fashion shopping opportunities, pleasant weather and some of Europe’s best mountains and beaches, Italy is a place that pleases every traveller. Just add to this incredible mix one of the world’s best known and most loved cuisines, and it is difficult to imagine that Italy does not tick all the boxes for your next trip.
The best time of the year to visit Italy is from April to June and September to October. Temperatures are usually comfortable; the crowds are not too intense (except around Easter). From July through to early September the country’s holiday spots teem with visitors. Easter, May, and June usually see the highest hotel prices. August is the worst month in many places: not only does it get uncomfortably hot and muggy, but seemingly the entire country goes on vacation for at least two weeks (many Italians take off the entire month) and every holiday spot is crowded. From early September crowds quickly vanish from summer holiday destinations and the weather remains pleasant. Particularly in the south, weather may be warm and sunny through to mid- or late-October, while late-September sees more unstable weather in the north.
From late October to Easter, many attractions operate on shorter winter hours, although inconvenience is much less likely if you are visiting a city or a popular destination. From November to February; spa and beach destinations become padlocked ghost towns, but temperatures in the south remain mild in winter. Even during the off-season when attractions have limited opening hours, it is still an enjoyable time to explore many of the country’s historical sites, which do actually never get completely quiet.
Sightseeing: spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting historical places because the weather is mostly mild and pleasant, and crowds tend to be thinner than in the summer months The early spring and late autumn are colder and with more unpredictable weather towards the north. Fall is when the harvest takes place, as the countryside bursts into colour and Italians around the country celebrate their incredible food and wines with vibrant festivals. Tuscany, Le Marche, and Piedmont are great places to experience the harvest and truffle festivities.
Hiking and other outdoor activities: from mid-June to August is weather is typically reliably sunny and stable, but also warm to hot depending on the region, so it may not be the best time for Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia, and other scenic areas where weather is considerably hot. May to June and September to October are the perfect time in these warmer areas of the country. In the Dolomites and the Italian Alps, the best time is typycally from mid-June through to early October, since snow and rain are common during most of the spring. In the lakes, such as Como, Maggiore and the Garda the temperatures are mild all year, despite having the Alps as a background, rarely dipping below zero in winter, so spring and autumn are ideal times to visit.
Snorkelling and Diving: diving in Italy is one of the best in Europe with famous diving spots such as Portofino marine reserve and famous dives such as Baia underwater archaeological park. Italy is a great destination for scuba divers who love archaeological diving and groupers. The best time of the year is typically from late May to late October.
Beaches: from mid-June to mid-September is typically prime beach season in the whole country although August can get extremely busy with locals. Early June and late September may also offer very pleasant conditions to enjoy the beaches that Italy has to offer, particularly in the south, Sardinia and Sicily.
Winter activities: from December to late March, you can find the best season for skiing and other outdoor winter activities, for which the Dolomites and the Italian Alps are a top destination in Europe.
Mount Etna: can be visited and hiked all year long, but the best months to visit is when temperatures are pleasantly warm, and crowds will be not extreme, this is May and June or late September and October.
Sicily: the best time for exploring historical places is from April through mid-June or mid-September through October. The official beach season begins in June. However, the sea is usually warm enough for swimming in May, so those who want to enjoy it without the crowds may want to come then, especially during the latter half of the month. September, and often October, can also be ideal as the sea will not have cooled much yet many of the tourists will be gone.
Vatican: the best time to visit the Vatican is between after eastern holidays until mid-June, then from mid-September to November. Crowds are less dense during this period. Avoid summer if you can, hot temperatures of Rome in summer make queuing particularly uncomfortable. Likewise, avoid Christmas. I would like to add some tips for visiting the Vatican: Book your Vatican Museums tickets online, is not necessary to be one of those people waiting outside the Vatican Museums in a three-hour line. Book your ticket in advance online at the at the Vatican website. Note that because it is a religious institution the Vatican is closed most Sundays, and on other holy days. It is free on the last Sunday of the month, but we recommend avoiding it then as it becomes even more crowded.
San Marino: the best time to visit San Marino is from April to June or from mid-September to the end of October. During these months, the temperature is most pleasant.
The Euro is the official currency. Typically, 1,10 to 1,20 Euro per 1 US Dollar.
Italian, is the official language of the country, although local dialects are also spoken in different regions. English is generally understood at most attractions such as museums and at most hotels and restaurants that cater to international tourists. If you travel to remote towns and villages, especially in the south, finding locals with understanding of English may be more challenging.
If your nationality is from a member of the European Union or of the Schengen agreement (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein), there are no visa requirements for any duration and purpose of your stay. European Union, European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein), and Switzerland citizens are eligible for a visa-free entry. Some countries, such as the US, Canada, Brazil, Australia and Mexico have visa-free arrangements with the European Union, therefore citizens of these countries do not need a Schengen visa to visit Italy. Starting 2021, they will however need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver to travel. Citizens of countries which do not have a visa waiver deal with the EU, such as China, India, Russia and all African nations need a Schengen visa to visit Italy, even if they are permanent residents of countries enjoying visa waiver arrangements.
If you need a visa for Italy, this website provides all the information regarding visa needs and forms needed to submit your application.
To find an ATM in Italy, look for an Italian Bancomat with the affiliations you need (Visa, Mastercard, etc). In Italy, Bancomats are clearly marked and are found at banks, airports and train stations. ATMs withdrawals are the cheapest way to get local currency, but watch out for the per-transaction fee. Your bank is likely to have a fixed fee for each transaction, and in order to make the best use of your money it will be better to avoid small withdrawals. A maximum withdrawal limit of 250 EUR is imposed at most Italian Bancomats.
Credit card payments are widely accepted, particularly in accommodations and restaurants. You may still find that street food vendors and small businesses don’t accept credit cards or require a minimum payment to accept them.
Business hours are generally Monday Friday from 9am (sometimes 9:30am) to 1pm and 3:30 (sometimes 4pm) to 7 or 8pm. In July and August, due to summer holidays. Shop opening times may not included a lunch pause and close later, particularly in shopping streets and malls in bigger towns. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 1 or 1:30pm and 2 or 2:30 to 4pm, and are closed all day Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays. The “riposo” (mid-afternoon closing) is often observed in Rome, Naples, and most southern cities. Most shops are closed on Sunday, except for certain tourist-oriented stores that are now permitted to remain open on Sunday during the high season. Restaurants generally open for lunch between 11 and 12 (bars that open for breakfast will open earlier) and close 14:30; for dinner, typically from 18:00 to 23:00, but the exact opening times will depend on the location (larger cities and areas frequented by tourists have longer opening times).
Time: GMT+1 (+2 during summer time)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (the largest and busiest airport in Italy, located 30 kilometres from Rome, capital of Italy), Milan Malpensa Airport (the second busiest airport in Italy, 50 kilometres from Milan, it the main hub in the north of Italy), Venice Marco Polo Airport (connected to the city of Venice by bus and boat shuttle services), Naples International Airport (is located on the outskirts of the city, northeast of the city centre, is the main airport in the south of Italy), Guglielmo Marconi Airport (located in the north of Italy, northwest of Bologna, capital of the Emilia-Romagna region), Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (the busiest airport in Sicily is located south of the city on the east coast of the island), Cagliari Elmas Airport (is located in the south of Sardinia, is the main airport of the island).
The public transport network in Italy is quite good, and incorporates trains, buses, and ferry services around the coast. Italy’s train system (Trenitalia) is a fantastic way to get around Italy. It connects every major city, including high-speed and late-night trains. The high-speed trains service the major cities, while slower intercity trains access secondary locations. But if you are planning on seeing all the major cities as well as the Italian countryside, you may consider the Eurail Italy pass, giving you unlimited train access for whatever duration you choose. For high-speed direct connections between major cities, Italo is a private company offering good service at reasonable prices.
The major cities have metro systems, including Rome, Naples and Milan, all have with very affordable multi-line metro systems that can help you navigate around the city. Tickets can be bought in the metro stations.
The bus network in Italy is one that is growing quickly, particularly the long-distance bus services with companies that provide coach routes in many countries around Europe at very affordable prices, such as Flixbus. Some local buses are different, but your local tourist office will usually be able to help you find a particular bus or route.
Boats and ferry routes in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic offer plenty of connections from and to Italy’s islands and neighbouring countries. The busiest services operate from Genoa, Livorno, and Naples. Services like Traghetti allow you to search for the best connections between several operators. Local boats services also operate for sightseeing and public transport purposes in Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, as well as in the Venetian Lagoon.
Renting a car is a good way for travelling at your own pace allowing more flexibility and the possibility of visiting regions with limited public transport. Be aware, however, that having a car can be a huge headache in major and historical cities, where traffic is chaotic and parking spaces very limited.
Not buying tickets in advance (many popular attractions and activities in Italy either have long lines or sell out completely, especially during peak season)
Boarding a train without valid ticket
Relying only on credit cards
Not checking for traffic before crossing the street
Not planning your visits and checking opening times (many business and attractions close during the lunch pause).
Eating is one of the greatest joys of traveling in Italy, a vivid insight into each region’s culture and traditions. Their dishes are made with seasonal, unpretentious ingredients. Creations like pasta, pizza or gelato have conquered the palates of the world can now be eaten anywhere. However, there is much more delicious treats to discover from Italian food, every region have their own specialities and the menu clearly favours seasonal fresh products. Some other Italian dishes include: “Arancini” (these rice balls are usually filled with ragù, tomato sauce, mozzarella and peas), “Ribollita” (is a famous Tuscan bread soup, a hearty bean potage made with bread and vegetables), “Saltimbocca” (thin slices of veal, filled with salty prosciutto and herb leaves, and sautéed in a pan until the meat is done), “Tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese” (is a traditional Italian dish originating from Bologna, consisting of tagliatelle pasta and a rich ragù made with beef (and sometimes pork) and tomatoes as key ingredients), “Agnolotti” (a variety of Italian filled pastaagnolotti are tender, bite-sized pillows of dough, plump with a creamy cheese, meat, or vegetable filling), “Budino” (there are three main types of budino: crème caramel made with cold ingredients and cooked in a mold in a bain-marie; crème anglaise made by cooking the ingredients in hot milk and transferring them into a mold; and the savory Italian flan variety, made with a base of eggs, milk, and sugar), “Tiramisu” (made of ladyfingers (savoiardi) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavoured with cocoa), “Cannolo” (pastries consisting of tube-shaped shells of fried dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta, a staple of Sicilian cuisine).
Three plug types can be used in Italy, types C, F and L. Plug type C is the standard European plug, with two round pins; plug type F is the earthed version of type C, with clips on the side; and plug type L is similar to C, but with an extra round pin in the middle (three round pins in line). Italy operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
In general, Italy is a safe destination, although accidents, of course, can and do occur anywhere. Food is safe and water in cities and towns potable. It is easy to get a prescription filled in towns and cities, and nearly all places throughout Italy contain English-speaking doctors at hospitals with well-trained medical staff. EU and European Economic Area citizens also have access to free medical care through their EHIC. The EHIC card is free for those who qualify for the conditions. EHIC cardholders can avail free or subsidized treatment, and those who have to pay for it can get the amount reimbursed in their home or host country upon their return. However, your EHIC card will not cover medical care in a private hospital or non-medical expenses like an emergency flight back to your home country or non-essential medical treatment.
For other nationalities it is generally recommended to purchase travel insurance prior to visiting the country, which will cover any medical procedures, in particular if practicing dangerous sports.
Tipping in Italian restaurants is not expected, but is increasingly appreciated as a thanks for good service. A service charge (“copperto”) is generally added to the bill, ranging from 1 to 3 Euros per person. This charge must be indicated on the menu.