You’re finally going on your first trip to Italy! That’s incredibly exciting, and to help you plan better, here are 12 tips to make the most of your time there!
Image by Pexels
Traveling to a new place can be an incredible experience, but it can also be quite scary. It’s a whole new culture after all, with lots of social conventions that are radically different from your home country.
That’s why spending some time researching traveling tips is an essential part of the planning. Each country has its own quirks, and Italy is no exception. Italian people can be incredible, warm, and welcoming, but you are the foreigner there. If you want to truly connect and feel less out of place, then you have to learn their ways.
People who have already traveled to Italy give excellent advice, with information you won’t find in brochures or online. Their traveling tips are helpful for managing your time and accounting for local logistics, and they will also help answer some common questions, like how much time you need in the big cities. Are there alternatives to popular places with fewer crowds? How can I move efficiently from place to place? And so on.
You Might Also Like: What Italy is Most Famous For?
Photo by alexey turenkov on Unsplash
12 Travel Tips for Italy
Pick the right season to go
Choosing the right time to visit is essential if you want to make the most of your travel. Each season has its own unique charm, so choose the one that best suits you.
-
Spring: Great for the mild weather and it’s way less crowded than summer. It’s excellent for taking long walks and hiking.
-
Summer: The high season, so expect it to be overcrowded. It’s the best time to visit the coast and swim in the Mediterranean.
-
Autumn: Beautiful with the fall foliage, so take your camera with you. If you’re looking forward to a relaxed trip, autumn is the best season for you.
-
Winter: Being on the Mediterranean Sea, Italy doesn’t have a very cold winter, except in the Alps and Dolomites. It’s great for practicing winter sports.
You Might Also Like to Read: How Much Does a Trip to Italy Cost in 2025?
Prioritize attractions
Being in Italy for the first time is incredible, and you don’t want to waste a single second not enjoying the trip. But if you try to do absolutely everything and see every landmark and landscape, you’ll end up burning out. So, make a list of the cities and attractions you really want to see, and some optional ones. That way, you don’t waste time visiting places you might not enjoy. Just because some people on the internet said you have to go there to say you’ve seen Italy is not a reason enough to not enjoy your stay there.
Photo by Ray Harrington on Unsplash
Go beyond the big cities
You probably want to travel to Italy to visit the big, famous cities, walk around Rome, take a gondola ride in Venice, or see the museums in Florence.
But here’s a little tip for you. Try visiting the less touristic cities. All the above-mentioned make for a great vacation, but that’s what all tourists think. Instead, head to smaller towns and villages, get to know the authentic Italian culture, and explore more diverse landscapes. Cities like Umbria with its vineyards, Bologna, the food capital of Italy, Cinque Terre with its traditional villages, and Puglia with turquoise beaches are well worth a visit.
For more in-depth information, read our guide to the Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
Photo by Jenny Whitney on Unsplash
Book early, or regret it later
Italy is a popular destination, which means that popular attractions can be hard to get into. Surely you don’t want to wait an hour to visit the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums. That’s an hour of your time you’re not getting back, and there are better ways of spending it. And, if you’re traveling during the high season, the attractions can be fully booked, with no line to enter, nothing. So book early. Get to the official sites now and make sure your ticket includes a skip-the-line access.
- Check out our guide to the best airlines to fly to Italy (ranked from best to most affordable).
Eat like a local
There’s a big difference between Italian food and Italian tourist food. And to eat Italian tourist food, you might as well go to an Italian restaurant anywhere else in the world, so why not go and try something more authentic?
Try the real and delicious Italian food:
-
Follow the locals: Italians love food, and good food. Look for restaurants with many locals, or just ask them for suggestions.
-
Avoid restaurants near big attractions: Not because the food is bad, but it’s going to be expensive.
-
Support small businesses: Try the family-owned trattorias, or the local markets, which have some incredible homemade dishes.
Photo by Jana Ohajdova on Unsplash
Here’s our guide to Italian cuisine made simple:
Learn some Italian
English is quite common in the more touristic areas, but less so in smaller towns. Learning the very basics can help you to navigate and learn more about the local culture, it will also help you make friends!
Some common phrases to know:
-
”Ciao”, “Buongiorno” (Hello, good morning)
-
”Grazie” (Thank you)
-
”Un caffè, per favore” (A coffee, please)
-
” Il conto, per favore” (The check, please)
-
”Dov’e il bagno?” (Where is the bathroom?)
Image by Vecteezy
Get an eSIM
You might need a dictionary or a translator to communicate more efficiently with the Italian speakers, and for that, you need an internet connection. Nowadays, the easiest way to stay connected is with an eSIM, and Yoho Mobile has really good offers for Italy. You don’t even need to arrive there to get one; just buy it online, and it will install directly into your phone. Don’t forget to use our promo code YOHO12 for a 12% discount!
- For a comprehensive comparison, visit our guide on Best eSIM For Italy 2025: Plans, Pricing & Setup
Use the Italian trains
They’re fast, convenient, and scenic! Getting around Italy by train is certainly the most efficient way to do it, and you’ll get to see another side of Italy. The big cities are beautiful, but try enjoying the quiet moments too. Drinking a cup of coffee while looking at the changing landscape through a train’s windows is a nice way to unwind for a bit. Don’t worry, you’ll be at your destination in no time.
Remember that cash still exists
Maybe where you’re from is becoming rarer and rarer to see physical money, and everything is paid with a card. But in Italy, it’s not as common, especially if you’re going off the grid and into the smaller towns. Small shops and cafes, family-owned restaurants, and such usually only accept payment in cash, so bring some euros with you. Or ask before you order anything.
Dress up!
You don’t have to have lots of designer items to dress chic. Just look at the Italians! Get inspiration from the way they dress and try some for yourself. But even if you don’t have a great sense for style, try not to stick out.
Items to avoid in Italy:
-
Flip-flops: They’re fine on the beach, but nowhere else really. They just look indecent.
-
No gym clothes: If you’re not exercising, then leave the yoga pants in the hotel and put on some regular pants instead.
-
Revealing clothes: Especially if you’re visiting a church or other religious site. Cover your knees and shoulders, please, and take off your hat and sunglasses.
Start your day early
As the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. If you don’t want to deal with long lines, terrible crowds, and the midday heat, wake up early. It’s the best way to enjoy all the major attractions, and it will give you the feeling of having more time to explore. Enjoy the freshly-baked bread with a cappuccino before you start your day. Don’t forget to tip and thank the servers.
Final Tip: Embrace “La Dolce Vita”
You’re in Italy, not in your hometown, not in New York, and not in Japan. So follow the local philosophy, and savor every moment. Take your time and live in the present. If you’re in a museum, don’t try to see everything, but enjoy the art pieces and artifacts you have in front of you. When you walk by a lovely piazza, sit down for a while and people-watch. If you’re eating, savor each dish and concentrate on the local flavors. Talk to the locals, even if it’s just to say hello.
Let Italy surprise you, allow yourself time to go off your itinerary, and just walk around the cities. You never know what kind of hidden treasures you can find.