Italy
Italy's draw is the sheer density of it all: the Colosseum and the Vatican in Rome, Renaissance Florence, the canals of Venice, the Amalfi Coast's cliff-hung villages and a different food culture in every region. Fast trains make two or three bases easy, but book the major sights ahead and avoid August's heat and crowds.
Overview
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country, and a first trip rarely strays far from the classic triangle of Rome, Florence and Venice, linked by high-speed trains in a few hours. Add the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii from Naples, the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria by car, or the lakes and the Dolomites in the north. Repeat visitors head south to Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia, where landscapes, food and pace change again. The country was only unified in 1861, and regional identity still runs deep.
Italy rewards slow travel and punishes over-ambition: two weeks is better spent on three regions than seven. Prices in Venice, Florence and on the Amalfi Coast rival London, while the south and the countryside are noticeably cheaper. July and August bring heat, queues and Ferragosto closures, and many coastal hotels shut from November to Easter. Meals follow firm rhythms, with lunch from about 1pm and dinner rarely before 8pm, and coffee is drunk standing at the bar. First-timers are often surprised by how frequently a lesser-known town turns out to be the highlight.
Map of Italy
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Colosseum and Roman Forum
The great amphitheatre opened in AD 80, and the same ticket covers the Forum and the Palatine Hill next door, where emperors built their palaces. Book timed entry ahead and go at opening or late afternoon.
- 2Architecture
Florence's Renaissance centre
Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi's Botticellis, Michelangelo's David at the Accademia and the Ponte Vecchio all lie within a compact, walkable historic centre. Climb the dome or Giotto's bell tower early, before the day-trippers arrive.
- 3City
Venice
A car-free city spread over more than a hundred islands, where the vaporetto is the bus and St Mark's Basilica glows with gold mosaics. Stay overnight to see it after the day visitors leave, and explore Cannaregio and Castello.
- 4Nature
Amalfi Coast
Positano, Amalfi and Ravello cling to the cliffs of the Sorrento peninsula above a road of hairpin bends. Use the ferries and SITA buses rather than driving, and walk the Path of the Gods for the finest views.
- 5Nature
The Dolomites
Pale limestone towers rise above alpine meadows in South Tyrol, Trentino and the Veneto, with cable cars, hut-to-hut hiking and via ferrata in summer and superb skiing in winter. Cortina d'Ampezzo and Val Gardena make good bases.
Biggest cities
Rome
Three thousand years in layers: the Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican Museums and St Peter's, Baroque piazzas and Trastevere's trattorias. Give it at least four days and walk everywhere.
Milan
Italy's fashion and finance capital, with a vast Gothic Duomo, Leonardo's Last Supper and an excellent aperitivo culture; also the gateway to Lake Como and the Alps.
Naples
Loud, chaotic and magnificent, the birthplace of pizza, with a superb archaeological museum and an underground city; the base for Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
Holiday regions in Italy
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Italy
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Rome
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarCarnevale di Venezia
Venice's carnival fills the city with elaborate masks and costumes for around two weeks before Lent, with masked balls in palazzi and crowds in St Mark's Square.
- Mar–AprScoppio del Carro
On Easter Sunday in Florence, a cart packed with fireworks is set off outside the Duomo by a dove-shaped rocket, an old omen for a good harvest.
- Jul–AugPalio di Siena
A bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo between rival city districts, run on 2 July and 16 August after days of pageantry; the race itself lasts about 90 seconds.
How much does Italy cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Pizza napoletana
A soft, blistered base baked for around 60–90 seconds in a wood-fired oven and topped simply with tomato, mozzarella and basil; the Neapolitan pizzaiuolo's craft is UNESCO-listed.
Risotto alla milanese
Rice slowly stirred with stock, butter, Parmigiano and saffron until golden and creamy; in Milan it is classically served alongside ossobuco.
Tagliatelle al ragù
Bologna's real 'bolognese': ribbons of fresh egg pasta with a slow-cooked meat sauce, never served with spaghetti in its home city.
Getting around
High-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains link Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples, often faster than flying; book ahead for the best fares. Cheaper regional trains serve smaller towns. Hire a car for Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily or the Dolomites, but never drive into historic centres, which are camera-enforced ZTL zones. Ferries serve the islands and lakes, and the FreeNow and itTaxi apps book licensed taxis.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CFL230V — bring a UK-to-C/F/L adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +39
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected. Bills often include a coperto (cover charge) and sometimes servizio; leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated but optional.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches, including St Peter's. Greet shopkeepers with buongiorno or buonasera, don't ask for cheese on seafood pasta, and dress neatly for dinner.
- Main airports
- Rome Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci) (FCO), Rome; Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan; Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), Venice
Visas & entry for Italy
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Italy are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat LyssavirusTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Italy
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day · National Unity Day |
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Saint Stephen's Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sun 25 Apr 2027 | Liberation Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Wed 2 Jun 2027 | Republic Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Of Mary Day |
| Mon 4 Oct 2027 | Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Italy |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Italian
| English | Italian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Buongiorno | bwon-JOR-noh |
| Thank you | Grazie | GRAHT-see-eh |
| Please | Per favore | pair fah-VOR-eh |
| Excuse me | Mi scusi | mee SKOO-zee |
| How much is this? | Quanto costa? | KWAN-toh KOS-tah |
Know before you go
- Book timed tickets for the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi and Accademia in advance, and Milan's Last Supper several weeks ahead, as slots sell out fast.
- Coffee standing at the bar costs much less than at a table, especially near major sights. In busy bars, pay at the till first and hand your receipt to the barista.
- If you hire a car, learn the ZTL signs: entering a historic centre's restricted zone triggers camera fines that can reach you months later via the hire company.
Italy travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Italy?
The best time to visit Italy is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Rome range from 13°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Italy cost per day?
Roughly £70 a day on a tight budget, £150 mid-range and £320+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Italy?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Italy use?
Type C, F and L sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Italy?
Traffic drives on the right in Italy, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Italy?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Italy?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Italy before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Italy?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
