5 Useful Tips for Your Trip to Italy

Useful tips are everywhere, especially travel ones. Traveling through Italy is always an adventure—beautiful, delicious, and occasionally unpredictable. After spending so much time here, we’ve picked up a few practical lessons that make each trip smoother (and sometimes save the day). Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, these five tips will help you travel smarter, stay comfortable, and enjoy Italy the way Italians do. And if you’re hungry for more advice, use the search bar on our main page—you’ll find plenty of other posts packed with travel tips, from train travel to dining like a local.

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1.  Bring or Not To Bring – – That is the question!

For Short-Term Stays

Packing for me is such a nightmare. I’m not going to talk about clothes here; we have lots of separate posts about that. But if you’re coming to Italy for a week or two, you can keep it simple. Most essentials—like toiletries, towels, and hair dryers—are easy to find in local stores or provided in hotels and vacation rentals.

Still, a few small items make travel smoother:

• Universal plug adapter – Italy uses Type C, F, and L plugs; having a universal one saves you frustration.
• Crossbody bag that zips – Pickpockets love distracted tourists. Keep it zipped and in front of you.
• Reusable water bottle – Many towns have fresh, free public fountains (fontanelle).
• Small umbrella or rain jacket – Especially useful in spring and fall.
• Comfortable shoes – Cobblestones look romantic until you walk ten miles on them.

You can buy most things in Italy if you forget something—but prices can be higher, and familiar brands might not be available.

For Longer Stays (a month or more)

If you’re planning a longer visit—or living like a local for a while—you’ll quickly realize not every Italian apartment is equipped like home. Here are the “creature comforts” we always pack for our 90-day stays:

• Measuring cups and spoons – Italians rarely use them, and they’re hard to find in shops.
• Ice cube trays – Don’t assume they’ll be in your freezer; disposable bags exist but are messy.
• Ziplock bags (various sizes) – Great for leftovers, laundry soap, or even storing receipts.
• Microfiber towels – Fast-drying and handy for beach days or quick cleanups.
• Small dressing container – Italians use only olive oil and vinegar for salads. If you like to mix mustard, lemon, or herbs, bring a small leakproof bottle.
• Travel-sized power strip – Outlets can be scarce; this saves arguments over who gets to charge what.

2.  August in Italy

Here’s the truth: August in Italy is hot, crowded, and, depending on where you go, half-closed. Italians take their summer holidays seriously—many small shops, family-run restaurants, and local services shut down for Ferragosto (mid-August).

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come, just plan smart:

• Coastal areas (like the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre) will be packed—book early.
• Big cities (Rome, Florence, Milan) stay open but can feel like ovens. Visit museums early in the day and take long lunch breaks indoors.
• Hill towns and mountains are cooler and less crowded—a perfect escape.

Check opening hours in advance and be ready for adjusted schedules. Italians embrace a slower rhythm in August; it’s part of the charm if you lean into it.

3.  Traveling by Train

Trains in Italy are one of the best ways to get around—affordable, comfortable, and scenic. High-speed trains like Frecciarossa and Italo connect major cities quickly, while regional trains reach smaller towns. A few pointers:

• Buy tickets online in advance for high-speed routes—prices can be up to 80% cheaper when booked early through Trenitalia or Italo.
• Regional trains are more flexible; you can buy tickets at the station and use them within a certain window.
• Validate your ticket before boarding. Look for the small machines (usually yellow or green). Slide your paper ticket in until you hear a “click.” That stamp time-validates your ride.
• Digital tickets (from the app or email) don’t need stamping—just show the QR code.

Same goes for buses—validate your ticket as soon as you board. Inspectors do spot checks, and fines are steep and immediate.

4.  Entrance Tickets to Museums

Italy’s museums and landmarks are worth every minute—but don’t waste those minutes standing in line. Pre-book entry times whenever possible.

At places like the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Vatican Museums, or the Colosseum in Rome, online reservations save hours. You simply show your receipt, pick up your tickets, and walk right in.

If you’re unsure where to start, travel guides like Rick Steves and apps like GetYourGuide make it easy to plan and book ahead. Some even offer combo tickets or skip-the-line passes that include audio tours. Your vacation time is precious—spend it inside the museum, not sweating outside it.

5.  Document Backup

This might be the most important tip of all. Losing travel documents can ruin a trip, so prepare for it before you go. Here’s what we do:

• Photograph or scan everything—passports, visas, driver’s licenses, travel insurance, and emergency contacts. Store them on your phone, a thumb drive, and the cloud.
• Keep digital and paper copies of each other’s passports in case you’re separated.
• Make a simple PDF listing embassy contacts, police numbers, and hospitals for every city you’ll visit.
• Carry your passports when you’re out and about—Italian police sometimes do random checks, and it’s easier to show them on the spot than explain they’re in your hotel room.

It’s a small effort that can save you a big headache later.

Bonus: Plan Like a Pro

 

Finally…

_{Editor’s Note: This post was initially published in June 2018 and was recently updated in October 2025 for accuracy and additional information.}