Food
Architecture
Europe
Italy
Current status
Safe to travel
Safety
Very safe
Italy is generally safe for travelers, but petty theft, scams, traffic, and seasonal weather disruptions are worth planning around. Check current advice from FCDO.
- Watch bags and phones around stations, crowded sights, markets, and busy public transport.
- Use licensed taxis, official ride apps, or clearly marked taxi ranks.
- Follow local alerts for heat, wildfires, flooding, strikes, and volcanic activity around Naples and Sicily.
Emergency
112
Entry Information
Italy is in the Schengen Area. Many travelers can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; others need a Schengen visa. Check Italy’s official Visa for Italy portal.
- Non-EU passports usually need 3 months validity after leaving Schengen and must be under 10 years old.
- Border officials may ask for accommodation, return travel, insurance, or proof of funds.
- ETIAS is expected in late 2026; no action is needed until the EU confirms launch.
Vaccination
No recommendations
Regional Weather
Cold
Snow
Peak Season
Cold
Snow
Peak Season
Cold
Snow
Shoulder
Mild
Rain
Shoulder
Mild
Rain
Shoulder
Mild
Rain
Peak Season
Mild
Rain
Peak Season
Mild
Rain
Peak Season
Mild
Rain
Shoulder
Cold
Rain
Shoulder
Cold
Snow
Off Season
Cold
Snow
Peak Season
Prices
Level 3
Mid-range
$$$$
$$$$
Must Know
Italy can feel mid-range or expensive depending on timing. Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, the Amalfi Coast, and summer beach towns push costs up fastest.
- Smaller cities, inland towns, cafes, and local trattorias are usually better value.
- Book trains, museums, and hotels early for Easter, summer, and major holidays.
Travel Hack
Stand at the bar for cheaper coffee, use regional trains when speed is not critical, and watch for tourist-area menu markups near major sights.
Tipping Guide
Restaurants
10%
Cafes
No tips
Taxis
No tips
Hotels
No tips
Must Know
Tipping is optional in Italy. In restaurants, service is usually included or covered by a small coperto, so rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent for excellent service is enough.
- Cafes, taxis, and hotels do not require a percentage tip.
- Small cash tips are easiest when service is especially helpful.
Pro Tip
Check the bill before adding extra. A listed servizio or coperto means the table/service charge is already included.
Currency
Euro
EUR
US Dollar Rate
$1 = €0.9
Select currency...
Pro Tip
Cards are widely accepted, but euro cash is still useful for markets, small cafes, tips, rural stops, and some local transport.
- Use bank ATMs and avoid high-fee standalone machines in tourist zones.
- If a card terminal offers conversion, pay in euros, not your home currency.
- For euro reference rates, use the European Central Bank.
Traditional Food
Pizza Napoletana
Thin pizza with tomato, mozzarella, and basil
Pasta Carbonara
Roman pasta with egg, pecorino, and guanciale
Risotto
Creamy rice dish cooked with broth
Gelato
Dense Italian ice cream in many flavors
Tiramisu
Coffee-soaked dessert with mascarpone cream
Lasagna
Layered pasta baked with sauce and cheese
Bruschetta
Toasted bread with tomatoes and herbs
Arancini
Fried rice balls with savory fillings
Focaccia
Olive-oil flatbread baked with herbs
Cannoli
Crisp pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta
Power
Italy uses 230V electricity at 50Hz.
Type C
Type F
Type L
Transport
Direction
Right side
Italy is easy to travel by train between major cities, with buses, metros, ferries, domestic flights, taxis, and rentals filling the gaps.
- Use Trenitalia and Italo for high-speed and intercity rail.
- Regional trains and buses are useful for smaller towns, but schedules can be slower and less frequent.
- Ferries matter for Sicily, Sardinia, the Bay of Naples, lakes, and coastal routes.
- Rent a car for countryside, vineyards, and hill towns, but avoid driving into ZTL old-town zones.
Language
Italian is the main language, while English is useful in major cities and tourist areas but less reliable in rural places.
English language level
Moderate
Official
Common
Useful words and phrases
Ciao
Hello
Grazie
Thank you
Per favore
Please
Quanto costa?
How much does it cost?
Dov’è il bagno?
Where is the bathroom?
Il conto, per favore
The bill, please
Parla inglese?
Do you speak English?
Ho bisogno di aiuto
I need help
