Carry a passport valid at least six months beyond your planned departure and check visa rules for each Italian entry point—EU, US, Canada, Australia and many others allow visa-free stays up to 90 days; apply for a Schengen visa if required well before travel. No routine vaccinations are mandated for Italy, but ensure routine immunizations are up to date and check COVID-19 rules or testing requirements close to departure as they can change. Review your government’s travel advisories for regional alerts, register with your embassy if available, and be prepared to show return/onward tickets and proof of accommodation or sufficient funds at border control. Keep digital and paper copies of documents and purchase travel insurance covering health and trip interruption for added protection.
Learn a few Italian phrases like buongiorno (good morning), per favore (please), grazie (thank you), and dov’è il bagno? (where’s the bathroom?), and use buongiorno/buonasera to start interactions; locals appreciate even halting attempts at Italian, so practice pronunciation with apps like Duolingo or Memrise and carry a small phrasecard or offline Google Translate for quick help, while listening to common regional greetings (ciao, salve) and polite formal vs informal forms (lei vs tu) will smooth social situations.
Most hotels, cafes and major tourist sites in Italy offer free Wi‑Fi, though speeds may vary outside big cities; rural areas and some trains/stations can have patchy coverage, so enable offline maps. Major cities have good 4G/5G coverage; buy a prepaid local SIM (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre) at airports or shops for inexpensive data and minimal ID paperwork. Use a universal EU plug adapter: Italy uses Type C and F plugs with 230V/50Hz, so dual‑voltage devices are fine but bring a converter for single‑voltage appliances. Keep a portable battery pack for long travel days and confirm hotel charging locations if you need multiple outlets.
Explore local markets like Florence’s Mercato Centrale for leather goods (€30–€150) and foodstuffs, Rome’s Campo de’ Fiori for spices and olive oil (€5–€25), and Venice’s Rialto Market for fresh produce and cicchetti-friendly souvenirs; head to Milan’s Quadrilatero della Moda for designer windows and outlet malls on the city outskirts for discounts (items €50–€500+). Haggle respectfully at open-air markets, check for genuine stamps on leather and gold, carry cash for small purchases, and buy regional specialties such as balsamic vinegar, limoncello, ceramics, and artisanal pasta—expect food souvenirs to run €5–€40 each and shipping/packaging costs if fragile or liquid.
Italy uses the euro (EUR); carry some cash for small markets and rural shops where cards may not be accepted, and check posted ATM fees—ATMs (bancomat) are widely available in cities but may charge foreign withdrawal fees; credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and larger stores, contactless payments and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are increasingly common, and exchange rates at airports and tourist bureaux are usually worse than bank/ATM rates so withdraw euros from ATMs or use a card with low foreign transaction fees.
Italy is generally safe but watch pickpockets in crowded tourist hubs like Rome, Florence and on trains; keep valuables in front pockets or a money belt and be alert on public transit and at major attractions. Respect local customs—dress modestly in churches, greet with a polite buongiorno/buonasera, and avoid loud behavior late at night. Steer clear of poorly lit or deserted areas after dark, be cautious around demonstrations, and use licensed taxis or reputable apps at night. Carry photocopies of documents, have emergency numbers saved, and trust your instincts—if a situation feels off, leave and seek help from police or your accommodation.
Italians value politeness, so greet with buongiorno/buonasera and use formal titles with older people; dress modestly when visiting churches (shoulders and knees covered) and opt for smart-casual attire in city centers and nicer restaurants. Hand gestures and warm, animated conversation are common—keep tone friendly but avoid loud, confrontational behavior in public. Tipping is modest: rounding up or leaving 5–10% in restaurants is appreciated but not obligatory, small change for baristas and taxi drivers is fine, and cover charges (coperto) are often added. Be punctual for guided tours, ask permission before photographing people in informal settings, and try a few Italian phrases—it goes a long way toward goodwill.
Italy has high-quality public and private hospitals in cities and major tourist areas; urgent care and emergency departments (pronto soccorso) are reliable but can be busy, and many doctors speak some English in tourist hubs. Pharmacies (farmacia) are widespread, often open daytime with rotating night shifts and a posted emergency schedule, and pharmacists can advise on common ailments and over-the-counter meds. Carry your EHIC/GHIC if eligible or comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation and private care, keep prescriptions in original packaging with a doctor’s note, and save local emergency numbers (112) and your insurer’s contact for quicker assistance.