Italy Travel Guide • Travel Tips

Italy is renowned all around the world as having a crazy, rich history. We are talking about where European civilization started, all with the rise of the Roman Empire and the huge influence of the Roman Catholic Church. Exploring Italy automatically means you will be faced with a history of over 2,000 years, with iconic landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Trevi Fountain, and, of course, The Colosseum.

Italy Travel Facts At A Glance

Language – Italian (34 dialects present)
Population – Around 60 million
Heritage – 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites present
A fantastic food and drink culture

Spanish Steps - Rome — Spanish Steps – Rome

Main Attractions To See In Italy

The Colosseum – The most popular and known ancient monument in the world, a must see attraction of Italy, a huge structure that managed to survive through fires, earthquakes, wars, and riots.
Piazza San Marco – A wonderful place in Venice where you can see the most lavish cathedral of the country, Basilica di San Marco. And you will also surely enjoy some watersports there.
Lake Como – The landscape is simply captivating, a great p lace to enjoy some boating and much more.
Pompeii and Herculaneum – The two sites ended up being buried in AD 79 by a Vesuvius eruption but remains are still present.
Piazza del Duomo – A beautiful attraction in Florence. Make sure to enjoy some food tours when in the area.

Travel Costs In Italy

Hostels – Prices are around 40-50 EUR per night. A private room can go as high as 150 EUR. Prices can double during summer months, and you can expect to pay around 20% more in Florence and Rome all throughout the year.
Tent Travel – A basic plot costs 15 to 40 EUR.
Budget Hotels – 2 star budget hotels cost up to 125 EUR per night, with some basic amenities included.
Food – A pizza or a restaurant meal (casual), is around 25 EUR, with around 10 EUR extra added in the hot tourist spots.

What To Do In Italy

Culture And History

It is enough to mention Rome and you have enough historic attractions present to visit 20 times. And there are also some unusual things you can experience. If you are interested in culture and history, Rome should not be missed. You will get to see landmarks like the ruins of the Eternal City, the Roman Forum, and, of course, the Colosseum.

You can also consider Florence, a city renowned for its art, where you can find “Medusa” by Caravaggio and “The Birth Of Venus” by Botticelli. And, at the end of your trip, you can also consider Venice, which in itself feels like a museum.

Water Sports

Did you know you can swim with dolphins in Italy? And that Sardinia is a fantastic place for people who love water sports? You can enjoy world class diving in Sicily and you can go to the south of Rome for some rafting, canyoning, or river canoeing.

Snowboarding And Skiing

Italy ahs the Alps so it is easy to imagine how much fun you can have snowboarding and skiing in the country. Such activities are available close to Venice, Turin, and Milan. You particularly want to try the Dolomite Mountains and Piemonte for stellar resorts.

Biking And Hiking

All mountain resorts are also perfect for climbing and summer hiking. The Dolomites have spiky, dramatic landscapes everyone will love. We are talking about a perfect destination for hiking. Several fantastic rock climbing destinations are available in Italy and the summer resorts are always welcoming.

If you want to go on a less strenuous hike, consider visiting Umbria and Tuscany.

When Should You Visit Italy?

Italy offers something during every season. So, we can say that you can visit whenever you want. However, this should be based on exactly what you want to experience.

Usually, the official recommendation is to visit the country during spring or during autumn. This is because temperatures are still warm and you can avoid the huge heat of summer. Also, it helps a lot to avoid crowds.

You can definitely visit Italy during the rest of the year, but it can be cold. This is particularly the case when looking at the northern part of Italy.

Getting Around Italy

Italy offers a very good rail system. It is quick, reliable, and affordable. Only the regional trains are slower. In areas where trains do not cover the transport system, you would need to take regional buses. When you want to travel to an island, you can always opt for a hydrofoil or a ferry.

Where Can You Stay In Italy?

Italy gives you access to all the accommodation options you would expect. This includes B&Bs, mountain monasteries, hotels, hostels, rural farmhouses, and self-catering villas. Accommodations are always regulated and the standards are quite reliable. Just remember the fact that you will need to book in advance, especially when referring to the major cities and the very popular resorts.

Things You Should Know Before you Go To Italy

If you eat with locals, make sure to tell them Buon Appetito. And you should never start eating until every single person is seated. It is proper etiquette in Italy to serve yourself last.
If you visit Florence, make sure you do not eat while on the streets. It is illegal around the All’ Antico Vinaio.
Always be respectful as you visit all sites, not just the religious ones.
If you want to pass someone as you walk down the street, say Permesso, which practically means “excuse me”.
The best exchange rates are at banks.
The currency used in Italy is the EURO.
The power supply is standard 220V.
Villages and towns do have a minimum of one ATM but you should still carry cash around.