Travel guide: Italy
Whether you’re wondering what to pack, what foods to try, or anything else, our Italy travel guide has you covered.
The basics
- Weather: Fall 50-72° F | Winter 37-56° F | Spring 45-67° F | Summer 61-87° F
- Language: Italian
- Currency: € Euro
- Cash or card: Cash
- Exchange Rate: $1 = €.85
- What that really means: $20 = €17.05 Euro
- What €1 will buy you: An espresso
- € to bring per day: €25
Packing
- Spring/summer packing list: Sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, breathable clothing, something to cover shoulders/knees
- We wished we packed: A quick-dry towel—dryers don’t really exist in Italy. A water bottle—the water they sell near the Colosseum is a robbery, and almost all of the water fountains in Italy have safe drinking water (Trevi not included)!
- We wished we left behind: Uncomfortable shoes. You may want to fit in with all the fashionable Europeans, but it turns out walking on cobblestones is HARD.
- Fall/winter packing list: Comfortable/warm shoes, a jacket, layers, hat, scarf
- We wished we packed: Water resistant shoes, thicker socks
- We wished we left behind: A heavy jacket—it’s really not that cold
Ian Espinosa/ via Unsplash
The food
- Average cost of lunch: €15–€20
- Tipping: There’s really no need. Feel free to round up or leave a euro or two.
- Atmosphere: Food is life. You are encouraged, if not expected, to take your time while eating.
- The best place to have lunch: Any restaurant in any piazza in any city. Definitely worth the higher prices!
- You HAVE to try: Gelato, pasta, pizza, cannoli, cappuccino. I could go on.
- Advice: You’ll have to ask for the bill. Cappuccinos are usually just for the morning. Meatballs don’t exist. Don’t ask for extra cheese. Pizzas do not come by the slice.
Bertrand Borie/ via Unsplash
Everything else
- Total spend on souvenirs: €30–€50
- Coolest thing you bought: Lava jewelry from Pompeii, a bag from the leather market, super cool pants from a local boutique, and pasta (obviously)
- Free time: Go shopping! There’s tons of markets depending on the city, and Italy always has the newest trends first.
- Best cheap/free thing to do: Grab a cup of coffee and people-watch—your feet could definitely use the rest
- Tips/advice: Aggressive Italian drivers are not a myth—be careful
- Best part: That first bite of gelato after a super hot day
Topics:
Destination guide, Italy
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