100+ Essential Italy Travel Tips: The Ultimate Do’s and Don’ts

Dreaming of cobblestone streets, world-class cuisine, and centuries of art and history?

Travelling in Italy offers all this and more, but knowing a few insider secrets can transform your experience from ordinary to extraordinary.

Your Complete List of Italy Travel Tips and Advice

These essential tips for travelling in Italy will help you navigate like a local while avoiding common tourist pitfalls.

Food & Dining Tips

Do’s

• Eat local and regional specialties – each region has its own culinary traditions
• Try authentic gelato – look for pale, natural colors in metal containers with lids (not bright artificial hues piled high)
• Look for restaurants busy with locals rather than touristy places with photos of food or staff outside
• Order house wine (vino della casa) which is usually good quality and inexpensive
• Enjoy coffee at the bar standing up like a local (and pay less than sitting down)
• Stop at a bar for aperitivo if hungry between standard meal times – get drinks with complimentary crisps, olives or finger food
• Ask waiters about availability before sitting down – walking in without introduction can seem rude and pretentious
• Practice “fare la scarpetta” – using bread to mop up leftover sauce, a dinner ritual in Italy
• Signal to waiters when you need something or when you’re ready to pay – they won’t regularly check on you during your meal
• Tipping is not expected – service charges are typically included in the bill as “coperto”
• Book popular restaurants in advance or show up right at opening time

Don’ts

• Don’t order cappuccino after 11am – Italians consider it a breakfast drink only
• Don’t ask for cheese on seafood pasta – it’s considered culinary sacrilege
• Don’t ask for pineapple on pizza or other non-traditional toppings
• Don’t assume bread placed on restaurant tables is free – check your bill for a charge
• Don’t expect restaurants to be open all the time – lunch is typically around 12:00-2:00pm, and dinner 7:30-9:30pm
• Don’t expect massive breakfasts – Breakfast is usually light with coffee, pastry or sandwich, and maybe orange juice

Transportation & Getting Around

Do’s

• Validate your train ticket before boarding to avoid fines
• Take advantage of high-speed trains between major cities (Frecciarossa, Italo) – most have outlets to recharge your phone
• Consider regional trains for shorter journeys and to save money
• Book first or business class on trains when carrying luggage for more comfort
• Go by train number, not just destination when catching trains
• Consider driving in Italy outside major cities – car rentals can be affordable
• Buy bus tickets in advance at tobacconists rather than on the bus
• Check if you need your hotel to register your car if staying within a ZTL zone
• Get to train stations early to buy tickets and validate them
• Consider city passes to save money on attractions and transportation
• Be prepared to walk more than expected in Italian cities
• Check the expected taxi fare before taking one to avoid being overcharged

Don’ts

• Don’t ignore ZTL zones (Limited Traffic Zones) when driving to avoid fines
• Don’t park illegally – tickets and towing are common and expensive
• Don’t expect public transportation to run on time – build in buffer time
• Don’t stop taxis by sticking your hand out – use taxi stands, apps, or phone numbers
• Don’t speed when driving – fines can arrive months later

Cultural Tips & Etiquette

Do’s

• Learn a few basic Italian phrases – even simple greetings go a long way
• Dress appropriately – comfortable but presentable clothes, avoiding gym wear unless exercising
• Carry a lightweight scarf for covering shoulders and knees when visiting churches
• Greet shop owners when entering and leaving small stores
• Lower your voice – Italians in general don’t speak as loudly in public
• Embrace “il dolce far niente” – the sweetness of doing nothing and the slower pace of life
• Take your hat off when entering churches
• Check if you can take photos before snapping in museums, churches, etc.

Don’ts

• Don’t be entitled or impolite with service staff
• Don’t fall for bracelet scams or “free” gifts – just ignore these approaches
• Don’t leave valuables exposed in crowded areas – be vigilant against pickpockets
• Don’t overuse “Ciao” with strangers or older people as it’s considered informal
• Don’t follow Instagram trends blindly – many viral spots are overhyped
• Don’t eat in restricted public areas in certain cities like Venice

Planning & Preparation

Do’s

• Book major attractions well in advance (Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi, etc.)
• Consider visiting in shoulder season (May, September) for fewer crowds and better weather – It gets very busy and extremely hot in summer
• Consider housesitting as an affordable way to experience living like a local
• Get a local SIM card if staying for more than two weeks to avoid roaming charges
• Check Google Maps street view before driving to accommodations to avoid ZTL zones
• Download offline maps to navigate the twisty streets of Italian cities

Don’ts

• Don’t assume Google opening hours are accurate – businesses may follow their own schedules
• Don’t try to see too much in one trip – quality over quantity is key
• Don’t overpack – many hotels and Airbnbs don’t have elevators

Money & Practical Matters

Do’s

• Carry cash for small purchases as some places have minimum card amounts
• Fill your water bottle at free public fountains rather than buying from vendors
• Visit tobacconists (Tabaccherie) for bus tickets, maps, phone top-ups, etc.
• Keep a few coins handy for public toilets

Don’ts

• Don’t expect to use credit cards everywhere – some small shops are cash only

What to Expect

Regional Differences

• Italy varies massively between regions – in culture, food, and attitude
• Northern Italy feels more ordered and restrained – similar to Central European countries
• Southern Italy is louder, warmer, more expressive – that passionate Italian vibe

City-Specific Travel Tips

Rome

• Book Colosseum and Vatican tickets well in advance
• Use the public fountains for free, clean drinking water
• Visit major attractions early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst crowds and midday heat

Venice

• Don’t eat in public spaces – it’s prohibited to eat and drink (except water) while sitting on monuments, church steps, or in highly trafficked areas like Piazza San Marco
• Never feed the pigeons – it’s illegal and carries hefty fines
• Take vaporetto (water bus) line 1 along the Grand Canal for cheap sightseeing
• Stay away from restaurants located close by to tourist attractions
• Don’t expect Venice to be quiet unless visiting in off-season
• Haggle with gondoliers in Venice and share with other tourists to split the cost

Florence

• Book Uffizi and Accademia (David) tickets in advance
• Pre-book Your Duomo climb (or you won’t be able to do it)
• Visit Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset for panoramic views

Cinque Terre

• Buy the Cinque Terre Card if planning to hike between villages
• Visit in shoulder season to avoid extreme crowds
• Park in La Spezia or Levanto instead of driving to the villages – parking is extremely limited and expensive in Cinque Terre
• Take the train between Cinque Terre towns as it’s much faster than driving

Naples

• Stay alert in certain neighborhoods – especially around the train station
• Try authentic Neapolitan pizza – it’s the birthplace of pizza
• Use as a base for visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast

• Consider using buses or boats rather than driving the narrow coastal roads
• Be prepared for lots of steps – the terrain is very vertical
• Pack water shoes – the gorgeous beaches are mostly pebbly
• Pack water shoes or sturdy sandals – the gorgeous beaches are mostly pebbly rather than sandy
• Stay in Praiano instead of Positano – enjoy similar stunning views at much more affordable accommodation prices (find Praiano hotels here)

Packing Essentials

• Comfortable walking shoes – multiple pairs to alternate between
• Church-appropriate clothing that covers shoulders and knees
• Lightweight scarf for covering shoulders when needed
• Reusable water bottle to fill at public fountains
• Handheld fan for summer heat
• Sunscreen and hat for sun protection
• International travel adapters for electronics (Italy uses Type F or C plugs)
• Small crossbody bag or secure daypack to deter pickpockets
• Travel umbrella as rain can be sudden in some seasons – also handy for shade whilst standing in long queues in the sun
• Light layers as weather can change and AC isn’t universal

Final Thoughts on The Best Italy Vacation Tips

From savoring perfect pasta to navigating ancient cobblestone streets, these Italy trip tips will help you experience la dolce vita like a local.

Ready to start planning your Italian adventure? Check out our related guides:

• Which is Best: North vs South Italy
• Best Medieval Towns in Italy to Visit
• Walled Cities in Italy to Visit

For more expert Italian travel content, explore our blog for everything you need to create your perfect Italian getaway.