Europe
Italy
Easy first solo trip in Europe: fast trains, safe cities and good food everywhere. Expect summer crowds and prices, pickpockets in big cities and slow paperwork for longer stays.
- US travel advisoryLevel 2Exercise increased cautionDetails
- Visa93 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyEURUS$1 ≈ €0.89Details
- Price level69%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English3/5Common in tourist areasDetails
- PlugsType C, F, L230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency112Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe and drunk everywhere; Rome's free nasoni fountains are great for refills.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalRelaxed in Milan, Rome and Bologna, more conservative in the south and small towns.Details
- Internet109 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 85 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightEU licences are fine; other foreign licences need an International Driving Permit alongside. Rental firms check it.
- Digital nomad visaYesDigital Nomad / Remote Worker VisaDetails
Where to go in Italy
38 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RomeCapital city | 4/5 | $2,810–3,940 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 14/100 |
| VeniceCity | 5/5 | $2,700–3,830 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 18/100 |
| FlorenceCity | 4/5 | $2,480–3,600 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 20/100 |
| MilanCity | 4/5 | $3,150–4,500 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 8/100 |
| Amalfi CoastRegion | 5/5 | $3,940–5,630 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 6/100 |
| NaplesCity | 3/5 | $2,140–3,040 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 22/100 |
| Lake ComoRegion | 5/5 | $2,700–3,940 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 19/100 |
| Cinque TerreRegion | 5/5 | $3,380–5,060 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 9/100 |
| SicilyIsland | 4/5 | $1,910–2,810 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 38/100 |
| TuscanyRegion | 4/5 | $2,700–3,940 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 16/100 |
| PositanoTown | 5/5 | $5,060–7,310 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 2/100 |
| SardiniaIsland | 5/5 | $2,250–3,380 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 34/100 |
| BolognaCity | 4/5 | $2,360–3,380 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 23/100 |
| VeronaCity | 4/5 | $2,140–3,040 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 28/100 |
| PisaCity | 4/5 | $2,030–2,810 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 37/100 |
| CapriIsland | 5/5 | $5,060–7,880 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 1/100 |
| SorrentoTown | 4/5 | $2,700–3,940 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 16/100 |
| Lake GardaRegion | 4/5 | $2,700–3,940 | May–Jun, Sep | 14/100 |
| TurinCity | 4/5 | $2,140–3,150 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 28/100 |
| SienaCity | 5/5 | $2,140–3,040 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 38/100 |
| PugliaRegion | 4/5 | $2,140–3,150 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 31/100 |
| DolomitesRegion | 4/5 | $3,380–5,060 | Jan–Mar, Jul, Sep | 5/100 |
| TaorminaTown | 4/5 | $2,250–3,380 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 26/100 |
| PalermoCity | 4/5 | $1,800–2,590 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 46/100 |
| CataniaCity | 4/5 | $1,800–2,590 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 45/100 |
| BariCity | 4/5 | $2,030–2,930 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 36/100 |
| MateraCity | 5/5 | $1,800–2,700 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 50/100 |
| LecceCity | 5/5 | $1,800–2,590 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 53/100 |
| GenoaCity | 4/5 | $2,140–3,040 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 31/100 |
| LuccaCity | 5/5 | $1,910–2,810 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 47/100 |
| BergamoCity | 5/5 | $2,140–3,040 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 34/100 |
| SyracuseCity | 4/5 | $1,800–2,700 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 43/100 |
| CagliariCity | 4/5 | $1,910–2,810 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 39/100 |
| UmbriaRegion | 4/5 | $2,140–3,040 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 32/100 |
| Lake MaggioreRegion | 5/5 | $2,590–3,710 | Apr–Jun, Sep | 25/100 |
| RiminiCity | 4/5 | $2,250–3,260 | May–Jun, Sep | 26/100 |
| CalabriaRegion | 4/5 | $1,690–2,590 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 49/100 |
| AbruzzoRegion | 5/5 | $1,690–2,480 | Jun–Jul, Sep–Oct | 57/100 |
When to visit Italy
April–June and September–October nationwide. July–August is hot and crowded on coasts and in cities. Alps for skiing December–March; the south stays mild into November.
Good to know
Entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Hotels and rentals must register every guest with police, so expect to show your passport at check-in.
- Most cities add a nightly tourist tax at your accommodation, often payable on arrival.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Validate paper bus and regional train tickets before travelling or face on-the-spot fines.
- Driving into a ZTL limited-traffic zone triggers camera fines, often billed later through your rental company.
- Sitting on monuments, wading in fountains or eating on landmark steps can bring fines in Rome, Venice and Florence.
Etiquette
- Greet shop and café staff with buongiorno or buonasera.
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches; some enforce it at the door.
- At busy bars, pay at the till first, then order at the counter.
- Lunch is roughly 12:30–14:30 and dinner rarely before 19:30.
Tipping
Not expected. Bills often include coperto (€1–4 per person) or a service charge; round up or leave a few euros for great service.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal
- Consulate General of Italy in New York: Digital Nomad Visa
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System
- Trenitalia
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.