Italy travel guide

Italy Tourism | Italy Guide

You're Going to Love Italy

Italy is home to some of the world's greatest art, gastronomy and architecture. Its rich history makes it a fascinating country to visit.

What to do in Italy

1. Walk in Rome

Italy's capital is like an open-air museum. Visit wonders such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is also an easy visit while you're there.

2. Explore the Birthplace of Italian Renaissance

Florence is an essential stop during your visit to Italy. Here you can visit the Uffizi Gallery museum, walk across the Ponte Vecchio, and admire the David statue at Accademia Gallery.

3. Fall in Love with Venice

Who hasn't heard of its magical canals? This is where you can go for a gondola ride, visit St Mark's Basilica and enjoy a Bellini drink at the famous Harry's Bar.

4. Visit Cinque Terre

The 5 coastal towns of Cinque Terre are a must see. They can be visited by train and you can also hike your way along a path with a sea view.

5. Make Your Way to the Amalfi Coast

The magic is in its small towns and the drive along its winding road. Not to miss on the way are the towns of Amalfi and Positano.

1. Walk in Rome

Italy's capital is like an open-air museum. Visit wonders such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is also an easy visit while you're there.

2. Explore the Birthplace of Italian Renaissance

Florence is an essential stop during your visit to Italy. Here you can visit the Uffizi Gallery museum, walk across the Ponte Vecchio, and admire the David statue at Accademia Gallery.

3. Fall in Love with Venice

Who hasn't heard of its magical canals? This is where you can go for a gondola ride, visit St Mark's Basilica and enjoy a Bellini drink at the famous Harry's Bar.

4. Visit Cinque Terre

The 5 coastal towns of Cinque Terre are a must see. They can be visited by train and you can also hike your way along a path with a sea view.

5. Make Your Way to the Amalfi Coast

The magic is in its small towns and the drive along its winding road. Not to miss on the way are the towns of Amalfi and Positano.

When to visit Italy

Italy in January
Estimated flight+hotel price
£200
2 travellers
Flight to Italy
3 nights at hotel
Italy in January
Estimated flight+hotel price
£200
2 travellers
Flight to Italy
3 nights at hotel

The most popular months to visit Italy are the summer months, but if you like to avoid the tourist season, both spring and autumn offer pleasant weather.

How to Get to Italy

Entry Requirements

Travelers from over 60 countries, including the USA and Australia, can enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months.

Plane

The major international airports in Italy are the Fiumicino in Rome, the Malpensa in Milan, and Marco Polo airport in Venice. The main Italian airline is Alitalia. Low-cost flights are available with airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair.

Train

Travel to Italy by train is possible from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, with the most popular lines being Paris-Milan, Geneva-Milan and Zurich-Milan.

Car

If you are driving to Italy, you can cross over from France, Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. To rent a car, you need to be at least 25 years old and have a credit card to your name.

Bus

Affordable bus travel to Italy is available from neighboring countries with companies such as Omio and Flixbus. A trip from Paris to Milan takes around 12h, while from Zurich to Milan you'll need about 4h.

Boat

You can travel by ferry to Italy from many countries across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Greece and Malta. Some of the popular companies include Grimaldi Lines, Minoan Lines, Superfast Ferries, and SNAV Ferries.

Entry Requirements

Travelers from over 60 countries, including the USA and Australia, can enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months.

Plane

The major international airports in Italy are the Fiumicino in Rome, the Malpensa in Milan, and Marco Polo airport in Venice. The main Italian airline is Alitalia. Low-cost flights are available with airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair.

Train

Travel to Italy by train is possible from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, with the most popular lines being Paris-Milan, Geneva-Milan and Zurich-Milan.

Car

If you are driving to Italy, you can cross over from France, Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. To rent a car, you need to be at least 25 years old and have a credit card to your name.

Bus

Affordable bus travel to Italy is available from neighboring countries with companies such as Omio and Flixbus. A trip from Paris to Milan takes around 12h, while from Zurich to Milan you'll need about 4h.

Boat

You can travel by ferry to Italy from many countries across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Greece and Malta. Some of the popular companies include Grimaldi Lines, Minoan Lines, Superfast Ferries, and SNAV Ferries.

Popular airlines serving Italy

Lufthansa
Good (7,199 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,358 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,838 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,679 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (9,005 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,833 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,684 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,570 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (857 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,575 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,948 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,388 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (7,824 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (404 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,322 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,305 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,332 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,241 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,233 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,915 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Italy

Hotels and furnished apartments are a popular option when staying in cities and touristy areas. Hostels are also widely available. For a different experience, try an Agriturismo farmhouse located in a smaller town.

Where to stay in popular areas of Italy

Most booked hotels in Italy

Hotel Plaza Venice
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£57+
Hotel Cristoforo Colombo
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
£71+
hu Venezia Camping in Town
0 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£26+
Mercure Milano Solari
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£99+
hu Roma Camping In Town
0 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£33+
Hotel Da Vinci
4 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
£55+

How to Get Around Italy

Public Transportation

Trains and buses are readily available for short and long-distance travel throughout the country. In addition, an underground metropolitan system and trams are available in both Rome and Milan.

Trains

Trenitalia is the main company and has both regional and fast trains available, while Italo is a company providing fast train travel and operating in the main Italian cities. You must validate your ticket before getting on the train.

Bus

Each city and region within Italy has its own bus system that you can use to travel locally, whereas for long distance, one of the most popular bus companies is Flixbus.

Car

Traveling by car is a great way to discover smaller towns in the country, but you must have an Internationals Driver's Permit to rent a car, unless you already have an EU driver's license.

Plane

Flying is a great time-saving option when traveling long distances. A flight from Milan to Rome will take 1h 15min, whereas a flight from Milan to Catania in Sicily is under 2h.

Public Transportation

Trains and buses are readily available for short and long-distance travel throughout the country. In addition, an underground metropolitan system and trams are available in both Rome and Milan.

Trains

Trenitalia is the main company and has both regional and fast trains available, while Italo is a company providing fast train travel and operating in the main Italian cities. You must validate your ticket before getting on the train.

Bus

Each city and region within Italy has its own bus system that you can use to travel locally, whereas for long distance, one of the most popular bus companies is Flixbus.

Car

Traveling by car is a great way to discover smaller towns in the country, but you must have an Internationals Driver's Permit to rent a car, unless you already have an EU driver's license.

Plane

Flying is a great time-saving option when traveling long distances. A flight from Milan to Rome will take 1h 15min, whereas a flight from Milan to Catania in Sicily is under 2h.

The Cost of Living in Italy

An average meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around €15, and groceries will cost around €60 per week. In the main cities, you can easily pay for services by credit or debit card. However, in small towns it's better to use cash.

Popular cities in Italy