Solo travelling in Italy is on the bucket list of many travellers and for a good reason. The country’s robust tourism infrastructure makes it ideal for solo travellers and there’s no shortage of things to see or places to go. Here, we’ve taken a look at some tips for your solo trip to Italy, as well as the best destinations to explore when travelling on your own.
Is solo travel in Italy safe?
Solo travel in Italy is very safe, particularly in the major cities, though the usual rules of travel safety still apply. Always remember to be diligent with your possessions, especially keeping an eye on your bag/purse in high-traffic tourist areas that may be more likely to be targeted for pick-pocketing. You may also come across scams in major tourist cities like Rome and Florence, but just remember that if a stranger approaches you with something that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you plan on staying in hosted accommodation, female travellers, in particular, should take a good look at the reviews to make sure it’s a safe place to stay, with respectful hosts.
Solo travelling in Italy: tips to prepare
Solo travel can be daunting at first but taking a few small steps to be prepared can help you feel at ease and ready to enjoy your trip. Medical travel insurance is something you’ll hope you never need but you’ll be so grateful for it if you do. A good, but flexible, plan of where you want to go and what your absolute must-see or do things are can help you feel extra confident and excited. Finally, it’s a good rule of thumb for all travellers, but particularly important for solo travellers, to make sure you have copies of all your important documents (passport, visa, etc.) just in case.
Make the most of being on your own
One of the best things you can do when solo travelling in Italy is really focused on the things you can do on your own, and that you wouldn’t normally do if you were travelling with others. Is there a well-known attraction you’d feel obligated to go to with family but aren’t that interested in? Skip it! No one can stop you from spending an entire day at one of the country’s art galleries or museums, or an entire day doing nothing but wandering the streets trying different flavours of gelato. Focus less on what you’re supposed to do on a trip to Italy and more on what you want out of your trip.
Watch also: The best tips for eating alone while travelling
Solo travel doesn’t have to mean always being on your own
If you find yourself wishing you could discuss the places you’re visiting with fellow travellers, consider joining a group tour for part of your trip. Whether it’s a multi-day visit to a city or town or just a couple of hours at a famous attraction, you can meet fellow travellers and learn from locals at the same time. While many locals in Italy will speak English, doing your best to learn some basic Italian before your trip will help you get to know locals, especially in smaller towns. The people you meet while travelling can sometimes be the most unforgettable parts of your trip so don’t be afraid to get social even when you’re travelling on your own.
Getting around Italy
With well-kept roads and a robust public transportation system in most of the country, there are plenty of options for solo travellers in Italy. Generally speaking, if you’re focused on visiting the big cities on your own, travelling by public transport and walking will be easier than getting around by car. Check out the city’s ticket options before your trip to see if you can save money by buying a weekly pass, instead of paying individually for each trip. If you do choose to drive, remember to drive on the right and overtake on the left, and familiarise yourself with the Italian road signs before your trip.
Where to stay when travelling solo in Italy
24-hour hostels are a great option for solo travellers in Italy, especially if you’re on a budget. With many hostels offering private rooms, they’re a great way to meet fellow travellers while still enjoying privacy and comfort. Hosted accommodation, particularly farm stays or similar options can be a great way to have a place to stay and a local guide who can give you insider tips. Hotels will be more expensive and not always worth it when you’re spending your time out seeing the sights, but there might be times on your trip when you really crave the extra space and comfort.
Florence Solo Travel
Florence is a fantastic place for solo travellers to visit as the city’s infrastructure is very easy to navigate. It’s a very walkable city, which also helps solo travellers save some money, partially because it means you don’t have to stay right inside the city centre to get around easily. It’s possible to visit the Uffizi Gallery, take a tour of the city’s gelaterias, or even head outside the city centre to local neighbourhoods like Oltarno without needing public transport.
Rome Solo Travel
Italy’s capital is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, renowned for its historic attractions. Solo travellers will love the way you can blend into the crowd all throughout the city and though you might be travelling alone, with so many fellow tourists, you’ll never feel lonely. Classics like the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum are easily accessible by walking and when you’re travelling on your own you can spend as long as you like exploring these attractions. Of course, when you’re already in Rome, a trip to Vatican City is an easy way to experience something unforgettable.
Milan Solo Travel
Considered by many to be the fashion capital of the world, Milan is a wonderful place to travel on your own, if only because it means you can stroll the high streets window shopping for as long as you want. Milan also has a fantastic nightlife, and solo travellers craving some socialisation will find what they’re looking for at clubs like Corso Como and Garibaldi. Soak up the classical vibes by going out for a night at the opera at the Teatro Alla Scala, considered to be one of the best opera houses in the world.
Sicily Solo Travel
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is home to a host of attractions including archaeological sites and natural wonders. The Valle dei Templi is a fascinating site to visit on your own and you can wander the ruins of temples dedicated to the Roman gods and goddesses. Etna National Park surrounds the famous active volcano, Mount Etna. A great way to soak in the sight of the volcano is to take the Circumetnea train, which makes a three-hour trip around the mountain and, when there isn’t too much volcanic activity, you can hike part of the way up the volcano itself.
Solo travel: Pisa
Pisa is one of Italy’s perfect (and most popular) day trips. Best known, of course, for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, there’s still plenty more to see once you’ve taken your obligatory ‘holding up the tower’ selfie. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a stunning cathedral that dates back to 1063 and Campo Santo is the holy field of the Piazza dei Miracoli, purported to have been built around sacred soil. All of these sites, and a few more, are contained within the Piazza dei Miracoli, so you can easily make your way through them in a day or two.
Excited for your next adventure? Our friends at Where to Go, produced by the team behind the award-winning DK Eyewitness travel guides, are here to help!
Each fortnight, hosts James and Lucy talk to local experts about the destination they have chosen to call their home, exploring their personal connection to the place, what makes it so special and the best things to see and do.
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