If You're Visiting Italy, Check Out These 21 Travel Tips

Follow these tricks to make the most of your trip to Italy.

Hi! My name is Rachel and I'm all about traveling internationally. In the last few months, I've visited Italy, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, France, and London, to name a few — with more on tap for this year.

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Specifically this past summer, I visited Italy (my favorite place in the entire world) and took away a whole slew of lessons from friends and locals that I wished I had known before my visit. 

My itinerary spanned across five cities (Milan, Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Venice) with each one impressing me more the next. I loved it so much that I'm already planning a trip there this summer. 

If you're thinking of planning a trip to Italy anytime soon, here are some tips that you should to know ahead of your visit.

1. Take advantage of the high speed trains.

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If I could have known one major thing ahead of visiting, this would be it. High-speed trains are the key to getting around Italy seamlessly. The best piece of advice I could offer you is the book the trains in advance. Not only do seats sell out quickly, but as you get closer to the date the prices become more expensive, too. It's the fastest (and quickest) way to get around the country so you should absolutely take advantage of them.

2. Book your tickets for attractions in advance to skip the ticket lines.

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The lines can get pretty intense for ticketing and entering main attractions (like the Vatican and Colosseum) so purchase a "skip the line ticket" online ahead of your visit. It'll save you tons of time and make the experience of visiting better overall. It was game-changing for us allowed us to take fully appreciate the beautiful historic sites.  

3. The weather is sweltering in the summer.

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In certain areas of Italy (like Rome and Venice), the weather can get really hot in the summer. Furthermore, in the winter season, it can get cold and snowy. The best thing to do ahead of booking your trip is to make sure to check the weather. This will help you determine what to pack and when exactly you want to visit. 

4. There is so much to see, so don't expect to see it all. Narrow it down to your top priorities.

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Italy is filled with lots of beautiful cities and attractions. It's pretty likely that you won't have enough time to see everything. Ahead of your trip, make a list and do research on the top attractions that you want to visit. You don't want your trip to be *too* packed, but also don't want your itinerary empty either. In my opinion, some must-see attractions were the Vatican and Colosseum in Rome, Duomo in Milan, Piazza Del Michaelangelo in Florence, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa. 

5. Wear comfortable shoes.

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Prepare for cobbled streets and lots of stairs in all of Italy (including at the main attractions). Comfortable shoes (like sneakers) are key to making sure you can walk it all without worrying about blisters. 

6. Pack appropriately.

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Traveling abroad requires a bit of a different packing list than a domestic trip. For starters, you should bring adapters for your plugs to ensure you can charge your devices. You should also make sure to leave hair dryers and other hair tools at home as they may blow the fuse. A refillable water bottle should also be on your list — especially since you can refill it and it'll save you money from purchasing water bottles. 

7. Dress conservatively when visiting holy sites like the Vatican.

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Churches and other holy sites have dress codes that they require you to follow. For instance, the Vatican website advises both men and women to cover their knees and upper arms. Shorts or skirts above the knee, sleeveless tops, and low-cut shirts are banned. Make sure to double-check the official site of whatever site you plan on visiting to ensure you pack something that will be in line with the rules.

8. Say good morning, good evening, and be polite.

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Unlike in New York (where I'm from), people are actually polite in Italy. Saying 'good morning' or 'Buongiorno' and 'good evening' or 'Buona serata' are things you'll hear a lot of your trip. Try to memorize a few words ahead of your visit to help you communicate with others. 

9. Most cities are pretty walkable.

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Most cities in Italy are pretty walkable and you should absolutely take advantage of it. Not only will walking allow you to truly see the city first-hand, but it'll also give you time to explore and learn your way around. In Venice, for instance, the only two options of transportation were to walk or take boats, so it was fun to walk over all the bridges and see the shops up close in the city. 

10. Ask locals for their favorite spots.

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When I was in Pisa, I spoke to locals about Florence. They advised me to visit the Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset, which was one of my favorite experiences in Italy. On your visit, speak to locals and ask for recommendations of their favorite spots to eat and visit. Chances are their recommendations will end up being some of your favorite parts of the trip (like Piazzale Michelangelo was for us). 

11. Allow yourself to get lost.

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Italy is filled with beauty and charm around every corner, so let yourself get lost and experience it all. Leave room in your schedule to just walk around and explore the city — it'll likely be one of your favorite parts of the trip. On my time wandering around Milan, I accidentally came upon Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Duomo by accident, which was a fun surprise. 

12. Some cities need more time than others.

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Some cities (like Venice and Rome) will need more time than smaller cities (like Pisa, Milan, and Florence). Plan your trip around spending time in the cities where you can see more. Truth be told, there likely won't be enough time to see it *all* but having more time in the bigger cities will make a difference. 

13. Be okay with changing your plan.

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My original plan when I visited Italy was to spend the weekend in Florence and only a couple of days in Venice. However, at the last second, I decided to change my plan and spend less time in Florence and more time in Venice. The decision made a huge difference and I ended up absolutely adoring Venice. Things like this are bound to happen on your trip, so going with the flow is an essential when visiting new destinations.

14. Take lots of photos.

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You should absolutely make sure your phone or camera is fully charged up ahead of exploring Italy. Trust me, you'll want to take lots of photos and remember it all. 

15. Head to main attractions in the morning.

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The earlier you head to the city's main attractions, the better your experience at them will be. People tend to visit attractions in the late morning (around 11:30-12) and afternoon (from 12:30-3), so try to head there before or after the busy hours. We visited the sites early in the morning and felt like we had them all to ourselves, which is what made the experience super special. 

16. Spend at least three (or more) days in Rome and Venice.

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Rome and Venice are both very big cities with so much to do. If you're planning on visiting either city on your trip, make sure you have at least three days minimum in each to make the most of your time there. Plus, both cities are beautiful, so I'm certain you'll want to stay in them for longer anyway. 

17. Check the museum schedules before adding them to your itinerary.

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Many museums are closed on Monday, and the Vatican is closed on Sunday, so make sure to check the schedules ahead of your visit. The websites typically list when they are open and closed, so it'll be pretty easy to check in advance. 

18. Be prepared to dine outside in the warmer months.

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Many restaurants don't have air-conditioning in Italy, so be prepared to dine outdoors. It's pretty common everywhere and is fun to sit outside and enjoy the weather. 

19. Keep in mind that Italian food is more than just pizza and pasta (although both are amazing in the country).

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While Italy has delicious pizza and pasta, all cities in Italy have a specialty dish that is worth trying. For instance, Milan has Risotto Milanese, which is made uniquely (and deliciously). In addition, the quality of meat, produce, fish, and more is better in Italy, so you should absolutely take advantage of trying everything you can.

20. Many locals head to aperitivo around 6/6:30 pm and have dinner around 8-9 pm.

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When it comes to dining time, locals have their own unique schedules. Lunch in Italy is typically between 12:30 and 2:30 pm, whereas dinner is typically between 7-9 pm. Follow the schedule of the locals to have the best food. Restaurants that have different schedules are usually tourist traps, so take note of that. 

21. Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

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Not only does Italy have so many incredible souvenirs, but it also has tax-free shopping for those from abroad. You should take advantage of it on your trip. I brought home trinkets, pasta, and more for my family and it was a hit among everyone. Leaving extra room in your suitcase is something you should certainly do when packing.