Italy Travel Resources

Italy can be visited year-round, with well-defined seasons and regional differences.

Spring (late March – June)
Mild and generally pleasant; average temperatures 15-25°C (59-77°F); early spring can
still be cool or rainy, especially in the north.

Summer (late June, September)
Hot and dry, especially in central and southern Italy; average temperatures 25-35°C
(77-95°F); peaks above 28-40°C (100-104°F) are possible, particularly in cities.

Fall (late September – December)
Early fall is warm; temperatures gradually drop; average temperature 10-25°C (50-77°F);
November is typically the rainiest month.

Winter (late December – March)
Mild on the coasts, colder inland, and in the north; average temperature in cities 5-15°C
(41-59°F), mountains below freezing.

Regional differences:
North: more continental (colder winters, hotter summers).
South & coasts: Mediterranean (milder winters, hotter summers).
Mountains: cooler year-round.

Real-time updates: www.meteo.it

Always pack with layers in mind.

Spring: light jacket, sweater, water-resistant shoes, umbrella.
Summer: light clothing, sandals, swimsuit, light sweater for evenings.
Fall: layered clothing, sweater, rain jacket, closed shoes.
Winter: coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof shoes.

Important: for churches and the Vatican, no sleeveless tops, no shorts above the knee.

For dinners casual elegant (no shorts or sportswear).

Italy uses the Euro (€), with coins from €0,01 to €2 and banknotes from €5 to €500 (notes above €100 are rarely used in everyday transactions).

Practical advice:
Exchange money at banks, airports, or official exchange offices.
Withdraw directly from ATMs (Bancomat) for better rates.

Cards widely accepted (Visa, Mastercard).
American Express less common.
ATMs (Bancomat) are available everywhere.

Before traveling, check international usage with your bank and verify withdrawal limits.

Debit cards usually have lower fees than credit cards.

Tipping is not mandatory, but itìs customary to leave an amount close to 10% of the bill when the customer is satisfied with the service received.

Restaurants: 5-10%.
Guides/drivers: €20-25 for a half-day, €20-50 for a full day.
Taxis: no tip expected.
Hotel porter: small tip appreciated.

Cash is needed for small expenses (coffee, taxis, tips); a reference amount is around €300-500, depending on habits.

Average costs:
Light lunch: €15-25.
Dinner: €50-70.

Hotels selected by Fuoritinerario typically include a private bathroom (shower or bathtub), towels (face cloth usually not included), hairdryer, air conditioning, telephone, and TV.

Voltage: 220V / 50Hz.
Plug type: Italian (three round pins).

You will need a plug adapter and a voltage converter if your devices are not compatible.

Adapters are available at airports and electronics stores.

Breakfast is usually light and consists of coffee and a pastry. In local cafés, it is common to eat standing at the counter, while hotels offer more complete options.

Lunch is typically served between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm, and dinner usually starts from 7:30/8:00 pm. Many restaurants close between these services, especially outside major cities. Meals can follow a traditional structure (starter, pasta, main course, dessert), but this is not required. Ordering one or two dishes is perfectly normal.

As a general reference, a light lunch costs around €15-25, while dinner in a local restaurant typically ranges from €50 to €70 or more, depending on the setting.

Special diets – Most restaurants in Italy can accommodate dietary requirements without difficulty. Vegetarian options are widely available, and gluten-free alternatives are increasingly common. It is always advisable to clearly communicate any dietary restrictions when ordering.

The main emergency number in Italy is 112, available from any phone.

When calling Italian numbers, the area code must always be included, even for local calls (e.g., Rome uses 05, Florence uses 055).

To make international calls from Italy, dial 00 + country code. Italy’s country code is +39.

Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, trains, cafés, and public spaces. Mobile coverage is generally reliable. If you are traveling from outside the EU, check roaming conditions in advance, as charges can be high. Using Wi-Fi is often the most practical solution.

Italian is the official language in Italy.

English is commonly spoken in hotels, restaurants, and travel services, especially in cities and main destinations. In smaller towns, communication may be more basic, but it is usually not a barrier.

Opening hours vary slightly by location but follow consistent patterns.

Shops generally open around 9:00 am and close between 7:30 and 8:00 pm. In smaller towns, many close for a break between early afternoon hours.

Banks typically open from 8:35 am to 1:35 pm, with limited afternoon hours, and are closed on weekends.

Pharmacies follow similar hours to shops. Each area has at least one pharmacy open at night and during holidays, with details displayed outside.

Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, and on Saturday mornings until 12:30 pm (larger central offices may have extended hours). Stamps can also be purchased at tobacco shops. Mailboxes are red and located throughout cities and towns.

In case of emergency, call 112.

Public hospitals provide reliable emergency care, while private clinics usually offer faster service at a higher cost. Travel insurance with international coverage is strongly recommended.

In major cities, many doctors speak English, though this is not guaranteed.

Smoking is not permitted in indoor public spaces, including restaurants.

It is allowed in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is generally regulated and restricted to specific zones.

Entry requirements depend on nationality.

For U.S. citizens and many non-EU travelers, no visa is required for short stays. Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area.

If a document is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the police and contact your country’s consulate.

Non-EU travelers may be eligible for VAT refunds on purchases.

To qualify, each purchase must exceed €154,94, and goods must be exported within three months. At the time of purchase, request a tax-free invoice. This must be validated at customs when leaving the EU, usually at the airport.

Italy operates on Central European Time (GMT +1).

Typical differences:
New York: -6 hours.
Los Angeles: -9 hours.

Daylight saving time runs from late March to late October.

On national holidays, banks, offices, and many shops are closed. Museums often remain open.

Main holidays include: January 1, January 6, Easter and Easter Monday, April 25, May 1, June 2, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25, and December 26.

Train travel in Italy is efficient and reliable between major cities, especially along the main high-speed routes such as Milan, Florence, Rome, and Naples.

In more rural areas or regions such as parts of Southern Italy, connections can be slower, less frequent, and may require changes. Trains are still usable, but they are not always the most practical option for flexible travel.

Arrive at the station 20-30 minutes before departure to allow time to check train information and locate your platform. Always check the train number, not just the destination, as trains may continue beyond your stop. Platforms are listed as binario.

Tickets include carriage and seat numbers. There is no checked luggage service, so passengers are responsible for their own bags, which can be stored above the seats or in designated spaces at the end of each carriage. For ease of movement, especially when changing trains or navigating stations, compact and manageable luggage is strongly recommended.

Taxis are available in all major cities, but are usually taken from a designated taxi stand or arranged through hotels. They are not commonly hailed from the street.

You can also use local apps such as ItTaxi, WeTaxi, and AppTaxi, which operate in most major cities.

Main taxi numbers:
Rome: +39 063570 | +39 066645 | +39 060609.
Milan: +39 024040 | +39 028585 | +39 026969.
Florence: +39 0554390 | +39 0554242.
Venice: +39 0415964.
Naples: +39 0810101 | +39 0818888.