Italy is a country of history, art, architecture, culture, amazing food, natural beauty, and more. It is a country that has mountains, great beaches all over its coastlines, and impressive lakes like Lake Como and Lake Garda.
There are many amazing things to do while exploring the country which include exploring the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon in Rome and riding a gondola through the channels of Venice. Explore the coastal town of Cinque Terre and walk along the cliff trails between them. See the picturesque Dolomite Mountains in the north and see Mount Etna on Sicily.
Italy is a country that every traveler in Europe should explore. Be it a short city trip or a road trip through the entire country – Italy is the perfect destination if you want to have an amazing time!
Be sure to enjoy as much of the amazing Italian food as possible while exploring the country. After all, it is the country of pizza, pasta, wine and gelato.
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Places to see in Italy
- Rome
- Milan
- Venice
- Pisa
- Cinque Terre
- Amalfi Coast
- Florence
- Naples
- Verona
- Bergamo
- Pompeii
Things to know before you visit Italy
Language
The official language is Italian.
A lot of people are able to speak English, so you won’t encounter any issues. However locals tend to appreciate it if you try to pick up a few Italian words.
Currency
The currency of Italy is the Euro.
As of May 2021, the exchange rate for the euro is as follows: 1 euro equals 1.20 USD, 1.56 AUD or 0.87 GBP.
Credit Cards & ATMs
Most places in Italy accept credit cards, but it is recommended to withdraw some cash for smaller purchases like souvenirs or ice cream. There are plenty of ATMs in cities, so it is not hard to find one.
Plugs
The plugs in Italy are type C, F and L. The voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz.
Visa
Whether or not you need a visa to enter the country and how you can get one depends on a lot of factors. Citizens of EU countries, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein do not require a visa if they plan to stay in the Schengen area for less than 90 days within a timeframe of 180 days. You can find out if you need a visa to visit Italy on the website of the Foreign Ministry of Italy.
Safety
Italy has a low crime rate and the biggest issues tourists encounter are theft and scams. Pickpocketing occurs at crowded places, at tourist attractions, and in public transport. Hereby it is rather common in Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Turin, and Catania. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid protests of any kind.
There are several types of natural disasters that can occur. These are wildfires, landslides, earthquakes and volcanic activity. Be sure to turn on the regional warnings on your phone, so you receive a notification if something happens close to you.
While exploring the country, travelers should take the usual precautions. It is a safe destination for solo female travelers.
When to visit Italy
Italy is a beautiful destination year-round, but unless it is a skiing trip, travelers tend to avoid the cold, snowy, and in parts rainy winter months.
The best time to visit Italy is from April to June and from September to October. These months are when it is warm, but there are fewer crowds and it is therefore less expensive.
The months of July and August tend to be very crowded as they are the European main holiday time. Prices tend to be a lot higher. Additionally, a lot of places like restaurants are closed, as the owners themselves are on vacation.
Italy Travel Guides
17 Hidden Gems in Italy that You Have to See
