Italy

Overview

Italy packs enormous variety into one rail-friendly country, from the Alpine north to a southern coastline with big islands. The official tourism portal counts around 40 airports with domestic, international and intercontinental connections, with Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa as the major gateways, and describes a well-developed rail network including high-speed services between the main cities. Climate varies significantly north to south and by altitude: colder winters in the north, milder winters in the south, and warmer southern summers.

Climate: Varies strongly north to south and with altitude: colder Alpine and northern winters, milder southern winters, warmer southern summers.

Plan 8–14 days to see Italy without rushing. Shorter trips work best from a single base; longer trips justify a second region.

Plan & book

Flights, stays and activities for Italy will be bookable here soon. For now, check how Italy fits your budget and dates with the trip finder.

Why go to Italy

• Rated 10/10 for food (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for culture (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for romance (editorial score)
• Higher cost for daily spending
• Works best on trips of 8–14 days

Travel-style scores

• Beach8/10
• Nature8/10
• Food10/10
• Nightlife7/10
• Culture10/10
• Adventure7/10
• Romance10/10
• Family8/10
• Backpacking6/10
• Luxury9/10

These are WhereWeGo editorial scores — our own calibration of what Italy is good for, not an external measurement.

Budget

Typical independent-travel estimates, excluding international flights. Planning estimates, not quotes.

Guidance, not guarantees. Rome, Venice, the Amalfi Coast and peak summer run materially higher than smaller cities and off-season travel.

Flights are not included. We only show flight prices once they come from a live fare source.

Practical information

Language

Italian; English is common in tourism areas

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Power

Type C/F/L, 230V

Safety

Generally safe for visitors; take normal precautions with valuables around major sights

Tipping

Not obligatory; a cover charge often applies instead

Entry

Italy is in the Schengen area. Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

Where to go in Italy

Pick a city or region to see when to go, how long to stay and what it is good for.

Rome

City

Layered history and neighbourhood trattorias.

Explore Rome

Florence

City

Renaissance core, walkable in two days.

Explore Florence

Venice

City

Canal city best seen early and late in the day.

Explore Venice

Naples & Amalfi Coast

Coast

Street food city plus cliffside villages and boat days.

Explore Naples & Amalfi Coast

Milan

City

Design, shopping and a northern rail hub.

Explore Milan

Dolomites

Region

Hiking and skiing under limestone peaks.

Explore Dolomites

Sicily

Island

Greek ruins, volcanoes and street food.

Explore Sicily

When to go to Italy

Highlighted months balance weather, crowds and price for most travellers.

Suggested itineraries

• Rome, Florence, Venice

  10 days

  The classic first trip, by train.

  Route: Rome → Florence → Venice

• Southern Italy

  9 days

  Naples base plus coast and islands.

  Route: Naples → Amalfi → Capri

• Dolomites summer

  7 days

  Hut-to-hut hiking and lakes.

  Route: Bolzano → Cortina

Getting around Italy

• A well-developed rail network, including high-speed services between the major cities
• Regional and intercity trains reach smaller towns
• Long-distance coaches and urban public transport fill the gaps
• Ferries serve Sicily, Sardinia and the smaller islands
• A car is most useful in Tuscany, Puglia and the Dolomites

Major airports

• FCO · Rome

  Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino, a major international gateway

• MXP · Milan

  Milan Malpensa, a major international gateway

• NAP · Naples

  Naples International

• VCE · Venice

  Venice Marco Polo

• CTA · Sicily

  Catania Fontanarossa

Italy guides

• Best time to visit

  Best time to visit Italy

  When to go to Italy: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

• Trip costs

  How much does a trip to Italy cost?

  A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 14-day trip to Italy at three budget levels.

• Where to go

  Where to go in Italy

  Matching Italy's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

• Budget guide

  Italy on a budget

  How to travel Italy cheaply without gutting the trip — daily numbers, cheaper months and where the savings actually are.

• Itinerary

  14 days in Italy: itinerary

  A realistic 14-day route through Italy with sensible stop lengths, travel days and costs.

• Seasonal guide

  Italy in April

  What Italy is like in April: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.