FAQ About Traveling to Italy

1. How much time do you need?

How much time do you need in Italy? The answer to this question depends on what you would like to do during your stay and your budget. If you are planning to see a few cities, spend time relaxing on the beach, and do a small amount of exploring 9-13 days is enough. If you want to get off the beaten path, do plenty of hiking, and reserve a few days for adventures like natural hot springs and a boat tour of Capri, 2-4 weeks is ideal.

2. When should you go?

Italy is an excellent travel destination year-round, but depending on your interests, certain times are better than others.

April-June: The flowers bloom, and the weather and crowds are manageable. It is not ideal for hiking because the alpine snow has not melted, and some hotels and gondolas may be closed in The Dolomites.

July-August: These are the peak summer months in Italy. If you can avoid travelling during this time, we would recommend it due to the high volume of tourists and the sweltering heat.

September-October: This is our recommended time to visit! September is usually quite warm, and there are far fewer tourists. Although it can be cooler in October, and the possibility of snow in the mountains is higher, the fall colours are stunning!

November-March: The weather can be unpredictable in the winter months. With that being said, it’s the perfect time to try skiing in the Alps or explore big cities without the crowds.

3. Currency

The local currency in Italy is the Euro(€). ATMs are easy to access, and credit cards are widely accepted. However, having smaller bills for tipping and bartering at markets is always nice.

4. Languages Spoken

As you would expect, Italian is the most common language spoken in Italy. In the larger cities, you will find many people in the tourist industry who speak English. In smaller towns, however, this is not always the case. Up north in The Dolomites, German is widely spoken.

We highly recommend downloading the Google Translate App. You can take photos of menus, signs, etc and translate them on the spot.

5. Is Italy safe?

Italy is generally considered a safe destination for travellers. The most common complaints are around pickpocketing, erratic drivers and petty scams. Make sure to watch your belongings carefully at train stations and in big cities. Other than that, we felt very safe in Italy.

6. The best local dishes

Pizza: You cannot go to Italy and not try the pizza! Naples is known as the birthplace of pizza, and it is fantastic all around the country. You will not be disappointed, from classic Margherita to Prosciutto or Quattro Formaggi.

Pasta: Pasta in Italy is like heaven in a bowl. You can’t go wrong with any order, but a few of our go-tos include Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, Carbonara, and Cacio e Pepe (cheese + pepper pasta).

Cannoli: These delicious Sicilian pastries are tube-shaped fried dough shells with a sweet, creamy filling made from ricotta. Trust us, they will blow your mind!

Pesto: Cinque Terre is famous for its pesto, making it a must-try when you visit! You can get everything from pesto pasta to pesto-flavoured gelato and slushies here.

Seafood: The seafood in Italy, especially along the coast, is fresh and fantastic. One of our favourite meals in Italy was from a hole-in-the-wall fried fish shop in Cinque Terre.

Gelato: This list would not be complete without Italian Gelato. No matter where you are in Italy, there is a shop on every corner with every flavour you can think of!