11 Things to Know Before You Visit Italy

Things Travelers Should Know Before Visiting Italy

Ciao from Venice, Italy! Standing at the Piazza San Marco in Venice, which is well worth visiting, as is all of Italy! Today we’re sharing something you should know before you come to Italy, so you’re better prepared for your Italy vacation.

Language in Italy

Just like in the U.S., everyone speaks the local language, which is Italian here. You should learn some basic Italian language before you visit Italy. However, in such a developed tourist country, lots of people also speak English. If you speak even a bit of Italian, the people are grateful and will really open up to you, so it’s worth it to learn a few key Italian phrases. Check out our video: Visit Italy: Ten Phrases You Need to Know

Currency in Italy

If you’re wondering what currency is used in Italy, it’s the Euro, just like most of Europe. The Euro comes in several bills (500, 200, 100, 50, 10, 5) and the coins here are actually valuable. The 2 Euro coin is worth more than $2, so keep track of them.

There are many exchange houses in Italy willing to change your money, but your best exchange rate will be with your debit card at an ATM. I highly recommend making sure you get a card with a chip, as you will find some places won’t take your card, or you won’t have access to ATM machines at night.

Eating in Italy

Italians love to eat and they love to enjoy the whole dining experience. Savoring Italian food in Italy is a must for any traveler! You should know there are no spaghetti and meatballs in Italy! There are different regional specialties all over Italy, such as bucatini in Rome, so be sure to seek out the regional highlights. Even the bread is different all over. Don’t just eat pasta – the meats, cheeses and wine in Italy is also delicious.

An Italian breakfast tends to be small, like an espresso and biscotti. Italians usually only have one big meal per day, typically at lunch or dinner. A typical Italian dinner will include two courses. When ordering your food, you’ll get a primi piatti, or first plate which is pasta . Then a secondi piatti, or second plate, which is the hearty dish, often consisting of meat. If you are in a group and ordering many dishes, this is how they will come out, so if someone is eating pasta, they may get their food first. If you want all of your food to come out at the same time, just ask them. In the tourist areas, they are used to this.

At the end of the meal, the server won’t automatically bring your check, you have to ask for it. Just say “il conto por favore” and they’ll bring your check. Otherwise, they’ll leave you to sit and enjoy the ambiance post-meal.

A typical Italian dinners starts very late, around 9 or 10 p.m. To get you through the long stretch from lunch to dinner, Italians also have aperitivi, which is an afternoon snack and a drink. It’s usually just a drink and some salty snacks, but it’s a really fun part of Italian culture to experience.

Tipping in Italy

In Italy, you don’t have to tip. If they do an excellent job, so you can always leave a tip if you’d like. However, if you want to do this, you’ll have to leave cash. The credit card slips are not even set up for you to write in a tip on the receipt. You’ll find the service in Italy is fantastic.

Shopping in Italy

You can get some great fashion in Italy, for slightly cheaper than the U.S. However, designer goods are still designer goods, so you’ll pay more for them than other brands, even if it is a small discount from the States.

You should know that stores in Italy often close for lunchtime, from 12-3, especially in smaller towns and cities. Sometimes the banks will also close mid-day and reopen again later. Just to be safe, do any banking in the morning. ATM’s are available 24 hours a day.

Taxis in Italy

Taxis in Italy get a bad rap for ripping off tourists or taking the long route, but they’re not so bad. They tend to be more expensive, though, so be prepared for that. Try to use public transportation in Italy, as it’s very affordable and easy to use. The freccia trains are the high-speed trains, which are a great way to get around the country quickly and easily.

Hotels in Italy

Rooms are small, with smaller beds. A double bed is just two single beds pushed together. If you are coming with kids, ask for a triple so you’ll have an extra bed. The bathrooms are also going to be smaller than what you are used to in the States. Be prepared to go with the flow, and enjoy Italy without worrying about small accommodations. Many hotels will also include a small breakfast.

If you book through hotels.com or booking.com, hotels will often have a city tax. For example, in Rome, we had to pay 4 Euros per person, per night. That is not included it in your normal bill, and the hotels will usually prefer this in cash. When you check in, ask if there is a city tax, and how and when you will need to pay it so you’re aren’t caught by surprise on the morning of your checkout.

Electricity in Italy

In Italy, the electrical outlet is typically the same as the rest of Europe, with two round plugs. Sometimes, though, you’ll see a set of three plugs in Italy. These are the old fashioned ones, but you can still use the 2-round-plug option for these outlets. Your laptops, phones and cameras will have a voltage converter built in, so you only need an adapter to fit the plug.

Safety in Italy

In heavily touristed areas like Venice and Rome, pickpockets are frequent, especially on the Metro and in high tourist season. You need to keep your eyes open. People in Italy are generally friendly and helpful, but just pay attention.

Crossing the street in Italy can be dangerous. Make sure you obey the signals, and stay in the crosswalk. If you get hit by a car and you’re not in the crosswalk, you will be found at fault, not the driver. If there’s no light and you’re trying to cross, make eye contact with any drivers before crossing in front of the car.

Smoking cigarettes is the norm in Italy, it’s not taboo here. They can’t smoke inside, so if you prefer to avoid smoke while eating, be sure to request a table indoors. Outdoors, be prepared to experience second-hand smoke in a lot of places.

Getting Around in Italy

Plan to walk a lot in Italy, it’s not like the U.S. where you hop in a car to go everywhere. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes. Walk in them for a couple of weeks before your Italy trip to get them broken in, and also to get your muscles prepared for the amount of walking.

Toilets in Italy

In your hotel, you’ll have a normal toilet with no differences from what you are used to. However, if you’re out and about, especially driving through the countryside and stopping at gas stations, you might see a few squat toilets. They’re becoming less common, but don’t be surprised if you run into one. When you go to wash your hands and don’t see knobs for the sink faucets, look down. Some places will have a pedal by the floor that turns the water on.

Additional Resources for Planning a Trip to Italy

Check out some of our other videos about Italy: