How to Prepare for your first trip to Italy!

 

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The food, culture, and landscape are all a part of Italy’s uniqueness. If you have never been to Italy before, there are some things that you need to know before going on your first trip! In this blog post we will discuss 37 essential things that every tourist should know about visiting Italy for the first time!

Things to Know Before Going to Italy

Booking & Reservations

One of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors make in Italy? Not booking ahead.

Italy’s most famous attractions sell out — sometimes weeks in advance, especially from May through September.

Always pre-book:

•  The Colosseum,

• the Duomo
• Pompei,
• The Vatican

• Popular guided tours

If you don’t, you may spend hours standing in line or miss out entirely.

Restaurants are the same way. Italians eat late (usually 8:00–9:30 PM), and popular spots fill up fast. If there’s somewhere you’re excited about, make a reservation — especially in Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast.

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Transportation in Italy

Italy has one of the best train systems in Europe. For most first-time visitors, trains are easier than driving.

What to know:

• Book high-speed trains in advance for the best price.

• Validate regional train tickets before boarding.

• Arrive at stations 15–20 minutes early (large stations can be confusing).

Driving sounds romantic — but Italian cities have ZTL zones (restricted traffic areas). If you accidentally enter one, you’ll receive a ticket weeks later in the mail.

For your first trip? Skip the car in major cities.

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Food & Coffee Culture

Italian food culture is different from the U.S. — and that’s part of the charm.

A few key tips:

• Cappuccino is a morning drink. After 11 AM, locals order espresso.

• Dinner rarely starts before 7:30 PM.

• Bread is not served with butter.

• Tipping is not required, though rounding up is appreciated.

• “Coperto” (a small cover charge) is normal.

And yes — you will want gelato daily. No one will judge you.

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Church Dress Code

Italy is a Catholic country, and churches have strict dress codes.

To enter major churches (including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Florence Duomo), you must have:

• Covered shoulders

• No short shorts

• No crop tops

• No short skirts

Bring a light scarf or shawl in summer. It will save you from being turned away.

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Budget & Payment Tips

Italy can be more expensive than travelers expect.

• Attractions add up quickly.

• Budget 20% more than you think you need.

• Many places accept credit cards, but small cafés and markets may be cash-only.

• The currency is the Euro (€).

If you’re traveling in high season, book accommodations early. Prices rise sharply between June and September.

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When to Visit Italy

The best times to visit:

• April–June

• September–October

Summer (July–August) is hot, crowded, and expensive.

Spring and fall offer better weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.

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What to Pack for Italy

You will walk more than you expect.

Bring:

• Broken-in walking shoes

• Sunscreen (high SPF is harder to find than you think)

• Modest clothing for churches

• A crossbody bag (to avoid pickpockets)

And pack light. Many hotels do not have elevators.

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Cultural Etiquette

Italians are warm but direct.

• Say “Grazie” often.

• Greet shopkeepers when entering.

• Be on time if invited somewhere.

• Don’t rush meals — dining is meant to be enjoyed.

Slow down. Italy is not meant to be sprinted through.

15 Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in Italy

Italy is magical — but it’s also one of the easiest places to make rookie travel mistakes. If you avoid these, your first trip will feel smoother, less stressful, and far more enjoyable.

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1. Trying to See All of Italy in One Trip

Italy looks small on a map. It is not small in reality.

Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Milan, Tuscany, Lake Como — trying to “do it all” in 7–10 days will leave you exhausted.

For your first trip, pick one region and explore it well. Italy rewards slower travel.

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2. Not Pre-Booking Major Attractions

If you show up to the Colosseum or the Vatican without tickets in high season, you may wait hours — or not get in at all.

Always pre-book:

• Colosseum

• Vatican Museums

• Florence Duomo

• Pompeii

• Popular guided tours

This one mistake can waste an entire day.

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3. Renting a Car in City Centers

Driving in Italy sounds romantic.

It is not romantic in Rome.

Most major cities have ZTL zones (restricted traffic areas). If you accidentally enter one, you’ll receive a ticket weeks later at home.

Use trains between cities. Rent a car only for countryside destinations like Tuscany or the Dolomites.

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4. Underestimating How Much You’ll Walk

You will walk more than you think. Especially in:

• Rome

• Venice

• Florence

Cobblestones + stairs + uneven sidewalks = tired feet.

Bring broken-in walking shoes. Not cute new ones.

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5. Visiting Only in Peak Summer

July and August are:

• Extremely hot

• Very crowded

• Most expensive

Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are far better for first-time visitors.

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6. Eating at Restaurants With Photo Menus

If the menu has photos and someone outside is aggressively trying to get you inside… keep walking.

Look for:

• Italian menus

• No host outside

• A small crowd of locals

The best meals are often a few streets away from major tourist sites.

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7. Ordering Cappuccino After Dinner

Italians drink cappuccino in the morning.

After 11 AM, most locals switch to espresso.

Will someone refuse you? No.

Will you immediately look like a tourist? Yes.

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8. Expecting Fast Service

Meals in Italy are meant to be enjoyed.

Servers will not rush you. They will not bring the check unless you ask.

Say:
“Il conto, per favore.”

Dinner is an experience, not a transaction.

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9. Ignoring Church Dress Codes

Major churches require:

• Covered shoulders

• No short shorts

• No crop tops

Bring a lightweight scarf in summer so you don’t get turned away.

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10. Not Watching for Pickpockets

Italy is safe — but crowded tourist areas attract pickpockets.

Be extra aware:

• On public transportation

• At the Colosseum

• Around train stations

• In busy plazas

Use a crossbody bag and keep zippers closed.

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11. Assuming Credit Cards Work Everywhere

Most places accept cards — but:

• Small cafés

• Local markets

• Some taxis

may prefer cash.

Always carry a small amount of Euros.

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12. Planning Too Many “Big Sight” Days in a Row

Rome in one day can be exhausting.

Balance:

• Museum mornings

• Slow afternoons

• Piazza time

• Gelato breaks

Italy is meant to be savored.

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13. Skipping Smaller Towns

First-timers often stick only to major cities.

But some of the best experiences are in:

• Orvieto

• Siena

• Bologna

• Verona

• Lucca

Add one smaller stop to your itinerary.

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14. Not Validating Regional Train Tickets

If you buy a regional ticket, you must validate it before boarding.

Look for the small machines near the platform entrance.

Failure to validate = fine.

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15. Rushing Through Italy

This might be the biggest mistake of all.

Italy isn’t a checklist destination.

It’s a sit-in-the-piazza destination. A wander-aimlessly destination. A second-glass-of-wine destination.

Slow down.

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Final Tip: The Smartest Way to Do Your First Trip to Italy

Pick one region.
Book major attractions ahead of time.
Leave room in your schedule.
Eat well.
Walk often.
And don’t rush.

That’s how you fall in love with Italy.

 

Want to know how to spend 10 days in Italy? Check out this post!

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