Italy
Post-pandemic travel advice
Coronavirus has changed the way we view travel. Click here to read the latest safety tips and advice.
Details
Before visiting any country make sure you know the basics. General details and important information.
- Police 112
- Fire 115
- Medical 118
- Language: Italian
- Currency: Euro
- Capital City: Rome
- Country Code: IT
- Travel Visa: None required
- Population: 60,720,000
- Driving: Right hand side
Risk Level
Researching various official sources, we perceive the risk to holiday makers and travellers are as follows;
Travellers Tips
Top travel advice and interesting tip bits of information from experienced travellers.
Italy
What are the most common crimes in Italy?
One of the most common methods of theft is the use of the scooter. You should be especially wary where you see a passenger on the back since they fly past and whip bags from shoulders, which can often lead to the victim being injured if they are dragged to the ground. If you happen to hear a scooter approaching then simply turn around and watch it to minimise the risk of this happening.
What are the top safety tips for Italy?
Avoid walking alone at night and keep your bag to a size you can manage easily, if you look like you are struggling you can make yourself a target to opportunists. Look confident as you travel from place to place, looking like you know where your going can help to keep you safe and ward off undesirable attention.
Keep your luggage close at hand at all times and in sight if possible. Do not have your name or address visible on any tags and never leave your luggage unattended. If travelling in a big city study the public transport system, its the quickest way to get around but can be confusing.
What’s the best time to travel to Italy?
The winters can be low temperatures but mind, the summer months are when most tourists choose to visit and usually expect good weather.
- Spring 16
- Summer 23
- Autumn 18
- Winter 6
Are there any customs & traditions in the Italy?
When in a restaurant it is seen as an ‘art’ to eat food so it should be done slowly and enjoyed. Therefore waiters do not come over to give you your bill as it is seen as though they are forcing you out of the restaurant, which they do not want to do. So you will have to ask for your bill.
When you’re introduced to an Italian, you should say ‘good day’ ( buongiorno) and shake hands. ‘Hello’ ( ciao) is used among close friends and young people, but it isn’t considered polite when addressing strangers unless they use it first. Women may find that some men kiss their hand, although this is rare nowadays.
When meeting Italian family and friends usually kiss on both cheeks – first on the right cheek, then on the left. It’s also common for Italians to embrace each other.
Towns & Cities
Safer TravelSan Gimignano
Read moreSan Gimignano is an Italian hill town in Tuscany, southwest of Florence. Encircled by 13th-century walls, it is famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and towers that rise above of all the other buildings offering an impressive view of the city from the surrounding valley.
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Safer TravelTurin
Read moreTurin is the capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy, known for its refined architecture and cuisine. The Alps rise to the northwest of the city. The city has a rich culture and history, known for its numerous art galleries, restaurants, churches and other venues.
Safer TravelNaples
Read moreNaples, a city in southern Italy, sits on the Bay of Naples. Nearby is Mount Vesuvius, the still-active volcano that destroyed nearby Roman town Pompeii. Dating to the 2nd millennium B.C., Naples has centuries of important art and architecture.
Safer TravelFlorence
Read moreFlorence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. Florence plays an important role in Italian fashion and is ranked in the top 15 fashion capitals of the world by Global Language Monitor.
Safer TravelVenice
Read moreVenice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces.
Safer TravelMilan
Read moreMilan, a metropolis in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, is a global capital of fashion and design. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper,” testify to centuries of art and culture.
Safer TravelRome
Read moreRome is the capital city and a special commune of Italy as well as the capital of the Lazio region. The city has been a major human settlement for over two millennia.