Practical information Italy

Italy is part of the Schengen area. For French, Belgian, Swiss and Luxembourgish nationals, a valid national identity card or passport is sufficient for a tourist stay of less than 90 days, with no visa required. Canadians also enter visa-free for 90 days within a 180-day period, upon presentation of a valid passport. From the planned implementation of ETIAS, non-EU travelers will need to obtain this electronic authorization online before departure, for approximately €7. We systematically recommend that your passport be valid for at least three months after your return date, even for EU nationals traveling with their passport rather than their identity card.

No vaccines are required to enter Italy. Our team simply recommends being up to date with universal vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, MMR, hepatitis B. A vaccination against hepatitis A can be discussed with your doctor if you plan extended stays in rural areas of the south. There is no risk of malaria, dengue or yellow fever on Italian territory. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country, including in Sicily and Sardinia, unless otherwise indicated. We recommend purchasing travel insurance covering medical expenses: the European Health Insurance Card remains useful for EU citizens and allows access to the Italian healthcare system under the same conditions as locals.

Budget between €110 and €180 per day and per person for a comfortable trip excluding international flights, with 3 or 4-star accommodation included. Major cities cost more: in Venice and on the Amalfi Coast during high season, a 4-star hotel exceeds €250 per night. As a guide, a coffee at the counter costs €1.20, a pizza at a good pizzeria €9 to €14, a meal in a trattoria €30 to €45 per person with a glass of wine. Car rental runs €35–55 per day excluding fuel. High-speed trains Rome–Florence or Milan–Venice range from €30 to €80 depending on how far in advance you book. Major museums typically charge €15 to €25 for entry.

April, May, June, September and October offer the most favorable balance: temperatures between 18 and 28 °C, long days, and sustainable visitor levels. July and August concentrate intense heat in the south, with peaks of 38-40 °C in Puglia, Sicily and the Po Valley, and partial business closures around August 15th. Winter suits Rome, Florence and Venice for crowd-free museums, as well as the Dolomites for skiing between December and March. Sardinia and the Aeolian Islands are best discovered from late May to early October. Our team in Rome recommends booking accommodation several months in advance for May-June and September, which have become the busiest seasons.

Train remains the most efficient way to travel between major cities: Trenitalia and Italo serve the Turin-Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples corridor at 250-300 km/h, with journeys under three hours between Rome and Milan. Tickets purchased three to four weeks in advance often cost under €40. A car becomes essential for rural Tuscany, Umbria, Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia, and the Dolomites. Be aware of ZTLs, limited traffic zones present in almost all historic city centers: non-residents are prohibited from driving in them and automatic fines are frequent. Our English-speaking team systematically provides ZTL mapping and negotiates access when your hotel is located within the restricted area.

Italy ranks among Europe's safest destinations for travelers. The main risk remains pickpocketing on urban transport in Rome, Naples, Milan and Florence, particularly on buses 64 and 40 in Rome, Naples metro and around Termini station. We advise against wearing backpacks in crowds and recommend keeping your passport in your hotel safe. Driving in Naples and Sicily requires concentration: frequent honking and traffic rules often disregarded. Rural regions—the Dolomites, Tuscany, Umbria, Puglia, Sardinia—are remarkably peaceful. In case of any issues, dial 112 for all emergency services, and our Rome office remains available 24/7 throughout your trip.