Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Italy

A photograph of Italy
Photograph · Timothy A. Gonsalves · CC BY-SA 4.0

Italy holds 62 World Heritage Sites, more than any other country, spread across 301,340 km2 of land that runs from the Alps down into the middle of the Mediterranean. The distances between its cities are short and the differences between them are not: Venice has no roads, Naples sits under a volcano on a bay, Florence fits inside a walkable Renaissance grid, and Milan keeps its art indoors and works for a living. Rome is the capital and the obvious first trip; the argument is always about what comes second. Nearly 800 islands hang off the coast, and Sicily and Sardinia are each large enough to be a trip of their own.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
Italian
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+39
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C, F and L · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

100 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 3651 Museums 1 Places of worship 2184 Nature sites 1770 Viewpoints 315 Food and drink 27 Markets and shopping 356 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 1110 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 1110

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  3. A
    03 1 hour

    A

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  4. Abbot Luigi
    04 1 hour

    Abbot Luigi

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  7. Achilleo
    07 1 hour

    Achilleo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  8. Acquaiolo
    08 1 hour

    Acquaiolo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  9. Adriano
    09 1 hour

    Adriano

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  10. Adriatico
    10 1 hour

    Adriatico

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  12. Agnes Weber
    12 1 hour

    Agnes Weber

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  15. Alba Radians
    15 1 hour

    Alba Radians

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  24. Amoretcura
    24 1 hour

    Amoretcura

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  26. Andrea Orcagna
    26 1 hour

    Andrea Orcagna

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Florence
  27. anfiteatro
    27 1 hour

    anfiteatro

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  28. Anfiteatro
    28 1 hour

    Anfiteatro

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  29. Anfiteatro
    29 1 hour

    Anfiteatro

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  33. Anfitrione
    33 1 hour

    Anfitrione

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  47. Aniene
    47 1 hour

    Aniene

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  48. Animationi
    48 1 hour

    Animationi

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  50. Anna Magnani
    50 1 hour

    Anna Magnani

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  55. Aquaria
    55 1 hour

    Aquaria

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  56. Aquario
    56 1 hour

    Aquario

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  57. Aquila
    57 1 hour

    Aquila

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  62. Archeo
    62 1 hour

    Archeo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  63. Arco
    63 1 hour

    Arco

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  64. Area 35
    64 1 hour

    Area 35

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  65. Ariete
    65 1 hour

    Ariete

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  67. Ars Antiqua
    67 1 hour

    Ars Antiqua

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  69. Art D2
    69 1 hour

    Art D2

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  70. Aruch
    70 1 hour

    Aruch

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Florence
  79. Auditorium
    79 1 hour

    Auditorium

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  90. Autunno
    90 1 hour

    Autunno

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Florence
  91. B
    91 1 hour

    B

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome
  92. Bagnante
    92 1 hour

    Bagnante

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  97. Bazzanti
    97 1 hour

    Bazzanti

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Florence
  100. Being a Frog
    100 1 hour

    Being a Frog

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Rome

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Italy be?

Ten to fourteen days can combine Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome by high-speed train. Give Venice more than a transfer night and Rome several separate sightseeing days; rural Tuscany needs different transport planning from the rail-linked cities.

What entry documents are needed for Italy?

Italy is in the Schengen Area, but visa and passport requirements vary by nationality and route. Use Italy's official visa portal to confirm the applicable rule before travel rather than relying on another Schengen trip.

What is the best way to travel around Italy?

High-speed trains connect Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome, with regional rail and coaches serving smaller places. Drivers must check ZTL restrictions before entering historic centres because access controls are local and can generate fines.

When is a practical time to visit Italy?

April to June and September to October broadly suit the north-to-Rome rail route. Lagoon conditions in Venice, summer heat in Rome, and seasonal rural services in Tuscany should be checked independently.

What money and payment basics apply in Italy?

Italy uses the euro (EUR). Carry a modest cash reserve for small purchases while using cards where accepted, and verify the euro amount at the terminal instead of accepting an unexamined conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Italy?

Italy routes emergency calls through 112. Travellers encounter a 230 V supply and Type C, F, or L receptacles. No tap-water assessment is recorded for Italy; obtain current local advice at the destination.