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

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Category

Historic monuments 3662 Museums 478 Places of worship 2186 Nature sites 1770 Viewpoints 315 Food and drink 27 Markets and shopping 356 Entertainment 178 Nightlife 2328 Family attractions 14 Art and culture 1110 Activities 17

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours 178

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  2. Luneur Park
    02 2 hours

    Luneur Park

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  20. Cinema Fulgor
    20 2 hours

    Cinema Fulgor

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Florence
  22. Cinema Orfeo
    22 2 hours

    Cinema Orfeo

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Milan
  27. Alcazar
    27 2 hours

    Alcazar

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  28. Alhambra
    28 2 hours

    Alhambra

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  29. Ambasciatori
    29 2 hours

    Ambasciatori

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  31. Andromeda
    31 2 hours

    Andromeda

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  39. Astra
    39 2 hours

    Astra

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Florence
  43. Baby Village
    43 2 hours

    Baby Village

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  44. Brodway
    44 2 hours

    Brodway

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  47. Cinecittà
    47 2 hours

    Cinecittà

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  51. Cineland
    51 2 hours

    Cineland

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  55. Cinema Busan
    55 2 hours

    Cinema Busan

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Venice
  60. Cinema Dante
    60 2 hours

    Cinema Dante

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Venice
  62. Cinema Fiamma
    62 2 hours

    Cinema Fiamma

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Florence
  71. Cinema Nuovo
    71 2 hours

    Cinema Nuovo

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Milan
  85. Colosseo
    85 2 hours

    Colosseo

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Milan
  88. Dark Zone
    88 2 hours

    Dark Zone

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  89. Doria
    89 2 hours

    Doria

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  90. Dumbopark
    90 2 hours

    Dumbopark

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  91. Eden
    91 2 hours

    Eden

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  92. Eden Park
    92 2 hours

    Eden Park

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  93. Eliseo
    93 2 hours

    Eliseo

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Milan
  94. EUR Cine
    94 2 hours

    EUR Cine

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  96. Family Park
    96 2 hours

    Family Park

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  98. Filmstudio
    98 2 hours

    Filmstudio

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  99. Galaxy
    99 2 hours

    Galaxy

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Rome
  100. Giocomania
    100 2 hours

    Giocomania

    • Notable
    • Entertainment 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.