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.

  1. Bar Bianco
    02 2 hours

    Bar Bianco

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  2. Piper Club
    04 2 hours

    Piper Club

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  3. Alcatraz
    05 2 hours

    Alcatraz

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  4. LeccoMilano
    09 2 hours

    LeccoMilano

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  5. Red Cafè
    10 2 hours

    Red Cafè

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  6. 10gradinord
    11 2 hours

    10gradinord

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  7. 11 Clubroom
    12 2 hours

    11 Clubroom

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  8. 150UP
    13 2 hours

    150UP

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  9. 1847 Milano
    14 2 hours

    1847 Milano

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  10. 20 - Twenty
    15 2 hours

    20 - Twenty

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  11. 309 Street
    17 2 hours

    309 Street

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  12. 39 Bar
    18 2 hours

    39 Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  13. 3D Bar
    19 2 hours

    3D Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  14. 3D Bar
    20 2 hours

    3D Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  15. 41 Wine Bar
    22 2 hours

    41 Wine Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  16. 55 Milano
    23 2 hours

    55 Milano

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  17. 568
    24 2 hours

    568

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  18. 747
    25 2 hours

    747

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  19. 7's Gio
    26 2 hours

    7's Gio

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  20. 8 Malpighi
    27 2 hours

    8 Malpighi

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  21. 8 Pub
    29 2 hours

    8 Pub

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  22. 94tele
    30 2 hours

    94tele

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  23. AB
    31 2 hours

    AB

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  24. ABC
    34 2 hours

    ABC

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  25. Accentodì
    35 2 hours

    Accentodì

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  26. Acli
    36 2 hours

    Acli

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  27. Adriano's
    38 2 hours

    Adriano's

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  28. Afterline
    40 2 hours

    Afterline

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  29. Afterlove
    41 2 hours

    Afterlove

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  30. AgipCafè
    42 2 hours

    AgipCafè

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  31. Agnese
    43 2 hours

    Agnese

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  32. AgroRistoro
    45 2 hours

    AgroRistoro

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  33. Agua Sancta
    46 2 hours

    Agua Sancta

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  34. Ai 2 amici
    47 2 hours

    Ai 2 amici

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  35. Ai Artisti
    48 2 hours

    Ai Artisti

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  36. Aidan Pub
    49 2 hours

    Aidan Pub

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  37. Ai DiVini
    50 2 hours

    Ai DiVini

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  38. Air Bar
    51 2 hours

    Air Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  39. Ai Santi
    52 2 hours

    Ai Santi

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  40. Akab Club
    54 2 hours

    Akab Club

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  41. Al 48
    55 2 hours

    Al 48

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  42. Al Bar
    57 2 hours

    Al Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Florence
  43. al baretto
    58 2 hours

    al baretto

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  44. Albatros
    60 2 hours

    Albatros

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  45. al Canton
    61 2 hours

    al Canton

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  46. Al canton
    62 2 hours

    Al canton

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  47. Al Cervi
    64 2 hours

    Al Cervi

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  48. Al Chicken
    65 2 hours

    Al Chicken

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  49. Alchimia
    66 2 hours

    Alchimia

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  50. al cicheto
    67 2 hours

    al cicheto

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  51. Alcolico
    68 2 hours

    Alcolico

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  52. Al Confine
    69 2 hours

    Al Confine

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  53. Alex Bar
    72 2 hours

    Alex Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  54. Alla Fonda
    77 2 hours

    Alla Fonda

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  55. All Beer
    78 2 hours

    All Beer

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  56. All'Estremo
    80 2 hours

    All'Estremo

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Florence
  57. All' Ombra
    81 2 hours

    All' Ombra

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  58. Al Mercá
    83 2 hours

    Al Mercá

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  59. Al Tarlo
    87 2 hours

    Al Tarlo

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  60. Alternative
    88 2 hours

    Alternative

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  61. Al Timon
    89 2 hours

    Al Timon

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Venice
  62. Alwine
    92 2 hours

    Alwine

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Rome
  63. Amir
    99 2 hours

    Amir

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan
  64. Amiri
    100 2 hours

    Amiri

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Milan

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.