Italy
Europe · Rome · IT
Italy extends in a long, unmistakable boot shape from the snow-dusted Alps in the north to the volcanic islands scattered across southern waters, a country whose cultural density is arguably unmatched anywhere on Earth. Every few hundred kilometers the dialect, pasta shape, and landscape shift noticeably, as if dozens of smaller nations decided centuries ago to share a border. Renaissance art fills Florence's galleries while ancient Rome's amphitheaters still echo with the roar of long-vanished crowds. The Amalfi Coast drops into turquoise Mediterranean waters through a succession of cliff-hugging villages painted in faded pastels. In the south, cooking remains fiercely local, with recipes passed down through families rather than published in cookbooks. Italy demands slow, attentive travel, the kind that prioritizes a single extraordinary meal or an unhurried afternoon in a piazza over any checklist of famous sights.
Overview
Italy is a country in Europe. Its capital is Rome and the international dialling code is +39. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Italian. Local currency is the Euro (EUR). Our guide covers 4 airports, including Milan Malpensa Airport, Naples International Airport, Rome Fiumicino Airport. We also list 4 cities in Italy: Rome, Milan and Naples and more.
Getting around Italy
Italy's national rail network (Trenitalia and the private Italo) is world-class for city hops: high-speed Frecciarossa trains connect Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples in a couple of hours, and regional trains cover the rest. In cities, use the metro, tram and bus — Venice has no cars, so a "vaporetto" (water bus) is the way to move along the canals.
A "biglietto" (ticket) must be validated at the machine before boarding trains and most urban transport — fines can be issued if not. Driving is on the right, historic centres often have Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL) that charge without a permit, so follow parking signs carefully.
When to visit Italy
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal: comfortable temperatures for walks in Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast, with fewer crowds than high summer. July and August are hot and crowded, especially in the south and the islands; August is a month when many Italians themselves take holidays, so some shops close.
Winter is the quiet season: fewer crowds at the monuments, ski season in the Alps, and the charming Christmas markets in the Alps region. Check the exact religious feast dates (like Ferragosto, 15 August) when many businesses close for a long weekend.
Eating and drinking
Italian food is regional and based on fresh ingredients: pizza napoletana and pasta in the south, risotto and ossobuco in the north, focaccia along the Ligurian coast, and olive oil everywhere. A morning espresso is a ritual — order "un caffè", pay at the counter, drink standing.
Food in tourist hotspots varies in quality; seek a local trattoria off the main piazza, read the "coperto" (cover charge) line on the menu before sitting down, and try a regional wine or a sip of the local liqueur. A service charge (coperto) means tips are small — about 1–2 euros or rounding up to the nearest euro is fine.
Money and local customs
Italy uses the euro, and cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas; small cafés, family trattorias and markets often prefer cash up to a certain level. Keeping a modest amount of cash and a back-up card is sensible.
Italians greet with "buongiorno"/"buonasera" and expect eye contact; a handshake is standard in business. On public transport, validate your ticket before boarding and hold it — there are ticket inspectors. Keep your passport with you, as hotels record guest data for police registration (usually at check-in).
Compare hotels, cover your trip and stay connected.
- Capital
- Rome
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Italian
- Calling code
- +39
- Internet TLD
- it
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Italy.
Which nationalities can enter Italy?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (4)
All airports →Cities (4)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Italy?
For the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina and Australia currently enter Italy visa-free for tourism. Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Italy?
Rome is the capital of Italy, and the country sits in Europe.
What currency is used in Italy?
You pay with Euro (EUR) in Italy. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Italy?
The languages we list for Italy are Italian. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Italy?
The dialling code for Italy is +39 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Italy?
We cover 4 airports for Italy, including Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Naples International Airport (NAP), Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) — and 1 more.
Which cities in Italy do you cover?
Our guide lists 4 cities for Italy: Rome (capital), Milan, Naples and Venice.