Italy travel tips
18 Things to Know Before Visiting Italy (2026)
Italy delivers more than any single country — but the new ETIAS requirement, tourist taxes in major cities, and specific cultural etiquette dramatically affect your trip. Here are 18 essentials.
01. ETIAS authorization required mid-2025+
Visa-free visitors need it before boarding. ~7 EUR, online, valid 3 years.
02. Tourist taxes are mandatory now
Venice’s day-tripper fee (5 EUR), Florence’s hotel tax, Rome’s city tax all stack on top of stays. Budget 3-8 EUR per night per person extra.
03. Cappuccino is morning-only — for Italians
Order it after 11am at any restaurant and you mark yourself as a tourist. Espresso or macchiato after meals.
04. Pasta should be al dente
Soft pasta = American. Real Italian pasta has bite. If you want pasta cooked more, ask ‘ben cotta’ but you’ll get a look.
05. Don’t eat pizza with a knife and fork in Naples
Fold it. In Rome you can use cutlery, but in pizza’s birthplace, folding is the rule.
06. Lunch is 1-3pm, dinner is 8-10:30pm
Earlier or later = tourist restaurants only.
07. Coperto charge is normal
Most restaurants charge 2-5 EUR per person for bread + cover. Not a scam — it’s standard.
08. Pickpockets are professional in Rome + Naples + Florence
Money belt or front pocket. Especially Rome’s Metro Line A and around the Colosseum.
09. Trains: Trenitalia + Italo are the two main companies
Italo is often cheaper. Both connect major cities with high-speed trains.
10. Driving in city centers is restricted (ZTL zones)
Most major cities have Limited Traffic Zones (Zona Traffico Limitato). Driving in = automatic fine.
11. Reservation systems for Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi, Last Supper
Pre-book online — these sell out in summer. Last Supper especially needs 1-2 months ahead.
12. Tipping is minimal
Rounding up or 5-10% at restaurants with service. Taxis: round up. Hotels: 1-2 EUR per bag.
13. Don’t dress like you’re going to the beach
Italians dress neatly. Cover shoulders + knees in churches (especially St. Peter’s). Avoid flip-flops in cities.
14. Free water from public fountains
Rome’s nasoni (street fountains) deliver clean drinkable water. Carry a bottle.
15. Aperitivo is between work and dinner
6-8pm — many bars include light bites with the drink price (10-15 EUR). Replaces dinner for some Italians.
16. August is when Italians vacation
Many small restaurants and shops close in August, especially the second half. Tourist sites remain open but with smaller-town Italy harder to access.
17. Service charge (servizio incluso)
Some restaurants automatically add 10-15%. Check the bill before tipping.
18. Public transport in major cities is excellent
Rome’s metro is limited (2 lines) but buses fill the gap. Milan and Naples have good metro coverage.