Planning a trip to Italy and wondering what should be on your vacation packing list? You’re not alone! A lot of travelers wonder how to dress to blend in and avoid looking like a tourist. The key? For us it’s about keeping things simple, focus on comfort, and plan ahead.
After many trips to Italy (and countless packing lists), here are our top tips to make sure you’re ready for your Italian adventure. This Italy vacation packing list will help you pack smart and stress-free!
Tip 1: Check out the weather
First things first, find out what the weather will be like while you’re in Italy. Check Accuweather for the long-term forecast. Search for each of the destinations you are planning to visit, particularly if you are moving between the north and south.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
Winter: Unpredictable! It might be rainy one day and sunny the next. On a recent winter trip to Venice, I experienced fog, rain, wind and sun in 4 days. Pack a winter coat, scarf, gloves, hat, umbrella and sunglasses and keep your itinerary flexible.
Spring/Fall: With warm days and cooler evenings, packing layers is the key in spring and fall. Tourists stand out by committing to shorts and t-shirts from the morning. Locals go out in scarves and jackets, peeling off the layers as the day heats up, and being prepared when it cools down.
Summer: It will be hot! Italians, who are used to the heat, favor breathable natural fabrics and taking things slow. You won’t see them all wearing shorts around town just because it’s hot outside. If you want to blend in, pack long pants, skirts or dresses.
Tip 2: Be culturally aware
Visitors can be surprised to find that churches in Italy have a dress code. If art destinations are on your itinerary, chances are you’ll be going into churches and you’ll need to pack accordingly.
The rules are pretty simple – cover up! No bare backs, arms or legs, and plunging necklines are out. Hats and sunglasses should be removed. You’ll find that some places are stricter than others. If you’re in a small town, you will probably be able to walk into a church with bare arms, while in other places there’ll be somebody at the entrance checking visitors are properly dressed.
You might not be planning to visit churches, but hang on a second! Did you know that some of Italy’s most famous sites, like the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums in Rome and Santa Maria delle Grazie (where The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is painted on a wall) in Milan are still churches?
Play things safe by adding pants or skirts that cover your knees to your vacation packing list. And if there’s anything sleeveless on Italy vacation packing list, carry a scarf or a light cardigan as well so you aren’t caught out.
Tip 3: Take some safety precautions
Like all big tourist destinations, Italy has its fair share of opportunist crime. Violent crime isn’t the norm, but pickpocketing is something to watch out for. With the Jubilee happening this year, there’s been a visible increase in the number of beggars, pickpockets and scam artists targeting tourists. Adding some anti-theft accessories to your Italy vacation packing list, can help avoid losing a morning filing a report with the Carabinieri.
- Pack a crossbody bag. Travelon anti-theft bags are perfect for crowded places.
- If you must use a backpack, wear it on your front in crowds and on public transport and buy some zipper locks.
- Get a phone case with a neck cord. A great security measure and it prevents the accidental loss of your phone on bridges in Venice!
Tip 4: Be prepared for the heat
From June to September, temperatures of 100F/38C or more are not uncommon. And while Italians exercise early and stay inside during the hottest part of the day, tourists often underestimate how intense the heat can be, leading to sunburn or heat exhaustion.
Unless relaxation is the goal of your vacation, a siesta probably won’t fit in with your plans, but try to stay cool by packing these essentials:
- Refillable water bottle (many cities have public drinking fountains)
- Suncream and aftersun
- Sunglasses
- A fan – a pocket sized electric fan is super useful, though locals tend to use old school handheld fans
- Sunhat or parasol
Tip 5: Pack the right shoes
In a country full of cobblestone streets, ancient ruins, and miles of museums, comfortable footwear is a must.
Sneakers or trekking sandals are perfect for exploring cities, visiting museums and exploring ancient sites. Don’t underestimate how far you will walk each day! Italian towns weren’t built for modern transportation and many of them don’t allow non-residents to drive in the center, so bring shoes you can walk in.
If you want to explore some of Italy’s stunning countryside, pack the right shoes. The authorities in Cinque Terre got so fed up with flipflop-wearing tourists needing to be rescued that they decided to fine anyone caught on the trails without appropriate shoes. (Check out the rules and the dress code on the official Cinque Terre website and our guide to visiting Cinque Terre).
Tip 6: Buy essentials when you arrive
Do you really need to pack bottles of shampoo, conditioner, suncream and mosquito repellent? This is all stuff you can buy at a supermarket in Italy, so why make your luggage heavier than it has to be? Instead, get a travel kit of empty bottles, fill them with enough shampoo that you don’t have to start shopping as soon as you touch down and congratulate yourself on all the space you’ve saved👏
Tip 7: Take any medication with you
If there’s one thing you won’t easily be able to replace, it’s medication. Pack any medication you might need and bring your prescription, just in case you do have to get it refilled.
Hayfever suffers! The bad news is that hayfever season in Italy can be long. Between March and June, pack an antihistamine in case your first reaction to Italy is to start sneezing.
Tip 8: Bring a travel adapter
While I’m all about traveling light, a universal adapter plug is one thing you should have handy. Italy has more than one type of plug socket for some reason, which is just stressful. If you don’t have to think about why there’s one type of plug next to the bed, a different one for the coffee machine, and neither of them are the one you need, you’ll be happier!
Tip 9: Buy some wine angels
Are you going to be able to resist going home with a bag full of Italian goodies? Add an extra bag to your packing list and invest in some wine angels before you leave. Many vineyards will ship wine for you, but they’ll still come in handy for any olive oil, balsamic vinegar, limoncello and grappa that you want to check.
