Italia, the land of mouthwatering cuisine, world-class architecture, and la dolce vita is about to sweep you off your feet. There’s nothing quite like exploring Italy for the very first time! And yes, I might be a liiittle biased as I’m from here, but ask anyone and they’ll tell you the same thing.
The boot-shaped country is just a perfect destination for foodies, fashion lovers, wine enthusiasts, and holiday-goers in search of jaw-dropping scenery. Its rich culture and history, paired with its slower pace of life and magnificent landscapes, make it a unique destination.
Italy can, however, be a tricky country to explore if you don’t know its unwritten rules, which can dampen your holiday experience, especially when it’s your first time traveling to Italy. If you’re wondering what NOT to do in Italy, you’re in the right place.
As an Italian who’s traveled extensively around Italy, I’ve discovered the main mistakes tourists make when visiting the country. From rushing to see it all to not carrying cash, and using data roaming (ouch!) some of them can make or break your vacation.
Luckily for you, I’ve packed this comprehensive article with all the mistakes you should avoid when traveling to Italy for the first time (and the second and third!), plus some useful Italy travel tips and advice.
MISTAKE #1: Turn On Data Roaming To Stay Connected
That will be so expensive! It’s arguably the number one mistake travelers make, unaware that roaming charges can rack you up a bill of hundreds of dollars.
I always, always recommend having data on your phone, though, as you never know when you’re going to need it. I mainly use data to order Ubers and look up information whenever I’m traveling.
But you may also need to find your way out of a maze of alleys (Italy is full of them!), find the highest-rated gelato shop, or make reservations. Plenty of reasons to have that data.
What To Do Instead
So, how can you stay connected without paying the hefty roaming fees? My go-to option is buying an eSIM card.
It’s a cheaper alternative to roaming, and it saves you so much time over buying a physical SIM card at the destination.
On top of that, it helps you avoid the tourist prices at the airport’s SIM card stalls, and potentially losing your home country’s SIM card, as you don’t need to remove it at all.
One of my favorite things about eSIMs is that they’re very easy to install – you don’t have to be some kind of tech whizz as some people believe.
This will prevent any communication issues if you don’t speak Italian. The majority of older people in Italy don’t speak English, so trying to find wifi or SIM cards while you’re traveling can be a hassle.
Don’t Just Get Any eSIM: Meet Holafly
So, should you go and get just any eSIM? Nope! Some are just superior than others and provide you with so much more value for your money.
I’ve been using Holafly for my data needs abroad. Holafly offers coverage in over 197 destinations, providing unlimited data in more than 150 of those locations, as well as high-speed connectivity, and 24/7 support via phone and email.
This sets it apart from other eSIM companies, which limit the data offered and charge more for larger data packages. You’ll be connected for as long as you choose to, without having to pay for unused days, or fearing that you’ll run out of data. It simply doesn’t happen.
Before discovering Holafly, I used another company’s eSIM cards a few times, and running out of data was a real issue.
One time in Uzbekistan my data ran out right before a 12-hour train ride, and since I didn’t have wifi access I wasn’t able to top it up and I was fully disconnected for the entire ride. This wouldn’t have happened with unlimited data!
➤ Holafly also allows flexibility to plan a multi-destination trip with its extensive coverage plans. If you’re going on a Euro-trip, for example, you can get the European eSIM instead of the Italian one, and travel to over 30 countries on that same connection.
➤ A perk that I find extremely appealing about Holafly is being able to hotspot other devices, which is NEVER the case with other eSIMs. This way I can easily pull out my laptop and work for a bit while I’m on the train or a bus.
➤ Another thing I like is that there is no restriction whatsoever on content browsing. You can use your data for Google Maps and WhatsApp, as well as for sharing IG stories, downloading music, and looking up Italian words…among everything else the internet is used for. It’s your personal wifi on the go.
▶️ BUY HERE your Holafly eSIM card.
How To Use an Holafly eSIM
Installing your Holafly eSIM card is very easy. Firstly, you need to make sure your phone is compatible (you can do that on their website!) The next step is choosing your destination, be it a country or a region, and the length of time you’ll need coverage.
You can buy and install your eSIM before your trip, and activate it when you arrive in Italy. All you have to do is scan the QR code you received upon purchase, turn on the eSIM’s data roaming and voilá, you’re ready to go!
There are multiple packages available for your Italian trip, which go from 5-day plans of unlimited data for 19 USD, to 99 days of connection for as little as 1 USD a day. Alternatively, you can customize your plan for a specific number of days, starting at 6 USD.
⚠️ And if your plans change? You can request a refund up to 6 months after your purchase if you decide you don’t need it anymore, so you can buy with peace of mind.
▶️ BUY HERE your Holafly eSIM card.
Use my coupon code EVERYSTEPH for 5% off.
MISTAKE #2: Think You Can Eat at Any Time
Cravings and hunger don’t really know about hours of the day, but Italian eateries do! You’ll be able to find places where you can eat at 5 PM in a big city, but it won’t be the case for smaller cities and towns.
Italian restaurants often open for lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:30 or 3 PM and for dinner from 7 PM till late. In the South, however, many places only open at 8 or 8.30 PM for dinner.
Outside these hours, you might find it difficult to get a meal…let alone have dinner at 5 or 6 PM.
What To Do Instead
Embrace Italian meal times, and plan accordingly so that you don’t starve! If you can’t wait until the late opening time, you can snack (have a ‘‘merenda’’) in the afternoon, or rent an Airbnb where you can cook for yourself.
By the way, smaller shops, especially in Southern Italy, also close for a few hours in the early afternoon. Italians call it riposino, and it’s the time when the workers go home for lunch and maybe even a snooze for a couple of hours at noon.
MISTAKE #3: Wait Till Last Minute To Book Tickets and Tours
In the past, it was easy to just show up somewhere and buy an entrance ticket here and there. Lately, though, people tend to book their tickets and tours for Italy a few months in advance.
I’ve been selling activities to travelers for years and it’s not uncommon to find that tickets for the most popular attractions are sold out even weeks in advance. It can be very disappointing and frustrating if you’ve been planning a trip with specific attractions in mind.
Some of these very sought-after activities include the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, Last Supper in Milan, boat tours from Positano, some specific wine tours from Florence, and day tours to Tuscany.
If you’ve been dreaming of your Italian holiday for some time, you certainly won’t want to miss out on its major attractions because there are no tickets left.
What To Do Instead
To avoid this, make sure you book your tours and activities in advance, especially if you’re visiting in the high season (June to September) when Italy gets very crowded with tourists.
Some good websites I personally use to book activities are Viator, GetYourGuide, and Walks. These platforms allow you to buy entrance tickets and tours months in advance, and offer free cancelation on most of them up to 24 hours in advance.
You can also purchase tickets on the official website, but make sure to check the cancelation policy because many times the government/attraction websites don’t offer the same flexibility as tour platforms do. This way, you ensure your visit while knowing you can cancel at any time if your plans change.
Plus, you get to avoid the long ticket lines. I’ve seen kilometer-long lines (I’m not kidding) to purchase tickets for the Vatican Museums in Rome. Who wants to stand in line for hours under the summer sun!?
MISTAKE #4: Walk Around in Short Shorts and Flip Flops
At the beach, sure! Go for it! But maybe pack something different for the cities. Italians dress pretty classy and you won’t see Italians in the city dressed for the beach.
I always have discussions with my husband who wants to wear flip-flops in Bologna, my hometown. He sees nothing wrong with it, but I do! Clearly a cultural difference.
Besides, if you want to visit churches in Italy, you won’t be allowed to enter in tank tops and short shorts. Dress appropriately, or at least bring a shawl with you to cover up.
Wearing wet hair to a restaurant or even for a stroll around the city is also considered weird and frowned upon. Italians always dry their hair before going out (again, unless you’re in a beach town!)
What To Do Instead
I recommend packing with comfort in mind, but keeping it classy. There’s no need to dress up for your day-to-day, although packing a smart outfit or two can come in handy for dining out or other special events.
You’ll definitely want to pack comfy shoes, though. There’s no way you can walk on heels on cobblestones, and Italian trips usually come with a lot of walking around.
MISTAKE #5: Try and See All of Italy in One Week
Let me tell you. It’s a TERRIBLE idea to try and see all of Italy in just a few days! It will leave you exhausted, probably unsatisfied, and you won’t have really seen anything at all.
I understand that not everyone has plenty of time to explore Italy at a slow pace, as most tourists visit on a short leave from work. If you can’t afford the time to properly travel around the country, I urge you to focus on a single region or two. You could for example visit just Tuscany, or go a bit more off the beaten path by exploring Sicily in depth.
It’s also important to consider traveling times, as well as hotel check-ins, and transfers from the train station or airport to the city center and back. Some travel days could eat up most of a day!
So if you’re moving around too much, your week could disappear between train rides, checking in and out of accommodations, and looking up how to get from one destination to the next.
What To Do Instead
It’s perfectly fine to visit Italy for a week, but one of my most important travel tips for Italy is to make sure you stick to a city or region and go on day trips from there.
I’ve crafted a 2-week itinerary in Italy that can help you plan your vacation. If you’d rather only visit the north, check out also my epic Northern Italy itinerary for 10 days.
It’s also a good idea to explore smaller destinations, such as Bologna or Verona, or even towns rather than major cities. This will allow you to thoroughly visit each location while having time to relax, and enjoy a good meal or espresso without rushing through it. What a vacation should be about, after all!
But if you really, really want to see all of Italy, then I recommend going on a tour like this one. This way your itinerary will be optimized and you won’t be wasting precious time by using public transport.
MISTAKE #6: Don’t Pay Attention to Your Belongings
Violent crime is not an issue in Italy, but pickpocketing is sadly common, and more so in very touristy areas!
What To Do Instead
You can easily avoid unpleasant situations by always keeping your bag closed and on you, and by all means avoid having your wallet in your pocket. That’s the easiest target for pickpocketers!
I recommend investing in a slash-proof bag to carry your valuable belongings.
And although this might seem obvious to some, remember to never leave your bag or other personal effects unattended. Even if you’re sitting in a restaurant or café, especially outdoors, don’t leave your bag on the chair when going to the bathroom.
MISTAKE #7: Stick to the Food and Wine You Know
This might be the saddest mistake of them all, at least for me as an Italian. When eating out, many tourists stick to the dishes they know from Italian restaurants in their country, and only order Chianti because that’s the wine they remember.
So you could be stuck eating pasta, pizza, and sipping the same wine or an Aperol Spritz your entire trip, when the options are so many!
Each Italian region has different food and wines they pride themselves in. The region where Bologna is (Emilia Romagna), for example, is renowned for its Bolognese sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Prosciutto di Parma.
Pizza is a specialty of Naples, while Verona is renowned for its Amarone Risotto and Polenta dishes. Puglia in Southern Italy has a very distinctive cuisine as well, with its Orecchietti pasta, Taralli, and Focaccia.
And while Chianti is delicious, it’s the wine produced in the Chianti area of Tuscany. If you’re traveling in the North, you might as well sip the local Amarone alla Valpolicella or Barolo wines, which are equally good (or better).
What To Do Instead
Make sure to explore the different cuisines and try new things on your trip. You won’t regret it!
Also, it’s a great idea to embrace the Italian breakfast of coffee or cappuccino with a croissant. It’s difficult to find eggs in the morning unless you’re staying in a good hotel, because it’s not what the locals have.
MISTAKE #8: Have a Cappuccino After Lunch or Dinner
Cappuccino is a morning/breakfast drink, not to be drank after a meal. Italians will look at you oddly if you order one after lunch or dinner.
I remember the first time my foreign then-boyfriend met my Italian friends for dinner in Bologna. Once the dinner was over, my friends went on to order a cocktail or an espresso, while my husband wanted a cappuccino. Silence ensued. Then my friends all started talking on top of each other saying he couldn’t order cappuccino, we had just eaten! And he was almost forced to change his order to a “caffè macchiato”.
It might sound like an inconsequential mistake, but remember that Italians are very particular about their coffee habits!
However, it’s becoming more and more acceptable to have a cappuccino in the middle of the afternoon for “merenda”. So, if you’re really craving a cappuccino, wait until the afternoon.
What To Do Instead
You can alternatively ask for a caffè macchiato (espresso with a little bit of milk), that is always considered an acceptable choice.
MISTAKE #9: Carry Credit and Debit Cards Only
Many tourists never carry cash, as they’re used to paying for everything on their cards or phones in their country. However, that may not work out in their favor in Italy.
While legally every shop should accept cards for any amount, this is a new law and I wouldn’t be surprised if shops didn’t accept cards for small amounts.
Besides, you’ll definitely need cash for public toilets, most of which are paid in Europe, and for shopping at the markets.
Also, keep in mind that American Express is less accepted than Mastercard and Visa in Italy, so you could have issues with that even if the store accepts card payments.
What To Do Instead
I advise you to take an extra card if you have it, and to always carry some cash on you, especially coins for the toilets. You can easily withdraw local currency from ATMs in Italy, although you should be aware of your bank’s international withdrawal fees.
MISTAKE #10: Don’t Validate Your Train Tickets
This is one of the most common mistakes for first-time travelers in Italy, and it can cost you a pretty penny if you’re not careful.
Depending on the type of train you’re taking, some tickets require to be stamped in order to be validated.
So many tourists get fined every year because they forget about it! Sadly, holding the tickets in your hand to prove you bought them won’t change anything. If they’re not validated, they don’t count.
Regional train tickets, or Intercity tickets with no date and time printed on them, need to be validated.
If you’re traveling on the high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo), your ticket will be for a specific journey and have a seat allocation on it, so there’s no need to validate those.
Electronic tickets will tell you if your ticket needs to be validated.
What To Do Instead
In most train stations, you’ll find the validating machines right outside the platform or inside the station in very small stations. You simply need to insert your paper ticket, and it will be stamped with the date and time.
If you’re holding an electronic ticket, you’ll find a QR code reader in the validating machine.
Don’t be afraid to ask around when in doubt! It’s better to request help than to end up with a hefty fine because you didn’t know what to do.
Local buses in Italy also require you to validate your tickets, although you stamp those after getting on the bus. Again, ask around if in doubt.
MISTAKE #11: Plan To Visit Museums on Sundays and Mondays without Double Checking
In Italy, many museums close on Sunday or Monday. For example, the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, while the Uffizi Gallery closes on Mondays.
You’ll likely snatch your entrance tickets way in advance, and since they’re timed, this shouldn’t necessarily happen to you.
But many travelers decide to visit anyway in the hopes they’ll get last-minute tickets, or even go explore the city’s free museums only to find them closed.
What To Do Instead
If that’s you, double-check the opening hours before leaving your hotel. In any case, it’s best to keep Mondays and Sundays for other activities if possible, and plan your museum visits any other day of the week.
MISTAKE #12: Go Around and Tell People You’re Italian
Last, this is a pet peeve of mine. There are plenty of people visiting Italy from North America who have Italian roots.
That might be you, and I think it’s great that you’re visiting the country of your ancestors and getting to know our culture. But please don’t go around Italy telling Italian people in English that you’re also Italian. It’s confusing for them, and it can irk people to hear that.
What To Do Instead
If you are, in fact, proud of your Italian ancestry and want to tell people about it, you can simply say “I’m (insert your nationality) but my great-grandmother is from Italy” or “I have Italian roots”. That will spark an interesting conversation without confusing or annoying people!
Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Holafly.
