What to pack for Italy
Italy has hot, sunny summers and mild to cool winters, with the north noticeably colder than the south. The Alps and Dolomites get snow in winter, and cities like Rome and Florence can be very hot in July and August.
That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.
Pack with Italy in mind
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for churches and religious sites
- Light, breathable fabrics for summer city heat
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobbles and hill towns
- Warm layers for the north and the mountains in winter
Dress code: Many churches, including major basilicas, ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees. A light scarf or shawl is an easy fix.
Start from a full checklist
Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:
- City break packing list · 48 items
- Beach vacation packing list · 51 items
- Wedding guest packing list · 45 items
What to eat in Italy
These are dishes most visitors to Italy will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.
Pizza margherita
Tomato, mozzarella and basil on a thin, blistered crust.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairy
Spaghetti alla carbonara
Pasta with egg, pecorino and guanciale (cured pork cheek).
Contains porkGlutenEggDairy
Lasagne alla bolognese
Layered pasta with meat ragù and béchamel.
Contains porkContains alcoholGlutenDairyEgg
Risotto alla milanese
Saffron risotto made with butter, Parmesan and white wine.
Contains alcoholDairy
Arancini
Fried stuffed rice balls from Sicily, often filled with ragù.
GlutenDairyEgg
Gelato
Dense Italian ice cream.
Vegetarian-friendlyDairy
Tiramisù
Coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone; some recipes add liqueur.
Vegetarian-friendlyContains alcoholGlutenDairyEgg
Avoiding pork? In this list, Spaghetti alla carbonara and Lasagne alla bolognese usually contain pork.
Meal times, tipping and water
| Breakfast | 07:30–10:00 |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 12:30–14:30 |
| Dinner | 19:30–22:00 |
| Tipping | Not expected. A cover charge (coperto) or service charge may be on the bill; rounding up is fine. |
| Tap water | Generally safe to drink |
| Halal food | Limited |
| Vegetarian food | Easy to find |
Breakfast is often just a coffee and a pastry at the bar.
Local chains you will see
Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:
- Autogrill — Motorway and station food stops.
- Rossopomodoro — Neapolitan pizza restaurants.
- Old Wild West — American-style steakhouse chain.
- Venchi — Chocolate and gelato shops.
- Grom — Gelato shops.
General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.
Entry rules for US and UK passport holders
A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Italy. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.
US passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
UK passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Italy?
Generally safe to drink. Tap water is generally treated to a safe standard, though some travellers prefer bottled water for taste. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.
Do you tip in Italy?
Not expected. A cover charge (coperto) or service charge may be on the bill; rounding up is fine.
Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Italy?
Halal food: limited. Vegetarian food: easy to find. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Pizza margherita, Gelato and Tiramisù. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.