How To Visit Italy On A Budget – We’ve got everything you need to know about traveling to Italy. Our travel guide is packed with insider tips on the best destinations, hotels, restaurants and attractions in all of Italy’s most popular cities and beyond. Whether you want to visit Rome or Venice, see the Colosseum or climb Mount Vesuvius, we’ve got you covered.
It’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with this beautiful country during your visit. In fact, it is one of our favorite countries in Europe. With our Italy travel guide by your side, there’s nothing stopping you from having an amazing time on your Italian adventure.
How To Visit Italy On A Budget
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Italy is located in South-Central Europe. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the northeast, the Adriatic Sea to the southeast, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the southwest, and the Ligurian Sea to the northwest.
It is home to the Alps to the north and separates Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Except for Switzerland, it is surrounded by Euro countries, and all of them are Schengen countries and follow the Schengen agreement.
🗸 So if you need a Schengen visa for most European countries, you need one for Italy too.
🗸 No travel visa is required for US and Canadian citizens. US and Canadian passport holders can enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourism purposes without a visa.
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Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. It is home to a total of 77 airports.
There are nine major international airports at various locations across the country. They serve major cities and sister cities.
Italy’s capital, Rome, and its largest city, Milan, are well connected to other European cities, with direct flights from airports in North America, Asia and elsewhere.
Both Rome and Milan have a variety of flight options. After reaching any city, you can connect to other destinations by high speed or regional trains.
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Italy is diverse, and therefore temperature differences are to be expected when traveling from the cities to the coast, from the north to the south of the country.
🗸 Summer months – Summer months are not a popular time to visit Italy, especially the south. The weather is generally dry and temperatures can reach as high as 30 degrees Celsius (86F) in some places. This can be very difficult in terms of touring and traveling across the country.
In central and northern Italy it can be very humid in the summer, and afternoon storms are also possible.
🗸 Winter months – At the end of November the weather tends to turn into the colder winter months, but the actual ski season doesn’t start until January. January and February are tourist months for going to the slopes (in the north).
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November in Italy is the wettest month of the year, but it is also one of the cheapest months to fly.
Winter is the best time to visit Italy. Cities are not very cold. Temperatures hover around the single digits (4°C/39.2°F), making walking and sightseeing easy (as long as you layer up properly). Plan a visit during these times to browse the Christmas markets, do some holiday shopping and ring in the New Year!
🗸 Off-season – Spring and autumn are ideal to visit Italy. At this time, the weather is good, and when there are few people, you can easily find a good deal on accommodation.
Festivals in Italy: Italy celebrates traditional festivals, the National Day of the Republic as well as various music, fashion conventions and food/wine festivals. In the table above, you can see some popular holidays that are celebrated every month.
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Festa della Repubblica or Republic Day is celebrated every year on June 2. This is the day when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic.
Apart from this, there are religious festivals celebrated throughout the country – during Holy Week, Christmas and All Saints’ Day (November).
An epic carnival takes place in Venice in February and attracts many tourists to the city.
Rome hosts the Jazz and Europa Festival in November. In December, many piazzas are decorated with festive cheer!
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Italy experiences all 4 seasons, and depending on the month you visit, the activities you put on your packing list will vary. Remember, Italians dress smartly with neutral colors and well-fitting clothes.
Avoid loose clothing, loud prints and logos on your trip to Italy. Also, be careful about your dress when visiting religious places in Italy – there is a dress code in churches, etc.
Summer is hot so bring flowy dresses, tops, cute jeans or linen pants. Comfortable walking shoes are a must at any time of the year. Don’t forget your swimsuit (swimming is allowed in the lakes), or hiking gear for hitting the trails in summer.
Autumn begins with moderate temperatures, and we recommend that you bring something warm (scarves, cardigans, boots, etc.) with summer clothes.
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Bring a warm jacket or parka, and snowshoes for winter activities. In Italian cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, and Venice, heavy snowfall is rare, so you can get by with a good woolen coat.
But it’s cold, and the weather is a bit humid with a few days of rain, so pair your waterproof outerwear with bright scarves or a warm hat.
In spring, the temperature gradually warms up, which is suitable for outdoor activities. So pack summer clothes including a light cardigan and a waterproof jacket.
Prices in Italy can be expensive for some budget-minded travelers, but it’s possible to enjoy the country at a reasonable price. In our experience, we find hotels and good restaurants (just like we do in Canada) in the middle of the budget. Not as expensive as Iceland, Switzerland, etc. In fact, in some cities, food is a little cheaper!
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For us, we budgeted $150-$200 per person per day; This includes hotel (twin share), day tour/passport and meals. In cities like Florence and Rome, off-season, we managed $100-$150 per day (per adult) with accommodation in a central location.
During our travels in Italy, we used high-speed trains and public transportation. We also stayed in a central location (city center) or train station where it was easy to get a car to travel to various tourist attractions.
Car rental is cheaper in Italy compared to other European cities. Expect to spend $250+ per week.
For food, we didn’t get anything from the grocery store when we first visited, and lunch and dinner were in restaurants and trattorias – and they weren’t very expensive. We also drank a lot of coffee and croissants – like LOTS!
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In the most popular destinations in Italy, shared accommodation starts at $50, and most cities have a tourist tax – it is paid per person per night.
You should also budget for travel passes and attraction tickets based on the duration of your trip and activities. On average, you can expect to spend $30 per person for a guided tour.
If you are going for a short trip, it is necessary to buy a train pass or city transport.
If you are planning to treat yourself and want to roll, there is no better place than Italy – you can find a room with a great view, great food, enjoy retail therapy and more!
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Italy is a country that has a lot to offer. The food, culture and history of this country are worth exploring. But you may not know where to start!
Italian cities are full of historic sites – from the Colosseum, centuries-old canals, grand cathedrals, Renaissance art museums and more. There are historic buildings, wonderful shopping streets and amazing restaurants and cafes to catch your attention.
As you venture from the cities into the countryside and explore small towns and villages, you are filled with amazing views and sights. Go hiking in the Dolomites or soak up the sun on the Amalfi Coast and the beautiful Italian Riviera!
There are so many great things to do in Italy, and here are some of our favorites!
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🗸 Rome, the Eternal City – Rome is the capital of Italy, and one of the must-see places in Europe. Home to the impressive Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the city is sprinkled with historic ruins and remnants of the ancient empire. Don’t miss soaking up the sunset from the various viewpoints in the city.
Or hang out with Bernini’s creations in different piazzas, from the Popolo del Piazza to the famous Piazza Navona!
Take time to wander through the beautiful bohemian neighborhoods from Monti to Trastevere. If you like him