{"id":908,"date":"2025-10-06T21:56:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T13:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/must-know-travel-tips-for-first-timers-in-italy\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:03","slug":"must-know-travel-tips-for-first-timers-in-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=908","title":{"rendered":"Must-know travel tips for first-timers in Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Everyone knows Italy \u2013 Rome\u2019s iconic ruins, Tuscany\u2019s vine-clad hills, Venice\u2019s romantic waterways. These have all been on traveller’s radars for centuries. Add fabulous food and breath-taking scenery, and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable visit.<\/p>\n

But beyond the headline sights, what\u2019s a trip to Italy really like? What\u2019s the best way of getting around? What\u2019s the local etiquette? What should I wear? Here are some practical tips to help you on your way and ensure that your first time in Italy is a truly magical experience.<\/p>\n

\"A
When in Rome…eat like a Roman. Annapurna Mellor \/ Lonely Planet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eating like an Italian<\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re tucking into hearty farmhouse fare in a Tuscan agriturismo or a wood-fired pizza in a Naples pizzeria, dining out is one of Italy\u2019s great joys.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/astro-ad><\/p>\n

And there\u2019s no shortage of eateries, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to neighbourhood trattorias, wine bars, cafes and pizzerias. Italians generally eat late, so if you want to fit in, stop for lunch at around 1.30pm and dinner at 8.30 to 9pm \u2013 the further south you go, the later they eat.<\/p>\n

A full Italian meal consists of an antipasto, a primo (usually pasta or risotto), secondo (main course, typically fish or meat), contorno (side dish), and dolce (dessert). You\u2019re not expected to eat all that, so feel free to mix \u2018n\u2019 match when ordering. And when you\u2019ve finished, ask for the bill \u2013 it won\u2019t be delivered automatically.<\/p>\n

If you like this, try this: Piedmont’s top dishes and where to try them<\/p>\n

Some other pointers: eat spaghetti with a fork, not a spoon. Never eat bread with pasta, though it\u2019s okay to wipe up any leftover sauce with it. Drink wine with pasta and beer with pizzas. It\u2019s fine to eat pizza with your hands.<\/p>\n

\"Man
Olive oil, Tuscan bruschetta and cavolo nero are just some of the many treats awaiting you in Italy. Sofie Delauw \/ Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bread and tipping<\/h2>\n

Italians are not big tippers. Service is generally added to restaurant bills, but if it\u2019s not, a euro or two is fine in trattorias and pizzerias, up to 10% in smart restaurants. Also, expect to pay for pane e coperto (a bread and cover charge) \u2013 this is standard and is added even if you don\u2019t ask for or eat the bread.<\/p>\n

Tipping in bars isn\u2019t necessary but many people leave small change when ordering a coffee.<\/p>\n

If you like this, try this: Italy’s coolest city: why Naples is the place to be right now<\/p>\n

\"Close-up
Italy’s delicious coffee is enjoyed in different ways depending on the time of day. JurgaR \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Italy’s coffee etiquette<\/h2>\n

Stopping at a cafe for a quick coffee is one of the great rituals of Italian life. To do it like a local, first pay at the cash register, then, armed with your receipt, give the barista your order. When it arrives, drink standing at the bar \u2013 sitting at a table is fine but takes longer and costs more.<\/p>\n

The classic Italian caff\u00e8 is an espresso \u2013 though, the term espresso is hardly ever used in Italy. Cappuccinos are popular for breakfast and are often paired with a fresh cornetto (an Italian croissant). They are never drunk later than mid-morning.<\/p>\n

When eating in restaurants, un caff\u00e8 after dessert is okay, but not with your main meal please.<\/p>\n

\"Visitors
If you know when to go, you can visit some of Italy’s best museums for free. Kiev.Victor\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Italy’s museums (and how to skip the line)<\/h2>\n

Italy\u2019s historic cities are littered with awe-inspiring art and famous buildings, and often sightseeing is just a case of walking the streets. But for top sights like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums in Rome or Florence\u2019s Galleria degli Uffizi and Gallerie dell\u2019Accademia, entrance queues are the norm.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/astro-ad><\/p>\n

There are no fool-proof ways of skipping the line \u2013 even with a ticket there are still security checks. But you\u2019ll cut waiting time by booking tickets online. Alternatively, try to arrive first thing in the morning or late afternoon when the queues have died down. In the case of the Vatican Museums, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the quietest days.<\/p>\n

Museum opening times vary, but many are closed on Mondays. Also, state museums are free on the first Sunday of each month between October and March.<\/p>\n

\"Man
Italians are known for their fashion, but prioritise comfort over style when it comes to footwear. FXQuadro \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to dress the part<\/h2>\n

Appearances matter in fashion-conscious Italy. That said, you\u2019ll have to dress comfortably for sightseeing because you\u2019ll be walking a lot. Practical shoes are a must as cobblestoned streets play havoc with heels and ankles. For the evening, smart casual is the way to go.<\/p>\n

At big religious sites, dress codes are strictly enforced. If you want to get into St Peter\u2019s Basilica or St Marks in Venice, play it safe and cover your knees and shoulders.<\/p>\n

Cash or card?<\/h2>\n

While credit cards are widely accepted in most instances, Italy hasn\u2019t entirely gone plastic. You can\u2019t always rely on cards in museum ticket offices, smaller trattorias (which are often the best ones!), shops and pizzerias.<\/p>\n

ATMs (known in Italian as bancomat) are everywhere and most will accept cards tied to the Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro systems.<\/p>\n

If you like this, try this: Spending diary: what I spent on a four-day trip to Rome<\/p>\n

\"Two
Seek out the freshest local produce at Italy’s many bountiful markets. Madzia71\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shopping like a pro in Italy<\/h2>\n

Traditionally, Italian shops have an afternoon break, typically closing between 1pm and 3.30pm. They\u2019ll then re-open until around 8pm. However, this is changing and in big cities, many shops now stay open throughout the day. Some even open on Sunday mornings.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find the usual cast of chain stores and designer boutiques in Italy, but more interesting are its many small-label fashion boutiques and artisanal craft shops. A good case in point is Giulio Giannini e Figlio in Florence, where they\u2019ve been making marbled paper since the 19th century.<\/p>\n

To stock up on picnic provisions, or just to enjoy some local colour, markets such as Campo de\u2019 Fiori in Rome or Venice\u2019s Mercato di Rialto are an entertaining alternative to supermarkets. Similarly, historic delis like La Baita in Bologna and Milan\u2019s Peck are full of tantalising gourmet goodies.<\/p>\n

\"Man
Traffic in Italy’s cities is hectic, use public transport or walk if you can. Matt Munro\/Lonely Planet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To drive or not to drive?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s pointless hiring a car for city travel \u2013 traffic is hellish and ZTLs (limited traffic zones) are in force \u2013 but if you want to head into the countryside, it\u2019s worth considering.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/astro-ad><\/p>\n

Italians tend to drive aggressively but once you\u2019ve got used to the tailgaters and tooting, driving here is not as nerve-wracking as it\u2019s often made out to be. Italy’s roads are fine and outside the main urban centres, the scenery is often spectacular.<\/p>\n

Often harder than driving is parking. Street parking is denoted by white (free) or blue lines. The latter require a ticket from a coin-operated meter or tabaccaio.<\/p>\n

\"Modern
It is very doable to zip around Italy on public transport these days. Viacheslav Lopatin\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Navigating Italy’s public transport<\/h2>\n

Most Italian cities can be explored on foot, but you\u2019ll inevitably need to use Italy’s public transport at some point. Tickets, bought from a tabaccaio (tobacconist’s shop) or street kiosk and validated once on board, are generally valid for a set time period. In Rome, for example, a single \u20ac1.50 ticket is valid for 100 minutes. During that time you can use as many trams and buses as you like and take one metro journey.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re staying in a city for a number of days, a travel pass will probably save you money. In Venice, a single journey on a vaporetto (water bus) costs an eye-watering \u20ac7.50, but various passes are available, starting at \u20ac20 for 24 hours.<\/p>\n

Brush up on your italiano, mi amore<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll have no trouble getting by with English, but a few Italian words and expressions will help you on your way. This is particularly true in restaurants where menus don\u2019t always have translations and some places rely on waiters to explain things.<\/p>\n

Some essential phrases:<\/p>\n

– Hello Ciao<\/p>\n

– Goodbye Arrivederci<\/p>\n

– Please Per favore<\/p>\n

– Thank you Grazie<\/p>\n

– Do you speak English? Parla inglese?<\/p>\n

– I\u2019d like to reserve a table for two at eight o\u2019clock Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per due per le otto.<\/p>\n

This article was first published November 2016, last updated August 2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everyone knows Italy \u2013 Ro<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-italy-travel-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=908"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":950,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908\/revisions\/950"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}