10 Things You NEED to Know Before Visiting Italy

Italy has the fifth highest tourist arrivals in the world, and the third highest in Europe, making it a top contender for most’s wanderlust list. With all of the beauty that this country has to offer, it’s no surprise that millions of tourists jet off for its historic cities and sandy shores each year.

Like any country, though, it has its own customs. So if you want to avoid sticking out like a tourist, and really get the most out of Italy, makes sure you’re aware of these ten important things!

1. Local Food is Super Important

Most people assume before arriving in Italy that the food is the same everywhere: pizza, pasta, gelato. And whilst this doesn’t sound like a bad menu to me, it’s actually far from the truth. If you stick to this diet whilst you’re away, you’ll be missing out on some of the best food in the world!

Each area of Italy is known for a specific cuisine. In Milan, you’ll find delicious risotto. Rome – carbonara. Sardinia – seadas. Florence – steak.

Make sure to do a bit of research on the area that you’re arriving in to get the best culinary experience there. You could also sign up for a food tour, which’ll be sure to take you to the very best spots in the city.

2. Validate Your Train Ticket

If you’re traveling Italy by train (which you absolutely should, their train system is superb!), always remember to validate your ticket before hopping aboard.

Simply insert your ticket into the slot of a validation machine (these are very often green but sometimes yellow!) and the ticket will be validated with a stamp. Take your validated ticket with you on the train ready to be shown to the conductor.

If you have an e-ticket, you generally don’t need to validate your ticket but make sure to check on the company website!

3. Italians Don’t Drink Cappuccinos After Breakfast

One thing you should definitely know before ordering coffee in Italy is that cappuccinos are a breakfast thing only. And the same goes for any other milky coffee. Italians believe it’s not good for the digestive system to eat it after meals. If you want to avoid strange looks, don’t make this classic tourist mistake!

4. Be Prepared to Pay for Public Restrooms

Like many European countries, you’ll generally be expected to pay to use public toilets in Italy. These almost always require change, so make sure that you use some cash during your stay. Expect to pay €1 or less each time. Sometimes this will be paid to an attendant. Other times you’ll have to insert the coins into a machine.

5. Most Cities in Italy are Walkable

A lot of the most popular Italian cities are extremely walkable. Using public transport or getting taxis can quickly get expensive and is for the most part unnecessary. You’re generally much better off walking the city and getting a real feel of its streets!

The only possible exception to this rule is Rome. Depending on where you’re staying there, you might decide it’s best to use some public transport, as it’s a pretty big city to travel across if you’re far away from the main attractions.

Florence Duomo: 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Italy

6. Book Skip-the-Line Tickets

Many of the main tourist attractions in Italian cities offer skip-the-line tickets. Though these are a little more expensive, they’re often worth the extra money!

This is especially the case if you’re travelling in peak season. Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, meaning that during the hotter summer months it can get extremely busy. Spending a little extra on these skip-the-line tickets will save you from waiting in long queues and give you more time to get the most out of the city.

7. Tipping Isn’t Really a Thing in Italy

Unlike America, tipping isn’t really the done thing in Italy, unless you’ve had excellent service. Instead you’ll find a coperto added to your bill. This is a cover charge that goes to the restaurant itself, rather than your individual server.

A couple of exceptions to this are tipping porters for bringing up your bags or a helpful guide at the end of a tour. You might also want to round your bill when ordering a coffee at the bar, although this isn’t a necessity.

8. There is Such Thing as Bad Gelato

Okay, so not really but there’s good gelato and then there’s really good gelato. Use these tips to help you pick out the very best stuff:

Look for metal containers with lids – this shows that the gelato is being kept at the correct temperature
It shouldn’t look shiny – this means that the sugar content is too high or that it’s oxidised (meaning it’s old!)
It should be quite flat in the container – the pretty high-piled swirls look pretty but they’re actually a sign that there’s too much air in the mixture. It’s also likely that it’s high in vegetable fat to stop it from melting.
Pick muted colours – brighter flavours might look exciting but it’s likely laden with lots of artificial colours. The best gelato is the stuff made with premium ingredients!

9. There’s a LOT of a Variety in Italy

Don’t mistake Italy as being just a collection of beautiful cities! Although Florence, Rome, Venice and Milan are all must visits, the country has so much more to offer.

Why not consider visiting the historic towns of Tuscany? The beautiful waters of Lake Como and Lake Garda? The white-washed buildings of Puglia? Or the rocky Dolomites?

Italy offers some of the best variety in Europe, so make sure to take advantage of it when you visit!

10. You Can’t Buy Tickets on the Bus/Tram

It’s not possible to buy a tick on a bus or tram, so make sure to buy one before you hop on! Tickets are sold at nearby newspaper stands (edicola) or tobacco shops (tobacco). And don’t forget to validate your ticket once you board the bus/tram!