🇮🇹 Italy
Layers of history in every piazza, Renaissance masterpieces, coastlines and hill towns, and a regional food culture worth travelling for.
🌍 View on the globe- Continent
- Europe
- Capital
- Rome
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Italian
Quick guide: Italy essentials
🛂 Visa & entry
Part of the Schengen Area. Many passport holders (including Canada, the US, the UK and Australia) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries. The EU Entry/Exit System (biometric registration at the border) is rolling out, and the ETIAS online travel authorisation is due to become mandatory; check whether it applies before you book.
💉 Vaccines & health risks
Routine vaccines. Hepatitis A and B may be considered for some travellers.
🚗 Driving
Drive on the right. Non-EU licence holders need an International Driving Permit with their licence. Historic centres have ZTL limited-traffic zones enforced by camera; driving in without a permit brings fines by mail. Blood alcohol limit 0.05% (zero for drivers licensed under 3 years).
🏥 Healthcare & emergencies
Good public healthcare; EU visitors can use their EHIC, everyone else needs travel insurance. Emergencies: 112.
⚖️ Drug laws
Possessing small amounts for personal use is an administrative offence (fines, licence or passport suspension) rather than a crime; selling is a crime. Sales of low-THC 'cannabis light' flowers were restricted in 2025.
🎉 Nightlife & party scene
Evenings start with aperitivo (around 6 to 9 pm) and dinner runs late; clubs fill after midnight. Milan has the biggest club scene; Rome's Trastevere and Pigneto, Florence's Santo Spirito and the summer beach clubs of Rimini and Sardinia are popular. Drinking age 18.
Last reviewed 2026-10-17. Entry, health and legal rules change and can depend on your passport; always confirm with official sources before you travel.
City guides
All cities in Italy (9,904)
- Costermano
- Rocca Santo Stefano
- Era
- Sottocastello
- Torrice
- Mozzagrogna
- Lauriano
- Torre d'Arese
- Atrani
- Paderno Ponchielli
- Anticoli Corrado
- Vaglia
- Castelvetere in Val Fortore
- Genoni
- Collinas
- Gosaldo
- Fai della Paganella
- Malgesso
- San Clemente
- Atina
- Masainas
- Lestizza
- Dumenza
- Palazzuolo sul Senio
- Baldichieri d'Asti
- Verano - Voeran
- Trovo
- Rionero Sannitico
- Pofi
- Arquà Petrarca
- Gadoni
- Siligo
- Pieve di Teco
- Salara
- Castelnuovo Parano
- Travesio
- Barbania
- Mirto
- Sant'Angelo d'Alife
- Forcola
- Simbario
- Refrancore
- Commessaggio
- Capracotta
- Seulo
- Murialdo
- Crodo
- Castrocielo
- Burolo
- Alberona
- Brinzio
- Samo
- Urbe
- Vattaro
- Borgo Velino
- Barghe
- Zone
- Rometta
- Borghetto di Borbera
- Laion