🇮🇹 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)
- Rotzo
- Re
- Isolabona
- Smarano
- Reitano
- Monasterace
- San Martino sulla Marrucina
- Costa Valle Imagna
- Gonte
- Zavattarello
- Valdieri
- Osteno-Claino
- Falerone
- Ceppaloni
- Torriana
- Bubbio
- Villalfonsina
- Farindola
- Sciaves
- Torgnon
- Cantalice
- Cossogno
- San Godenzo
- Gandosso
- Falconara Albanese
- Castelplanio
- Baldissero d'Alba
- Villanuova
- Camerano Casasco
- San Pietro Valdastico
- Moggio
- Montanera
- Varsi
- Montecatini Val di Cecina
- Massignano
- Belmonte del Sannio
- Ameno
- Plaus
- Gaiola
- Filacciano
- Villar San Costanzo
- Nardodipace
- Camburzano
- Goni
- Armungia
- Vastogirardi
- San Pietro Avellana
- Vas
- Loculi
- Semproniano
- Seggiano
- Chiusi della Verna
- Cavallerleone
- Viggianello
- Sangineto
- Moriondo Torinese
- Craveggia
- Perosa Canavese
- Itala
- Flavon