🇮🇹 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)
- Colle di Tora
- Isole Tremiti
- Laino Castello-Nuovo Centro
- Salmour
- Mura
- Elice
- Cerreto di Spoleto
- Priero
- San Lorenzo
- Tripi
- Portigliola
- Torre de' Busi
- Pietrabruna
- Monteverdi Marittimo
- Meltina
- Frascaro
- Castel Gabbiano
- Margno
- Verano
- Villa Sant'Antonio
- Rossi
- Etroubles
- Cunico
- Castelspina
- Siapiccia
- Sassetta
- Lettopalena
- Tergu
- Cartosio
- Mornico
- Ravascletto
- Borgomaro
- Cino
- Pieve di Ledro
- Sessa Cilento
- Montieri
- Montelongo
- Gemmano
- Casalciprano
- San Martino in Badia
- Vassena
- Chiusavecchia
- San Giuseppe
- Centrache
- Rocca San Felice
- Genzone
- Castro dei Volsci
- Cella Monte
- Gaverina Terme
- Preore
- Civezza
- Valdina
- Trevico
- Cabella Ligure
- Asuni
- Marsaglia
- Borrello
- Ciconio
- Allai
- Vallerotonda