🇮🇹 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)
- Turbigo 7k
- Oliena 7k
- Vanzago 7k
- Sommacampagna 7k
- Pianillo 7k
- Pandino 7k
- Marnate 7k
- Zanica 7k
- Motta di Livenza 7k
- Caccamo 7k
- Chiavenna 7k
- Tuscania 7k
- Martellago 7k
- Solarino 7k
- Castel di Lama 7k
- Castellamonte 7k
- Loreto 7k
- Ronciglione 7k
- Calimera 7k
- Colico Piano 7k
- Montella 7k
- Palagianello 7k
- Castello di Cisterna 7k
- Campagnano di Roma 7k
- Sparanise 7k
- Lodi Vecchio 7k
- Melissano 7k
- Decimomannu 7k
- Maerne 7k
- Carnate 7k
- San Sperate 7k
- San Felice sul Panaro 7k
- Rivolta d'Adda 7k
- Tavarnelle Val di Pesa 7k
- Sorbolo 7k
- Azzano San Paolo 7k
- Castiglione Olona 7k
- Colorno 7k
- Caerano di San Marco 7k
- Binasco 7k
- Isola delle Femmine 7k
- Boves 7k
- Altofonte 7k
- Cimitile 7k
- Racalmuto 7k
- San Stino di Livenza 7k
- Gravellona Toce 7k
- Curti 7k
- Argenta 7k
- Nicolosi 7k
- Bonate Sopra 7k
- Santa Lucia 7k
- Pratola Peligna 7k
- Serino 7k
- Castel San Giorgio 7k
- San Cesario di Lecce 7k
- Cologne 7k
- Toscolano Maderno 7k
- Meldola 7k
- San Giorgio delle Pertiche 7k