🇮🇹 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)
- Oltre Brenta 2k
- Liveri 2k
- Chions 2k
- Brunate 2k
- Capriva del Friuli 2k
- San Canzian d'Isonzo 2k
- Teglio Veneto 2k
- Badia Calavena 2k
- Buttigliera d'Asti 2k
- Trigolo 2k
- Sorgono 2k
- Molare 2k
- Orentano 2k
- Bacu Abis 2k
- Noli 2k
- Solbiate 2k
- Sartirana Lomellina 2k
- San Fedele Intelvi 2k
- Samatzai 2k
- Lunamatrona 2k
- San Leonardo in Passiria 2k
- Pannarano 2k
- Castelvetere sul Calore 2k
- Suello 2k
- San Vittore 2k
- Cepina 2k
- Rondissone 2k
- Lamie 2k
- Valdaora di Mezzo 2k
- Priocca 2k
- Pineta 2k
- Uggiano Montefusco 2k
- Dosolo 2k
- Castelcucco 2k
- Fénis 2k
- Casette Verdini 2k
- Pozzale-Case Nuove 2k
- Fanano 2k
- Lu Bagnu 2k
- Francica 2k
- Cava d'Aliga 2k
- Salice Terme 2k
- Pollone 2k
- Roncocesi 2k
- Orio al Serio 2k
- Casalincontrada 2k
- Torano Castello 2k
- Ziano di Fiemme 2k
- Surdo 2k
- Villesse 2k
- Solagna 2k
- Mossa 2k
- Buscoldo 2k
- Frugarolo 2k
- Cesinali 2k
- Berlingo 2k
- Aldino 2k
- Bernezzo 2k
- Rofrano 2k
- Maggiora 2k