🇮🇹 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)
- Cervia 20k
- Sarzana 20k
- Borgomanero 20k
- Castrovillari 20k
- Marina di Ardea-Tor San Lorenzo 20k
- Monserrato 20k
- Cornaredo 20k
- San Giovanni Lupatoto 20k
- Frascati 20k
- Trezzano sul Naviglio 20k
- Sambiase 20k
- Arpino 20k
- Gaeta 20k
- Rosignano Solvay-Castiglioncello 20k
- Novate Milanese 20k
- Rosolini 20k
- Galatina 20k
- Pontedera 20k
- Cormano 19k
- Poggiomarino 19k
- Trecate 19k
- Casarano 19k
- Spoleto 19k
- Vibo Valentia 19k
- Sondrio 19k
- Giovinazzo 19k
- Gallipoli 19k
- Misilmeri 19k
- Arese 19k
- Marina di Massa 19k
- Villabate 19k
- Gorgonzola 19k
- Cesenatico 19k
- Cusano 19k
- Pietrasanta 19k
- Sant'Antonio Abate 19k
- Fossano 19k
- Gioia Tauro 19k
- Montevarchi 19k
- Monselice 19k
- Casavatore 19k
- Ischia 19k
- Palmi 19k
- Castiglione delle Stiviere 19k
- San Mauro Torinese 19k
- Ventimiglia 18k
- Noto 18k
- Bronte 18k
- Casamassima 18k
- Abano Terme 18k
- Ischia Porto 18k
- Sestu 18k
- Cento 18k
- Pozzallo 18k
- Grottaferrata 18k
- Fermo 18k
- Melzo 18k
- Palazzolo sull'Oglio 18k
- Montecatini-Terme 18k
- Grumo Nevano 18k