Italy Travel Guide
Tourist season
Are December and January good months to visit Italy?
December
Off
season
January
Off
season
Did you know?
Italy is the country with the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world (51+).
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Rome (IT) and Washington D.C. (US) is 4484 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Rome click here
Time • Timezone
Safety
General travel safety level in Italy on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).
Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution.
Update: 13 Oct 2024Currency
Euro (EUR) - rate compared to selected currencies
GBP 
USD Get ready for your next trip
With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.
Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Italy
| Miles | Rome | Milan | Venice | Florence | Naples | Genoa | Bologna | Turin |
| Rome | - | 297 | 245 | 144 | 117 | 249 | 188 | 325 |
| Milan | 297 | - | 152 | 155 | 409 | 74 | 125 | 78 |
| Venice | 245 | 152 | - | 127 | 332 | 181 | 81 | 228 |
| Florence | 144 | 155 | 127 | - | 254 | 123 | 50 | 198 |
| Naples | 117 | 409 | 332 | 254 | - | 366 | 292 | 442 |
| Genoa | 249 | 74 | 181 | 123 | 366 | - | 119 | 76 |
| Bologna | 188 | 125 | 81 | 50 | 292 | 119 | - | 184 |
| Turin | 325 | 78 | 228 | 198 | 442 | 76 | 184 | - |
A Brief History of Italy
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
800 - 600 B.C.
Greeks & EtruscansGreeks, Etruscans and others settle in Italy.
753 B.C.
Roman KingdomRome is founded. This marks the beginning of the Roman Kingdom.
509 B.C.
A republicThe monarchy is overthrown, and Rome becomes a republic. From 46 to 44 B.C., Julius Caesar rules as dictator.
27 B.C.
Roman EmpireAugustus becomes the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He is Julius Caesar's grand-nephew and adopted son.
1200 - 1600 A.D.
The RenaissanceRome, Florence and Venice prosper during the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in culture.
1861
Unified nationItaly becomes a unified nation under King Victor Emmanuel II.
1915
World War IItaly enters World War I on the side of the Allies.
1940 - 1943
World War IIItaly sides with Germany and enters World War II. In 1943, dictator Benito Mussolini is forced to resign.
1946
Democratic republicItalians vote to end the monarchy and make their nation a democratic republic.
1984
Secular stateCatholicism is no longer Italy's formal state religion.
2008
Silvio BerlusconiBillionaire Silvio Berlusconi returns to power as prime minister. He begins a third term.
2009
An earthquakeIn April, the mountainous area of Abruzzo is badly hit by an earthquake. Many people are injured and left homeless.
Best Ways to Experience Italy
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreEuro (EUR)
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
| = |
Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Italy.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Italy for tourism
A visa is not required.
- Allowed stay: 90 days
- 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area
- A bilateral agreement pre-dating the Schengen area may allow 90 days of stay in Italy regardless of days spent in other Schengen countries.
Electricity
230V (50 Hz)
In Italy the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, F, L sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type C
Type F
Type LFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 23 / 231 Ranking | 60 461 826 |
Area | 73 / 230 Ranking | 116.3 thous. mi² It is approximately 3% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 12 / 196 Ranking | 82.7 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 80women 85.5 |
Median age | 153 / 157 Ranking | 46.5 Average age of population expressed in years.men 45.4women 47.5 |
Population growth | 137 / 172 Ranking | 0.09% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 9 / 131 Ranking | 99.2% Ability to read, write and count.men 99.4%women 99% |
GDP | 34 / 194 Ranking | 41 890 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
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