13 Essential Insights for Your Trip to Italy

With an incredible array of UNESCO World Heritage sites, breathtaking landscapes from Europe’s tallest mountains to the stunning southern coastlines, and a plethora of regional dishes to savor, planning an adventure in Italy can feel quite daunting.

Factor in the diverse dialects—both verbal and gestural—and the often perplexing social etiquette, and immersing yourself in the local culture can leave you feeling like a fish out of water.

Having returned to Italy after years abroad, I've gained a clearer understanding of the peculiar social rules that govern interactions. Even as an Italian, I often find myself questioning the rationale behind certain customs. While definitive answers are elusive, I've compiled a list of traditions and habits that will ease every visitor’s journey in my homeland. Here’s what you need to know before visiting Italy.

1. Most Italians take their vacations at the same time (more or less)

For some reason, Italians have come together to embrace August as the prime month for vacationing. It makes sense—when temperatures often soar above 35°C (95°F), expecting anyone to do anything other than lounge on the beach feels unrealistic.

In the weeks leading up to the holiday of Ferragosto on August 15, Italians flock to the coast, leaving many cities sweltering and nearly deserted. Numerous businesses in inland areas shut down, prices surge, and popular beaches become crowded. If you plan to travel during peak season, be sure to secure your lodging well ahead of time.

2. Italy is designed for driving, but there are plenty of alternatives.

Although the public transport system is affordable and largely dependable, Italy is still very much a car-loving nation. Recent statistics reveal that it ranks second in Europe for cars per capita, following tiny Luxembourg, with nearly 40 million vehicles in a country of 59 million people.

This trend is influenced by Italy's hilly and varied landscape. Many remote areas are inaccessible by train, and the sparse population in rural regions doesn’t support frequent bus services. Culturally, Italy's passion for driving stems from significant investments in motorways post-World War II, leading to a car-centric lifestyle for many Italians.

So, is a car necessary for exploring Italy? Not necessarily. While renting a car offers the most flexibility, trains and buses efficiently connect most cities, providing a sustainable way to explore urban centers, charming villages, and coastal towns without the hassle of traffic rules or limiting your enjoyment of vino and spritzes. You can buy train tickets online via Trenitalia or Italo; regional train tickets can be bought on the spot without added costs, while high-speed tickets are significantly cheaper when booked in advance.

3. If you choose to rent a car, keep in mind there’s a shortage of vehicles.

One of the many challenges travelers face due to the pandemic is the scarcity of rental cars. During the lockdowns, many rental agencies sold off their fleets, and as people became more reluctant to use public transport, the demand for rental vehicles surged.

During the height of the holiday season, prices can soar, and rental cars in popular spots may run out completely. If you’re planning a road trip, it’s wise to reserve your vehicle well in advance.

4. Card payments are now generally accepted, but it’s still smart to carry some cash.

Italy has long favored cash transactions, but a new law introduced in 2022 imposes fines on businesses that refuse card payments. In theory, you should be able to use your card everywhere, but you may still encounter some merchants who are reluctant about small electronic payments or shops where the card machine seems to be malfunctioning—so having cash on hand is a sensible choice.

Aside from those (rare) exceptions, using cards should be straightforward. Most major networks are widely accepted, with American Express being the only card type that might be turned away by smaller establishments.

5. Embracing regional pride is definitely worthwhile.

While moving abroad or to a different city is increasingly common among younger generations, a deep pride in one’s birthplace remains strong among many Italians. You won’t have to wait long before encountering someone who passionately praises the food, traditions, and landmarks of their hometown, often contrasting them with neighboring regions or cities.

This deep-rooted pride—known in Italian as campanilismo—offers countless opportunities to savor unique flavors, engage in local folklore events, and discover a new aspect of the country each time you visit.

6. Master the art of sarcasm.

On one hand, there’s a strong sense of local pride, and on the other, an ability to break down barriers through humor. Italian comedy has long thrived on a self-deprecating form of sarcasm and the playful exaggeration of the very stereotypes we often wish to forget.

However, self-deprecation is just one facet of this humor. Jokes aimed at others can be quite sharp. In regions like Veneto or Tuscany, blasphemy is woven into the local vernacular, while Romans excel in biting irony. To those unfamiliar, this wit might seem overly bold, but it’s typically good-natured.

7. Use hand gestures 🤌 at your own peril.

Italians are famous for their expressive hand gestures, but they aren’t fond of having their body language mocked by foreigners who don’t understand the meanings behind these gestures. Gesturing isn’t random; while moments of anger or excitement might lead to more animated movements, each gesture conveys a specific meaning that, like any language, should be mastered before entering a conversation.

For example, shaking your hand while pinching your fingers usually accompanied by a puzzled expression means ‘What are you talking about?’ or ‘What are you doing?’—with a tone that can vary from confusion to aggression. Proceed with caution.

8. Don’t let restaurant menus intimidate you.

Step into any osteria and you’ll be greeted by a menu featuring categories like antipasti (starters), primi (first courses), secondi (main courses), contorni (sides), dolci (desserts), vini (wines), and amari (digestifs). Yes, a complete Italian meal includes all these components.

However, you’re not required to order a dish from every category each time. It’s perfectly acceptable to have a pasta dish followed by dessert, or a starter and a main course. Feel free to mix and match as you wish.

9. Tipping isn’t necessary unless the service is exceptionally personal.

While leaving a tip is a nice gesture, you shouldn’t feel obligated to do so at every bar or restaurant. Most service industry workers do not rely heavily on tips for their income. However, if someone goes out of their way to cater to your needs and enhance your experience, a tip is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation.

Keep in mind that many restaurants will charge a “coperto,” or cover charge, typically around 2€ per person. This is not a scam or a tip for the staff; it’s just a customary fee that Italians expect to pay when seated at a table.

10. There’s a proper time for everything when it comes to eating and drinking.

You’ve likely heard of the “no cappuccino after 11 AM” rule; be aware that this isn’t the only eating guideline Italian culture promotes. Milky coffee is strictly a breakfast beverage, just as an Aperol Spritz is a pre-dinner drink, and limoncello is reserved for after-meal enjoyment. Lunch is typically served around 1 PM, and dinner usually doesn’t begin before 8 PM.

These customs are often portrayed as unbreakable rules, but keep in mind that their significance is frequently overstated. Ignoring etiquette might draw disapproval at formal events, yet in cities bustling with tourists, bending social norms rarely raises an eyebrow.

11. Drinking outdoors is perfectly acceptable—and enjoyable.

While some municipalities may impose restrictions on public alcohol consumption in certain areas, this is not a widespread concern across the country. In fact, many public squares come alive on summer evenings, filled with people enjoying a beer or a glass of wine al fresco.

12. Cheek kissing can lead to awkward moments.

Picture this: you’re meeting your Italian friends for an aperitivo and suddenly find yourself face-to-face with your new acquaintance’s spouse—this is just one of the potentially embarrassing scenarios that can arise from misjudging the cheek-kissing etiquette.

Italians typically greet one another with two light kisses on the cheeks, mainly in informal settings with acquaintances from the past. You're not expected to kiss your Italian language teacher or someone you're meeting for the first time. People generally start on the left cheek, although this isn't a strict rule. If you’re unsure, let the other person guide you, or simply opt for a handshake if you prefer to maintain some personal space.

13. Political divides are becoming more pronounced.

Diverse political views have always sparked lively discussions among Italians, both in private and in the media. However, in recent years, this polarization has become increasingly apparent. A part of this shift stems from political discourse migrating to social media, where subtleties and context often get lost, leading to a preference for stark opinions over meaningful debate. But this is not the sole factor at play.

A 2022 study revealed that Italy is the only country in Europe where salaries have fallen over the past 30 years. Diverging views on topics such as migration, energy resources, housing, and workers’ rights have further polarized public opinion. In that year, Italy elected Giorgia Meloni as Prime Minister, making her the first woman in this role and the first far-right leader since the era of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Being able to gauge the atmosphere is essential if you decide to engage in political discussions.