Italy holidays

All your questions about entry requirements, visas, passports or health information are answered on our Travel Advice page.

For Italy, pack comfortable walking shoes for exploring cities and ruins. Bring a mix of casual and smart-casual clothing, including a light jacket for cooler evenings. Don't forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection. Include a scarf or shawl for covering shoulders when visiting religious sites.

When visiting Italy, greet people with "buongiorno" or "buonasera" as politeness is valued in daily interactions. Dress modestly when visiting churches and religious sites, covering shoulders and knees with loose-fitting clothing. Dining follows a relaxed pace with courses served separately, and cappuccino is typically enjoyed only in the morning rather than after meals.

When visiting Italy, you'll need a European-style two-pin plug adapter for Type C and Type F sockets, which are most common in hotels. You may also encounter Type L sockets, which have three round pins in a line and require a different adapter. We recommend bringing a multi-plug adapter if you have devices with different plug types.

Italy offers fantastic shopping experiences. In cities like Milan and Rome, you'll find high-end fashion boutiques and designer stores. For unique souvenirs, explore local markets in Florence or Venice. Many resorts also have shops where you can pick up essentials and local specialties.

Italy nightlife varies by region, with cities like Rome and Milan offering clubs, rooftop bars and live music venues, while coastal areas focus on beachfront bars and evening dining. Traditional trattorias and piazzas come alive in the evenings with locals socialising over aperitivo and late dinners. Many towns host outdoor concerts, festivals and cultural events during summer months.

Tipping in Italy isn't as common as in some countries, but it's appreciated for good service. In restaurants, a small tip of 5-10% is welcome if not already included. For taxis and hotel staff, rounding up the bill or giving a few euros is a nice gesture.

Traditional Italian cuisine can be found throughout the country. We recommend trying local trattorias for authentic regional dishes. Many TUI resorts offer Italian specialties in their restaurants. Don't miss trying pasta, pizza, and gelato - each region has its own delicious variations.

Italy offers varied coastal experiences across its regions. Head to Cala Mariolu in Sardinia for clear waters and dramatic limestone cliffs, San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily for soft white sand and calm Mediterranean waters, or Tropea in Calabria for its clifftop setting and turquoise sea. The Amalfi Coast features smaller coves with pebbled shores and scenic views.