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Your essential Italy packing list
Sam Morrison, globe trotter, lover of nature and culture, and fashionable foodie walks us through their packing list and lessons learned from numerous visits to fabulous Italy.
The essence of Italy is in its quality, taste, and beauty. Now, how and what to pack for Italy is another question entirely.
If you’re standing over your luggage, scratching your head, and dreaming of Aperol Spritz, you’re in the right place.
After a handful of fashionable, family-friendly, and unforgettable visits, I’ve gathered my top Italian trip tips and must-wear items in this essential Italy packing list. Benvenuti!
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Italy travel checklist
Maximize your suitcase and love your carry-on. Download our FREE Italy travel packing list for all the essentials: from your power bank to your dinner dress, all in one place.
What to consider before packing for Italy
Before you start crossing items off of your Italy packing checklist, let’s talk dream vacation vision first. Here are a few considerations to get your packing list for Italy perfetto.
Pack according to the activities you have planned
Whether you’re visiting Italy for incredible wine tasting, endless pizza, or a summer trip to the Southern regions, be sure to come prepared. Italy has a lot to offer.
Sam’s travel tip: You’re going to dress differently in the summer on the Amalfi coast versus in Cervinia for skiing. You’re going to rock a different look on the streets of Milan versus the island of Sardinia. The key is wearing activity-appropriate clothing.
Now, what activities do you want to do? Honestly, there’s so much fun stuff to do it’s hard to pick! I’d recommend studying up on this travel guide to Italy to build your trip, and then pack around that.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Italy a couple of times now. It’s the best natural medicine I can find.
It’s full of natural flowers, vibrant colors, and delicious food. Need I say more? Okay, food. Food. Wine and food.
Besides fashionable elastic waistband pants for pasta indulging, here are some activity-related packing tips for your Italian trip:
- Eat, Pray, Love. Pack it, live it. Bring it for inspiration on the plane or to accompany you in a cute little cafe.
- Wine tasting is a must. Bring collared shirts and dresses to meet the occasion.
- There are occasional showers. Pack a thin rain jacket in your luggage.
- Know you’re going to be walking, a lot! Bring comfortable walking shoes.
Even if you’re planning on disconnecting, you’ll need a strong internet connection to help you do that peacefully: cute cafes, diners to doodle in, and sprawling landscapes don’t come knocking at your Airbnb.
I’ve done pocket WiFi and data roaming in the past, but now that I’ve found this eSIM with Holafly, that’s my go-to.
Pack for the season you are traveling to Italy
Italy is home to rich flavors thanks to its diverse regions and weather.
Good for the belly, bad for your bag! It’s no wonder Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi wrote a concerto called Le quattro stagioni, which may sound like a pizza topping (it is), but actually means ‘the four seasons’ in Italian.
Packing for everything is near impossible, but let’s break it down into seasons and essentials.
When you’re deciding what to pack for Italy, you have to consider in which season you’ll be going. For instance, your Italy packing list for fall and spring needs to include a jacket.
In summer you’re going to want lightweight clothing. In winter, pack warm layers.
I’ve been to Italy mostly in the summer months. It can be very hot and humid.
I remember stopping into a little market and refreshing ourselves with some watermelon that must have come straight from heaven.
Spring and fall are really nice, particularly the months of May and September when you still have the sun’s warmth during the day and the evenings cool off.
Italy, especially in the north, tends to get quite cold in the winter. You’re going to want to adapt your Italian packing list accordingly. I’ve broken things down into what to pack per season below.
Must-have items for your trip to Italy
Your trip isn’t complete without these essential items for Italy:
- Travel documents: valid passport, photo ID, boarding pass
- Money: though cards are widely accepted, bring some Euros with you too
- Mobile internet: don’t leave home without mobile internet in Italy
- First-aid kit: bandaids, pain relievers, and motion-sickness medicine!
- Weather protection: raincoat or waterproof jacket
- Adaptors and chargers: make sure you have a universal power adaptor
Sam’s travel tips:
- Put your passport and other travel documents in one important place that you keep on you at all times while traveling. Stay organized!
- Be sure to advise your bank and credit card company you are traveling.
- Italy uses the EU plug, which is 220V. If you want to bring a curling iron or blow dryer, take that into consideration.
Italy packing for each season
Your packing list for Italy is going to depend on the season you’re going to visit. Year-round I recommend packing the following essential items:
- Multiple outfits: you’re going to want to vary your look!
- Comfortable walking shoes: don’t let blisters stop unforgettable excursions
- Statement earrings, accessories, or shoes: to amplify your style
- Dresses and collared shirts: for dinners, wineries, and religious sites.
- Pack layers: it’s a great way to cool off, warm up, and vary your outfits.
Now, let’s get more specific with what to pack for each season in Italy.
What to pack for Italy in the spring
The infamous city of Florence didn’t get its name for nothing. This Italian city is known for its fragrance of flowers and comes from the Latin word meaning “flower” or “blossom.”
To dress appropriately for the blooming season of spring, I suggest these items go on your Italy packing checklist:
- Outfits to mix and match depending on the weather
- Comfortable and casual shoes for touring
- Pants and a button-down with a vest
- Flowy dresses with a jean jacket
- Dress shoes for dinner
- Allergy medicine
- Layered clothing
- Handkerchief
Summer travel essentials
Italy can get very warm in the summer, particularly as you travel south. To cope with the hot weather, pack lightweight fabrics, a water bottle to stay hydrated, and airy clothing.
Here’s what to pack for Italy in the summer:
- Bathing suit cover-up
- Reusable water bottle
- Short sleeve t-shirts
- Bathing suits
- Beach towel
- Sunscreen
- Beach bag
- Tank tops
- Flip flops
- Sun hat
- Dresses
- Shorts
Sam’s travel tip: if you’re a sun lover, go to the Almalfi coast and the islands of Capri and Sardinia for some world-renowned beach trips!
Fall packing list for Italy
Fall in love with Italy in the fall. Italy is gorgeous at this time of year. The sun sets sooner and the leaves change color adding a new dimension to the streets in the late afternoons.
In early autumn the days offer agreeable weather, sunshine, and cooler nights. As late autumn comes along, the evenings can get quite chilly and even show snow in the northern regions.
Pack layers and these essential items for your fall Italian packing list:
- Weather-proof boots
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Light sweaters
- Jackets
- Pants
- Scarf
- Vest
- Hat
Winter Italian packing list
Hello, holiday markets, snowy Alpine resorts, and calm coastal regions. Traveling to Italy in the winter is a great getaway for a softer city experience with fewer crowds and more time to get warm in museums, take a ski trip, or dethaw some on the southern coast.
To prepare for the cold weather, make sure these essential items get into your luggage:
- Lotion for dry skin
- Insulated boots
- Warm clothing
- Hand warmers
- Thermal layers
- Thermal socks
- Winter jacket
- Long pants
- Winter hat
- Gloves
- Scarf
Sam’s travel tip: If you’re going skiing or snowboarding and are traveling from afar, it’s best to rent your equipment on location. You can even rent clothing!
Though, if you have your favorite goggles, helmet, or jacket, I get it— bring it.
The Dolomites are an absolute northern Italy and snowy landscape must! They’re just outside of the city of Bolzano on the northern border of the country.
Bolzano is a three to four-hour train ride from Venice and Milan in either direction. I recommend starting in one of those major cities and then making your way to the mountains.
Essential Italy packing list tips
My parents always told me to “have fun and be safe” before I went out the door when I was younger.
I’ve carried those words into my travels as an adult and it’s paid off. It’s not fun to forget or lose stuff. Let the good times roll with these essential Italy travel tips:
- Put a travel lock and air tags on your suitcases
- Study travel tips for Italy before you go
- Keep your carry-on items and purses on your person and in-sight at all times
Sam’s travel tip: A fanny pack that goes across your chest is a handy item for your Italy trip. It keeps your stuff safe and at the ready!
Pack appropriately for religious sites
How would you dress if you were invited to the Pope’s home? It’s not a complete visit to Italy without going to Vatican City.
It’s the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, the place to see the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo, and the residence of the Pope.
It’s encouraged to be quiet as you enter, but for me that happened effortlessly. Literally, the architecture, frescoes, and scenery will take your breath away.
Be sure to dress respectfully when you go. That means:
- Take your headphones off (unless they’re part of a guided tour)
- Wear clothing that covers your shoulders to your knees
- Don’t wear clothes with offensive messages or images
Note: you can be denied entry if you do not follow a respectful dress code.
Fun fact: it took Michelangelo four years to paint the Sistine Chapel. It’s a collection of scenes called “frescoes.” Frescoes are a very famous style of painting in Italy.
You will see them on your trip often. They’re even on the walls in bars and restaurants!
Make sure to pack comfortable footwear
You’re going to be walking a lot! One of my favorite things to do when I get to a new city is wander. The cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and decorative gardens of Italy are seemingly endless.
I can’t remember how many times I came home from a day of exploring on my trip to Italy full of food and ready to put my feet up.
Comfortable walking shoes are one of the top essential items for your packing list for Italy. From guided tours to endless moonlit hours, you will be getting your steps in on this trip!
Carry photocopies of your documents with you
Pickpocketing is a bit of a business in major cities. To avoid any trouble, carry photocopies of your essential documents with you and leave the originals in a safe place.
This goes for passports, photo IDs, and other travel documents like medical prescriptions.
I usually have digital copies on my phone, but physical copies are important too.
In case of emergencies, having photocopies available allows you to provide necessary information without the worry of carrying the originals around with you.
Sam’s travel tip: whether you’re planning to do some solo travel in Italy, traveling in twos, or with a group, I’ve found it a helpful safety measure to always keep documents all in the same place.
If I’m in company, we decide on the place and don’t move it. If I’m alone, I make sure it’s secure, and again, don’t move it. Consistency is key.
Buy an eSIM for flexible internet access
Really a revolution in my international travels has been the discovery of the eSIM. I’m someone who likes a nice mixture of safety and adventure.
The eSIM offers me that. I’m able to have the security of an internet connection while I go, and the flexibility of editing my plan depending on my trip.
Holafly has a range of curated options to meet your travel needs. You can check out this eSIM for Italy while you prepare your ultimate Italy packing list.
I’ve found it so much more convenient than back when I used to use pocket WiFi. Though amazing for traveling when I first found it, it’s a bit of an outdated option. Why carry an extra device around?
As for data roaming, forget about it. Though you might not want to hassle with anything outside of your regular carrier, you most certainly will have to hassle with the costs afterward.
It’s easily the most expensive option for international coverage.
Stay connected and let the magic happen! I can’t tell you how many hidden gems I’ve found during my Italian travels that I never would have gotten to without being able to use Google Translate, Google Maps, or Shazam.
Sam’s travel tip: Ask friends and find people on social media who have traveled to the cities in Italy you want to visit.
Ask them for their list of must-go restaurants, bars, and cafes. Arriving in a city with a few hearts in your Google Maps already is a nice way to chart your course.
As you prepare your bags for your trip, think of how you imagine your time spent. Are you on the coast lounging in linen? Skiing the northern regions? Or simply strolling the streets of Venice?
Here are some final thoughts before you start checking items off of your list.
Can you taste the wine already?
Need cellular internet on your next trip?
Use the code MYESIMNOW5 and get a Holafly data eSIM with a 5% discount.
Wrapping up your Italy packing list: stay connected with Holafly
Now that we’ve traversed the terrain of considerations, time to pack! While you put together outfits to match your dream vacation vision, be sure to leave room in your suitcase to bring back clothes and souvenirs.
Shop til you drop or just pick up something sweet for someone at home, you won’t regret it.
Remember to dress appropriately for religious sites, the activities you’ll be doing, and the season you’re visiting.
Keep your personal belongings in a secure place with a fanny pack, personal bag, or special pocket, and tag your suitcases before you leave.
Finally, if you’re visiting Italy from near or far, make sure to brush up on how to make calls in Italy using an eSIM to stay connected when you visit.
Your friends, followers, and family are waiting for that picture! Buon viaggio!
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Detroit native, foothills and lakes of North Carolina raised, Barcelona-based writer and creator. Sam lives and loves by the phrase: words create worlds. An international lifestyle matched with a background in psychology, business, and creative writing has allowed Sam to create content for a range of artists, entrepreneurs, and fashion and lifestyle brands across the globe. Sam's an avid water sports athlete with a passion for fashion, well-being, and adventure.
