Why Fly to Italy
Italy delivers on the hype. Few countries pack this much into one destination — Roman ruins that predate Christianity, Renaissance masterpieces you only thought you'd seen in textbooks, coastlines that look computer-generated, and food that makes everywhere else feel like a consolation prize. Whether you're standing in the Colosseum, watching the sun hit Florence's Duomo, or eating the best pizza of your life in Naples, Italy has a way of exceeding expectations even when those expectations are already high.
The country works well as a first-time Europe trip or a deep-dive return visit. Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples are the headline acts, but the supporting cast — Bologna, Cinque Terre, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como — is equally strong. You could visit six times and still have a list. That's Italy's real selling point: it's genuinely inexhaustible.
Best Time to Visit Italy
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the sweet spots. Temperatures sit comfortably between 15°C and 25°C, crowds are manageable, and prices are lower than peak summer. April and May are particularly good — flowers everywhere, Easter atmosphere in Rome, and you can actually move around the Uffizi without being shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers.
July and August are the busiest and hottest months. Temperatures regularly hit 30°C to 35°C in cities, tourist sites are packed, and hotels charge peak rates. That said, coastal areas and the islands come alive in summer if beach time is the goal. Winter (November to March) is quieter and cheaper — Christmas in Rome is genuinely lovely — but some coastal towns and smaller attractions shut down entirely. Ski resorts in the Dolomites are the exception; they peak in winter.
Getting Around Italy
Trains are the backbone of Italian travel and generally excellent between major cities. Trenitalia and Italo operate high-speed routes connecting Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, and Naples — the Rome to Florence journey takes around 1.5 hours, Rome to Milan under 3 hours. Book in advance through the Trenitalia app or Italo's website for the best fares. Regional trains cover smaller towns but are slower and less predictable. Domestic flights make sense for longer hauls like Milan to Palermo or Rome to Sardinia, where the time saving justifies the cost. Renting a car is worth it for rural Tuscany, Puglia, or Sicily, but driving in city centres is a headache — many historic centres are ZTL zones (restricted traffic areas) with automatic fines for non-residents. Ferries connect the mainland to Sicily, Sardinia, and the smaller islands.
Visa & Entry Requirements
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens enter Italy with a valid national ID card or passport — no visa needed. US and UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, covering tourism, short business trips, or brief study. You'll need a passport valid for the duration of your stay (most airlines and border officers expect at least 3 to 6 months remaining), proof of onward travel, and sufficient funds. Overstaying your 90 days is serious — it can result in a Schengen-wide entry ban for up to 3 years. Starting in late 2026, US and UK travellers will need ETIAS pre-travel authorisation, a quick online application linked to your biometric passport. Apply before you book flights.
Money & Budget
Italy uses the euro (€). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in cities and most restaurants and shops, but carry cash for markets, smaller cafés, rural areas, and anywhere with a handwritten sign on the till. ATMs are easy to find — use ones attached to banks rather than standalone machines, and watch for dynamic currency conversion scams. Always pay in euros, not your home currency. Budget travellers can get by on €70 to €100 per day — hostel dorm, pizza and pasta meals, coffee standing at the bar like a local, and public transport. Mid-range is €120 to €180 per day covering a private hotel room, sit-down meals, and major attraction entry. Luxury travel — boutique hotels, fine dining, private tours — starts around €300 per day and goes up steeply. A coffee at a café bar costs €1 to €2; sit down and it doubles.
Top Cities to Visit in Italy
- Rome: The ancient world is still standing here — Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Vatican — layered under a functioning modern city. Allow at least three days minimum.
- Florence: The epicentre of the Renaissance. Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David, the Duomo, and some of the best bistecca in the country. Compact enough to walk almost everywhere.
- Venice: Yes, it's crowded, but it's also like nowhere else on earth. Go in November or February and you'll have a completely different experience to the summer masses.
- Milan: Italy's most forward-looking city — fashion, design, finance, and da Vinci's Last Supper. The Duomo alone is worth the stop, even on a short layover.
- Naples: Chaotic, loud, and completely compelling. Eat the pizza (it's the best in the world, full stop), visit Pompeii, and use it as a base for the Amalfi Coast.
- Bologna: Underrated and worth your time. Outstanding food, medieval towers, and a university city energy that keeps it feeling alive year-round.
FAQ — Flights to Italy
What is the main international airport in Italy?
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is the largest and busiest gateway, handling most long-haul international flights. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the main hub for northern Italy. Other major airports include Florence (FLR), Venice Marco Polo (VCE), and Naples (NAP). If you're flying from the US or UK, Rome and Milan will have the most direct options.
How far in advance should I book flights to Italy?
For peak season travel (June to August), booking 3 to 5 months out gives you the best combination of availability and price. For spring and autumn travel, 6 to 10 weeks ahead is usually fine. Last-minute deals exist but are unpredictable — if your dates are fixed, don't gamble on them.
Is it better to fly into Rome or Milan?
Depends on your itinerary. Rome makes sense if you're doing the classic south-to-north route (Rome, Florence, Venice) or want to hit Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Milan works better if you're starting in the north, heading to the lakes, or continuing into Switzerland or France. Both cities have excellent high-speed train connections, so routing through either works logistically.