Italy is one of the most highly sought-after destinations in the entire world. With its incredible architecture, delicious food, stunning landscapes, and rich culture, this is surprising to no one. We know that piecing together a packing list for Italy can be a daunting task–especially if this is your first visit!
Trying to decide what exactly to bring with you? This guide will walk you through the entire process and highlight all of your travel essentials:
Comfy Shoes
Expect to do a ton of walking in Italy. Many visitors enjoy wandering miles through the streets as they explore new cafes and museums. Make sure the shoes you pack are comfortable, fit well and broken in. Many of the streets you will be walking will be made of cobblestone so invest in a pair of shoes that offer extra support. Choose to opt-in for a pair of casual sneakers or boat shoes if you are looking to up your fashion game a bit.
Hat
Keep your head and eyes protected from your long days in the sun. We’ll leave the fashion choice up to you.
Sunglasses
Just like a hat, you’ll want a pair of sunglasses to help keep you shaded from the Italian sun. However, if you happen to forget your pair, there are plenty of places to pick one up once you arrive.
Sunscreen
As we all know, sunburns are never a good look in vacation photos. Keep your skin protected by packing and applying sunscreen regularly throughout your long days in Italy. We know how easy it is to get wrapped up when exploring new sights, so grab a travel buddy to remind you or set notifications on your phone.
Umbrella
As always, check the weather when planning your trip and again when it is time to start packing. You can either hope you get lucky with the weather and avoid all rain for your entire trip (very rare for Italy), or come prepared with a sturdy umbrella. Thinking ahead will help you stay within your budget and help you avoid spending money on unnecessary items such as a cheap umbrella off the street when you happen to get caught in the rain. Your other option is checking with your hotel before you leave to see if they lend out umbrellas upon request.
Small Pack of Tissues
While it is common for most bathrooms in Italy to have toilet paper, some might come with a small Euro fee or not offer any toilet paper at all. Toss a small pack of tissues into your day bag and you’ll always be prepared for either of these situations. It doesn’t hurt to throw in a portable sized hand sanitizer as well!
Italy Power Adapter
Avoid frying your electronic devices and purchase a decent travel adapter as standard US electrical plugs do not fit into Italian outlet sockets. This will help keep all of your devices charged and photo-ready. Consider investing in a universal adapter as it will last you through your travels outside of Italy and all over the world as well.
Portable Charger
In the midst of all your exploring, you’ll likely be away from power sources for extended periods of time. An easy, lightweight charger will be the answer to all of your problems. Keep your phone and camera batteries charged while you are on the go. You wouldn’t want to lose power when using Google Maps on your way back to your hotel. Also, no need to worry about having the right adapter on hand in the moment, just plug your device’s charging cord into the USB slot and you’ll have power! (Just remember to charge your portable charger every night)
Student ID
If you are traveling as a student or are planning on studying abroad in Italy, bring along your student ID. Odds are you’ll be eligible for many discounts across the museums and attractions you’ll be visiting.
Passport
If you are traveling internationally, the most important item on your packing list will be your passport! You won’t be getting to your dream destination of Italy without it!
Travel Journal
Don’t lose track of all of your amazing memories. Set aside a few minutes each night or morning to document your daily adventures. This is also a great activity for long bus or train rides. Prefer to type or don’t feel like taking up more space in your luggage? Download an app on your phone that will hold on to your stories.
Packing Cubes
Help keep yourself organized and save on space by choosing to transport your belongings in packing cubes. This method will save you time and stress when searching in your suitcase for a specific outfit. Packing cubes are crucial especially for those traveling to multiple locations on one journey and don’t want to unpack and repack everything at each stop.
Room for Souvenirs
Even if you don’t normally consider yourself a ‘souvenir’ person, Italy might be the one exception to your travels. Leave your bag with some extra room while packing or bring an extra one to store all of your new goodies in when you return home. You’ll want to stock up on all of that amazing pasta and wine to share with family and friends back home as you reminisce on your travels. If Florence is on your itinerary, you may just need room for a new leather jacket, belt or purse as the city is known for its beautiful leather craftsmanship.
No matter where you go in Italy, you’ll be surrounded by history, sights, and some of the most delicious food you’ll ever taste. It’s truly a destination you’ll always remember. Did we leave anything essential out? Let us know below! Start your packing for Italy today and launch your Italian adventure with Acanela Expeditions!
Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak