Italy
Bari, Alberobello and Sicily
Puglia and Sicily on a budget: where to stay, what to eat and how to drive without losing your nerve.
Best time: April, May, June, September and October
Good to know
- Capital
- Rome
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- Italian
- Say hello
- CiaoThank you: Grazie
- Plugs
- Type F and L (round pins)
- Tap water
- Safe to drink, and there are free public fountains
When to go
- January: low season
- February: low season
- March: good
- April: best
- May: best
- June: best
- July: good
- August: good
- September: best
- October: best
- November: low season
- December: low season
Italy changes a lot from north to south. April to June and September to October suit most of the country. In November, Milan and the north are cold and grey, but Sicily is still mild and quiet.
Where to go in Italy
Getting around
Trains, buses, driving and borders: how to get around Italy.
- Driving in Sicily: Car Rental Tips, ZTL Fines, Parking & Costs Honest tips for driving in Sicily: car rental checks, ZTL fines, tolls, parking, driving times and what 3 days with a rental car cost.
- ZTL in Italy: How Tourists Avoid the Fine (I Got One in Milan) What a ZTL is, how to spot the signs, how much the fine is, why it arrives months later, rental car fees, Milan's Area C and how to avoid it all.
Day trips
Easy escapes from a city base, usually without a tour.
More guides
Visa & entry
- Italy is in the Schengen area. EU citizens only need a passport or ID card.
- UK, US and many other passports can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days, counted across the whole Schengen area.
- Since April 2026 non-EU visitors are registered (photo and fingerprints) in the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at the border, so allow extra time.
- ETIAS, a paid online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, is expected to start in late 2026. Check before you book.
- Indian passports need a Schengen visa.
- Visa for Italy (Italian foreign ministry)
- EU official site: EES and ETIAS
- EU list: who needs a Schengen visa
- UK government travel advice
- US government travel advice
General info for the most common passports, checked November 2026. Rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
Italy FAQ
When is the best time to visit Italy?
Italy changes a lot from north to south. April to June and September to October suit most of the country. In November, Milan and the north are cold and grey, but Sicily is still mild and quiet.
What currency does Italy use?
Euro (€).
What language do they speak in Italy?
Italian. Hello is "Ciao" and thank you is "Grazie".
Can you drink the tap water in Italy?
Safe to drink, and there are free public fountains.
What plugs does Italy use?
Type F and L (round pins). Pack a universal adapter if yours are different.
Do I need a visa for Italy?
Italy is in the Schengen area. EU citizens only need a passport or ID card. UK, US and many other passports can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days, counted across the whole Schengen area. Rules change, so check the official site (https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/) before you book.