Italy

Planning ahead? See typical weather for your travel dates.

Italy generally enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild, pleasant winters. Northern Italy and the Alpine regions are cooler, with colder winters and snowfall, while the south remains warmer throughout the year. Best time to visit: April to June or September to October, for pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds than peak summer.

Italy has an excellent transport network, including high-speed trains, local trains, buses, taxis, and domestic flights, making it easy to travel between major cities and tourist destinations.

Stay connected throughout Italy with easy access to mobile data and Wi-Fi, available across hotels, cafés, restaurants, airports, and major tourist attractions.

Italy uses the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, while carrying some cash is useful for small purchases and local shops.

Italy is famous for Italian leather goods, designer fashion, shoes, jewellery, ceramics, Murano glass, and local delicacies. Shops generally open Monday–Saturday, with many stores closing on Sundays and public holidays. Shopping hours may vary by city and store.

Italy applies a standard VAT rate of 22% on most goods. Visitors residing outside the EU can claim a VAT refund on eligible purchases when the goods are exported from the European Union. Make sure to request the tax-free invoice at the time of purchase and complete the required customs validation before departure.