5 summer travel hacks for your Italian adventures

The summer brings along better weather, longer evenings and most importantly holiday season. If you’re travelling to Italy this year, discover how to make the most of your adventure with our summer travel hacks. Whether you’re visiting Italy for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, our tips and tricks are sure to help make your adventures unforgettable.

Italy promises a summer of sun, relaxation and breathtaking views. Yet, with some areas warmer and more affordable than others – how do you choose the best destination and timing for your trip?

Choose your destination based on weather preferences

One of the most important travel tips for Italy is that the summer weather isn’t the same everywhere. For example, Sicily typically sees summer temperatures of around 35ºC. The island even smashed European record temperatures in 2021, reaching 48.8°C. Yet, some areas are cooler than others – for example, the Dolomites often see highs of 28ºC, making for a slightly cooler break. So, knowing what kind of weather you’re after will help to narrow down your choice.

Make the most of flexible flight fares

Still not sure of where you want to adventure in Italy this summer? Well, with Booking.com’s flexible flight fares, you can discover new horizons with flexible flights to global destinations. Simply select your destination as ‘anywhere’ and see which prices suit your holiday preferences. 

If you’ve not landed on your perfect holiday date either, you can browse the prices of a selected location for a specific month or up to the next six months for your chosen holiday duration.

Worried about changing your mind last minute? Well, your worries will be a thing of the past if you purchase a flexible ticket. Change your flight time or date up to 24 hours before your departure time with selected airfares. This way, you can keep your original airline and route,and just pay the fare difference – if there is any. Planning just got that much easier.

Use Genius flights price alert

Save on your travels this summer with Booking.com’s in-app price alerts in your pocket. As a Genius member, you’ll be notified when flight prices to Italy are increasing or decreasing so you can book when the time is right. Talk about that for a summer travel tip.

Italy has various transportation systems, great for exploring the country. However, there are some hacks that can make your travels that bit smoother. From validating your ticket to travelling to remote areas, learn how to master public transport systems with these travel tips for Italy.

Use regional transport efficiently

When it comes to using regional transport efficiently, there are some tips and tricks which can help to make your journey stress-free: 

• Validate your ticket – some bus and train tickets require validation after purchase in Italy. To validate a paper ticket, look for a yellow or green machine dotted about the station. Once located, simply put your ticket into the slot and it’ll come back out stamped. For e-tickets, some require a digital check-in (often via the app you purchased it from), while others do not need validation at all. Always check the specific ticket instructions in advance to avoid fines.

• Check for any delays – transport-related strikes (scioperi) can be commonplace in Italy. To avoid any unwanted disruptions, check the official transport website and the guaranteed list of running trains for your service. These are certain to turn up even in the event of a strike.

• Use buses to get to more remote areas – if you’re looking to holiday in a remote area in Italy this summer, buses are a great way to reach smaller towns – some even travel to neighbouring countries.

Consider a hire car

If you’re travelling to a remote area in Italy, hiring a car can be a great option to make sure you can see everything you want to. For example, destinations like The Italian Alps are not as well connected to public transport. By hiring a car, you can explore Italy on your own schedule.

Italy is home to some of the most awe-inspiring attractions in the world. From the Vatican Museum to Gallerie Degli Uffizi – you really will be spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring. So your adventures are as smooth as possible, there are some important tips and tricks to know: 

• Many museums are closed on Mondays – after the rush of the weekend, Monday is typically the day of closure for many museums and heritage sites. Make sure to account for this if you haven’t got your tickets in advance. 

• Consider dress codes – some attractions across Italy require specific dress codes, so being in the know means you won’t be turned away upon entry. For example, flip-flops, low-cut or sleeveless dresses, miniskirts, shorts and hats are not allowed at the Vatican Museum.

• Make the most of free entry days – Sunday at the Museum, or Domenica al Museo to the locals, is a nationwide initiative that offers free admission to state museums and archaeological sites on the first Sunday of each month. This was launched by the Ministry of Culture to make culture and art more accessible. This includes major attractions such as the Colosseum, though participation can vary, so it's best to check in advance.

• Invest in a City Pass – if you’ve got a jam-packed itinerary, investing in a City Pass is a great way to get discounted – or even free – entry to a variety of museums, historical sites and sometimes local public transport.

The coast is the perfect place to kick back and relax this summer. But there are a few things to know before going to Italy’s beaches this year.

Public beaches vs. beach clubs

Italy has two main types of beaches: public beaches and beach clubs. Public beaches are a great way to access the bustle of Italy’s coast at no cost. If you’re after something a little more exclusive, beach clubs are designated areas of private beaches that make for a quieter experience. 

Some areas in Italy have more public beaches than beach clubs and vice versa. For example, Rimini is more known for its beach clubs, whereas public beaches are more commonplace in Sicily. Knowing what kind of beach you’re after in advance will help you pin down a destination easier.

Check the beach’s accessibility

The beaches of Italy can differ in terms of their accessibility. For example, Torre Guaceto (Apulia), Lido Pizzo (Salento) and Lido Morelli (Ostuni) are wheelchair-friendly. However, some beaches feature steps or have uneven terrain making it difficult for wheelchair users to access. So, always make sure to check in advance.

When it comes to exploring Italy’s culture, there are a few things that can make your holiday that bit more authentic. Learn about the local cuisine and how to shop as the Italians do.

Eat like a local

If you fancy going out for a meal or two on your adventure, knowing the local customs can help to make your trip that bit tastier.

Italy typically eats a bit later than some northern European countries. While times vary from region to region, breakfast is normally eaten around 07:00–09:00, lunch is at 12:30–14:00 and dinner is around 20:00–21:00. In fact, many traditional restaurants don’t even open until around 19:00 for dinner.

When it comes to actually ordering at an Italian restaurant, menus are mainly separated by primi (first courses) and secondi (second courses). Not to be confused with starters and mains, both primi and secondi are the main parts of the meal. Primi are often dishes of pasta, rice or soup and secondi dishes usually consist of meat or fish.

Other phrases found on menus include: 

• Antipasti – (‘before meal’) small, savoury appetisers including cold meats, cheeses and olives. This is most similar to a starter.

• Contorni – (‘side dish’) side dishes that typically consist of vegetables.

• Dolce – (‘sweet’) a dessert.

Drink coffee like a local

Are you a coffee lover? Well, knowing the ways of the espresso is a must. 

Typically, Italians enjoy espresso throughout the day, including dinner time. If you prefer some milk with your coffee (like in a cappuccino), Italians would typically opt for this type of coffee in the morning, usually before 11:00.

For the latte lovers of the world, remember that ‘latte’ simply translates to milk in Italian. To avoid being served a glass of milk, make sure to ask for a ‘caffè latte’ (coffee with milk).

How to shop

Italy is renowned for its leather, boasting outstanding quality and craftsmanship. So, if you’re in search of a new jacket or shoes, make sure you’ve left some extra space in your suitcase to account for your purchases. 

As with any holiday, learning basic phrases can go a long way. Knowing ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ – ‘per favore’ and ‘grazie’ will help to make your shopping experience seamless. 

After all, some of the world’s best shopping outlets can be found in Italy, so keep your eyes peeled for any bargains.

With these Italian summer travel hacks, your holiday is as sure to be authentic as it is smooth.  By finding your best flight options to mastering Italy’s public transport, your travels are sure to be as relaxing as possible. So, get your sunglasses, comfortable shoes and a camera at the ready – it’s time to travel to Italy.