The basics to understand before going to italy

Italy is one of the most famous travel destinations in the world, and it's no wonder why. From historic cities with food to try for every palate to the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast and the crisp, blue Mediterranean sea, Italy is a fantastic spot to spend a week or two of your precious time off. However, before you pack your bags and hop on that plane there are a few basics to understand before traveling to Italy. Fortunately for you, I visited Italy quite recently and I'm here to share with you everything the locals taught me.

Where Is Italy Situated in Europe?

Italy is located in southern Europe. It's northern section shares a border with Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland and France, and the rest of Italy is surrounded by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Many individuals recognize that Italy has a distinct boot-like shape that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with its southernmost tip, the region of Calabria, almost touching the island of Sicily. Italy is also located across from Tunisia, a country located in the northern part of Africa.

What seas surround italy?

Italy is surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea. However, there are different portions of the Mediterranean Sea on each side. The northeastern region of Italy, where Venice and the Apennine Mountains are located, is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. The southeastern portion of Italy is surrounded by the Ionian Sea. The southwestern portion of Italy, where the Amalfi Coast and Naples are located, is surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea. Finally, the northwestern regions of Italy, like Cinque Terre, are surrounded by the Ligurian Sea.

Is italy a developed Country?

Italy is considered a highly developed country. It is the third largest national economy in the European Union and the 7th largest manufacturing industry in the world. Italy is also the eighth largest exporter in the world, exporting significant goods like machinery, cars, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. This makes Italy a phenomenal country to visit! With a great economical infrastructure, modern amenities, and safe/efficient methods of transportation, visitors can explore this country with both ease and comfort.

What time is it in italy?

Wondering what time it is in Italy compared to where you're currently located? Below showcases the most popular cities in the world and the time difference between Italy and them.

The official language spoken in Italy is Italian. Approximately 93% of Italians are native speakers, which means that most individuals living in Italy learned Italian as their first language. 50% of the country speaks a different dialect based on their region. It is also said that English is the second most common language spoken in Italy, but only 13% of Italians know how to speak it. While this number may seem small, I would tell any travelers looking to visit Italy that many popular destinations like Rome, Naples, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast have a concentration of English-speaking Italian residents as well. This means that even though you should definitely learn some of the important Italian words before your trip ("hello", "goodbye", "where's the bathroom", and "help") you can rest easy knowing that you should be able to find SOMEONE to communicate with!

do they speak english in italy?

Yes, they do! English is the second most popular language spoken in Italy. When I traveled to Italy I noticed that most of the tourist towns and cities had a lot of English speakers. However, I've heard that less popular areas to visit have less English speakers, so it may be good to learn a few simple words and always have Google Translate nearby in case!

Italy has four seasons, similar to regions in the United States and Australia. According to many locals, the best time to visit Italy is during the spring or fall, which means visiting in April, May, September, or October. To take a look at the high temperature and low temperature averages per month each year as well as the average rainfall per month, take a look at the graph below:

what is the currency in italy?

The official currency accepted across all regions of Italy is the Euro (€). Since Italy is a nation that's part of the European Union, it uses the same currency as many of the other European Union countries. When traveling to Italy, visitors can also pay with debit or credit cards. However, I would personally advise only paying with a card if the cost of your purchase is more than €10. This is because my boyfriend bought cigarettes for only a couple Euros and the shop owner was very annoyed and angry, telling him its ridiculous to have to use his card for this. Sooo my advice? Pull out some smaller denomination Euros to have on hand in case you want a quick gelato, a pack of cigarettes, or something else small like that. Keep your card on hand (especially if you have a credit card that doesn't charge fees for foreign transactions) for larger purchases.

What is the main religion in Italy?

The predominant religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism, with nearly 70% of Italians identifying as Roman Catholics. Besides a small percentage of other Italians faithful to different branches of Christianity, there are also about 12% of Italians who are non-religious and almost 3% who belong to another religion. What does this mean when visiting Italy? I would say that this means you can expect some stores to be closed on Sundays for mass, and that you'll see a great number of Roman Catholic churches across the nation.

transportation options in Italy

Similar to various other European countries, Italy relies on cars, buses, trains, and ferries as the main forms of transportation; you may notice some differences though. For example, Italian cars can be smaller than traditional cars, which may be due to the fact that there are a LOT of narrow streets within larger cities and tourist areas like the Amalfi Coast. You can expect to see a lot of individuals opting to ride scooters or buses as well, especially in highly populated areas. There is also a fantastic train system from Rome and into different cities across Italy so this is a great means of transportation if you can't fly into the exact area you're going to be staying in (like the Amalfi Coast) and must take a train. Finally, ferries are typically more popular in the southern region of Italy, especially when traveling from the coast to islands like Capri.

What is the Italian Culture like?

When visiting Italy, you'll find a culture known for its art, history, exceptional food, diverse landscape, and traditions. The Italian people are known for their warmth and hospitality, often welcoming visitors with open arms. They love to explain to tourists the significance of their heritage, whether it be about the work Michelangelo produced, the different between real gelato and "fake" gelato, or why they think the region they live in is the best.

How Far Is Spain From Italy?

The city of Madrid, Spain is almost 1,373 kilometers or 853 miles away from Rome, Italy. This is a 2.5 hour direct flight, an average 27 hour speed train ride, or a 20.5 hour ferry ride. Because of how close these two countries are in proximity, with just the sea in between, many tourists opt to do these two countries in one long trip.

How far is England From Italy?

London, England is about 1,500 kilometers or 1000 miles away from Rome, Italy. This is a 2.5 hour direct flight or a 14 hour speed train ride. This makes travel from the two countries relatively simple, especially if you're looking to visit both England and Italy during one trip. Just make sure you have enough time to explore both gorgeous cities and their surrounding towns!

Do they tip in Italy?

No, you do not need to tip in Italy. This is because waitstaff are paid a livable wage and tips do not make up the majority of a server's income like they do in the United States. However, if you want to round up when paying for things like taxi rides, restaurants bills, etc this is completely acceptable. It's also important to remember that you are charged an automatic cover charge at restaurants, also known as the coperto. This amount is meant for the restaurant to cover the cost of bread, table setting, and service, so tipping extra is not necessary. If you receive exceptional service or want to show appreciation, a small tip is always welcomed but not expected.

IS MARIJUANA LEGAL IN ITALY?

Recreational marijuana use is not legal in Italy, which means that any individual caught without a medical card in possession of this drug will face administrative penalties at the very least. While marijuana is decriminalized, the exact punishment for smoking it depends on the amount possessed, whether it was being consumed in public, and if there was any intent to distribute. The most typical punishment is a fine. Medical marijuana, however, is legal and can be prescribed by a licensed doctor for certain conditions. You can also find CBD products with less than 0.6% THC content on the market.

looking to learn more about italy & where to visit on your next trip?

Now that you have a basic understanding of traveling to Italy, are you curious about the best places to visit, the top foods to try in each city, or restaurant recommendations? Scroll down to explore more articles and plan your Italian adventure! I visited Italy in August and I'm more than happy to share with you everything I learned from the locals as well as honest reviews of tourist spots and local gems we found on our own. You can also click the subscribe button below to get monthly emails about Italy updates!