The ultimate packing list for your Italian summer holiday
Italy is a fantastic country to visit as a tourist. Apart from the good weather you’re almost guaranteed between June and September, Italy has unrivalled levels of historic interest that can be found all throughout the country, an incredible culture around food and drink and landscapes that can be described as no less than breathtaking.
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Chiesa di San Francesco Acquaviva Picena
So… your flights are booked, your accommodation is sorted and your summer trip to Italy is edging closer. If you’re like us and you like to be prepared, now’s the time to start thinking about what to pack! Luckily, Trek & Taste has your back. Let’s start with some international travel basics that you will need to get to your destination and start your magical Italian summer adventure.
Basic packing list for travelling to Italy
Important documents
Your passport (or ID card if you’re from inside the EU), driver’s license or international driving permit (IDP), health insurance card and other important documents should be first on your list. Well before you travel, have a quick look to make sure these are all valid for travel throughout your stay – passports from outside the EU, for instance, need at least 3 months’ validity beyond the end date of your trip. If you have a student card, bring it - you’ll get a discount on many famous attractions.
International credit & debit cards
Whilst we always carry our credit cards when travelling, we tend to almost exclusively use our Revolut and Monzo cards for everyday spending. Both these providers offer a free basic membership, excellent exchange rates and a lot of flexibility. We tend to gravitate towards Revolut, but you can click here to learn more about which option would be best for you.
Cash
Although card payment is widely accepted in Italy, we like to visit small artisan shops, cafés and restaurants, markets and farm shops where cash is sometimes the only option - but almost always most appreciated. You can search the Revolut app for nearby free cash points, but we always like to travel with a little bit of cash on hand to start with.
A travel adapter
You may be surprised to find a total of 3 different types of sockets in your Italian accommodation. A C-type plug with two pins will fit all three though, so if your home country does not use this type of plug, order a travel adapter. These days you can even get adapters with additional USB and USB-C ports, but the real travel hack is buying only one travel adapter and bringing an extension cord from your home country. This way, you can charge all your devices simultaneously and never have to fight your travel companions for the travel plug!
An under-seat cabin bag
Many budget airlines have recently changed the sizing of the free hand luggage items they allow – meaning your trusty carry-on suitcase may now incur an extra charge. To make optimal use of your airline’s free hand luggage policy, you can buy bags that are the exact maximum size that your airline allows, such as this one for EasyJet, this one for RyanAir or this one for Wizz Air.
What you need to travel to Italy
Important documents (passport or ID, driver’s license or International Driving Permit, health insurance card, student ID)
International debit/credit cards
Some cash (€ Euros)
A travel adapter (type C plug)
A small cabin bag for your airline
Essentials for travelling to Italy in summer
If there’s one thing you should get mentally and physically prepared for, it’s the Italian summer heat! Whilst the northern mountain regions may be a little bit cooler, in most parts of Italy temperatures of 30°C/86°F or more are common. Even the occasional 40°C/104°F is not unheard of, so don’t be surprised when the majority of this packing list consists of items that will help keep you cool and comfortable.
A high-quality insulated water bottle
As we tend to favour active holidays, staying hydrated is crucial. If you don’t like the idea of sipping on tepid water that’s been sloshing around in your pack for hours, invest in a good stainless steel flask. Chilly’s is a popular brand, but we carry a HydrateM8 bottle which we’re super impressed by. If we fill it in the morning and add some ice cubes, it remains super cold well into the afternoon – even during a sunny day on the beach!
Different types of sun protection
We like to start the day with a lightweight, anti-shine SPF50 for the face such as this one from Heliocare, or this budget option from NIVEA. This creates a decent base and will keep us protected for a few hours. During the day, we like to top up with a sunscreen spray, rather than trying to rub more cream into our sweaty faces: this one from La Roche Posay is one we both like and can be applied over make-up. For the body, we opt for an SPF50 in a 100ml bottle. This will last the entire holiday (we go through quite a bit) but is still hand-luggage friendly. Also remember to bag your sunglasses and/or a hat for further, physical sun protection.
A fan
If you’re looking for a practical souvenir, you might like to pick up a hand fan from a local gift shop. If you need a bit more power however, we recommend ordering a USB-chargeable fan like this one before the start of your trip. You can even get a wearable neck fan for hands-free cooling comfort!
Mosquito repellent
Whilst levels of mosquito-intensity may vary, generally, you’re going to get snacked on if you’re in Italy in the summertime. Carry a high-percentage DEET-spray whilst you’re out and about, making sure to really cover your skin and to reapply frequently. The real life hack, however, is grabbing a plug-in mosquito repellent for your bedroom, as mosquitos are most active at night. You can grab these devices from big supermarkets and home convenience stores in Italy, or order one online before your trip - just make sure it has an EU plug.
A light rain jacket or umbrella
Whilst you’ll mostly experience hot and dry weather, sometimes the continuous warmth will lead to juicy showers or even thunderstorms. In our experience, these are mostly short-lived and you’ll dry up in no time afterwards, but if the thought of getting rained on bothers you, pop some rain protection in your bag. If your rain jacket can double as a normal evening jacket, even better. We personally find that Italian summer evenings are so nice and warm, we hardly ever feel the need to layer up – so use this as an opportunity to save space!
Complete packing list for a summer trip to Italy
An insulated water bottle
Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses
A fan
Mosquito repellent spray and plug-in
A rain jacket or umbrella
What to pack for a city trip in Italy
A power bank
The fact that our phone holds everything for us nowadays means we can save a whole lot of space on maps, travel guides, tickets, payment cards and more. The downside of this, however, is that we’re pretty hopeless without it, so make sure to never run out of juice by carrying a powerful portable battery.
A cross-body bag
Although Italy is a relatively safe place to visit, unfortunately you may come across thieves and pickpockets in the big cities. We tend to use a front-wearing cross-body bag for our valuables and a normal backpack for our snacks, water and other bulky bits. There are also special anti-theft safety backpacks available to buy, with hidden openings. Whichever bag you use, make sure you can close it fully, ideally with a zipper, and store your valuables on the inside, against your body if possible. If you keep your phone in your pocket, opt for shorts that have zippers. There is no need to be afraid, but it’s always good to be alert.
Modesty cover-ups
Lots of churches in Italy have a rather strict dress-code. Generally, bare shoulders or shorts/skirts above the knee are not accepted - and these policies can be quite strictly enforced. If you’re a lady and planning on wearing short dresses, skirts or shorts, a lightweight wrap skirt can be a good solution for your lower body – without taking up too much space in your bag. For your shoulders and upper body, carry a very thin scarf – this can come in handy during the day too, if you find your shoulders are getting a bit too toasty in the sun.
Comfortable shoes
If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to use every minute of your trip immersing yourself in the atmosphere, history and culture of the place you’re visiting. Practically, this means our step count can often surpass 25K in a day, so comfy shoes are a must. If you’re flying hand luggage only, you may be quite limited in your choice of shoes, but we would recommend fitting at least one extra pair in your bag if possible - being able to alternate between shoes can make a huge difference when covering long distances for multiple days in a row. Ellen’s first choice is always a pair of comfortable yet smart sneakers, for instance, her favourite white Pumas. They could work with trousers as well as flowy summer dresses. Then secondly, she will opt for some flat or block-heeled sandals – her current go-to is a pair of Mayari Birkenstocks that can be dressed up when going out in the evening. Make sure to throw a pack of Compeed blister patches in your bag as well – they can really save your trip!
Some smart-casual clothing
Whilst you may not look out of place in trackies/leggings and t-shirts amongst the herds of tourists, Italians tend to dress up a bit for events or even for aperitivo or dinner at a restaurant. No need to pack your black tie attire, but packing a pretty dress or a smart button-up will give you the option to blend in with the locals.
Complete packing list for an Italian city trip
A power bank
A cross-body bag and/or anti-theft backpack
Modesty cover-ups: a wrap-skirt and light scarf
Comfortable shoes: trainers and sandals
Some smart-casual clothing
The sun sets over the streets of a town in the Marche region.
What to pack for an Italian beach holiday
A swimming costume
…and a second swimming costume. When peak summer temperatures hit, you’re going to want to throw yourself in the sea or the pool at least once a day, but possibly more often. An extra bikini or pair of trunks means you’ll be able to rinse them out day to day and never have to hoist yourself into some damp lycra!
A fast-drying towel
Whilst most hotels and holiday homes provide towels, we always pack one of our own. We tend to use hammam towels – they’re absorbent but thin, lightweight and fast-drying. We even use them as picnic blankets when we’re not by the water.
A light beach coverup
There’s nothing better than a day on the beach. That is, until you get home, look yourself in the mirror and find yourself resembling the lobster you spotted on the rocks an hour ago. Be it a shawl, a loose t-shirt, or even a poncho, take something with you that you can quickly throw on, and beat the heat.
Flip flops and/or water shoes
Italy has lots of beautiful sandy beaches, but if you’re going to a more natural stretch of seaside, you might find areas with pebbles or rocky shorelines. Pack some water shoes to protect your feet from sharp objects or at least some flip flops to shield your feet from the sand, which can get to burning hot levels towards the middle of the day.
Goggles or a snorkelling mask
If you’ve spent any time on the Italian coast, you’ll have seen that many parts are lined from top to bottom with piles of rocks. These are put in place to guard the shoreline from choppy waves, but they’re also an absolute magnet for all manner of fish, crustaceans and sea-life. Trust us when we say you’ll want to get close and take a look! We recently picked up one of these full-face snorkelling masks, and they’re an absolute game-changer.
Complete packing list for an Italian beach holiday
A swimming costume or two
A fast-drying towel
A beach cover-up
Flip flops or water shoes
Snorkelling gear
Planning a trip to Italy soon? It’s such a beautiful country, culturally, historically and culinarily, with so many hidden gems to discover as you explore. Every little town or village has a stunning church, a famous local delicacy or a unique tradition waiting to be uncovered. Where are you heading? If you’re looking to plan your trip, be sure to check out some of our other blog posts for deep dives into different areas of Italy. Then, book your Italian adventure!
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