If you have made the choice to travel to Italy, you are definitely in for an incredible adventure. Italy is a unique and diverse country. For good reason, it is the 3rd most visited country in Europe and even the 5th most visited country in the world! Every year 64.5 million people are being attracted by the beautiful Bella Italia. That’s why it’s very wise of you to do your homework before your trip and be prepared for the perfect Italy trip in 2021 😊
In this article, you will find not only our 19 Must-Have Italy Packing List Travel Gadgets, but also a lot of other useful information. We’ll give you tips on the 4 seasons, special accommodations, and interesting facts about Italy, as well as advice on our favorite wine regions and other landmarks and attractions in Italy. This will surely give you an advantage over other tourists and help you experience unforgettable moments.
One thing in advance, when you are writing your Italy packing list, read the section about the seasons and activities beforehand, because then you can decide a little better what you really need 😊 As always, we have tested the travel gadgets ourselves in Italy. We would be very happy about feedback in the comments!
Anyway, now we start with the packing list, in order to save you some money and time on your next trip to Italy and enjoy your vacation even more.
Regardless if you’re planning a trip to Italy or somewhere else, we also have some general information and tips for you in this article:
Smart Travel Planning – 5 Tips to Save Money on your next Trip
18 Travel Gadgets you need on your Italy Packing List!
Refillable Bottles with Hook (e.g. for hand sanitizer)
These small travel bottles with hook are great for various cosmetics and hiking accessories for Italy’s nature and cities. You can fill them with liquid soap, lotions, and disinfectants, for example, which is really advisable in the current time with Covid-19. On top of that you can easily attach them to your backpack – super practical, don’t you think? In addition, the bottles are reusable, durable, and therefore extremely eco-friendly. Be sure to add these to your Italy packing list.
Universal Travel Adapter
Who has not experienced it: you want to charge your electronic devices in the accommodation and the socket has a different plug! This travel adapter solves your problem because it has plugs for over 220 countries. It has a compact and slim shape, so it can be easily stored in your luggage. Since you can take it with you on any trip, it can still be used after your trip to Italy and belongs on every packing list!
Solar Charger
Nothing is more annoying than a dead battery when you are standing in front of the Colosseum and want to take a photo! No problem if you have your solar charger with you to quickly charge your smartphone and camera. We recommend you this solar charger. It’s dustproof and waterproof so it is very suitable for traveling by sea and in the mountains of Italy.
Packing Cubes
This Packing Cube set in different sizes is perfect to keep your dirty laundry, towels, toiletries, underwear and electronic accessories well sorted. Plus, the Packing Cubes fit into carry-on suitcases and backpacks, making them ideal for small and large trips to Italy. It’s amazing how much more space you have in your suitcase thanks to these cubes 😊
Softshell Jacket
If you are hiking in the Italian Alps, exploring the mountains on a mountain bike tour, or looking for stylish and functional weather protection for the city – these softshell jackets are a real all-rounder for your trip. While you concentrate on your travel experience, this softshell jacket reliably protects you from wind and light rain.
Merrell Hiking Boots Low Rise
What should not be missing on your extensive city and hiking tours? Comfortable shoes! This ankle-high hiking shoe from Merrell is made of high-quality leather in combination with breathable mesh, ensuring that you have a comfortable climate in the shoe during sweaty excursions. These hiking shoes can be used on asphalt and also on alpine roads with unpaved surfaces and give your feet support even on steep trails.
Butterfly Twists Women
You can wear these shoes everywhere! On the one hand, they have a very soft sole and look really nice, on the other hand, you can roll them up and pack them in any bag – isn’t that great? You can even carry them in your handbag. They are so extremely space-saving that you can take several pairs with you on your Italian vacation and have the right shoe for every outfit. A dream for all women!
Flip Flops with bottle opener
Sitting on the beach in Calabria, enjoying the sun, drinking a cold beer or soda… the bottle opener is missing, what a bummer! With these super practical flip flops, this won’t happen to you anymore, because they have a bottle opener integrated into the sole. If you are thirsty and don’t have an opener at hand, it’s annoying. These flip flops are the ultimate deal, believe us 🙂
Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack
This ultra lightweight backpack is especially great for day trips, hikes in nature, and shopping trips in the metropolises of Italy. It offers enough space for a bottle of water, your valuables and a light jacket, or even your new purchases from shopping. The great thing about this backpack is that it can be folded to sandwich size and thus fits in any suitcase. It also has wide breathable straps so you don’t have to sweat in the Italian sun.
Earth Pak Dry Bag
Italy also offers many more action-packed excursions. Apart from canyoning and rafting, Italy also offers beautiful beaches with excellent opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and surfing. If you want to remember your vacation even better, you should definitely take some photos and videos. To protect your equipment, this dry bag is the best solution.
Insect Repelling Wrist Band
In summer there is a real mosquito problem in Italy, especially if you are near lakes. No one wants to have those annoying red itchy bites on their body while on vacation. Mosquito repellent spray is useful but often smells bad. The solution is these colorful anti-mosquito bracelets. They reliably drive away mosquitoes and other insects and even looks pretty.
Water Filter Bottle
Travel, hiking, camping – this water bottle with a filter is excellent for your trip to Italy to make sure you always have clean drinking water from the nearest river or lake. The filter removes over 99.99% of all bacteria! This means you don’t have to worry about carrying heavy water supplies on the go, and it’s environmentally friendly too because the WATER TO GO Water Filter Bottle is very durable and reusable. We highly recommend adding it to your Italy packing list.
Canon EOS 2000D DSLR Camera with Wi-Fi
If you’ve been thinking about buying a higher-end camera and want to get into photography, Italy is the perfect country! Italy has so many sights, architectural masterpieces, breathtaking landscapes and of course beautiful people 😊 The Canon EOS 2000D offers an incredible value for a relatively low price. It’s the perfect beginner’s camera, but it already takes impressive pictures. We especially like the integrated Wi-Fi, which allows you to transfer your pictures directly to your phone on vacation and send them to your family and friends 😊
Lensball
Equipped with your new camera, you can now go on the chase for the perfect vacation picture. With a lensball you can see every object from a different perspective and take unique pictures. These pictures will definitely attract a lot of attention and are incredibly fun to shoot with. If you’ve never heard of a lensball picture, you should definitely google it 😊 Such a lensball is not very light but has still earned its place on our Italy packing list.
Camera Backpack
In order to have your camera + equipment always with you, we recommend this camera backpack. In the past, you often used a camera bag hung over your shoulder. This is not only unhealthy but also impractical. This backpack has an excellent layout inside, so your equipment is always secured. In addition, it offers space for other things you may need, such as a few small items for a picnic or your new purchases after a shopping trip 😊
Water-Resistant Memory Card Case
Now that we have everything we need to go out and take memorable vacation pictures, we should also make sure they don’t get lost. When you are on vacation, you are often near water. This water-resistant memory card case will therefore protect your memory cards. Depending on how many pictures you take on vacation, you should definitely think about getting a Memory Card Case. When buying memory cards, also make sure that they are compatible with your camera and save the pictures in the best quality.
Selfie Stick Tripod
If you only want to use your smartphone for vacation pictures, you can’t get around a selfie stick in Italy! It’s worth the money, even if you’re just doing a little photo session at the Leaning Tower of Pisa 😛 It’s incredibly fun and allows you to take great pictures. This stick is also a tripod with remote control! This way you don’t always have to ask others if they could take a picture of you. It also fits perfectly in your new camera backpack 😛
GoGirl
And to complete your Italy packing list here’s a revolutionary gadget for all women. GoGirl! With the help of GoGirl, women can also finally experience fast and easy relief in nature without any problems 😊 Especially when hiking through the Alps or on a road trip, where you have discovered a specially beautiful little beach, this gadget is super helpful. We look forward to your feedback on this Italy packing list in the comments.
More Italy Packing List Gadgets which may come in handy
Bonus Tip: Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us how quickly something unexpected can happen. However, in order for you to worry as little as possible during your well-deserved vacation, we have fought our way through the insurance jungle for you and looked for a reliable partner. Thereby we have stumbled upon WorldNomads.com. Insurance is always a very sensitive topic and honestly, we would rather do without it and spend the money on vacation for other nice things. But if something should happen, you are more than happy to have a partner like WorldNomads on your side!
Why WorldNomads has impressed us so much?
- Backed by specialized insurance providers and global assistance partners
- You can always buy the insurance online, even if you are already traveling
- You can adjust your insurance coverage during the trip and claim online
- They cover a range of adventure sports and activities
- Very high availability worldwide
6 Things you DO NOT need in Italy
Fancy dresses
Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world. But in fact, the whole of Italy is known for its elegant fashion. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to go shopping in Italy and not to bring clothes from home. That way you can proudly show off your new gems 🙂
A full suitcase
In order to have enough space for your new clothes, but also a variety of other souvenirs, we strongly recommend you to travel with lightweight luggage to Italy. However, it should not be particularly difficult for you, since summer clothing is also quite light and space-saving 😊
Travel umbrella
On many lists, we found a travel umbrella. However, we ask ourselves, who wants to go on vacation if they expect rain? 😛 In Italy, it rains very rarely, so we would rather leave the umbrella at home. Besides, in case of emergency, you can buy them for a good price locally.
Hairdryer
Another gadget that can be found on many lists. Italy’s accommodations are well prepared for long hair, so you can leave your Travel Hairdryer at home 😊 In that case, take the Travel Umbrella instead 😀
Valuables
As every time, we would like to point out that you should not pack any unnecessary valuables. Of course, Italy is very safe, but all over the world there is a saying: An open door may tempt a saint 😉
Too many shorts/skirts
When you travel to Italy, you will certainly not only visit the beautiful landscapes and beaches. Italy has an incredible amount of culture to offer. A big part of it is churches and other buildings, where you are only allowed to enter with covered shoulders and long pants. So pack at least one full-length outfit 😊
3 Special Accommodations to stay in Italy
Hotel 87 eighty-seven – Maison d’Art Collection , Rome
Rome is probably the most famous city in Italy and also one of the most visited cities in the world! And for good reasons – we can hardly remember a city in which there is so much to discover and experience. Unfortunately, the Italians are also aware of that, which is why Rome is very expensive. But at Hotel 87 – Maison d’Art Collection you get a lot for your money. For example, a great view from the jacuzzi on the roof terrace. The location of the accommodation is excellent – it’s a 5-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain. Be sure to allow yourself a night here. Rome is worth a trip for everyone at least once in their life. But be sure to explore the rest of Italy as well.
Combo Venezia, Venice
For example Venice! One thing in advance, here it is unfortunately not more inexpensive for the time being 😀 But we have a real highlight for you in terms of accommodation. And the price is really very good for Venice. At Combo Venezia you can enjoy your stay in a real renovated monastery from the 12th century. Again, the location is excellent – it’s a 10-minute walk to the famous Rialto Bridge. The accommodations leave nothing to be desired, so you can fully concentrate on exploring Venice. One of our favorite accommodations in Italy 😊
Relais Bellaria Hotel & Congressi, Bologna
Now it finally gets a little bit more favorable. But we recommend a rental car 😊 The Relais Bellaria Hotel & Congressi is located about 5km from the center of Bologna. But here you get incredible service and a beautiful pool! Of course, there are plenty of ways to get to Bologna without your own car. However, the region, in general, is very beautiful, which is why we recommend you to plan a few days for your stay.
Budget flights to Italy
4 seasons in Italy. What to experience and what to be aware of
Spring in Italy (March – May)
Ciao Bella Italia! A trip to Italy is, of course, an excellent idea at any time of the year. However, each season has its pros and cons. First, we want to tell you a little more about Italy’s Primavera (spring). Italy has a variable climate. This means that the weather can vary greatly in different regions. Italy’s spring is absolutely beautiful. Flowers are blooming and people are already celebrating the first colorful festivals. For example, the wine festival – Vinitaly, which takes place in Verona in April.
The temperatures in spring are between 16°C and 24°C. This combined with the even smaller crowds of tourists makes it one of the best seasons in Italy for us. However, Holy Week around the first of May is certainly an exception here. This is considered as high season in many cities in Italy. The weather is perfect for exploring Italy’s culture-rich cities like Rome and Florence, but also not too cold to spend some sunny hours on Italy’s gorgeous beaches. If you want to reduce the risk of rain, we recommend a trip to the south of Italy. This way you can cross the umbrella of your Italy packing list for sure 😊
Which activities are most recommended in spring?
We love taking a little time off at the beach in Italy in spring. Here are our top 3 most beautiful beaches in Italy:
Our top 3 beaches
La Pelosa, Sardinia
The first dream beach on our list is La Pelosa in Sardinia. During our many vacations in Italy, we have certainly also asked the Italians for their recommendations. La Pelosa Beach was often the first answer when it comes to the favorite beach. Here you can find turquoise water and white sand like in the Caribbean. The beach is about 300 meters long. In July and August, the beach is a popular destination, so you better secure a spot early in the morning. In spring this beach is an absolute recommendation 😊
Tropea Beach, Calabria
This beach is also considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. However, we recommend you avoid the high season even more. Next to it there is another beach, which is really only recommended in spring or autumn because otherwise, it is far too crowded. There are also many water activities here such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking,… and much more. For all the fishing fans, you can also book a fishing tour. Party lovers can look forward to the numerous nightclubs and bars. Tropea Beach is also called the pearl of Calabria.
Isola Bella, Sicily
Isola Bella was one of the wonders of the world until the 18th century. Therefore, a visit to this beach should not be missing on your Italy trip. This time we do not recommend it to you as a classic “beach vacation” but rather a small exploration tour of this beautiful island. On it is a magnificent castle with all kinds of treasures. If that is not enough, you can also admire mysterious caves and beautiful gardens. It is open to tourists between March and October and costs about 16€ entrance fee.
Summer in Italy (June – August)
Welcome to Italy’s Estate (Summer) 😊 This is Italy’s absolute high season. But in Italy’s divine season you also have the guarantee of breathtaking sunny days and a Mediterranean climate. First of all, we would like to introduce you to our favorite summer festival. In Tuscany the Festa Dell’Unicorno (Unicorn Festival) takes place. It is in July and is celebrated in Vinci for 3 days. There, the joy of life of the Italians is literally touchable. If you have the opportunity and are in the neighborhood, you should spend at least a few hours there.
Of course, the temperatures also rise in the summer. Temperatures between 25°C and 30°C are expected. This might make the beaches mentioned above a bit more attractive for you 😛 However, it is no reason to drop all other activities. It would be fatal if you travel to Italy and return without seeing at least some of the impressive landmarks and attractions. The beautiful weather definitely enables you to take the best vacation pictures to remember this trip with great memories later on.
Which activities are most recommended in summer?
If you had been in Rome for one week only, you probably wouldn’t have explored everything yet 😀 That’s why we have summed up our 3 Italy highlights for you. We always remember these experiences with a smile. However, in summer you should make sure to book in advance. Besides the risk that the tours are fully booked, you certainly don’t want to stand in line in the heat 😊
Our top 3 landmarks and attractions you should visit
Mount Etna
A hike to the highest active volcano in Europe has always been on your bucket list? Then you can finally cross it off 😊 With an experienced guide you can admire the fascinating beauty of Etna and the surrounding area from the summit craters. On this tour, you should definitely bring your hiking boots. But be sure to check in advance how active Etna is at the moment. The tours start, but the guides can only get as close to Etna as the current situation allows. Ask your guide for more information 😊 We guarantee that this day will be one of the highlights of your trip to Italy!
Recommended tours:
St Mark’s Basilica and Grand Canal, Venice
Of course, a gondola ride in Venice can not be missed! The gondola is also a kind of public transport in Venice and can be found everywhere. Our recommendation is to combine the gondola ride with a small city tour 😊 We got a small quiet private gondola. It was a dreamy moment feeling the magic of Venice in the beautiful canals. Our tour went through Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Many trips start at St. Mark’s Square. This leads us to St.Mark’s Basilica, which for us is the most beautiful building in Venice and therefore should definitely be visited!
Recommended tours:
Pompeii and Herculaneum, Naples
We have often mentioned Italy’s great culture and history. That’s why Pompeii is an absolute must-see on your Italy trip. Normally I am not a fan of guided tours with “experts”. But here it is worthwhile to go with an archaeologist through the impressive complex and thus discover hidden highlights. This makes history fun! On the tour, you will also learn a little more about the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. We took this as an opportunity to visit Vesuvius as well. You will have a great day, full of new impressions and experiences 😊
Recommended tours:
Autumn in Italy (September – November)
After summer comes Autunno (Autumn). This season, along with spring, is perfect for your first visit to Italy. These are the months with the least tourists, but still pleasant temperatures. The temperatures may already be too cold for you to swim in the sea… however, there are a variety of water sports and events taking place in Italy now. For example the “Barcelona” (yes you are still on the Italy packing list :P). It’s a great sailing race that takes place in October.
The temperatures in autumn are between 18°C and 24°C. So it’s not much colder than in spring. Therefore, feel free to pack your swimwear 😊 But the season brings most of all the optimal climate for the grape harvest. We were even allowed to harvest a few grapes ourselves at a winery in Tuscany. A great experience!
Which activities are most recommended in autumn?
You probably guessed it – it’s time for a wine tasting! Italy is known worldwide for its delicious wine. And if you’re already helping with the harvest, you might as well reward yourself after the work is done 😛 Here are 3 tips for your first wine experience in Italy 😊
These are our top 3 wine regions in Italy
Tuscany
We have already mentioned our love for Tuscany and its wineries. Tuscany is one of the most famous wine regions in the world, which is why it was our first wine destination in Italy. In Tuscany, there are numerous wineries that you can visit. We especially liked San Gimignano. However, we can not give a neutral opinion, because the wine there tasted very good 😀 The wineries in San Gimignano are mostly located in small villages on top of hills and therefore also offer a unique view. For your first visit to a wine region, we strongly recommend you to choose Tuscany.
Veneto
Veneto is a wine region with a lot of history and character. It is located in the northeast of Italy and is therefore home to wonderful wineries as well as the popular city of Venice, and the beautiful Dolomites. In addition to the delicious wines, Prosecco is also produced here. This is the pride of the locals. Despite the fame of Venice, we liked the city of Verona a little better. From there, there are several opportunities to do a wine tasting. Veneto is one of the few regions in Italy that produces more white wine than red. But that does not mean that there is not also excellent red wine there 😊
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the largest wine regions in Italy. Probably the most famous city in Lombardy is Milan. We are located in the northwest of Italy (south of Switzerland). In terms of landscape, we like the region especially because of the beautiful lakes. For example Lake Garda and Lake Como. But now let’s get back to wine. Milan was the central marketplace where wine was traded already in the Middle Ages. The best red wines can be found in Valtellina. We recommend you not to leave Milan without a wine tasting.
Winter in Italy (December – February)
The year has passed so quickly. We have reached the Inverno (winter) of Italy. Remember the variable climate in Italy? Depending on where you are traveling in winter, you should definitely double-check and adjust your Italy packing list accordingly 😊 Winter is perfect for enjoying Italy’s culture. However, outdoor activities in winter are also very trendy. Tourists are especially drawn to the Italian Alps and Dolomites.
Temperatures drop to between 10°C and 13°C. In the mountains, of course, much colder. Besides spring, winter is the best season for an extended hike through Italy’s breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. We also recommend you to visit a city in winter, because the prices are a bit lower and the tourists are becoming fewer.
Which activities are most recommended in winter?
Now you might be wondering which city in Italy you should visit first? As always, we would like to give you our top 3 recommendations. However, this choice was extremely difficult for us in Italy. There are so many beautiful and unique cities… but we had to choose 😊
We have compiled our top 3 cities for you
Rome
The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, …. We could go on forever. This already illustrates how much there is to see in Rome. That is why Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. But we would also like to give you 3 small tips that maybe not everyone knows 😊 Have you heard of the Santo Stefano Rotondo Church? It is the first round church in Rome. Or walk the longest and oldest street in Rome, the Via Appia Antica, with great awareness for once. And while we are on the subject of paths in Rome, perhaps you would like to walk the secret escape route of the Pope on the II Passetto di Borgo. We are excited to hear what else you might discover in Rome!
Booking.comFlorence
There is also enough to discover in Florence to stay there for several days. Here on Traxplorio, you will be able to find many guides about the squares, parks, and other places of interest in Florence. Some of the most famous Florentines are Dante, Michelangelo, Donatello, Galileo, or Raphael. Today Florence is considered one of the most culturally rich and historic cities in the world. Our highlights are Giotto’s Campanile and the Baptistery of St. John. Some Assasins Creed fans may know this city a little better 😛
Booking.comMilan
Welcome to one of the fashion capitals of the world. Milan! As up-to-date as fashion, so is the rest of Milan. It is one of the most modern cities in Italy. But this does not mean that there are not also numerous impressive buildings and culture. This mix of modernity and tradition is unique in Italy. The most famous square is Piazza del Duomo. When you stand there you will be overwhelmed by the impressive architecture. We recommend that you just let yourself drift from there. And if you are a soccer fan, you should definitely visit the San Siro stadium – maybe even watch a match 😊
Booking.com10 Interesting Facts about Italy!
Italy is one of Europes youngest countries
To be precise, it is one of the youngest countries in Western Europe. Italy was founded as a country as late as 1861. In contrast, Italy’s history and culture are one of the oldest in the world. Rome, for example, is more than 2000 years old. It is said that it was founded already in 753 BC. By the way, the reunion of Italy has been celebrated every year on June 2 since 1861.
The Trevi Fountain (Rome) receives an incredible donation every year in the amount of…
More than 1.000.000€!!! You read correctly… You could become a millionaire just through the money tourists throw into the Trevi Fountain every year 😛 But before you start making plans – of course, it’s not allowed to collect the money from the fountain. The city collects the money every day and then donates it to charity.
The official language in Italy is German…
However, only next to Italy of course 😀 and also only in a few regions in Northern Italy. This applies especially to the region Trentino-South Tyrol. Therefore, you can already learn some German here, if you are planning a European trip and Germany is also on your list 😊 For all those who already speak German, this region might then be the perfect starting point for the Italy vacation 😛
Italy has the most volcanoes in europe
If you travel to Italy, you can fulfill your thirst for adventure by taking a real volcano tour. Besides the most famous (and even continuously active) volcanoes like Vesuvius, Etna & Stromboli, there are numerous others. In fact, the activity of the volcanoes greatly benefits the wine harvest.
Almost 80% of Italy consists of mountains or hills
With the numerous volcanoes, you’ve probably already figured that there are some uplands in Italy. In addition, there are extensive mountain ranges such as the Alps and the Dolomites. In other words, Italy is also a paradise for hikers, climbers, and winter fans.
Pasta was eaten as a sweet dish in the beginning
Although many associate pasta with Italy, it was actually brought in by the Arabs in the 13th century. In Arabia, people traditionally tend to eat sweet dishes, which is why pasta was served with honey and sugar. It wasn’t until the 17th century that Italians started eating their pasta with tomato sauce. Hard to imagine that pasta was eaten longer without than with tomato sauce 😀
Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world
However, Italy has to share first place with China. Both have 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some examples are the Colosseum in Rome or the city of Pompeii. Nevertheless, Italy combines its World Heritage Sites in a much smaller area compared to China.
Italians adore coffee. They drink 14 billion espressos each year!
Unbelievable but true. The 14 billion espressos are consumed by just 60 million Italians. No wonder the average Italian household consumes 37 kg of coffee a year. That’s more than 3kg per month! If you are also a coffee lover, you will surely be able to find a good one in Italy 😊
Within Italy you will find the smallest country in the world
Many people might know it… it’s Vatican City. With its capital (and only city :P) Vatican City. A funny comparison… Vatican City would fit almost 8 times in Central Park in New York. However, for its size, Vatican City (which is located in Rome) has some of the most famous sights in the world to offer and is a true pilgrimage site for religious people.
The Italian police has Lamborghinis as their official cars
Watch out, thieves and traffic violators! In Italy, you should think twice about getting into a chase with the police 😛 The patrol cars reach a top speed of up to 300kmh (190mph). They are often used to transport organ donations.
