The ultimate packing guide: Italy
Wondering what to pack for a trip to Italy? In this post, I’ll go over what (in my experience) are the absolutely essential items that should be in your bag to set you up for the Italian getaway of your dreams.
Must-Haves
Travel adaptor
If you are travelling from outside of the EU, an absolute must-have for Italy is a travel adaptor. I strongly recommend that you purchase one in advance of your trip because the prices at airports and tourist shops are waaaay higher if you end up having to buy one last minute. I recommend this one from Amazon, which will work for standard north and south American plugs and has multiple outlets and USB ports for fast and easy charging of multiple devices.
Day bag
If you plan on doing any day trips during your time in Italy (which you totally should) be sure to bring a smaller day bag with you. This doesn't have to be huge or anything; you really just want to have enough space to hold everything you would need for your busiest day while being small enough to not cause any back or shoulder pain if you had to carry it all day.
Cross body bag or purse
Italy has a lot of big cities, and unfortunately, big cities generally bring with them a risk of pickpocketing. Now, you don't have to panic too much about this because it’s really not as common as people would lead you to think. If you're aware of your surroundings and don't go out of your way to look like a tourist (don't take your backpack off and carry it on your front… you might as well just get a tattoo on your forehead that says “easy target”), you should be fine. That being said, a simple precaution you can take is to use a crossbody bag or purse. This will keep your important belongings close to you without having to ruin your outfit with a chunky money belt or something.
Portable charger
I cannot recommend enough that you pick up a portable charger for your trip to Italy. No matter where you visit, Italy is packed with beautiful landmarks, and if you’re anything like me, you’re going to want to take a million photos to commemorate your trip. A portable charger means you can take all the photos your heart desires without running the risk of your phone dying and leaving you stranded with no directions back to your accommodation.
Reuseable waterbottle
WATER IS NOT FREE IN MOST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES! This is a huge culture shock for everyone I’ve known who went to Europe since we North Americans are so used to tap water being free pretty much everywhere. To save yourself anywhere from 1 to 5 Euro (yes, I really have had to pay that much for water), bring along a refillable water bottle to keep you hydrated. I recommend this one from Lifestraw, which has a built-in filter that eliminates 99% of bacteria in water. This is a huge money-saver even in places with clean tap water since it lets you refill your bottle from public fountains for free without having to worry about getting sick.
Comfortable walking shoes
Italy is a very fashionable place, but if there’s one thing you take away from this list, let it be this: Please, please, please bring comfortable walking shoes to Italy with you! When I was in Europe, my average walking distance was 22km per day, and I’ll tell you right now, I almost never wore the cute, pretty shoes I brought with me because I fear my feet may have actually fallen off if I had worn them that much. Most Italian cites are very walkable, and comfortable shoes are an absolute must to keep your feet happy while you explore everything that this beautiful country has to offer.
What Clothes to Bring
I cannot speak for the fall or winter in Italy because both times I’ve been lucky enough to visit were in the late spring/early summer. So, this guide will be largely centered on that time of year. I do know from friends and fellow travellers that the fall in Italy is generally quite similar to the weather in the spring, so I would say this list would be transferable, but maybe swap the tank tops for a couple of extra long sleeves 🙂
Italy gets HOT. Keep your packing light and breezy. Italy is a bit conservative, but in most places, short dresses, shorts, tank tops, and other summer clothing are totally acceptable. Of course, try to be modest, but it’s okay to wear clothing that you’re not going to sweat to death in. That being said, a lot of sites in Italy may require you to be more covered for religious reasons. Make sure that you pack at least one outfit that you can wear if you need to have long pants and sleeves on. For example, when I visited Rome, I went to the Vatican. There were strictly enforced rules about clothing, so I wore jeans and brought a long-sleeve shift along with me that easily slipped over the much more comfortable tank top I had on to survive the heat of the Italian summer. Alternatively, you could bring a shawl or large scarf of some kind to cover up with. I just find this less comfortable because you have to make sure you keep it positioned to cover you the whole time instead of freely enjoying the experience, but that's just my two cents. Another essential is a bathing suit, for checking out the beautiful beaches the coast of Italy has to offer. I forgot to pack mine when I took a day trip to Amalfi and was absolutely heartbroken that I couldn’t enjoy the gorgeous beaches there
Braving the heat wave in a long sleeve at the Vatican museums
Here is a simplified guide to packing clothing for spring or summer in Italy:
1 pair of Shorts
1 pair of Jeans
1 pair Dressy pants
2 tank tops
2 tee shirts
2 longsleeve shirts
1 or 2 dresses
1 bathing suit
2 sweaters and 1 light jacket for chilly evenings
1 pair of Sandals
1 pair of Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes
1 pair of dressy shoes
One last tip: Leave space in your bag! Don't fill your luggage to the brim on your way in, because Italy has a ton of amazing shopping, and youre going to want to bring home some souvenirs! Plan ahead, and leave space for these items so you don't end up having to bring an extra bag on the plane just to tote your new items (because who wants extra stuff to carry?)
