Italy should be impossible to mess up. It’s got stunning art, incredible food, gorgeous landscapes, and enough history to fill a dozen lifetimes. Yet somehow, millions of travelers manage to visit Italy and come home disappointed, overwhelmed, or feeling like they missed the “real” Italy everyone raves about. Things happen, and we have all been bummed at some point while traveling.
The problem isn’t Italy—it’s how most people approach it. After watching countless travelers make the same preventable mistakes (and making plenty of my own), it’s clear that the difference between a good Italy trip and a life-changing one usually comes down to avoiding a few common pitfalls. These common mistakes are the difference between having an amazing time and wanting more vs wanting to get on the first plane out.
Here are the 12 biggest mistakes people make when visiting Italy, plus the insider knowledge that will help you experience the country the way it’s meant to be experienced—with joy, authenticity, and maybe a little less stress.
Trying to See Everything in One Trip
This is the classic Italy rookie error. You end up spending more time on trains and checking in/out of hotels than actually experiencing Italy. You’ll be exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to appreciate any destination properly.
Choose 2-3 cities maximum for a week-long trip. Better to deeply experience Florence and Rome than to superficially rush through five destinations. Italy rewards slow travel—the magic happens when you have time to wander, linger over meals, and discover neighborhood gems that aren’t in guidebooks.
Italy is not a small place. Taking a bit of time to enjoy a few cities, and then plan out a future trip could be a better choice. Who wants to rush from place to place? Enjoy your time.
Eating Near Tourist Attractions
Tourist restaurant food in Italy ranges from mediocre to offensive, often serving reheated pasta and pre-made sauces to visitors who don’t know better. You’ll pay triple the price for half the quality while missing the incredible local food scene that exists just blocks away.
Walk 2-3 blocks away from any major attraction before choosing a restaurant. Look for places full of locals, handwritten menus in Italian, and no tourist photos outside. If you see a “tourist menu” in multiple languages, keep walking.
Many countries have the best eats off the beaten path and it comes with great prices and a better experience. My family found a cool little restaurant in the outskirts of Vienna once, and the prices were cheap and the food was amazing. Same can be said all over Italy.
Ordering Cappuccino After Meals
This won’t ruin your trip, but it immediately marks you as a tourist who doesn’t understand Italian coffee culture. Italians drink milk-based coffee drinks only in the morning, switching to espresso throughout the day.
Cappuccino for breakfast only. After meals, order espresso, which Italians drink quickly while standing at the bar. If you want milk in your afternoon coffee, ask for “caffè macchiato” (espresso with a splash of milk).
Italians have the belief that milk after 11 will give you an upset stomach. This is not America or Australia where you drink milk in your coffee anytime of the day. Personally, I like my coffee black and a good espresso makes a great afternoon.
Skipping the South for “Safety” Reasons
Southern Italy offers some of the country’s most authentic experiences, best food, friendliest people, and most dramatic landscapes. Think about the Southern part in the U.S.A. Naples has incredible pizza and street life, Sicily combines ancient history with stunning coastlines, and Puglia offers trulli houses and pristine beaches—all with fewer crowds than northern destinations.
Do some research on specific destinations rather than dismissing entire regions. Naples, Palermo, Bari, and Lecce are wonderful cities with vibrant cultures and excellent safety records for tourists. There are great flights that fly into Naples making it a great starting spot for your Italian adventure.
You wouldn’t believe the amazing stories I have heard about the Southern part of Italy. The place is beautiful. They may have their quirks with teens on vespas riding up and down the streets, but it is an amazing place to see.
Renting a Car for City Touring
Italian city centers feature restricted traffic zones (ZTL), narrow medieval streets designed for horses, and parking situations that would challenge professional puzzle solvers. You’ll spend your vacation looking for parking instead of enjoying gelato. Have you not seen any Mission Impossible movies, where they drive down those narrow streets? If it was me, I would be a bit stressed.
Use trains for city-to-city travel (they’re fast, efficient, and connect all major destinations) and walk or use public transportation within cities. Walking is a great way to get those steps in plus see some cool things you may not find in the guide book. Only rent cars for countryside touring in Tuscany, Umbria, or the Amalfi Coast.
Why rent when public transportation is amazing and cheap. Car rentals can also be very complicated, and there are rules that may be different. Make travel cheaper and simpler by using the train.
Visiting During Peak Summer
Summers in Italy means 100°F temperatures, overwhelming crowds at every attraction, inflated prices, and locals fleeing to beaches, leaving tourist areas feeling artificial. Many family restaurants close for vacation, and the ones that stay open cater primarily to tourists.
Visit during shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) for perfect weather, manageable crowds, and authentic local atmosphere. Spring offers blooming countryside and comfortable sightseeing temperatures. Fall provides harvest season in wine regions and ideal hiking weather.
Hot weather, tons of tourists, and higher prices is what you get when traveling in summer. This year alone Rome was hitting 99-100 degrees Fahrenheit. That is hot! The shoulder season is much better with weather and crowds.
Not Making Restaurant Reservations
Assuming you can just walk into good restaurants, especially for dinner.
Italian dinner culture starts late (8-9 PM) and good restaurants fill up, particularly in tourist areas. The best local spots often have limited seating and loyal followings, making reservations essential.
Make dinner reservations at least a day in advance, earlier for highly recommended restaurants. Many places don’t take phone reservations from tourists, so ask your hotel concierge for help or stop by the restaurant during the afternoon.
Overpacking (Especially Formal Clothes)
Italy involves lots of walking on cobblestone streets, stairs without elevators, and dragging luggage through train stations. You will hate bringing so much luggage when you have to drag it around. Plus, Italians dress stylishly but casually—you don’t need formal wear for most restaurants or attractions. Just be comfortable.
Pack light with comfortable walking shoes, layers for changing weather, and one nice outfit for special dinners. Bring a lightweight scarf or shawl for church visits that require covered shoulders.
My way of traveling is two pairs of pants that look good, convert to shorts, and are water wicking. Not everyone travels like me, but the lighter you travel the better. Travel more comfortable.
Expecting American-Style Service
Italian service culture prioritizes quality over speed. Meals are social experiences meant to be savored, not rushed. Shops close for lunch (riposo) and many businesses have limited Sunday hours. Some grocery stores are even closed on Sundays too. Just be aware things are different in Italy. This isn’t poor service—it’s different cultural priorities.
Embrace the pace. Linger over meals, people-watch from cafe terraces, and use afternoon closures to explore parks or take naps. When in Italy, adopt Italian attitudes about time and relaxation.
Remember you do not need to tip. Yes, great service you could tip 10%, but it is not a necessity. You are no longer in America.
Only Visiting the Big Three Cities
The big three are incredible but represent just one slice of Italian diversity. You’ll miss hill towns, coastal villages, wine regions, and authentic local cultures that exist beyond major tourist centers.
Include at least one smaller destination in your itinerary. Siena offers medieval charm without Florence crowds, Cinque Terre provides coastal beauty plus opportunities to take amazing photos, and hill towns like San Gimignano or Montepulciano showcase quintessential Tuscany.
Italy is full of amazing places to see. Take time to visit some of the hidden gems. There will be less tourists and more fun.
Not Learning Basic Italian Phrases
While many Italians in tourist areas speak some English, making an effort to communicate in Italian—even poorly—dramatically changes how locals interact with you. It shows respect for the culture and often leads to warmer, more authentic experiences.
Learn basic greetings, please/thank you, and simple restaurant phrases. Italians appreciate effort over perfection and will often help you with pronunciation while engaging in longer conversations.
Some great phrases to know: “Buongiorno” (good morning), “per favore” (please), “grazie” (thank you), “scusi” (excuse me), and “non parlo italiano” (I don’t speak Italian).
Rushing Through Museums and Churches
Museum fatigue is real, and trying to absorb centuries of art in a few hours leads to exhaustion and diminished appreciation. You’ll remember very little and enjoy even less. Plus, by day 3 of your trip you will be tired of seeing museums. You might as well see a few and then not overdo it.
Choose 3-5 specific artworks or exhibits to focus on per museum visit. Research them beforehand, take your time with each piece, and skip sections that don’t interest you. Better to deeply appreciate Michelangelo’s David than to superficially view 100 Renaissance paintings.
The Italy You’ll Actually Remember
Avoiding these mistakes isn’t about following rigid rules—it’s about approaching Italy with respect, curiosity, and realistic expectations. The country rewards travelers who embrace its pace, respect its customs, and venture beyond the obvious attractions.
The Italy trip you’ll treasure forever isn’t the one where you checked off every major sight, but the one where you lingered over a perfect meal, had genuine conversations with locals, discovered a hidden piazza, and felt like you understood a little piece of Italian life.