
Italy Holidays
Sardinia's white sand, the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily's golden shores. Plan your Italy beach holiday with flights, hotels, weather, and travel tips.
Today
Weather in Italy
Thu
Fri
Sat
SPF level in Italy
Autumn
SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 50
Winter
SPF 15
Entry requirements for Italy
You can stay in Italy without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist.
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen area.
At border control, you may need to show proof of your accommodation, travel insurance, and a return or onward ticket.
You may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, at the border under the new Entry/Exit System.
Your accommodation provider must register your passport details with the police, so wait for them to complete this when you check in.
Good to know:
Allow extra time for temporary border checks when crossing the land border from Italy into Slovenia and be ready to show your passport.
Declare any cash or travellers cheques if the total value is 10,000 euros or more when entering Italy.
Safety in Italy
Italy is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Carry photo ID with you at all times as police can stop you to carry out an identity check.
Always validate your public transport ticket before starting your journey to avoid an on-the-spot fine.
Do not take drinks from strangers or leave your drinks unattended, as drink spiking can lead to robbery or assault.
Be aware that many major cities impose a tourist tax which you usually must pay in cash at your hotel.
Avoid leaving any luggage in your parked car, even hidden in the boot, as thefts from cars are common.
Bonus tips:
You can be fined for crossing a road within 100 metres of a pedestrian crossing if you do not use it.
It is illegal to remove sand, shells or pebbles from coastal areas and you could face a large fine.
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Driving in Italy
A valid UK driving license is accepted. An International Driving Permit is recommended, but not always required, especially for short stays.
Side of the road
Right
Motorway speed limit
130 km/h (may be lower during rain or for inexperienced drivers)
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Italy drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Italy
As a UK resident, you can use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Italy. However, it's still recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover costs not covered by GHIC/EHIC, such as repatriation or private healthcare.
No vaccinations required
Generally, no specific vaccinations are required for Italy. Ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is widely available. Be aware of mosquito-borne diseases, especially during summer months, and take precautions to avoid bites.
Cards & payments
Widely accepted in larger establishments, hotels, and restaurants. Smaller shops and businesses may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1094
Tipping in Italy
Tipping is customary in Italy, but not mandatory. Service charges are sometimes included in restaurant bills (check for 'servizio incluso').
Restaurant
5-10% if service is not included. Rounding up is also common.
Bar/Café
Rounding up to the nearest Euro or leaving small change is appreciated.
Taxi
Rounding up the fare is customary.
Hotel Porter
€1-€2 per bag.
Hotel Housekeeper
€1-€2 per day, left at the end of your stay.
Tour Guide
€5-€10 per person for a good tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU's 'Roam Like at Home' regulation no longer automatically applies to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in Italy. Some providers may still offer free roaming as part of their plans, but this is not guaranteed. Consider purchasing a local SIM card if you plan to use a lot of data.
Local SIM
20 GB for 30 EUR (~£26)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Italy
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F, Type L
UK adapter needed
WiFi & internet
Widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public areas in cities. Coverage can be spotty in rural areas.
Average speed
50 Mbps
Wi-Fi is readily accessible in most tourist areas. Many hotels and cafes offer free Wi-Fi to customers. Mobile data is also a viable option, but check roaming charges or consider a local SIM card.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
113
Ambulance
118
Fire
115
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Italy
Country code
39
To call Italy from abroad, dial 39 followed by the local number.
UK Embassy
Via XX Settembre, 80a, 00187 Rome, Italy
Phone
+39 06 4220 0001
Website
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport
Milano Malpensa Airport
Venice Marco Polo Airport
Naples International Airport
Milano Linate Airport
Guglielmo Marconi Airport
Recent updates
Safety
The specific increased alert for Stromboli has been removed from the advice.
The section now focuses on general planning for the Phlegraean Fields and other active volcanoes.
Exercise caution in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, including in road underpasses.
Do not use vehicle tunnel emergency exits as pedestrian routes; they are for emergency use only.
There is now a high risk of wildfires during the summer months.
New warnings added for water safety: people drown every year in seas, lakes, and pools.
Swimmers should test lake water temperature first to avoid cold water shock.
Do not swim at beaches where a river meets the sea due to hidden risks.
Specific advice added for beach flag systems: a red flag means you must not enter the water.
Entry Requirements
If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.
If you believe your EES record is incorrect, you can now request a correction from border officials at your next Schengen border crossing.
If you are exempt from EES, you should now carry documentation confirming your status.
Travel Disruption
Flights are currently affected by an ash cloud from Mount Etna.
Check with your travel provider or Catania airport before travelling.
Beaches in Italy
Frequently asked Questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.

































































































































































































































































