Backpacking Italy Travel Guide

Italy, the country synonymous with the magnificent ruins enriched with thousands of years of history, rich pasta sauces, cheesy pizzas and of course, delicious gelato! Italy is a wonderful place to travel alone, wandering amid the ancient buildings, visiting fantastic art museums, and traveling on the train from one city to the next, collecting memories as breathtaking scenery passes before your eyes. This backpacking Italy travel guide is for travelers who want to get the most out of their trip. In this ultimate guide you will find local advice, insider backpacker routes, and next level travel tips so you can travel Italy like a boss.

I bet you’re going to need it. Italy is one of the best destinations to backpack in Europe filled with art and archaeology, as well as breathtaking landscapes and mouthwatering cuisine.

But no matter what you want to do, whether it’s enjoying Bologna nightlife, taking road trip along the Amalfi Coast, visiting the awe-inspiring Colosseum, or simply participating in free walking tours – this guide is built for you.

This insider guide will help you understand where to go in Italy and you’ll be able to easily navigate your way through the country. All of this and more will be at your fingertips thanks to this budget guide to backpacking Italy.

Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Italy

With so many options for places to visit in Italy, it is essential you give your itinerary some proper advance planning in order to get the most out of your time in this amazing country. It is easy to get over ambitious and try to fit everything in a single trip. That would be a monumental achievement but isn’t realistic unless you have months to tour the country.

There’s no shortage of options to choose from. The country offers endless itinerary options, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few months. If you have little time available on hand, your best options are to either get a glimpse of the main highlights or pick a particular region to explore thoroughly.

With one week, start off in Rome. Lazio region (Rome, in particular) is technically Central Italy which makes it a perfect launching point for going either North or South.

Spend two days wandering through the trendiest and hippest neighborhoods, the Forum, and the Vatican before taking the train to Florence. You can cover the highlights in a day. End the day watching the sunset over the rooftops of Florence. Next, go up to Venice and spend two days exploring the canals and sitting in the small squares that punctuate Venice, go cafe-hopping for coffee or wine. Take a day trip to colorful Burano on your second day. You may also want to visit Milan to see the famous cathedral before your flight home.

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For a two-week backpacking Italy itinerary, you could do all of the above more slowly. You could also spend some time in Umbria and Tuscany — Perugia and Siena are highlights — between Rome and Florence. Or add trips to Lombardy and the Cinque Terre from Milan. Alternatively, focus on an itinerary for backpacking southern Italy, taking in Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Calabria.

Have a month or longer for backpacking through Italy? Lucky you! You can pick and choose from the options above, plus check out Italy’s underrated cities like Alberobello, Genova, Sperlonga, Bologna, or Bergamo. These hold some of the best bits of Italy! Spend a week on Sicily at the end.

Best Time to Travel to Italy

In a nutshell, going to Italy at any time is certain to be a wonderful experience. The best time to visit Italy is most certainly late spring (April through early June) or early fall (September through October). Both of these periods tend to experience mild weather, fewer crowds, and more affordable accommodation rates. I’ve been to Italy twice in May and once the month of September and the weather has always been wonderful with moderately warm days and very little rain.

Summers in Italy can be really hot, especially in the south. Many regions, even those as far north as Florence, can get well over 30 degrees Celsius at the height of summer. Most of the population takes a riposo (afternoon breaktime) to beat the heat or to have lunch with friends.

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Winters in Italy are pretty mild. In much of the country, winter may resemble autumn because temperatures are still pretty comfortable and precipitation remains relatively low. Some high-altitude destinations, like those near the Alps do receive a good amount of snow though.

Spring and autumn are the perfect times to go to Italy. The country typically has fewer crowds in the spring – you probably won’t have to wait in line at any of the museums, and you’ll be able to get the table at any restaurant you want every time you ask. In May and September, the weather is warm but not hot, and open-air dining is enjoyable. Plus, prices are lower. Note that mountains still hold snow in spring and mountain snowmelt occurs in early June.

Autumn can be quite similar to spring, though it’s less green and a little short. September marks the end of the typical summer holiday season, but the ninth month of the year can still be quite hot. The harvest is in full swing though and there are many festivals taking place.

Backpacker Accommodation in Italy

Accommodation in Italy ranges from backpacker hostels to cozy family-owned guesthouses to high-end resorts to rifugi, mountain huts. It all depends on your budget and tolerance for discomfort.

Italy has many budget options where rooms are neat and clean and there are also numerous hostels to choose from. The quality and characteristics of hostels vary widely. Some Italian hostels feel pretty impersonal and sterile, but prices won’t disappoint you. Basic no-frills dormitory comes at around €25. Such dorms feature linens, towels, and free Wi-Fi, and occasionally free breakfast. Some hostels will only allow guests under 26 years old. Book at least a week in advance during summertime, or more in popular destinations like Venice.

Guesthouses offer a more homely atmosphere and are usually cheaper if you share costs within a group of people. Even in Rome, you can still find spacious and comfortable rooms for €40, especially in winter. Guesthouses in the eternal city are conveniently distributed between the historic centre and the Vatican area, as well as neighboring Prati district. The room will typically be rather small, but sometimes you just need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday living.

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One of my favorite ways to save money and to get to know more about the city is to use Couchsurfing. In fact, this may be the best way to travel in Italy to experience a less touristy side of the country. You’ll need to find hosts at least a week in advance — last-minute couches are rare. If you’re backpacking Italy alone, you may even find a travel buddy for you.

Alternatively, try staying at campgrounds in Italy. The campgrounds are very well maintained and the vibes here can be incredible. In the summer, when hotels and hostels are full, most locals take to these campgrounds and the camaraderie between the campers is over-the-top. I loved camping in Italy, and it doesn’t cost a fortune.

Where to Stay in Italy on a Budget

There are plenty of hostels in Italy offering good value backpacker accommodation. However, if hostels aren’t your thing there are also plenty of B&Bs and guesthouses with private rooms so you don’t have to stay in expensive hotels. While these B&Bs and guesthouses aren’t as cheap as they are in Southeast Asia, you can always expect good quality in return. Below are a few of my favorite hostels and budget accommodation options when backpacking Italy:

The RomeHello, Rome
The Hostello, Verona
Generator Venice
Lilium Hotel, Florence
Alessandro Downtown Hostel & Bar, Rome
Attic Hostel Torino, Turin
Manena Hostel Genova, Molo
Ostello degli Elefanti, Catania

Italy Travel Guide to Getting Around

Italy is known for its train travel and a train is the best and fastest way to get around the country. Being a European nation, there is a plethora of different carriages classes in Italian trains. From slowest to fastest — regional, inter-city, and high-speed, Italy has got you covered. The regional trains can be your best bet if you’re traveling on a shoestring budget. On the other hand, if you’re trying to cover a long distance in a short period of time, choose the high-speed trains.

For regional trains, you don’t have to purchase a ticket in advance. In fact, you’ll save money by buying tickets at the station right before departure. You’ll need to make reservations for most high-speed trains and overnight trains.

Keep in mind, you should validate (date-stamp) your ticket with the green or yellow boxes on the train platform before getting on the train. If you fail to validate your ticket, you will be fined. If you have to change trains you’ll also need to validate each ticket separately.

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For trips between small towns, in the mountains, or on overnight trips where high-speed trains are expensive, you can supplement your train trips with buses. Pickup and drop-off locations are usually at the offices of private bus companies. Therefore, you should know exactly where you’re leaving from and arriving. Buy tickets at least a day in advance for overnight buses when you travel around Italy.

Travel by bus is usually more encompassing and tends to be the cheapest way to get around Italy if trains are showing as quite expensive. Riding the bus might take a little longer but if you’re backpacking Italy on a budget you may have more time to do this. The Train Line does a pretty good job when it comes to finding buses and long-distance coaches.

I’ve found that Trenitalia is one of the cheapest train companies to use in Italy especially if you are backpacking Northern Italy. However, it is wise to always cross-check your option with companies like the Train Line, which is the best platform to use to make sure you are getting the best price.

How Much Will it Cost to a Solo Backpacker to Travel Italy (Travel Budget)

As far as Europe’s top travel destinations go, Italy is surprisingly inexpensive, even for those traveling on a shoestring budget. You don’t have to sacrifice top experiences if you’re a frugal backpacker.

If you eat out at supermarkets, give up alcohol, skip museums, and sleep on other people’s couches for free, you could travel to Italy on a budget of as little as €25 a day. A far more realistic backpacking Italy budget would be more like €45 a day. It would allow you to stay in hostels and visit the occasional museum or restaurant. €90 a day would ensure a far more comfortable experience.

Looking to grab a quick bite to eat? Try a fresh Italian Panini for the less than the price of a pre-packaged sandwich. Happy hours start at €3 – €4 and they aren’t stingy with wine, beer or cocktails either! Happy hours can be a great dinner substitute, as with your drink consumption also comes several pasta dishes and other Italian specialties served buffet style. The best are always located near major Universities.

Sample Costs. Here’s an idea of some costs of food in Italy

Pizza Slice: Range from €2 – €5

Ice Cream: Range from €2 – €7

Beer / Glass of Wine: Range from €3 – €5

Pizza in a Restaurant: Range from €5 – €15

Pasta Dish in Restaurant: Range from €8 – €15

If you are spending 2 weeks in Italy or even longer you’ll probably get a bit bored of eating out all the time so be sure to find grocery stores with sit-down dining areas. Hostels in Italy usually feature a communal kitchen so you can make some meals yourself. They usually start at around €12 if one doesn’t mind staying on the outskirts of the city. But a clean, safe and friendly hostel in the center can be found for as little as €24.

Fruits and veggies are affordable too. I recently bought 3 apples, 2 oranges, a grape branch and a loaf of bread for €4! I also got a huge piece of delicious Focaccia in a Spar supermarket for €1.50. Just double the prices if you want to know how much would a trip to Italy cost for two.

Tip: A lot of restaurants will add on Coperto service charge (“pane e coperto”) so be aware of this to avoid unexpected costs.

Tip: Look out for regular student discounts and buffet breakfast deals on offer. It is also possible to eat fixed menus of great Italian cuisine at around €10 – €15.

Top Tip: Just embrace hearty Italian dishes! It’s the cheapest and most delicious eat your way through Italy!

Food in Italy

Italian food is famous around the world but with good reason – pizza, pasta, gelato, just to name a few. Italians take their food very seriously. They could spend hours socializing around the table.

The key to smart, budget-friendly eating while backpacking Italy is to stick with regional specialties and go where the locals go. By sticking with smaller (usually family-owned) osterias and trattorias outside of the main tourist areas, you’ll get better food, try a broader variety of cuisine, and save money.

Some of the most popular regional dishes include Pizza Margherita in Campania, pesto in Genova, Tagliatelle alla Bolognese in Bologna, Gubana in Venice, Pesto alla Genovese in Liguria, and Risotto alla Milanese in Lombardy. You can try each of these specialties for under €10 at a local trattoria or in takeaway shops. This is how I really traveled Italy on a budget a few years ago.

Self-catering is a great option if you don’t want to eat out, have special dietary requirements or you’re trying to travel around Italy on a budget. You can get sweet ripe tomatoes, semi-sweet-semi-tangy onions, tangy balsamic vinegar and tons of herbs for a couple of euros at small grocery stores and local markets. Visit a dairy shop for a fresh serving of high-quality burrata, buffalo mozzarella, provolone, smoked provolone, and ricotta cheese and you’ve got yourself a balanced meal.

For dessert, don’t miss out on ice cream. You can find it everywhere for around €1 per scoop, but I’ve heard that Florence has the best gelaterias in Italy. Italians frown on mixing fruit flavors with creamy flavors.

Top Things to Do in Italy

Visit Florence

The capital of Tuscany is a vast open-air museum. With an enormous amount of museums, galleries, magnificent churches, and ancient buildings, Florence is worth being on your bucket list. I only had two days in Florence, but I should have spent at least five days there to see everything this city has to offer. I love Florence. With lots of things to do, apart from sightseeing, you can take free walking tours, go on an eating spree or hit the countryside searching for amazing Tuscan wines.

The Eternal City

Rome is a city steeped in history. Every corner, every house, and every stone has its own unique story and it seems that you can almost hear it. With so many places to visit in Rome, the city can be overwhelming if you are visiting for just a couple of days. Take your time, stick not only to the Colosseum and Roman ruins, but also wander through the piazzas, historic streets, and parks. Go people-watching. Do as the Romans do in the ivy-draped student neighbourhood of Trastevere to enjoy awesome pubs, cheap food and vibrant atmosphere of this place.

Venice Gondola Ride

One of the most romantic places to visit in Italy, Venice is the jewel of the Adriatic Sea. Situated across a group of more than a hundred small islands like Burano, Venice has its entire territory divided into two parts by the Grand Canal. No trip to Venice would be complete without a gondola ride. Riding a gondola is like strolling the streets here, but since canals are plentiful and the streets are few, it is probably the best way to explore Venice. Carnival is another reason to visit Venice. Check out famous Jewish Quarter for authentic Venetian wine bars and trendy pubs.

Head to Pompeii

An ancient Roman metropolis that was buried with its inhabitants by a volcano, but preserved infrastructure beneath a thick layer of ash. Visit homes, baths, markets, and amphitheaters as they were on the day Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Due to the lack of air and moisture, alluring frescoes keep their handsome colors. Exploring Pompeii can be truly captivating. You can spend an entire day wandering around the crumbling remains of Pompeii.

Toss a Coin Into Fountain

As you stroll through the maze of winding streets in Rome, you can discover an entrancing Trevi Fountain. The marble sculptures of horses and men may look differently at a certain time of the day, so be sure to see them at night as well. According to legend if you toss a coin into the water you will return to Rome, if you throw two coins you can expect going on a date. I should have known that before my trip to Rome!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

In fact, the Leaning Tower isn’t the only attraction to see and visit in Pisa. It has become so popular due to its flaw that Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) can be swarming with tourists on certain days. Most tourists come here to take creative photos and climb up the Tower. Make sure to set aside enough time to do just that. Don’t miss Duomo (the Cathedral). It is often underrated by travelers but it offers very impressive interior decoration, you definitely need to see!

Hike Around Lake Como

This is one of the most picturesque areas in Italy with mountains around the lake and the shoreline dotted with small villages. Hiking, cycling, canoeing, and kayaking are the main activities here. Generally, a getaway destination for the rich, the lake has several budget guesthouses and a hostel in Menaggio. Along with Varenna and Bellagio, Menaggio makes up a triangle in which you can easily travel by ferry.

Relax on the Amalfi Coast

The scenic cliffs of Amalfi lining the Coast for about 40 km between the Gulf of Salerno and the Bay of Naples. It is one of the most beautiful stretches of land in Italy and contains some of the most picturesque small towns you can visit. This Coast is lined with a plethora of stunning and magical coastal villages that will blow your mind. Amalfi Coast is also known for its vivid blue waters, rugged mountains, and rainbow houses. There are many equally beautiful hiking trails, along the Amalfi Coast and throughout the entire Sorrento Peninsula. I visited the Amalfi coast in May and it was amazing. Not too hot with lovely sunny days. During the high season in July and August, you can expect high temperatures and crowds.

Try Limoncino in Cinque Terre

Located in the Liguria region, the Cinque Terre national park is another place to go hiking in Italy. Backed by steep oceanside cliffs and vineyards, the five villages of Manarola, Corniglia, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore are only connected to each other by a scenic narrow road and hiking trails. With several trails of all levels of difficulty, great seafood, and extraordinary limoncino, Cinque Terre has something for everyone.

Vatican City

A place that doesn’t need any introduction, a country within another country and the residence of the Pope, the Vatican is also home to St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s square. The Vatican museums contain some of the world’s most priceless and splendor art collections. It can take an entire day to see all of them. To avoid long lines during high season book online tickets in advance. To catch a glimpse of the Pope, visit the Wednesday service (tickets required) or at noon on Sundays.

Walk Through the Roman Forum

Once a political and cultural center of Rome, now you may need a little imagination or an audio guide to get an idea of how this place looked like two millennia ago. Located between the Colosseum and Capitoline Hills, the Forum offers a chance to explore the streets that remember their ancient inhabitants. With very little information about the site actually displayed here, consider bringing a guidebook or joining a tour.

Visit Siena

Nestled among the three hills in the heart of Tuscany, Siena gives a chance to take a dip into the past. A well-preserved historical center, Piazza del Campo is the venue for the spectacular Palio horse races. Apart from it, you can stroll the maze of narrow streets around the main square to explore the cultural highlights like the Duomo and the Palazzo Salimbeni.

Stay in Traditional Trulli Houses in Alberobello

The prehistoric dwellings of Alberobello in Puglia look quite surreal and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These stone huts with conical roofs stretch along narrow alleyways and offer unusual accommodation options. The tiny city of Alberobello is like a magnet for tourists that flock here in summer, so the period between November and April is your best bet to avoid crowds. With several nice museums and olive groves just outside of Alberobello, this is a place you don’t want to miss!

Tips for Backpacking Italy Alone

Traveling Italy alone? Fret not! Italy is an easy country to travel and there are always like-minded travelers roaming about (even if you visit Italy in winter).

How to Plan a Solo Trip to Italy On Your Own

Here are a few tips that I wish somebody would have told me before I came:

1. Start In a Big City – More people speak English, and you can find direct trains to your next location. (This also gives you time to figure out the best ways to get around the country)

2. Take Your Time – Give yourself enough time to get a little lost before exploring a new location. Also, focus on a particular destination, rather than hopping across as many different regions as possible to get the feel of the country.

3. Take a Free Walking Tour – Local guides offer free walking tours in pretty much all big cities like Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice. These are great because they give you a general idea of the main landmarks you want to visit. Some hostels offer free walking tours as well. It is up to you whether you want to tip your tour guide. If you’re backpacking Italy alone walking tours offer a good way to meet fellow backpackers.

4. Refill Your Bottle for Free – With plenty of Street Fontanella (drinking fountains) in Italy, you don’t have to buy expensive bottled water. You can also find these in the form of wall-mounted faucets. But never attempt to drink from public fountains. Search for a sign or drink where the locals do.

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5. Rent a Bike – A great way to explore cities and countryside in Italy without walking too much is to rent a bike. Prices start from €18 – €24 per day and go up from there. Besides, renting a bike allows you to get around faster and see more in less time.

6. Visit Museums for Free – Some museums have a certain day of the week when they open their doors for free. For example, Rome Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month. Do expect long lines.

7. Drink Wine – No, not that expensive bottled wine that you usually buy in the supermarket. Most local trattorias and osterias offer cheap wine from a cask or container where the wine is fermented. So why it is cheap? Because you don’t have to pay for brand name and fancy bottle.