58
7 minutes readContents
- Legal “Don’ts”: Behavior That Could Get You Fined
- Italy Etiquette “Don’ts” to Avoid a Social Faux Pas
- Practical Travel Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Italy
- Local Scams & Safety Behavior to Sidestep
Legal “Don’ts”: Behavior That Could Get You Fined
While most tourist mistakes fall firmly into that awkward category of being a “social faux pas”, some have the potential to seriously ruin your vacation or eat into your holiday budget. Italy is full of historical buildings and monuments, from the Colosseum to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
Italy is full of historical buildings and monuments.
Photo by SCStock on Shutterstock
Cities like Rome and Venice have introduced fines for tourists who misbehave around these monuments, especially when that behavior could damage the building or the surrounding area.
Here are some common tourist mistakes to avoid:
- Swimming or bathing in the Trevi Fountain (or even trying to!) will get you a fine of up to €450, as well as disapproving boos from your fellow tourists. You can even get banned for life for jumping into the Trevi Fountain, like one New Zealand tourist found out the hard way.
- Eating or drinking at monuments like the Spanish Steps could see you getting a fine of up to €700 per person. You also can’t sit on the Spanish Steps, so take your gelato inside and enjoy the air conditioning instead.
- Italy can be extremely hot in summer, but walking around shirtless or wearing beachwear outside of the beaches is a total no-go.
- You’ll also want to reserve your flip-flops and clogs for your hotel or villa, as islands like Capri have outlawed what they call “noisy footwear”.
- Venice has lots of its own rules and regulations in an attempt to preserve its historic buildings and waterways, including rules against eating or setting up picnics in public squares.
Trains are one of the easiest ways to navigate around Italy, but most tourists make the mistake of forgetting to validate their train tickets before boarding. Failing to validate your ticket could result in a fine, which no one wants to pay after buying a train ticket.
Italy Etiquette “Don’ts” to Avoid a Social Faux Pas
No one wants to be the tourist that sticks out like a sore thumb. We’ve all seen them over the year. The loud or unruly travelers whom the locals think of as disrespectful, especially when they — even unknowingly — go against the cultural norm.
No one wants to be the tourist that sticks out like a sore thumb.
Photo by JIMMOYHT on Shutterstock
This type of mistake is one that most tourists in Italy are likely to make, even during a return visit. You can avoid making these mistakes in Italy with a little pre-planning and added consideration for the Italian way of life.
Dress Codes & Sacred Sites
Italy is full of churches and ancient monuments. Even if you’re not planning to visit one, you may find yourself walking into a church or sacred space. Certain types of clothing are prohibited in these spaces, including sleeveless tops, shorts, and hats. It’s worth keeping a shawl or cover-up in your bag while sightseeing.
Italy is full of churches and ancient monuments.
Photo by saiko3p on Shutterstock
You’ll often find street vendors selling cover-ups and shawls right outside the entrance of popular churches and basilicas, including The Pantheon in Rome. You’ll always pay more for these garments from a street vendor, so it’s worth adding one to your packing list or ordering it from Amazon to your hotel.
Breathable fabrics like linen, hemp, merino wool, and cotton are your best friends when visiting Italy in the height of summer. Build your packing list around lightweight and loose-fitting clothing that will keep you feeling cool, while still looking stylish for a gondola ride or a pasta-making class. If you’re not used to the humidity, it’s also worth adding a rechargeable hand-held fan to your carry-on bag.
Food & Dining Faux Pas
There’s no denying that many of the 70 million international visitors to Italy are brought to the country for its famous cuisine. Who can say no to a vacation built around pasta, gelato, pizza, and tiramisu? Italians take their cuisine very seriously, treating mealtimes like a social ritual.
Italians take their cuisine very seriously, treating mealtimes like a social ritual.
Photo by leoks on Shutterstock
Here are a few dining faux pas to avoid:
- While a cappuccino might be your go-to Starbucks order, it’s frowned upon to order this type of coffee after 11 am in Italy.
- Although you might add cheese to every Italian dish at home, you typically don’t add cheese to a dish that doesn’t already have it. Cheese is also never mixed with seafood dishes.
- Don’t rush meals! This is considered extremely rude in Italian culture. It’s not unusual for dinner to last over an hour or two, especially when eating out.
Although tipping is common in the United States, it’s largely frowned upon across Europe, including in Italy. Instead, most restaurants will charge a coperto, which covers the cost of the linens, service, and bread course. This charge will be a fixed fee and displayed on the menu.
Public Behavior
As a tourist, you always want to be respectful to the locals. While Italy might be a vacation for you, it’s home for millions of other people. Following the Italian cultural norms is the best way to avoid a social faux pas or accidentally offending the locals.
Following the Italian cultural norms is the best way to avoid a social faux pas or accidentally offending the locals.
Photo by RossHelen on Shutterstock
Here are a few things to avoid doing as a tourist in Italy:
- Don’t skip the queue or cut in line. You can expect to see queues everywhere, from major tourist attractions to popular gelato stores.
- Talking loudly or acting disruptively on public transport is guaranteed to earn you a few annoyed looks from the locals.
- Don’t expect all shops and businesses to be open during lunch. Riposo is an Italian tradition of taking an afternoon break, usually between 1 pm and 4 pm. This break ensures all workers are able to have an enjoyable lunch, so be prepared to be flexible when sightseeing during this time.
- E-bikes and scooters are prohibited in popular tourist areas and historic sites. While they’re a convenient – and affordable – way to get around cities like Milan, always dismount before you arrive at these busy and historical areas.
Practical Travel Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Italy
We all go on vacation, and within a day or two, realize that we’ve made a mistake. Whether it’s forgetting to pack something important or not taking the time to learn a few basic Italian phrases, these travel mistakes can be disruptive for your vacation.
Travel mistakes can be disruptive for your vacation.
Photo by saiko3p on Shutterstock
Here are a few mistakes that could impact your budget and travel logistics:
- Overpacking can be very problematic in Italy, especially if you’re not able to take a transfer directly to your accommodation. Large suitcases can be difficult to navigate around Italy’s narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets.
- Choosing accommodation far away from public transport can quickly start to eat into your daily budget if you have to rely on taxis. You can use ZenHotels’ map feature to find accommodation options within easy walking distance of bus stops and train stations.
- Don’t wait to buy your attraction tickets when you arrive at sites like the Colosseum. You’ll have to wait in a long queue, and you’ll have missed out on some of the best – and cheapest – ticket options!
Local Scams & Safety Behavior to Sidestep
Scams happen everywhere, and even the most frequent travelers can often fall victim to them. In Italy, it’s always a good idea to keep your belongings secure when out in public and to take extra measures to avoid pickpocketing, like using a small padlock on your backpack. Make sure never to accept a “free” bracelet or other souvenir from street vendors and skip the street performers, who will insist on money if you stop to take a photo.
In Italy, it’s always a good idea to keep your belongings secure when out in public.
Photo by maxbelchenko on Shutterstock
Plan Your Dream Italian Getaway with ZenHotels
At ZenHotels, we’re here to help you plan your dream vacation to Italy with accommodation options to suit every budget and destination, from Milan to Rome and Naples. Are you looking for more options for your 2026 holidays? Explore top destinations on ZenHotels and get more expert-curated travel tips by visiting our blog.
