Italy Packing List
By the NanoPack team · Updated on · Checked against official sources
What to pack for Italy: comfortable, broken-in shoes come first, because you will walk all day on cobblestones, and a scarf or wrap you can throw over bare shoulders, because churches like the Vatican and the Duomo turn away anyone showing shoulders or knees. Bring a Type C, F or L plug adapter for Italy's 230-volt sockets, a zipped anti-theft bag for the crowds and pickpockets, light layers for the heat, and one smart-casual outfit for dinner. Carry a little cash and some coins for the occasional paid restroom.
Italy essentials at a glance
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- A scarf or wrap for the churches
- A Type C, F or L adapter (230V)
- A zipped, anti-theft day bag
- Light layers and a smart-casual outfit
- Sunglasses and a compact umbrella
- A refillable water bottle for the fountains
- Some cash and coins
In Italy you walk all day on uneven cobblestones and step into churches that turn away bare shoulders, so your feet and your outfit both need a plan: broken-in shoes for the stone streets, and a scarf you can throw on at the door of the Vatican, the Duomo or any smaller chapel. Add the right plug, a bag that zips against pickpockets, and light layers for the heat, and you can move easily from ruins to piazzas to a smart dinner.
Documents and money
- A passport valid 6+ months
- A no-fee card and contactless, plus some euros
- Coins for paid restrooms and small cafes
- Printed bookings saved offline
- Travel insurance and copies of documents
- A note on entry rules · Italy is in Schengen, so 90 days in any 180; see the Europe list for the shared basics
Shoes and clothing
- Comfortable broken-in walking shoes
- A scarf or wrap to cover shoulders and knees in churches
- Light, breathable layers
- One smart-casual outfit for dinner
- A light rain jacket
- Sandals and one nicer pair of shoes
City day bag
- A zipped crossbody or anti-theft bag · pickpockets work the tourist crowds
- A refillable water bottle · free public fountains are everywhere
- Sunglasses and a compact umbrella
- A power bank
- Hand sanitiser
Power and tech
- A Type C, F or L plug adapter · Italy also uses the three-pin Type L
- Chargers rated 100 to 240 volts
- A power bank
- Phone with offline maps and a train app
- A local eSIM
Toiletries and health
- Travel-size toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Any medication in your carry-on
- Blister plasters for the cobblestones
- Basic first-aid
What not to pack
- US-only chargers without a Type C/F/L adapter · Italy is 230V; check devices read 100-240V
- New, unbroken-in shoes · Italy is wall-to-wall cobblestones; wear a pair you have already worn in
- Shorts and bare shoulders for churches · the Vatican, the Duomo and many others refuse entry
- A day bag that does not zip · pickpocketing is common in Rome, Florence and Naples
Packing tips and mistakes to avoid
Cobblestone-proof your feet, church-proof your outfit
Wear comfortable shoes you have already broken in for the uneven streets, and keep a scarf or light layer in your bag that covers your shoulders and knees. Major churches, from the Vatican to Florence's Duomo, enforce the dress code and will turn you away without it.
Bring a Type L-capable adapter
Italy uses Type C and F plugs and the three-pin Type L, so a universal adapter is the safe choice, and check your chargers read 100 to 240 volts, which most phone and laptop chargers do.
Rome and Florence pickpockets work the crowds
The number 64 bus to the Vatican, packed metros and the crush at big sights are where bags get opened. Wear a zipped bag across your body and in front of you, keep your phone out of back pockets, and stash a spare card and some cash elsewhere.
Validate regional train tickets
Stamp paper regional train tickets in the green or yellow machines on the platform before you board, or you can be fined. High-speed tickets with an assigned seat are already valid and do not need stamping.
The things people forget
- A Type C, F or L adapter, Italy uses Type L too
- A scarf to cover shoulders and knees in churches
- Blister plasters for the cobblestones
- Coins for the paid restrooms
What people wish they had packed
- A zipped anti-theft bag for the pickpocket spots
- A refillable bottle for the free fountains
- A light layer for cool churches and evenings
- Comfortable shoes you broke in first
Frequently asked questions
What should you pack for Italy?
Comfortable broken-in shoes for the cobblestones, a scarf or wrap to cover your shoulders in churches, a Type C, F or L adapter, a zipped anti-theft bag, light layers and one smart-casual outfit, and a refillable water bottle for the free fountains.
What should you wear to churches in Italy?
Cover your shoulders and knees. Major churches like the Vatican and the Duomo refuse entry to visitors in sleeveless tops, shorts or short skirts, so carry a scarf or a light layer you can put on at the door.
What plug adapter do you need for Italy?
Italy runs on 230 volts and uses Type C and F plugs plus the three-pin Type L, so a universal adapter is safest. Check your chargers are rated 100 to 240 volts, which most modern phone and laptop chargers are.
What do people forget to pack for Italy?
A Type L-capable adapter, a scarf to cover up in churches, blister plasters for the cobblestones, coins for paid restrooms, and a zipped anti-theft bag for the crowds.