Planning a trip to Italy? Check out this simple guide of the do’s and don’ts while visiting so you won’t totally stand out as a tourist.
DON’T Order a Cappuccino Past 12pm![]()
If you order a cappuccino after lunch you might get some weird looks from your waiter. Italians believe that drinking milk after a meal will mess up the digestive process. So if you want to avoid the stares, order an espresso instead.
DO Always Have Cash and Change on You
Do you really want to use your debit/credit card to pay for a 2 Euro keychain for your friend back home? Plus, some small shops might not have a debit/credit machine.
DON’T Wear Flip Flops in the City
This is a big tourist mistake. Locals will spot you a mile away if you are wearing flip flops and shorts. Save them for the beach where they belong.
DO Some Studying of the Language Beforehand
Learn some basic vocabulary and phrases before heading to Italy. It will be a big help to you while you are there. Check out this post for 20 Basic Italian Phrases.
DON’T Forget to Treat Yourself To un Bel Gelato
Ice cream in Italy tastes like nothing you’ve ever tried before. It’s smoother, creamier, and more flavourful then the ice cream you can get in your home town. So believe me, you won’t regret it.
DO Use Maps or a GPS to Get Around
This is a given for travelling anywhere, but the GPS on your phone will be a big help for getting around different towns and cities in Italy.
DON’T Eat at the Super “Touristy” Restaurants
Try and find the authentic Italian restaurants instead to get the real Italian experience.
DO Cover Up When Entering Churches
As a sign of respect, make sure your shoulders and knees are covered when entering or you might get some stares or even worse, you might be asked to leave. Skip the embarrassing moments and be prepared with
Have other suggestions that could be added to this list? Leave them in the comments below.
Sources:
Main Photo by Francesca Tirico on Unsplash
