Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and purchase through any of these links. Opinions are always my own.

10 Must Have Items For Your Trip To Italy

You’re finally planning a trip to Italy!

Congratulations! It’s going to be the trip of a lifetime. Traveling to Italy is an adventure and while you definitely don’t want to overpack, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need for a smooth and memorable holiday in Europe. Here are 10 must-have items you want to consider for your upcoming trip to Italy!

Italy Packing List Essentials (Other than your passport)

1. 1. Camera  

      You’re going to see a lot of amazing places during this epic trip to Italy. Trust me when I say that these amazing places are even more incredible than you can imagine. Do yourself a favor and take a good camera. There’s nothing worse than going to Shutterfly and seeing the pop-up that basically says, “Warning! Your camera sucked.” My camera of choice is a Nikon D5300 DSLR – about $500 for a camera and lens kit – but a smaller camera will do just fine if a DSLR isn’t for you quite yet. There are many budget-friendly options that will help you achieve a lasting moment. The idea here is don’t rely on your phone camera. While most phones have a decent camera nowadays, they still aren’t ideal for printing, and you will still be limited on some of your picture-taking. An actual camera is definitely an Italy packing list essential.

   2. Pacsafe Backpack

      Italy currently sees more visitors per year than any other country and this means pick-pocket heaven. They aren’t aggressive or dangerous, but they are artfully sneaky. While you are snapping a perfect picture of the Colosseum, you’ll never feel the hand in your pocket or realize your backpack was unzipped and your passport now has a new owner. On the off-chance you catch it, they’ll be gone before you can do anything about it.

      Keep your belongings yours with a Pacsafe bag. I recommend a 15L Venturesafe by Pacsafe. It is slim, spacious and perfect for carrying a laptop. The padded back adds a bit of comfort. Items are secured by a metal mesh lining (so that the bag is slash proof) and locking zippers. If you’re not into backpacks, Pacsafe makes purses and messenger bags as well that you can find on Amazon. Don’t let pickpockets deter you from taking that dream trip to Italy! They won’t harm you and, if you take precautions and stay aware, they will leave you alone.

   3. Money-belt 

      The safest and most highly recommended way to keep your money and passport safe is a money belt. Even Rick Steve’s says so and he is the Chief. Keep the bulk of cash here with your credit card and passport and have a small amount of cash in one of the inside pockets or your bag. We purchased a Peak Gear money-belt from Amazon that worked perfectly.

   4. Scarf (Women)  

      
      There are a lot of stunning churches in Italy and they all have a dress code. If you want to revel in the beauty of these structures, be sure that your shoulders and knees are covered. Particularly in the summer, it can get hot and while shorts and tanks are not uncommon, a simple scarf will ensure you aren’t denied access to St. Mark’s or St. Peter’s. This type of mishap can ruin your morning or afternoon, especially if you waited 3 hours in line only to get turned away. If you are looking for an inexpensive and versatile option, I got a very light, super cute scarf from Old Navy that worked perfectly.

   5. Comfortable Shoes 

      Do NOT go on a trip to Italy without good walking shoes! I don’t mean flip-flops nor do I mean your most comfortable heels. Neither will serve you well. Bring well broken-in walking shoes – shoes that will carry you 6 to 8 miles per day on cobblestone roads. I took two pairs of shoes on our trip – a pair of Ecco Soft 7 in white and my black Tieks shoes. The bf bought a pair of the same shoe in mens and loved how they wore as well. Even though I didn’t actually have time to break in my Ecco shoes, it all worked out. Both pairs turned out to be amazing and I am proud to report I went blister free after 18 days and 90 something miles of trekking.

   6. Rick Steve’s Guide To Italy

      This book will help you along the way whether it is knowing where to go or figuring out what you’re seeing once you get there. We had an outline of what we wanted to do during our trip to Italy. Even though we knew the places, we often forgot interesting and sometimes important information. It was handy to be able to open the guide and read more about the monuments and sites. Rick Steve’s Guide also has some great recommendations that you might not otherwise consider. Another perk is you can often get a discount at places featured in the book! Don’t forget to also download his free app on your phone for some self-guided tours.

   7. Ulmon City Maps2Go (AKA, LifeSaver App)

      Unless you would rather get lost (repeatedly) download this app. There is a fee to purchase to app but it is worth every cent. If you keep an eye out, you can often get it for a discount. It was recommended to me shortly before we departed, so I just forked out the eleven bucks and called it good. You also have the option to download the City Maps app for individual cities and those apps are actually free. Again, totally worth it. Basically, you download the cities or areas in advance (over wifi) where you will need navigation. Once these areas are downloaded, the gps and navigation will work offline. No need to worry about international data charges or getting lost.

   8. List of Embassies/Consulates with Contact Info

      This is actually a must-have in any country you travel to. In the event your passport is lost/stolen or you find yourself in some other kind of predicament, it is a good idea to know where you can find help. Know where your nearest embassy is located and have their phone numbers, including the emergency line. List of US Embassies/Consulates.

   9. Refillable Water Bottle

      In Italy, there are fountains throughout most cities offering clean and free drinking water. You will drink a lot, and a buck or two adds up. Especially when you’re talking about several bottles a day! Take an insulated bottle and fill it up at the hotel in the morning. You may still need to buy a bottle here and there, but far fewer than otherwise.

   10. Journal 

       You won’t remember nearly as much about your trip as you think you will. Take a few minutes each day to jot down the funny stories, the nearly mishaps, that amazing restaurant with the BEST Cacio e Pepe, the french couple you met waiting for a boat, and a little something about the kind man who took a different route to work because you were wandering circles in Capri because I forgot to download the map. Give yourself the best souvenir and record all of your favorite details during your amazing trip to Italy!

Enjoy your trip to Italy!

Want some inspiration? Check out some of my favorite photos from my trip to Italy on this post.

2 Weeks in Italy: A Photographic Journey

Considering Venice ?

Read about our recent trip to Venice!

Heading to Italy soon? Don't forget these 10 must-haves!Click To Tweet