The Complete Checklist For What To Bring To Italy

The ultimate packing list of what to wear and what to bring for every season to be covered when going on a trip to Italy!

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Wondering what to pack for a trip to Italy? When you think of Italy, you probably think of the many amazing designers: Gucci, Versace, Prada, and the list goes on. It goes without saying, fashion is very much part of the culture, so it makes sense that it will also play a role in what you pack for your trip.

Of course when you’re traveling you not only want to look great, you want to feel great. Making sure that the items you bring are both fashionable and functional will make it easy to feel amazing while you explore this beautiful country.

What to bring with you to Italy also depends on the weather! Italy is located on the Mediterranean and typically experiences hot weather in the summer and rain in the winters. The warmest temperatures tend to be in the 80’s (fahrenheit) and the coolest temperatures can be as cold as in the 30’s (fahrenheit) – it really depends on the area/s you’ll be visiting. Planning to be dressed appropriately for the season will be important to make sure you’re prepared, no matter what the weather has in store for you that day!

You may also like: The Perfect 10 Day Italy Itinerary

Essential Travel Items

Let’s start with your travel essentials. These are the items you will be packing no matter where in the world you’re headed!

• Passport Cover
• Luggage Strap and Tag
  
• Noise Canceling Headphones
  
• Hypoallergenic Sanitizing Wipes
  
• Charcoal Deodorizers For Suitcase
  
• Allergen Proof Pillow Covers
  
• Travel Adapter and Voltage Converter
  
• Laundry Detergent Sheets
  
• Dirty Laundry Bag
  
• Travel Shoe Bags
  
• Compression Socks for Flying
  
• Spandex Travel Belt or other Passport Travel Belt
  
• Electronics Chargers and Portable Charger
  
• Snacks or Meal Replacements

If you have issues with allergies, you may want to consider ways to reduce your contact with allergens when staying in a hotel. Personally, I feel it is helpful to bring a travel size air purifier. It helps to ensure I don’t have a reaction to a something in the air in a hotel so I can sleep easier.

What other essentials should you bring to Italy? Well, in addition to this list, I also recommend including copies of passports and other important documents. That includes copies of your travel companion’s passports as well. If you also created a food plan, make sure everyone has a copy to pack into their bags. In a perfect world, there will be sets of copies in both the carry on and the checked luggage – just in case!

Toiletries

If you’re particular like me, what you put on your skin matters! That is why I recommend getting silicone travel containers to fill with products. It is the easiest way to guarantee I won’t have a reaction to the hotel’s soap or shampoo. Using the containers also saves you space so you wont have to bring the full size product with you.

• Silicone Travel Containers
  
• Shampoo
  
• Soap
  
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  
• Norwex Body Cloth
  
• Nail Clipper Set
  
• Dry Shampoo
  
• Deodorant
  
• Wet/Dry Hairbrush
  
• Vitamin C Skin Serum
  
• Lotion
• Sunscreen
• Toiletry Bag
  
• Hair Elastics
  
• Anti-Chafe Balm
  
• Lip Cream
  
• Cotton Swabs
  
• Makeup
  
• Hair Tools: Curling Iron, Straightener, etc.

Medications

Making your own travel first aid kit is super easy and so very worth it! Travel can be taxing on your body, so you never know when a cold or illness might come on. Being prepared will hopefully help you stay healthier or help you get better faster if you do get sick.

• Any necessary inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors
  
• All prescribed daily medications
  
• Vitamins
  
• Clear Travel Bags
  
• Antibiotic Ointment
  
• Various Sizes of Bandages
  
• Benadryl
  
• Vitamin C
  
• Cold and Flu Medication
  
• Pain Medication
  
• Upset Stomach Medicine
  
• Cough Drops

You may also like: How To Create Your Own First Aid Kit For Travel

What To Wear On A Trip To Italy

Italian women like to look nice. They tend to dress up more than we do in the US. While there I encountered less athleisure and more chic urban looks. Don’t worry, dressing fashionably doesn’t mean you have to go over the top with your outfits.

If you’re unsure what to bring to Italy, try this: To keep a classic and fashionable look, aim to pack neutral pieces that are easy to mix and match. I tend to lean more toward wearing a lot of black, but grays, navy, white, camel, etc. can all be paired easily. Then bring pretty scarves and other accessories to add color to your look. This approach helps you because you won’t have to think too hard about your outfit and can reduce how much you pack.

You’ll also want to consider what you’re going to be seeing while in Italy. If you plan to visit any of the many beautiful cathedrals, you will need to meet the dress code. That means having covered shoulders and at a bare minimum, longer skirts and shorts. That said, I recommend bringing a scarf for your shoulders and wearing pants to avoid any potential headaches and to fit in better with the locals.

Outerwear

Be prepared for the weather is always important! Preparing well when deciding what to bring with you to Italy will help to ensure you’re never caught out in the cold without an option. I recommend packing a few jackets to be safe. Although in cities like Rome it is very unlikely you’ll encounter snow, it is possible to have a few rainy days, especially in the fall. In the south it can get down into the 50’s (fahrenheit) in the winter, which means you might want to pack a winter coat or heavier jacket. No matter the time of year, if you’ll be out on the water in a city like Venice, it can also be nice to have a coat to throw on in case the breeze feels chilly.

• Rain coat or poncho (All Seasons)
• Coat for layering (All Seasons)
• Winter Coat or Quilted Jacket (Winter)

Related: How To Not Let The Rain Ruin Your Vacation

Shoes

Keep in mind that many of the places you will be walking are very old, uneven, cobblestone streets. That’s why it is really important to focus on bringing comfortable walking shoes. In the cooler months, booties will be your best friend. In the summer you should bring supportive sandals that will be easy to walk in. Generally though, Italians don’t wear sandals outside of the warm summer months.

• Comfortable Walking Shoes (All Seasons, at least two pairs)
• Booties (Spring, Fall & Winter)
• Sandals (Spring & Summer)

Tops

From morning to evening the temperatures can vary quite a bit in Italy. When it comes to packing, no matter the time of year, you want to plan on layering your tops. That means planning, tank tops, long sleeve shirts, and sweaters to mix and match. I like to choose things that are light and breathable, and if they are easy to wash and quick drying thats a bonus!

• Tank Tops (All Seasons)
• T-Shirts (All Seasons)
• Long Sleeve Shirts (All Seasons)
• Cardigans/Sweaters (All Seasons)
• Dressy Top/s (All Seasons)

Bottoms

Italians are known for wearing linen pants and skirts in the summer over shorts, but if shorts are your thing – go for it! They are also not as likely to wear jeans regularly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. When I know I will be active on a trip I like to choose bottoms that look nice while also being breathable and comfortable.

• Skirts (Spring & Summer)
• Linen Pants and/or Shorts (Summer)
• Other pants, jeans, or leggings (All Seasons)

Dresses

Dresses are great because they are light, easy to pack and wear, and they look great no matter the occasion! If you’re going to be in Italy in the summer, then you can take full advantage of the warm weather to rock summer dresses. If you’re heading in the colder months, I recommend dresses that can be easily layered with your cardigans or sweaters and maybe even tights and boots.

• Dress or Dresses (Summer dresses for warmer months, long sleeved or dresses that can be layered in the cooler months)

Accessories

Accessories are everything when it comes to completing an outfit and adding more style. Not only do they add style, they are also useful! The right cross body bag can protect your belonging while keeping your hands free. A scarf can be used to keep you warm when the temperatures get cooler at night or when you need to cover your shoulders when going into a cathedral.

• Scarves (warmer for cooler months and lighter options for warmer months)
• Travel Umbrella (All Seasons)
• Sunglasses (All Seasons)
• Optional: Hat

Necessities

You won’t want to forget these items! I like to pack a variety of styles of bras and socks for various activities. You may even want to pack a swimsuit in case you’re planning to take a dip during your trip.

• Pajama Set (All Seasons)
• Sports Bras and Other Everyday Bras (All Seasons)
• Underwear (All Seasons)
• Socks (All Seasons)
• Tights (Optional, All Seasons)
• Optional: Swimsuit (Summer)

Conclusion

I hope this checklist helps you feel prepared to know what to bring to Italy! It is one of my very favorite places to go and packing right takes a lot of stress off my shoulders. I know you will love it too!

I want to hear from you! What is the most difficult part about packing for a trip? What do you find you often forget?

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