Updated on December 16, 2023 by Axel Hernborg

Axel Hernborg

A trip to Italy can be magical in all sorts of ways. The capital Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, Milan – cities and areas with culture, fun and history in abundance are certainly not lacking in Italy!

Thinking of travelling to the land of boots in the south? Have you already booked a trip? This article will give you all the facts you need to pack smart for a trip to Italy. See our packing list for a trip to Italy here!

Complete packing list for a trip to Italy

What should you pack for your weekend in Rome, your road trip with a rental car or your charter week with sun and beach? We are all different and no packing list can be perfect for everyone. However, there are of course many things that just have to be included no matter what destination you are targeting.

We’ve made a packing list for a trip to Italy that’s more complete in nature. It is comprehensive to say the least! The idea is to help you so that you really get everything you need. Cross off things on the list that you think are unnecessary and pack so that it’s perfect for you. Please check your packing against the list before heading to the airport!

Bags and more

  • Travel bag
  • Cabin bag
  • Backpack (Buy from Go Outdoors with a discount code)
  • Crossover bag/bag
  • Shopping bag
  • Beach bag
  • Handbag
  • Packing cubes/packing bags
  • Smart tags
  • Dry bag
  • Wet bag
  • Mouthguard

Clothing and footwear

Useful gadgets and electronics

  • Powerbank (Buy from Robert Dyas with a discount code)
  • Camera with extra memory card
  • Water- and shock-resistant camera/underwater camera
  • Reading tablet/tablet
  • Headphones
  • Personal/door alarm
  • Padlock
  • Sleeping mask
  • Ear plugs
  • Guide to your destination (Buy from WHSmith with a discount code)
  • Italian Dictionary
  • Travel diary
  • Soft plastic water bottle
  • Washing bag

Hygiene and travel pharmacy

  • Wipes and handkerchiefs
  • Hand Alcohol
  • Makeup/makeup removal (Buy from AllBeauty.com with a discount code)
  • Things for shaving/shaving apparatus
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hair care
  • Skin care
  • Shampoos and conditioners
  • First Aid Kit (Buy from Outdoor Look with a discount code)
  • Axiety pills
  • Lenses and lens fluid
  • Tablets for upset stomach
  • Painkillers
  • Prescription medicines

Sun protection

Money and travel documents

  • Passports and copies of passports
  • Library book/card holder
  • Cash (euro)
  • Bank card/credit card/pre-paid
  • Copies of insurance policies and conditions
  • Copies of tickets/bookings

Don’t miss these tips for your trip to Italy!

Street with Italian flags

We hope you will find our suggested packing list for Italy useful. Look through it and build on it to pack the right things for your trip (and check everything before you go).

Below we present some additional tips on how to think when packing. Read about the importance of a travel guide and how to pack for a road trip. Also read about Italy’s scorching sun and what you can pack to increase your safety and security on your trip.

Buy a really good travel guide

Going on holiday in Sicily? Sardinia? Discovering Renaissance cities like Florence and Venice? Want culture and history in Rome or fashion and shopping in Milan? Wherever you travel in Italy, having a travel guide in hand is a must.

What is a travel guide? It’s a book with all sorts of facts about a destination. For example, if you buy a Rome travel guide, you can read about hotels, restaurants and nightlife, sights, events, historical sites (and the history behind them!), shopping, museums, walking tips and much more. You’ll also learn how to tip and common phrases.

With a travel guide, you have everything at your fingertips, including detailed maps. No need to spend your holiday searching and re-searching for facts on your mobile. There are travel guides for every city and region in Italy and you can buy them both online and in shops.

Packing list for a road trip through Italy

Car in Italy

Italy is a great country to discover by car. Behind almost every hill hides a picturesque village and along the coasts there are a myriad of fantastic towns and places to discover. With a rental car, you can set off on an adventure!

Are there any smart things to add to a packing list if you’re driving across the country? There is. Here’s a small list of things you might want to consider packing:

  • Guides and maps
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Powerbank
  • Blanket (for warmth, sleep and picnics)
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fragrance diffusers
  • Caffeine pills
  • Wet wipes/handkerchiefs
  • Lip balm and face cream (counteracts the dry air from the AC)
  • Snacks and water
  • Charger (USB car charger)
  • Hand Alcohol

Don’t underestimate Italy’s scorching sun

Even if you think you normally do pretty well in the sun, you’ll need a high SPF sunscreen on a trip to Italy. The summer months are scorching hot and UV radiation is high even when it’s cloudy. Don’t underestimate the sun!

On your packing list for a trip to Italy you should add a sun hat/cap, sunscreen, UV-protected lipstick, UV clothing/rashguards, some after sun product and covering (but still airy) clothing. This will make it easier for you to get through the journey in one piece (literally!)!

Pack for your safety and security

Unfortunately, pickpockets flock wherever there are many tourists. Cities like Rome, Venice, Naples and Florence are probably most at risk of losing valuables, but the risk is everywhere. In addition, it is always a good idea to think about safety and security in general.

Here are some tips on how to pack and think to discourage theft and feel safer in general:

  • Have your valuables in hidden bags right next to your body (for example, a crossover bag that you wear under your shirt/shirt)
  • If you have a backpack – use a model with a zipper towards the back
  • Use personal or door alarms in hotel rooms and other accommodation
  • Put padlocks on your suitcases
  • Use smart tags to track your bags in case they get lost
  • Use garments and accessories with built-in pockets for valuables (there are socks, bracelets and belts with built-in pockets, for example)
  • Put your bank cards and the like in your wallet with RFID protection
  • Pack trousers and shorts with zipped pockets