A Solo Traveler's Guide to Italy

If you're looking for a popular solo travel destination, Italy should be near the top of your list. Whether it's your first solo trip or you're a seasoned solo traveler, Italy is a fantastic country for solo travel.
 

Within this article

• Why take a solo trip to Italy?
• Popular solo travel destinations in Italy
• Top Italy tours for solo travelers
• When is the best time for a solo trip to Italy?
• What to pack for Italy solo travel
• Is Italy an expensive solo travel destination?
• Is Italy safe for solo travelers?
• How to plan a solo trip to Italy

Visitors to Italy have a wealth of different activities to choose from depending on their interests. Whether you're looking to take a deep dive into the world of delicious Italian food, explore lush valleys surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, or trek along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, Italy has something for you.

Italy is a very safe country. Big cities and rural areas alike have low crime, apart from petty theft like pickpocketing. English is widely spoken, especially in major cities, allowing you to independently get around with ease.

On top of all that, Italy is easy to navigate on your own, assisted by an excellent public transportation system.

One of the perks of solo travel is that you can choose and plan exactly what you want to see and do. Maybe you want to get up close to Renaissance art masterpieces in museums and stroll along cobbled streets in Italian cities like Rome, Venice, Pisa, and Florence. Or perhaps you'd prefer to spend time out in nature wandering through vineyards in Piedmont, savoring delicious food. You get to decide!

If you're unsure where to start planning your solo Italy adventure, here are some of the top spots around Italy for solo travelers.

If you're looking to join a tour to travel around Italy, we have plenty of options to choose from. Depending on what you want to see and do on your solo Italy trip, we've got some recommendations:

The best time of year to visit Italy as a solo traveler depends on the destination and what you want to do. Spring, summer, and fall are usually the best times to visit Italy because the weather is at its finest all around the country. But each season has its benefits and drawbacks:

Spring

Lasting from April to June, spring is a great time to visit for pleasant weather, mild temperatures, and blossoming landscapes. It's also generally less crowded, making this an ideal season to visit popular cities and attractions. However, you do run the risk of hitting rainier weather in destinations like Cinque Terre.

Summer

With hot and sunny weather, summer in Italy is a prime time for visiting the beach or “outdoorsy” adventures like hikes. But it's also peak tourist season, meaning that coastal areas and popular cities will be pretty crowded. Prices for things like hotels will also likely be higher. If you're planning to visit during summer, consider exploring less touristy regions or booking accommodations and attractions in advance.

Fall

Take part in harvest festivals, see the fall foliage in Tuscany and Umbria, or hit the hiking trails during autumn in Italy. Mild weather makes it an ideal time for outdoor activities and the summer crowds have started to disperse. Traveling in Italy during the fall does bring the risk of rainy weather.
 

Winter

The winter months of November to February bring colder temperatures and rainy weather, especially in Northern Italy. Cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are less crowded, and you may find discounted prices. It's a good time for winter sports in the Italian Alps, Christmas decorations, and experiencing Venice's famed Carnival during February. During this time of year, some northern hiking routes like the Mont Blanc trek aren't accessible due to snowfall.

What to pack for a solo trip to Italy depends on where you're going and the type of activities you'll be doing, but here's a general guide:

●    Sturdy and comfortable shoes for walking, hiking, or cycling
●    Comfortable daypack
●    Layered clothing
●    Reusable water bottle
●    Sunscreen
●    Sunhat and sunglasses

While visiting during the summer high season can be pricey, for the most part, Italy isn't too expensive for solo travelers. One of the benefits of solo travel is that you can customize your trip to fit your budget. If you're on a tighter budget, you can visit during spring or fall, eat at more affordable restaurants, and use mass transit or your own feet to get around. If you're not on a budget, Italy is definitely the place to splurge from dining to shopping.

If you're interested in doing a solo guided tour of Italy, our solo travel guided tours are some of our most affordable trips, starting at $790. Most are in the $1,500-$2,500 range, which includes accommodations, some transit, some activities, and some meals. With those essentials taken care of, all you have to cover are flights, additional meals, and activities.

Apart from petty theft like pickpocketing or bag snatching in big cities and at major attractions, Italy is a very safe country to navigate on your own as a solo traveler. All the same, it's a good idea to purchase travel insurance as security against theft, delays, or natural disasters.

While safe for all ages and genders, women traveling solo around Italy should still take precautions. Here are some safety tips for solo female travelers in Italy:

●    Be mindful of your drinking to avoid becoming intoxicated
●    Be aware of your surroundings and personal items at all times, especially in major cities
●    Always lock your hotel or hostel room door

While you can do your own planning as a solo traveler, booking a small group guided solo travel tour makes everything easier. Explore sets up an itinerary for you and arranges lodgings and transportation, allowing you the ability to move at your own pace and do exactly what you want to in your free time.

Explore our Italy tours and start planning your solo Italian adventure today.