Europe
Italy
- Flight from Zurichapprox. 1 h 30 min
- Best monthsApril to October
- CurrencyEuro (EUR)
- Visa for CHNo visa needed
Free intro call, we usually reply within 24 h
Experiences and tickets
What makes Italy special
Italy is so varied that a trip to Rome feels nothing like one to Naples or the Dolomites.
You are there quickly by plane or by train over the Alps, and each region has its own cooking, dialect and pace. Rome and Florence mean art and history, Venice means canals, the Amalfi Coast means sea and lemons, the Dolomites mean mountains.
If you want something a little less beaten track, look at Sicily. Palermo is loud, colourful and layered with history, with markets, palaces and Arab-Norman churches. Among our experiences there is a Palermo City Pass that can be worth it if you plan to see several sights.
Ideal for: Culture lovers, Food lovers, Road trippers, City breaks
When to travel
January
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
February
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
March
Outside the months we recommend. Write to us if you want to travel exactly then.
April
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
May
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
June
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
July
High season
High season. Beaches and sights are usually busier, so it pays to book accommodation and transport early.
August
High season
High season. Beaches and sights are usually busier, so it pays to book accommodation and transport early.
September
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
October
Shoulder season
Shoulder season. Often pleasant and quieter than high season.
November
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
December
Low season
Low season. Usually quiet, but some offers run on reduced schedules or pause.
By region
Rome, Florence and Tuscany
April to June and September to October suit city trips. High summer is very hot and crowded.
Sicily and the south
May to June and September are warm and pleasant. Swimming works into October.
North and Dolomites
Lakes and cities are lovely in spring and autumn, the mountains from June to September for hiking and in winter for skiing.
The weather now and in the coming days
Weather currently unavailable
Weather data: MET Norway, CC BY 4.0
What you need to enter
Pick your passport and we show you the entry rule.
Entry rule
No visa needed
For Swiss citizens
Italy does not usually ask Swiss tourists for a visa. An ID card normally does the job, and a passport works just as well. Check the expiry date before you book and glance at the FDFA travel advice, without guarantee.
No guarantee – the official authority is binding.
Money and budget
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Exchange rate
- Rate currently unavailable
Daily budget per person
Frugal
CHF 100
per day
Comfortable
CHF 180
per day
Generous
CHF 320
per day
Guide values excluding flights, in CHF.
How to get there and get around
Flight time from Zurich
approx. 1 h 30 min
To Rome, approx. 2 h 15 min to Palermo (direct or with a stop depending on season), Milan and Venice are also reachable by train
Getting around
Fast trains link the big cities, and tickets are best bought ahead. In the south and on Sicily a rental car often makes sense, traffic drives on the right, and old towns have restricted traffic zones. In cities you rely on the metro, buses and your own feet.
Connected and mobile on the ground
eSIM for Italy
Mobile data from the moment you land, no roaming fees and no SIM swap.
Car rental in Italy
Compare rental cars and explore on your own schedule.
Airport transfer
Fixed price, driver waiting: a relaxed ride from the airport to your stay.
Activities in Italy
Secure tours and tickets in advance.
Partner links: we may earn a commission, the price stays the same for you.
Where to go
Rome and Lazio
The Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican and the many small squares in between. Leave room to wander, not every minute needs to be a sight.
Florence and Tuscany
Art in Florence, then hills, wineries and towns like Siena or San Gimignano. Works well as a road trip.
Venice and the north
Canals, islands and cicchetti, plus the northern lakes and the Dolomites. It is more pleasant outside peak season.
Amalfi Coast and Naples
Naples is rough and lively, with a pizza tradition worth trying. From there you can go to Pompeii, up Vesuvius or along the coast.
Palermo and Sicily
Markets like Ballarò, the cathedral and the Palazzo dei Normanni, plus street food such as arancine. From Palermo you reach Cefalù and the temples of Agrigento.
Photos: La vallata di Poggiorsini vista nel dettaglio by Fishmax77, CC BY-SA 4.0; Saint Peter's Basilica and Saint Peter's Square, Rome (sunset) by Quentin Lowagie / Klow, CC BY 4.0; Panorama of Canal Grande and Ponte di Rialto, Venice - September 2017 by Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0; Positano (Italy) 04 by Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0. Cropped and compressed. This adaptation is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to sleep
Rome and Florence
Small hotels, guesthouses and apartments, best booked near the centre
Sicily
B&Bs, boutique hotels in historic palazzi, agriturismi in the countryside
Coast and lakes
Hotels and holiday flats, book early in summer
Travel well prepared
Travel advice
Current travel advice and the security situation are published by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
View FDFA travel adviceHealth
There is no vaccination requirement. Summers get very hot, so plan shade breaks and plenty of water. In big cities like Rome and Naples stay alert for pickpockets. Your health insurer can tell you how far your cover reaches abroad.
We are happy to advise you on travel insurance.
Good to know
- Language
- Italian
- Plugs
- Type C, F, L
- Dialling code
- +39
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Tipping
- Tipping is not widespread, rounding up or leaving a few coins for good service is enough. Some restaurants add a cover charge.
- Internet
- Signal is reliable in cities and tourist areas, and many cafés offer Wi-Fi. If you stay longer, compare your Swiss provider's roaming with an eSIM.
- Customs
- Prices are paid in euros, cards are common, and cash helps at markets and small bars. Italian sockets are types C, F and L. Two-pin plugs (type C) generally fit while Swiss type J plugs do not, so pack a travel adapter. Cappuccino is a morning drink, and after meals you order an espresso. Some train tickets must be validated before boarding.
How long to stay
Recommended length
7 to 10 days
Suggested route
- Rome (3 nights) with the Colosseum and the Vatican
- Florence and Tuscany (3 nights)
- Venice (2 nights) or Naples and the Amalfi Coast
- Optionally Sicily with Palermo (3 to 4 nights) as a separate trip
Frequently asked questions
When is the weather pleasant for city trips in Italy?
April to June, and September and October. July and August are hot and crowded, but good for swimming on the coast.
What daily budget should I count on?
About CHF 100 to 180 for simple to comfortable travel, closer to CHF 320 with nicer rooms. Rome, Florence and Venice are the priciest places to sleep.
Do I have to take my passport to Italy?
Either is normally accepted for holidays. What matters is that the document does not expire shortly after you return, and the FDFA has the details.
How do I travel between cities?
Trains are the most comfortable choice, especially between Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples. For Sicily and the countryside away from cities, a rental car is worth it.
What should I watch out for in big cities?
Pickpockets in crowds, at stations and on the metro. Keep valuables on your body, and the emergency number is 112.
How many days should I plan?
Three to four days cover Rome or Florence. A round trip through several cities needs seven to ten days, and Sicily is best planned separately.
We plan your trip to Italy
In a free intro call we cover your wishes, dates and budget. Afterwards you receive a quote with options.
Pick a slot in the calendar right away – or message us wherever suits you best.
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Reply usually within 24 h