The Solo Explorer’s Guide to Italy
✨ Intro
Italy had always been on my travel bucket list — and in May 2015, with the spring breeze and smaller crowds, it didn’t disappoint. I landed in Milan, stayed the night, then headed straight to Rome, where I walked everywhere and let the ancient city unfold around me.
From tossing coins at the (sadly scaffolded) Trevi Fountain to spending a quiet morning alone in the Sistine Chapel, it felt like every moment deserved a “pinch me.” I made my way to Venice by train, where I got lost on winding alleyways and over stone bridges, map in hand and gelato in the other.
This guide combines tips, real stories, and everything I learned as a solo female traveler — whether you're navigating ancient ruins or dodging gondola prices.
Ciao from Rome! Not pictured: me trying to dodge selfie sticks and scaffolding at every corner.
💁♀️ Why Italy is Great for Solo Female Travelers
Safe and popular with other solo travelers
Walkable cities with lots to see on foot
Well-connected by train — easy to get around without a car
Locals are helpful, even if you don’t speak Italian
Dining solo is totally normal — especially at cafes and pizza spots
Easy to navigate tourist areas with plenty of English signage
Great mix of culture, food, history, and charming neighborhoods
Traveling solo means moments like this: sitting by a Venetian canal with nothing but your thoughts and the sound of the water.
🛂 Entry Requirements for Italy
As a Canadian passport holder, I didn’t need a visa for my short trip to Italy in 2015. Canadians can enter the Schengen Zone (which includes Italy) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism purposes.
✈️ ETIAS Update:
Starting mid-2026, travelers from Canada, the U.S., and other visa-exempt countries will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before entering Italy. It’s a quick online form with a small fee — similar to the ESTA for the U.S.
🔗 Apply and get updates here: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
🔍 Disclaimer: Entry rules may change — always check official government websites before you go.
Every stamp tells a story — this one starts in Italy.
🕰️ Best Time to Visit
🌸Spring (Apr–Jun): My favorite time — fewer crowds, warm weather, and blooming flowers.
☀️Summer (Jul–Aug): Hot and packed with tourists. Great for beaches, but cities can be overwhelming.
🍇Fall (Sep–Oct): Quieter with mild weather — ideal for wine and harvest season.
❄️Winter (Nov–Mar): Cold and quieter. Best for budget travel and exploring museums without the crowds.
Traveling in the off-season meant cooler weather, but also quieter piazzas and shorter lines.
💵 Money & Currency: How to Pay in Italy
💶 Local Currency: Euro (€)
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD (as of August 2025)
💳 Cards: Widely accepted (especially Visa & Mastercard) at hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc
💵 Cash: Always carry a small amount for street food, small cafés, buses, and public washrooms (which often require coins).
🏧 ATMs: Known locally as bancomat — common, but avoid exchange kiosks in tourist areas as they often have poor rates.
💡 JD’s Tip: I used my Canadian credit card for most things and took out a bit of cash when needed. It was easy to keep track of my budget when walking everywhere and eating simple meals like pizza al taglio.
Disclaimer: Exchange rates are approximate and can change. Check current rates before you travel.
From 5 to 50, every Euro turns into pizza, pasta, and memories.
🛏️ Where to Stay
I stayed in budget hostels near train stations and city centers — perfect for walking and avoiding taxis.
Rome: I booked a hostel within walking distance of the Colosseum — ideal for early starts and sunset strolls. You can also stay near Termini Station for convenience, or in Trastevere for a charming, local vibe.
Venice: Book near the main canal or a vaporetto stop — walking with a backpack over 10 bridges is no joke.
Milan: I only stayed one night, but central areas are easiest if you're catching an early train.
💡JD’s Tip: Double-check if your accommodation includes a city tax or requires exact cash upon arrival.
Waking up in Italy means history is always outside your window.
🍝 What to Eat
🍕 Pizza al Taglio – Pizza by the slice, sold by weight. Perfect for a quick solo lunch while exploring cities like Rome or Venice.
🍦 Gelato – Creamy, flavorful, and a must at least once a day. Look for shops where the gelato isn’t piled high with artificial colors — the best gelato looks natural and tastes rich.
🍝 Roman Pasta Classics – Try local specialties like:
Carbonara – Pasta with egg, pecorino cheese, pancetta, and black pepper.
Cacio e Pepe – “Cheese and pepper” pasta, simple but unforgettable.
Amatriciana – Pasta with tomato, pecorino, and cured pork.
🥖 Fresh Bread & Pastries – Every region has its own specialties, from focaccia in Liguria to cornetti (Italian croissants) for breakfast.
🍷 Wine – Cheap, delicious, and part of daily life. Even house wine at a family-run trattoria can be excellent.
☕ Espresso or Cappuccino – Italians drink espresso all day, but cappuccino only in the morning. Standing at the bar is cheaper than sitting down. (I don’t drink coffee, but the wine made up for it!)
🍨 Regional Desserts – From tiramisu in Veneto to cannoli in Sicily, dessert is always worth saving room for.
💡 JD’s Tip: In tourist areas, prices are higher if you sit down. Follow the locals — stand at the bar for your coffee, grab pizza al taglio on the go, and eat gelato in the piazza.
Street food in Italy is underrated — grab a paper cone of fried chicken and fries with a cheap beer and eat like a local.
📍 Suggested 5-Day Itinerary – Italy
Day 1: Milan (Arrival)
Fly into Milan, Italy’s fashion and design capital.
Explore the Duomo di Milano and its rooftop views.
Stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for shopping and snacks.
💡 Tip: Milan is a great arrival city thanks to train connections, but don’t linger too long unless fashion and art are your thing.
Day 2–3: Rome (The Eternal City)
Visit the Colosseum & Roman Forum for ancient history.
Walk to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona.
Spend a day at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (book tickets in advance and head straight to the Chapel first).
Climb St. Peter’s Basilica for sweeping views of the city.
💡 Tip: Rome is very walkable — I skipped public transport and loved getting lost in the streets.
Day 4: Florence (Art & Tuscany)
Take a train north to Florence.
See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia and climb the Duomo.
Wander the Ponte Vecchio and enjoy Tuscan food.
💡 Optional Day Trip: Pisa, Siena, or the Tuscan countryside for wine tasting.
Day 5: Venice (The Floating City)
Arrive by train into the stunning Santa Lucia station.
Explore the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, and St. Mark’s Basilica.
Get lost in side streets and count bridges — it’s part of the charm.
💡 Tip: Gondolas are expensive (€80+), but you can take a €2 traghetto (local gondola ferry) across the canal for the experience.
Venice shopping streets: crowded, chaotic, and completely unforgettable.
🧭 Getting Around Italy
🚆 Trains
Use For: Fast and comfortable travel between major cities (Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Naples).
💡 Tip: Book in advance on Trenitalia or Italo for cheaper fares and guaranteed seats. Regional trains are slower but cheaper — no need to book ahead.
🚶 Walking
Use For: Historic centers like Rome, Florence, and Venice. Streets are compact and best explored on foot.
💡 Tip: Wear good shoes — cobblestones can be tough on your feet after a long day.
⛴️ Vaporettos
Use For: Public water buses in Venice. The cheapest way to experience the canals and get to islands like Murano or Burano.
💡 Tip: A multi-day pass saves money if you’ll use them often.
🚌 Buses & Metros
Use For: City travel, especially in Rome, Milan, and Naples.
💡 Tip: Always validate your ticket before boarding — inspectors do random checks, and fines are steep.
🚕 Taxis
Use For: Late nights or with luggage. Expensive and not always necessary in walkable cities.
💡 Tip: Only use official white taxis with meters. Avoid unlicensed drivers near tourist sites.
🚗 Car Rental
Use For: Countryside trips like Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, or Sicily. Not recommended for big cities (traffic & parking are nightmares).
💡 Tip: An International Driving Permit may be required — check current rules before booking.
✈️ Flights
Use For: Long distances, like Milan to Sicily. Low-cost airlines (Ryanair, EasyJet) can be cheaper than trains if booked early.
💡 Tip: Watch baggage fees — budget airlines charge for everything.
💡 JD’s Tip: I walked everywhere in Rome and Venice, but trains were my best friend between cities. Book early for long routes — and bring snacks for the journey!
First-class tickets can be surprisingly affordable if booked early — sometimes cheaper than last-minute second-class!
💸 Budget Breakdown / Day (in $USD)
Accommodation
Low: $27–54 — Hostel dorms, budget guesthouses near city centers
Mid: $80–130 — Boutique hotels, private Airbnb rooms
High: $180+ — Luxury hotels, central apartments
Food & Drink
Low: $16–32 — Pizza by the slice, gelato, wine, pasta
Mid: $25–45 — Trattorias, sit-down meals with wine
High: $70+ — Multi-course fine dining
Transport
Low: $11–27 — Trains, walking, vaporettos in Venice
Mid: $15–25 — Faster trains, occasional taxis
High: $50+ — Private transfers, high-speed trains
Attractions
Low: $11–22 — Free landmarks, occasional museum entry
Mid: $15–30 — Major attractions, combo tickets
High: $50+ — Guided tours, skip-the-line passes
Souvenirs & Extras
Low: $5–11 — Postcards, local wine, small keepsakes
Mid: $15–30 — Artisan crafts, specialty foods
High: $50+ — Designer goods, luxury items
👉 Total/Day
Low: $70–146
Mid: $135–230
High: $350+
💡 JD’s Tip: Walking saves money — and in Italy, it’s the best way to explore. I used a paper map in Venice and skipped the gondola ride (too pricey solo). Trains were worth booking early to save, especially between major cities.
Even on a budget, there’s always room for gelato — a little luxury that doesn’t break the bank.
🛍️ Souvenirs to Buy
🎭 Mini Venetian Masks or Murano Glass – Iconic souvenirs from Venice, available in every size from keychains to collector’s pieces.
📬 Postcards or Vintage Prints – Found in local markets, perfect for scrapbooks or framing.
🍝 Italian Pasta or Olive Oil – Well-packaged and easy to bring home. Look for regional specialties (like orecchiette from Puglia or truffle oil from Umbria).
🍋 Limoncello or Regional Wine – Limoncello from the Amalfi Coast is classic, but Tuscany and Sicily also offer amazing wines.
👜 Leather Goods from Florence – Belts, handbags, and wallets made with local craftsmanship.
📿 Religious Items – Rosaries, crosses, or medals from the Vatican — meaningful keepsakes even if you’re not religious.
🖼 Small Art Prints – Reproductions of famous works from the Uffizi, Vatican, or local artists on the street.
🍫 Italian Chocolate & Sweets – Baci from Perugia or torrone (nougat) are tasty and giftable.
💡 JD’s Tip: Street vendors near tourist sites often sell cheap knockoffs. For quality, buy from artisan shops, markets, or directly from producers.
Local markets are great for affordable, authentic souvenirs — just be ready to bargain a little!
📝 Other Tips from JD
Always ask if there’s a tourist tax at check-in — some places require cash payment on arrival.
Book major sites in advance — especially the Vatican Museums and Colosseum.
If you’re visiting the Vatican Museum, go early and head straight to the Sistine Chapel. Seeing it in near-silence before the crowds was one of the most magical travel moments I’ve ever had.
Wear good shoes — cobblestones will absolutely destroy your feet.
Solo dining is completely normal — bring a book, enjoy the wine, and watch the world go by.
Expect renovations — even famous landmarks like the Trevi Fountain or Rialto Bridge might be under scaffolding. It’s all part of the experience.
Climbing St. Peter’s Basilica dome — one of my favorite views in Rome.
🧘♀️ Solo Travel & Cultural Notes
Italy is a great place to wander solo — especially if you love people-watching, history, or getting “lost” on purpose. Locals are passionate, expressive, and often warm once you engage with them — especially outside of tourist zones.
Meals are a social event, so don’t be surprised if dinners stretch on for hours.
Personal space is smaller — people may stand close or greet you with a kiss on the cheek.
Fashion matters — Italians tend to dress well, even casually.
In small towns or local cafés, learning just a few Italian words can go a long way.
Sunday closures are real — many businesses shut down for the day or close early.
JD’s Note:
I never felt awkward eating alone. Grab a table, sip some wine, and enjoy the view. People will usually leave you be — unless they’re trying to flirt!
Sunday morning at St. Peter’s Basilica — the Vatican Museum was closed, but the square was alive with crowds gathering for mass.
🗣️ Speak a Little Italian
Sì — Yes — see
No — No — no
Ciao — Hello / Bye — chow
Grazie — Thank you — GRAH-tsyeh
Prego — You’re welcome — PREH-go
Scusa — Excuse me / Sorry — SCOO-zah
Quanto costa? — How much does it cost? — KWAHN-toh COHS-tah?
Dove si trova il bagno? — Where’s the bathroom? — DOH-veh see TROH-vah eel BAH-nyo?
Un bicchiere di vino — A glass of wine — oon bee-kee-EHR-eh dee VEE-no
Non parlo italiano — I don’t speak Italian — non PAR-lo eetah-lee-AH-no
💡 JD’s Tip: I used “grazie” and “scusa” constantly — they were my go-tos. Even if I butchered the rest, people were kind and appreciated the effort.
Learning even a few Italian words made exploring sites like the Colosseum easier.
