There’s one thing actually particular about touring alone – no compromises, no set plans, simply you, your curiosity, and an entire world ready to be explored. And truthfully, when you’re going to do it anyplace, Italy is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go solo.
I’ve visited Italy alone many instances and I’ve personally discovered the nation very simple to navigate. The prepare system is intensive and there are many hostels and strolling excursions if you wish to meet different solo vacationers. I’ve by no means felt uncomfortable eating alone there – actually, it’s good to simply sit in a restaurant with a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta watching the world go by.
With its artwork, historical past, jaw-dropping landscapes, and most notably – the meals – Italy is a type of locations you need to go to at the very least as soon as in your lifetime. So when you’re planning to go to solo, right here’s all the pieces you want to know to make your journey easy, secure, and severely unforgettable.
What It’s Wish to Journey Solo in Italy
First issues first—Italy is nice for solo vacationers. The individuals are pleasant, the cities are simple to navigate, and there’s a deep appreciation for magnificence, meals, and good dialog in every single place you go. Even when you don’t converse the language, a smile and some primary phrases can take you a good distance. And most of the people converse some English anyway, so I by no means actually discovered the language barrier a difficulty.
You’ll by no means actually really feel alone. Italians are social and heat, and even when you’re eating solo or wandering by a museum, nobody’s going to have a look at you such as you’ve received two heads. In actual fact, being by yourself usually makes it simpler to satisfy individuals.
In fact, like anyplace, it helps to be ready. So let’s discuss the place to go and easy methods to do it proper.
Staying Related (and Protected)
Once you’re touring solo, staying linked is vital. Whether or not it’s checking prepare instances, utilizing Google Maps to search out your Airbnb, or texting your mother to say you’re alive (hello Mother!), your cellphone turns into your lifeline.
As an alternative of twiddling with bodily SIM playing cards or attempting to find sketchy café Wi-Fi, simply seize one in every of these eSIM plans for Italy from Saily. It’s tremendous simple – you activate it earlier than or throughout your journey, no swapping or shops required. Simply scan a QR code, and growth – you’re on-line.
Having a stable knowledge connection additionally means you may translate menus, ebook last-minute trains, and make video calls from a random Tuscan hilltop. Belief me, it’s price it.
Greatest Locations to Go to Solo in Italy
There’s no scarcity of wonderful locations in Italy, however some are particularly solo-travel pleasant. On my first journey to Italy I visited the large three – Venice, Rome and Florence – however on subsequent journeys I’ve visited locations like Lake Como and Positano.
The next locations are simple to get round, filled with issues to do, and customarily tremendous welcoming.
Rome
Rome is chaotic, stunning, historical, and fashionable abruptly. You can spend weeks right here and nonetheless discover hidden corners to discover. Go to the Colosseum, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, wander by Trastevere at evening, and eat your body weight in carbonara. Bonus: it’s filled with strolling excursions, so it’s simple to satisfy individuals when you’re craving some firm.
Florence
When you’re into artwork, wine, and romantic metropolis views, Florence is the place for you. It’s sufficiently small to discover on foot, filled with museums and cute cafés, and ideal for solo strolls alongside the Arno River. You’ll additionally discover some nice day journeys from right here – like Pisa, Siena, and the Tuscan countryside.
Venice
Venice looks like a dream. No automobiles, simply canals, colourful buildings, and maze-like alleys. It’s tremendous peaceable when you go to early within the day or get lost the primary vacationer routes. Some say it’s a spot for lovers, however truthfully, it’s much more magical solo. You’ll get misplaced – and also you’ll adore it. Try my itinerary for 2 days in Venice to get essentially the most out of your go to.
Bologna
Not as touristy, however filled with attraction, Bologna is the foodie capital of Italy. The vibe right here is extra native, extra laid-back, and the streets are coated in porticoes so you may stroll round rain or shine. It’s an amazing spot if you would like fewer crowds and extra genuine experiences.
Cinque Terre
These 5 little cliffside villages alongside the Ligurian coast are beautiful. You possibly can hike between them, hop on the native prepare, or simply chill with a glass of wine and watch the sundown. It will get busy in summer time, so shoulder season (spring or early fall) is the candy spot.
Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast
When you’re within the temper to deal with your self, head south to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. It’s attractive, dramatic, and filled with coastal attraction. Base your self in Sorrento for simple entry to Positano, Capri, and even Pompeii.
Staying in Hostels as a Solo Traveler
If you wish to meet individuals, get monetary savings, and get native suggestions, hostels are your greatest good friend. Italy has loads of superb hostels which can be clear, social, and far more trendy than the bunk-bed nightmares you is likely to be imagining. I made some life lengthy pals at a hostel in Rome who I nonetheless communicate with to today.
The place to ebook:
- Hostelworld: The OG for hostel evaluations and backpacker vibes.
- Reserving.com: Nice filters and infrequently free cancellation.
- Agoda: Generally has higher offers than the others.
Search for hostels with:
- Feminine-only dorms (when you’re a solo feminine traveler and that’s your consolation zone)
- Lockers for valuables
- Free breakfast (price it)
- Social actions like strolling excursions, pasta nights, or bar crawls
In style picks:
- The RomeHello – Tremendous central, artsy, and social in Rome.
- Plus Florence – Appears like a resort, however nonetheless budget-friendly.
- Anda Venice – Fashionable, trendy, and only a few steps from the station.
Prepare Journey in Italy: What You Have to Know
Trains are the best, most secure, and most scenic strategy to journey solo round Italy. Significantly – skip the automobile rental stress and luxuriate in watching the countryside fly by with a cappuccino in hand.
Reserving Websites:
- Omio: Person-friendly and allows you to examine all choices in a single place.
- Trenitalia: The nationwide rail supplier.
- Italo: Non-public high-speed prepare firm, usually has nice gross sales.
- Rail Europe: Good when you’re planning a number of international locations.
Forms of Trains:
- Frecciarossa / Frecciargento / Frecciabianca: Excessive-speed and cozy. Nice for Rome–Florence, Milan–Naples, and so on.
- Italo: Additionally high-speed, normally a bit cheaper when you ebook early.
- Regionale: Slower, cheaper, native trains—no seat reservations.
- Intercity: Lengthy-distance trains that cease at extra locations.
Professional Ideas:
- Validate paper tickets earlier than boarding (search for inexperienced or yellow machines on the station).
- E-book high-speed trains upfront for the very best costs.
- Get to the station 15–20 minutes early – platforms can change last-minute.
- All the time hold your ticket helpful – conductors do verify.
Security Ideas for Solo Vacationers in Italy
Italy is usually secure, however solo vacationers ought to nonetheless be good. Right here’s what’s labored for me and numerous others:
- Pickpocketing is actual. Particularly in crowded locations like prepare stations, metros, and vacationer hotspots. Use a crossbody bag with zippers and hold it in entrance of you.
- Don’t flash valuables. Depart fancy jewellery and costly luggage at dwelling.
- Belief your intestine. If one thing feels off, stroll away.
- Stick with well-lit streets at evening and keep away from empty alleyways in unfamiliar areas.
- Hold emergency contacts and your lodging data simply accessible.
Eating Solo in Italy? Completely.
Don’t be afraid to eat alone – it’s truly among the best elements of solo journey. Italy is all about sluggish meals and savoring the second, and nobody’s going to evaluate you for eating solo. In actual fact, some waiters will exit of their strategy to make you’re feeling additional welcome.
Ideas:
- Sit exterior if the climate’s good—howdy, people-watching!
- Order a carafe of home wine and dwell your greatest life.
- Deliver a ebook or journal when you really feel awkward at first (you received’t for lengthy).
When you don’t really feel like eating solo, Italy additionally has loads of gelato outlets and informal eating places the place you may seize pizza by-the-slice and eat it on the go.
Making Pals Alongside the Method
Even when you’re touring solo, you don’t must be solo on a regular basis. Italy has tons of group excursions, cooking lessons, wine tastings, and strolling excursions – lots of them tremendous reasonably priced and filled with different solo vacationers.
Websites like GetYourGuide, Viator, and Airbnb Experiences are nice for reserving actions and assembly like-minded individuals. I additionally actually like Walks of Italy for strolling excursions of widespread cities.
What to Pack for Solo Journey in Italy
Packing mild is the transfer – particularly whenever you’re the one one lugging your suitcase up a five-floor walk-up in Rome. Stick with a backpack or rolled cabin bag which you can simply manouvre round Italy’s cobbled streets. Prioritize versatile items and issues that hold you cozy and secure.
Necessities:
- Passport + copies (digital + bodily)
- Unlocked cellphone in your eSIM plan
- Bank cards, debit card, and a few euros
- Journey insurance coverage data
- Plug adapter (Italy makes use of Kind C, F, or L plugs)
- Reusable water bottle
- Headphones + charger
- Mild backpack or cross physique bag
Garments:
- Snug strolling footwear
- Sandals, low heels or cozy espadrilles
- Linen or cotton outfits for warm days
- One nicer outfit for dinners or nightlife
- Swimsuit when you’re hitting the coast
- Mild jacket or scarf (additionally helpful for church buildings)
A Last Phrase
Italy has a well-trodden vacationer path and is without doubt one of the most visited cities on the earth, making it very simple to get round as a solo traveler. You’ll learn the way succesful you actually are, how magical it feels to sit down alone with a glass of wine in a buzzing piazza, and the way liberating it’s to plan every day by yourself phrases.
You’ll get a little bit misplaced (in one of the best ways), eat issues that spoil you for all times (howdy, actual mozzarella), and are available dwelling with tales that belong solely to you.
I wouldn’t hesitate to pack my luggage and journey solo by Italy, and neither do you have to!