Solo Travel Italy
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Italy was my first solo international trip abroad and to this day, it’s still one of the most memorable countries that I’ve been to.
I spent an entire month there in my late 20s and it was one of the trips that inspired my wanderlust.
Italy is a beautiful country with generous people and logistically easy-to-navigate infrastructure. I felt safe for the most part (though there were definitely some anxiety-ridden moments, which we’ll talk about later) and it was easy to find connection and community among other fellow travelers.
If you plan on visiting Italy alone, here’s the ultimate solo travel guide with safety tips, travel recommendations, and planning hacks from an East Asian solo female traveler.
How Is Italy As A Solo Travel Destination?
In comparison to other solo travel destinations like Vietnam or Thailand, the travel scene in Italy is definitely more independent.
First and foremost, the country appeals to a different demographic.
It’s more expensive than countries in Southeast Asia or Latin America and has less of a “rite-of-passage-for-gap-year-students” reputation (which I have a lot of thoughts about 😒).
Solo travelers in Italy tend to be older and more willing to spend on historical and cultural experiences rather than just looking to party and hook up.
They're less spontaneous and tend to stick to their own groups (the exception is in resort towns like Amalfi). As a result, you might get lonely on your travels bust rest assured, you can always make friends at hostels or connect one-on-one with other solo travelers through online Facebook communities (more tips on this later).
Solo female travel in Italy is pretty normalized so I never experienced rejection at restaurants or judgment for traveling alone (unlike in Vietnam) and I felt like I was able to see the best of the country all by myself.
So if you want to see Italy but don’t have anyone to go with, just go on your own!
Top 5 Reasons To Visit Italy Alone
I get it. Solo travel can be scary.
So if you’re still on the fence, here are the top five reasons to visit Italy alone.
1. Freedom To Experience The Country Your Own Way
When you travel by yourself, you can do whatever you want, when you want.
As a solo traveler, you don’t have to worry about catering activities to your travel companions and can be as flexible as you want.
Interested in trying ALL the pizza in Napoli? Go for it.
Don’t wanna wait in line to see The Last Supper? Skip it!
There’s no one to judge you and you can plan your itinerary according to your own interests.
2. Deep Dive Into The Culture and History
You learn so much more about a country and its culture when you travel alone.
When you travel with your family, your partner, or your friends, half of your attention goes to troubleshooting logistics and communications.
When you travel alone, you can truly immerse deeply in the culture and environment.
Solo travel in Italy gives you time to explore some off-the-beaten-path destinations that you would never otherwise explore.
Additionally, I’ve found that I’m more likely to ask questions or connect with locals when I’m traveling alone than with other companions.
3. Italy Makes Solo Travel Super Easy
On the whole, Italy is a really accessible solo travel destination.
It’s a relatively safe country and aside from pickpockets, I was never worried about crime or personal harm.
Logistically speaking, Italy is easy to get around. The trains and buses are intuitive to navigate and give you access to all of the main cities as well as some other small towns and villages.
One of the scariest things about traveling abroad is the language barrier. However, most Italians in the major cities knew English so communication was never an issue.
Italian culture is also pretty approachable if you're from the west. I never experienced culture shock or had to make major compromises to my existence as a queer East Asian woman during my travels in Italy.
4. It Helps With Personal Growth
Solo travel forces you to slow down and reflect.
It gives you time for deep introspection and teaches you to develop confidence and trust in your own decision making skills. It gives you an opportunity to practice problem solving and teaches you self-reliance in uncomfortable situations.
I feel like all that time traveling alone in my own silence gave me a lot of clarity on some of my past traumas, as well as my future aspirations.
5. It's Logistically Easier To Plan
Italy is a hugely popular travel destination, and that means regardless of where you go, there are going to be crowds.
One of the benefits of solo travel is that it's easier to plan.
It’s much easier for a restaurant to accommodate one guest, than two, three, or four. If you're booking train travel, you only need a single seat.
Looking for budget food or lodging options? Go shopping at the local market or opt for a single room within a shared homestay!
Solo travel in Italy is undeniably easier from a planning perspective.
Is Italy Safe For Solo Female Travelers?
With alt right ideology and xenophobia on the rise all across the globe (and in Italy as indicated by their political leaders), you might be wondering: Is Italy safe to visit as a solo female traveler? Is Italy safe to visit as an Asian?
In my personal experience, it's safe for both.
Italians are definitely pretty traditional in some of the smaller towns and you'll get a lot of flirting or cat calls on the streets, but I never felt in danger or at risk for my personal safety.
I didn't get any slurs or even experience any microaggressions for that matter (though it might've been because of the language barrier).
That being said, you should still follow some common sense practices when traveling alone as a woman.
Solo Travel Safety Tips
Share your itinerary with loved ones back home. That way if anything does happen, they at least have a starting point for investigations.
Get an e-sim before you travel. In this day and age, there's absolutely no reason for you to not have access to the internet. Not only does it make navigation and translation ten times easier, but there are also some emergency apps that can trigger warnings or automate calls in dangerous situations.
Italy’s biggest issue is petty theft. Make sure all your belongings are safely stowed away, take a limited amount of cash when you go out, and don’t bring all of your credit cards at once.
Never leave drinks or food unattended. Really straightforward, but definitely something that needs to be said.
Be careful about who you meet. This is just a personal rule of mine, but I never hang out with strangers (at night). If I’m traveling alone, I always pre-plan meetups with people that I’ve vetted online. Otherwise, they’re individuals staying in the same place that other travelers have met.
Buy travel insurance. This is a general safe tip, but you never know what might go wrong. Travel insurance just makes sure that you’re covered.
Best Destinations For Solo Travelers In Italy
Italy is an incredibly easy country to navigate as a solo traveler, so the best destination is the one that you’re most interested in.
I know, a total copout response.
But if you want more specifics, here’s what I’ve got.
My top three picks for solo travel destinations in Italy are:
Rome: there’s and endless amount to see and do in the Italian capital
Cinque Terre: efficient train system, otherworldly hikes, adorable fishing villages
Venice: super touristy but still beautiful. Small city that is easy to wander on foot.
You can read a full analysis (as well as some places NOT to visit) in this article about the best places in Italy.
My solo trip through Italy mostly covered the main cities because it was my first time visiting the country.
I wish I had taken a few days to explore lesser-known villages, but that’s okay…there’s always a next time!
5 Tips To Plan Your Solo Italy Trip
I'm an anxious person and believe that to truly enjoy il dolce far niete, or the sweetness of doing nothing, as Italians do, you have to first create a framework for relaxation.
So here are some tips to plan your trip so that you can fully enjoy the experience once you're there.
1. Plan Your Route Beforehand
I'm a huge proponent for mapping out your main destinations beforehand.
It not only helps you efficiently and sustainably traverse the country, but it also ensures that you have a place to stay. Travelers in Italy are a lot less spontaneous than in Southeast Asia and hotels tend to book out ahead of time.
With Jubilee in 2025, you can expect even more tourists than usual (especially in cities like Rome and Florence), so make sure to plan accordingly by making reservations ahead of time.
2. Sort Out Your Logistics
In that same vein, I also book inter-city transportation and purchase my e-sim beforehand.
It gives me huge peace of mind to have a rough skeleton of my itinerary before arriving in a new country. The less stressed I am about logistics, the more I can fully enjoy the spontaneity of the experience.
Book train travel in Italy with Omio and get your e-sim from a carrier like Airalo or Holafly.
I will say that despite having most of my trip outlined, I usually booking leave tours, experiences, and day trips until a few days out.
Those services tend to run on the regular and will unlikely sell out (unless it's a major museum like the Uffizi Galleries). Booking those last minute gives me a chance to feel out the vibe of the week as well as to accommodate for any work requests, physical illnesses, or emotional exhaustion.
3. What To Pack On Your Solo Italy Trip
Depending on the length of your trip and when you're visiting, your travel capsule wardrobe should include 10-12 pieces that fit in you carry-on.
You can of course check your luggage, but if you plan on seeing more than 3 destinations, I highly recommend that you go with a smaller bag.
Italy experiences all seasons so make sure to look up the weather in advance and bring lots of layers. In the summer, you'll want breathable garments made of natural fibers, and in the winter, you'll want warm and cozy knit layers.
No worries if you forget something though! The thrift scene in Italy is incredible and if you find yourself missing a garment, you can easily grab it secondhand in any of the main cities.
4. Learn A Few Key Phrases
Italy is easy to get around if you know English, but you should always at least try to learn a few key phrases when visiting a new country!
My favorite way to learn some of the essentials is to look up podcasts that break down travel phrases in easy and digestible episodes.
I found that shop owners were always a little sweeter when I greeted them in Italian and even got a compliment from my Airbnb host for pronouncing uscita (exit) accurately!
5. Plan Your Budget & Exchange Your Currency
The budget planning phase should arguably be much higher on this list, but I digress.
The average budget for a mid-range traveler exploring Italy is around $1200 USD a week.
I spent less and was able to save on accommodations and food, by booking private rooms within apartments on AirBnb (vs hotels or entire apartments) and purchasing groceries from markets instead of eating out.
Food is surprisingly reasonable with meals ranging from $10 - $20 and my largest expense category was definitely tours and museum tickets (those must-sees in Rome add up)!
Most cities and shops will take credit card or Apple Pay but it's always nice to have a bit of cash on hand for smaller purchases, tips, and remote villages. The best way to get cash is to withdraw from an ATM with a no-fee card (I use Capital One). Just make sure that it's in a well-lit place in an established building!
How To Meet Other Solo Travelers In Italy
One of the hardest things about solo travel is that it can get pretty lonely.
I mentioned earlier that travelers in Italy tend to stick to their own itineraries so it's challenging to spontaneously make friends.
However, here are some of the top three ways to find that connection in a safe way.
1. Stay At A Hostel
This is probably the most popular way to meet other solo travelers.
I personally have not tried it because I'm very introverted and don't love staying in shared spaces, but have heard great things from my friends who are much more extroverted.
A lot of hostels will host community events and even if they don't, it's easier (and safer) to get to know someone when you're living in the same place. Hostels are a great way to connect with like-minded people who are on a similar journey.
2. Connect Via Solo Travel Facebook Groups
This is my preferred way of meeting other solo female travelers.
Groups like Host A Sister and The Solo Female Traveler Network allow members to make posts about themselves and where they plan on visiting. It's an easy way to connect with like-minded women who happen to be exploring the city at the same time.
I used this in Rome to meet up with another American woman over pasta near the Trevi Fountain and thought that it was a great way to break up my travel experience.
Just make sure to double check their profile and confirm that they're an actual human (and not a fake account or a predator posting as a woman). You can do so by scrolling back in their posts to see if they've shared anything else or even request a video call beforehand. Remember to always meet in a public place.
3. Make Friends On Tours
The last way to meet other solo travelers is to attend a tour.
Whether it's a multi-day, all-inclusive experience or a half-day guided trip, tours can be a great way to try something new and make deep connections at the same time.
I didn't make any friends during my tours in Italy, but during a four-day motorcycle trip through Ha Giang, Vietnam, I really connected with my fellow solo travelers. It made the country that much more memorable to be able to share with others going through the same thing.
Best Solo Travel Tours In Italy
If you want to visit Italy but don't want to plan the whole trip by yourself, you can sign up for a solo travel tour group!
These experiences are often multi-day packages tailored to solo travelers who want a group experience. It's a great way to connect with like-minded people and to have all the logistics taken care of.
I personally don't have any experience booking these (because I love planning my own trips 🤪) but have heard great things about the groups led by Intrepid Travel and the Solo Female Travelers Club.
What Next?
Italy is one of my favorite solo travel destinations in the world and I hope this guide inspired you to confidently see it on your own!
Now that you have an idea of what to expect, begin planning your solo slow travel adventures with this three week itinerary or learn more about safety in specific Italian cities like Naples!
I hope that this guide was helpful and if you want more travel planning tips, join my newsletter for messages straight to your inbox (I promise I won't spam)!
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