22 Items You NEED in your Italy Packing List (2024)

Best Suitcase For Italy: Nomatic Carry-On Pro

Backpacks not your thing? That’s ok. Our friends at Nomatic are back again with a great alternative to their badass Travel Bag; the Nomatic Carry-On Pro. 

This suitcase is ultra-durable, sleek, and comes with a handy tech compartment for transporting your laptop and other electronic bits. Nomatic has been an industry leader when it comes to travel gear and that reputation is reflected in the quality build design and functionality of the Carry-On Pro suitcase.  It’s also black and stylish so you will it in in Italy very well.

Check out our Nomatic Carry-On Pro review to learn more about this epic suitcase. 

Best Camera For Italy: GoPro Hero9 Black

For most of us, our smartphones now feature cameras with stunning photo capabilities.

But… if you are an aspiring photographer who wants to take next-level photos and video beyond iPhone selfies, I recommend going with an action camera like the GoPro Hero9 Black.

It does deliver pro-quality video and gives you a bunch of a different angle options and shooting speeds to work with for photos (including a selfie-mode).

Think of a camera purchase like this as a long term investment that will have you capturing epic shots well beyond your t exploring here. If you are looking for something cheaper for video specifically, check out these epic GoPro Alternatives.

Best Shoes For Italy – Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero

Whatever you do in Italy, it will probably involve a fuck-ton of walking. I mean, sightseeing in Rome alone can click up serious miles and that’s just the Vatican! Therefore good shoes are like a solid foundation from which to execute your trip.

I admit that most shoes that are also good for hiking are not the most attractive pieces of footwear and you may feel self conscious in Italy. However, these are not too bad. Besides, they are some of the most comfortable and deliver good ankle support for a long day of walking about town. I mean, your body is already going to be suffering enough from all of those negroni’s and glasses of vino.

Italy also offers plenty of hiking options. Packing a pair of hiking shoes gives you the option (and eliminates excuses) to go head for the hills when the city becomes too much.  Just don’t wear flip flops as the cities streets will punish your feet.

Check out the women’s Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero. 

Best Rain Jacket For Italy – Arcteryx Beta AR

If you are visiting Italy in autumn of winter, then it may well rain. This is especially true Northern Italy and Milan can sometimes feel a little bit British to be honest.

There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wing gear for it. Don’t let a bit (of a lot) of rain ruin your trip and make sure you are ready with some top notch rain gear.

This is our pick of the many rain jackets we have tried. It’s reliable & stylish and looks good worn out in the mountains or in city bars.

Best Down Jacket For Italy: Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody

If you are visiting in summer, then a proper rain jacket may be overkill. In fact, you may well be able to get away with no jacket at all. However, evenings can get cool and if you headed to the mountainy areas expect a refreshing breeze. Therefore, bringing a warming jacket is a good item to tick of your “what to bring to Italy” list.

It weighs just under a pound and provides an excellent weight to warmth ratio. If you don’t go for one of the super bright colors, it is pretty stylish and city-worthy also. 

If visiting Italy in the winter, this jacket is an absolute must. 

Check out our best travel jackets article for more inspiration. 

Best Sunglasses For Italy – Abaco Sunglasses

A reliable pair of sunglasses is undoubtedly one of your Italy packing essentials. Our favorites are Abaco Polarized Sunglasses because they deliver on quality and style. 

They’re built tough with triple-layer scratch-resistant lenses and trademarked Adventure-proof Frame Material. You can also customize them with your choice of lens and frame colors to reflect your own style. 

If you only take one single piece of my Italy travel advice, then may it be this one – bring shades!

Travel First Aid Kit

You don’t need to tote around half a pharmacy, but a well-stocked first aid kit should be in all our backpacks. Stuff happens on the road and it’s inconvenient and embarrassing when you can’t manage small situations like a cut finger or hangover migraine.

You can tuck this lifesaver away in a forgotten pocket – and it’ll be there when you need it.

Tip: Add a few bits and pieces to the first aid kit after you purchase it, like extra headache medicine, any personal meds you need (like allergy pills), whatever you take to calm your stomach and a few more plasters.

Travel Insurance From World Nomads

Hanging Toiletry Bag

Another backpacker/traveler favorite for staying organized is a hanging toiletry bag. It’s extremely helpful to have all of your accessories neatly gathered in one bag that you can hang for easy accessibility, especially when counter space isn’t plentiful or even available. A well-organized bag is worth having whether you’re tree whilst camping or a hook in the wall – it helps to have quick access to all your stuff.

Historically, I have been the guy who has my stuff all over the bathroom, so getting one of these things really changed the toiletry game for me. Plus they are not too expensive either. A no-brainer essential. 

Money Belt – By Pacsafe

Whilst Italy is not particularly dangerous, crime can still happen and tourists are sometimes targeted.

There are some areas in which petty thieves, bag-snatchers and pickpockets operate and tourists can be targets. Milan and Rome both have problems with street crime to take heed and be cautious.

Therefore it is always a good idea to use a money belt to hide your cash just in case something does go wrong. In fact, it may even be one of the Italy travel essentials.

Patagonia Fitz Roy Trucker Cap

The sun in Italy can be intense. Why not protect your previous forehead from it’s cruel rays with a hat?! This one also has the advantage of looking kinda stylish which the Italian’s dig.

Patagonia makes great hats. I have probably bought three or four of these over the last five years. Simple. Practical. Comfortable. That is what you are after.

Waterbottle – Hydroflask Vacuum Bottle 32 oz. 

Packing a reusable water bottle is probably the best thing you can personally do to combat single-use plastic bottle use whilst traveling. There is simply zero need to buy plastic water bottles. The quality of Italian tap water varies between regions and cities. But you can buy a big 5 litter bottle and fill up your bottle each time and carry it with you when you go out in order to avoid buying water throughout your day. 

We love the Hydroflask Vacum Bottle for its quality and because it keeps cold water cold for many hours and vice versa for hot beverages. This bottle is the ideal water bottle to get not just for your Italy trip but for daily use. Please don’t be that person buying plastic water bottles. We are all judging you…especially mother earth. 

If you go with the Hydroflask, you’ll probably never need to buy another waterbottle again.

On top of the essential items listed above, here is an additional suggested checklist of what to pack for a trip to Italy:

• A few pairs of comfortable pants/jeans
• 1-2 pairs of shorts (summer/late spring)
• A few pairs of socks
• (Sexy) underwear x 2/3
• Ladies: a few dresses, pants, outfits, or desired lady apparel for a night on the town. Whatever makes you comfy! 
• Dudes: A few collard shirts or something half-way decent for a night on the town. Whatever makes you comfy! 
• Smartphone with a good camera for photos if you are not bringing an actual camera
• Portable power bank for charging your phone on the go
• Phone charger
• Amazon Kindle for quiet moments
• Copy of your passport just in case
• Cash (not too much, there are plenty of ATM machines)
• Packable Towel