ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Italy | Destinations & Tips for 2024

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There are so many things you can do when traveling Italy solo, but lucky for you, I’ve narrowed it down to the best ones. This’ll help you meet other travelers without missing out on any culture or history.

Without further ado, here are the top eight things to do in Italy as a solo traveler.

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1. Go Wine Tasting in Tuscany

Italian wine is the cream of the crop. And when it comes to wine tours in Italy, well, they’re golden.

Regardless of if you like red or white, Italy is about to have you drinking the whole bottle by yourself. And there is no better place to try the liquid gold than in Tuscany.

While I wouldn’t necessarily put Tuscany on my must-visit list for solo travelers in Italy, it’s so close to Florence that you can do a day trip. This tour will pick you up from your hotel, and you’ll join other travelers as you head into the Italian countryside.

You’ll sip on different wines, tour the vineyards, and get an authentic taste of Italy. (And the wine definitely helps in the making friends department.)

2. Eat Pizza in Naples

Of course, pizza is popular in all of Italy, but nowhere does it quite like Naples. And I know Naples gets a bad rap as a travel destination… But personally, for solo travelers who like to discover alleyways and hidden gems, Naples is your gal.

Naples is full of Italian culture, with sidewalk cafes, bustling street life, and, of course, pizza. You can’t leave Naples without trying some authentic wood-fired oven pizza.

One of the best ways to do this is by joining a food walking tour. You’ll get to try more than just pizza, but head to local spots that only locals know about.

And you’ll get to do it all while making new friends; trust me, it’s worth the money. This HAS to be on your Naples itinerary.

3. Take a Walking Tour Through Rome

Walking tours are one of the best ways to see a city, and you don’t need anyone to do it with you. For the most part, just about everyone that travels to Rome is headed out on some kind of tour to visit the Colleseum, learn about the Romans, and see the Trevi Fountain.

Personally, I think a small group tour is the way to go, you won’t be overwhelmed by crowds, and it’s a perfect way to make friends. Plus, you’ll learn so much more about the city than if you were just wandering on your own. And if you’re staying in a hostel, a lot of times they’ll offer a walking tour so you can join other solo travelers in Rome.

4. Ride in a Gondola in Venice

Who says Venice has to be for couples? Not me!

Riding a Gondola in Venice is just as magical on your own. It seems like Venice is so romanticized that people forget you’ll be surrounded by loads of tourists, and that warm, fuzzy, lovey-dovey feeling is quickly halted as you weave through the crowds.

While it might be tempting to just walk everywhere in Venice, especially since it’s not that big, a Gondola ride is totally worth it. And if you’re solo, you can usually join up with another small group or couple to split the cost of the ride cos Venice ain’t cheap. So go ahead and embrace your solo status in Venice and enjoy a peaceful and charming ride through the canals.

5. Take an Italian Cooking Class

Cooking classes are one of my favorite activities as a solo traveler. And with Italian food being the beacon of deliciousness, why not take a cooking class in Italy? You’ll get to learn about the culture and history behind dishes like pizza and pasta, as well as pick up some new skills.

Some classes also include a visit to a local market where you can learn about different ingredients, and it’s super helpful if you don’t speak Italian but want to know all the little trade secrets. It’s also the perfect way to meet others. Spending 3-4 hours in the kitchen with a group of strangers will quickly turn into a meal with friends by the end of it.

6. Taste as Many Gelatos as You Can

There is no such thing as too many Gelatos. The best part about traveling solo is there is quite literally no one to tell you that you’ve had enough, or maybe 10 AM is too early for a sweet treat. Gelato is the epitome of Italian desserts, and with so many different flavors, you have to have at least one a day.

If you’re in Rome, try this dessert tour through the city. It’s perfect for trying the best espressos, gelatos, and out of the freaking world, tiramisus. It’s also where I learned the air-whipping lie (below).

7. Go on a Day Trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

I know we all like to think we are above the tacky tourist pics, but I say fuck it and have some fun.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic destination and an easy day trip from Rome or Florence. Plus, it’s a great excuse to get out of the city for a bit and explore more of Italy’s beautiful countryside.

While you can visit the site on your own by train, as a solo traveler in Italy, I highly recommend going on a day tour. You’ll have a few stops in between to see other destinations than just the tower.

Going on a tour will guarantee you’ll have someone to take cheesy pictures of you. Whether that’s holding up the tower, hugging the tower, eating the tower, or all the other ridiculous poses people come up with.

8. Admire Some Art in a Museum

Museums are a solo traveler’s best friend, and Italy has some epic museums for you to visit. The Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City are a few of the must-visits. But, regardless of what city you’re in, there will be works of art for you to explore all on your own.

Italy is famous for its art, and you’ll be able to get up close and personal with some famous masterpieces. The best part about solo travel is being able to take your time, you aren’t on anyone else schedule. A big solo travel tip is not to adjust your schedule to suit others – you do you, baby!

So, spend your whole morning wandering through the halls of a gallery. Or if you want some company or maybe a more in-depth guide. You can always join a tour.

Solo travel in Italy is a little bit different than solo travel in more popular places like Southeast Asia or the gringo trail in Latin America.

Without a traditional route, your options are absolutely endless, so here are my top four destinations in Italy for solo travel.

Rome

Rome is one of the best destinations in Italy for solo travelers. Like any big city, it has so many options when it comes to things to do.

Days in Rome are usually spent pretty jam-packed with tours of famous sights like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. You can spend all day running around on your own and won’t even notice you’re by yourself.

But it’s also the perfect city in Italy to meet people. Rome is bustling with locals who live in the city getting to and from work, but it’s also filled with expats and tourists.

So pretty much anywhere you go, you’ll meet others looking to explore the same sights or grab a rooftop drink. And with all of the amazing restaurants, it’s not hard to convince a new friend to join you for a cacio e pepe or a pizza.

It’s also one of the more affordable places to travel in Italy as a solo traveler. There is an abundance of hostels to choose from. You can grab antipasti for just a couple of euros, and the train system is well-connected to the rest of the country.

Prices on dorms have definitely risen since my backpacking days in Europe (cries in poor), but the Rome Hello Hostel is a great option. They have ping pong tournaments, some yoga classes, and plenty of beers going around to help you meet other solo travelers.

Venice

I know you wouldn’t typically think of Venice as a solo traveler’s destination, but I promise you it isn’t all romance and honeymooners like the travel industry wants you to believe. And you really only need two to three days to see all of Venice and a little more, so it’s the perfect little addition to an Italian itinerary.

There are a lot of things about Venice that I believe are tourist traps for those honeymooning and wanting to have the most perfect vacation. But if you’re willing to go with the flow, this little floating island has more than meets the eye. Getting lost in the different canals and stopping on side streets for a pastry and coffee really takes the art of traveling to a whole new level.

The city is so small you can see everything in no time. Not to mention you’ll be joined by thousands of tourists if you go in the summer – so how romantic can that really even be?

I went a few years ago as a solo traveler, and I seriously had the best time. I stayed at the Meininger Hostel in an all-girls dorm, which was filled with other solo girls deciding they weren’t waiting for anyone either. We joined at the hip and experienced Venice together and never felt like we were missing out because we were traveling solo.

Florence

Going to Florence is a must. It’s one of the most gorgeous cities in all of Italy, and you have to add it to your solo itinerary.

It’s right in the heart of the Tuscan hills, and it’s perfect for any traveler who loves art, history, and incredible food. Days in Florence are filled with museums, galleries, and lots of walking, ha! You can visit the famous Uffizi Gallery, where you can catch all the most important Renaissance art.

And while not everything to do in Florence is free, a lot of the museums are. So, if you’re on a tight budget, Florence is definitely calling your name.

It’s easy to get lost in the streets, and just about every other corner is a stunning view. I think Florence really catches people by surprise with its warmth and charm. But that’s what makes it the perfect destination for solo travelers.

Whilst there are a lot of “touristy” things to do, which you can’t miss btw, there are also a lot of great hidden gems in Florence too.

There are a lot of great hotels to stay in Florence, but if you’re looking to meet people and also experience the Tuscan culture, then you have to stay at YellowSquare. They offer cooking classes and wine tastings and really show you all Florence has to offer.

I’ve never been somewhere and gotten all the local recommendations so quickly. If you like to not feel like a total tourist, this is your place.

Naples

I might be a bit biased because of how much fun I had in Naples, and maybe it’s because I’m a major foodie, but Naples slaps. The city is the gateway to the South, so if you’re headed to any of the famous Italian Islands, the ferry port in Naples is one of the best ways to get there.

The city is definitely not as pretty as Florence or Rome, but it’s got character and a lot of life. The people are hilarious, laid-back, and really friendly. One of the best things about Naples is that it’s not as touristy as other Italian cities, so you can really get a feel for what life is like for locals.

Close to Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius, Naples is also a great destination for solo travelers who love history and want to explore ancient ruins. And, of course, the freaking pizza, all the walking couldn’t even keep up with the amounts of whole pizzas I was shoveling in. But looking back, I wish I would have eaten more, ugh, it’s just so good!

I was shocked at the amount of good hostels in Naples. But after visiting, I really think this is the best destination for solo travelers in Italy. So of course, it would have awesome hostels.

My favorite was Ostello Bella Napoli. The staff was incredible, and even though it was big, it was easy to meet people in the common areas.

Here are some of the best travel apps that made my life a whole lot easier during my Italy solo trip.

• Google Maps – This is the most accurate way for you to get where you’re going in Italy. Download an offline map in case you don’t have a SIM or wifi.
• Google Translate – I don’t speak Italian, so having Google Translate helped me so much when I was dining in local eateries.
• Booking.com – Beds in Italy ain’t cheap, so make sure to use booking.com to get the best prices.
• Hostelworld– A great alternative to Booking.com.
• Trenitalia and Italo – These are the two main train companies in Italy. You can book directly with them for the best prices.
• Rick Steves Audio Europe– Walk around famous sights without booking a tour and still learn all about it with this app.
• GetYourGuide – Joining tours is one of the best ways to see a city and meet people at the same time.
• Couchsurfing– A dorm bed in Milan this past summer was 70 USD. SEVENTY!! So I had to think quickly, and couchsurfing was my go-to. It’s an app where you can stay with locals for free.
• Jetpac – An e-SIM app to download a data-only SIM card without installing a physical card

The Future of the SIM Card is HERE!

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

Jetpac eSIMs work just like an app: you download it, pick your plan, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.

Grab an eSIM!

Attenzione pickpockets! If you’ve been on your phone at all this summer, I know you’ve seen the famous Italian woman being every tourist’s hero as she calls out pickpocketers.

Unfortunately for us, this is only in Venice, and she might be a hero, but she isn’t magical. Italy is constantly known for being a pick pocketer haven, especially in the major cities.

So, all we can do is be mindful. Keep your things close, zip your bags, and keep them in front of you.

Don’t engage with strangers trying to get close to you, and somehow, these thieves will get a necklace right off you. So leave the expensive stuff at home!

If you’re going out drinking, be smart and don’t drink too much. I hate to say it, but even though Italian men can be very suave, they can also be very aggressive.

So, solo girlies, I highly advise you to go in pairs. And if you can meet guys at your hostel, bring them along. Better safe than sorry.

Here are som of my top tips for solo travelling in Italy.

• Stay in a hostel. For one, accommodation ain’t cheap, and booking a dorm bed can help save money. But it’s also one of the best ways to meet people and join hostel outings.
• Book tours on GetYourGuide. You can read reviews and know exactly what you are paying for.
• Don’t plan too much into your day; things seem to always come up or take longer than you expected. This way, you leave room to explore and discover new places at your leisure.
• Learn some basic Italian phrases and be confident. Very rarely are people rude if you are at least trying.
• Do not skip out on ALL the touristy things. There is a reason they’re popular, so just embrace the cheesiness.
• You don’t have to do every single thing. There will always be something you miss, no matter how well-traveled you are. So pick out what’s most important to you and do those things.
• Buy good travel insurance, I know it’s annoying. But you know what’s more annoying? Needing it and not having it.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

All right, all that’s left to do now is pack! Your solo trip to Italy is about to be everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Pizza, pasta, gelatos… oh, and of course, the super famous World Wonder and a few other pretty cool historic places.

If this is your first solo trip ever, you’re in luck. Italy is full of opportunities for you to meet others and explore all on your own if you want. Just act like you know what you’re doing, and I promise you’ll be fine.

It’s a magical little country that will have you dreaming of all of your adventures for years in the future. I mean, look at me. I’m still frothing over a pasta dish I had at Mimi e Coco’s in Rome eight years later. (Yes, I highly recommend going there.)

Whether you’re headed to the north or south, Italy has everything you need for the ultimate solo trip. So get out there and explore, and remember, never say no to another slice of pizza.

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