Italy Packing List: Guide on What to Wear in Italy

Italian cities and smaller towns, the stunning coastline, the countryside with rolling hills and vineyards, the fabulous cuisines, all pack quite a punch. Whether you are visiting for the first-time or are lucky to visit Italy again, you would want to be dressed in style in Italy. Read this guide to figure on what to wear in Italy during summer, spring and fall months.

We went on a 2-week trip to Italy that covered both the main cities and some of the famous coastline dotted with charming towns in Italy. My Italy packing list was inspired by both comfort and style. It included essentials for city sightseeing in warm summer, visiting religious sites, relaxing at the Amalfi coast, taking ferry trips, and more. See my complete Italy packing list to help you prepare for your trip!

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Travel Tips for what to wear in Italy

How to dress in Italian cities and towns

The locals in main cities do dress smartly and you don’t want to stand out completely. So do keep style in mind while figuring what to pack for Italy. That said, the clothes, footwear and accessories all must lean towards comfort since you would be doing a fair amount of sightseeing and walking around as a tourist.

Clothes

I packed many A-line dresses with me for my Italy travel in June. It is my go-to look for city sightseeing, explore the lovely towns dotting the Amalfi coast, and even for dinner. I did find the men and women to be quite elegantly dressed at fine-dining restaurants. 

But you can pack whatever you are comfortable with – A-line dresses, flowing maxi-dresses, capris and blouses, even shorts and tank tops, Italians still consider shorts as “resort wear” but they are worn in the streets of Italy. Just don’t pack these items for Italy – athletic wear, gym shoes, ultra cut-off shorts, and any item of clothing that is worn, stained, or ill-fitting. Italians keep beachwear at the seaside, yoga wear on the mat, and athletic wear in the gym!

I had carried enough clothes not having to re-wear them. I did sweat quite a bit while touring in June, and did not want to hand wash clothes while on vacation.

Footwear

It’s likely you’ll be doing quite a bit of walking, and the last thing you want is to be dealing with uncomfortable shoes. In the summer, women wear nice sandals and sneakers, and I had both in my Italy packing list. While men usually wear boat shoes and sneakers. Avoid flip-flops – not comfortable for long stretches of walking involved and looks lousy.

Accessories

Italy is famous for its impeccable accessories: Designer sunglasses, statement jewellery, chic bags, colour scarves. You can even some of these personal items from main cities as souvenirs from Italy. Do carry stylish sunglasses, some fashion jewellery and a scarf, these won’t take much space in your suitcase and will elevate a simple top or T-shirt. If you want to create a fashionable look in Italy, you can also consider adding a pair of glasses. They are both practical and a stylish statement.

How to dress for churches and religious places in Italy

You are likely to visit churches on your Rome itinerary, especially if you have a trip planned to the Vatican. Do be mindful of your dressing while entering religious sites. Most churches will not allow you to enter with bare shoulders and sometimes even shorts. 

Clothing to cover bare knees & shoulders for churches is essential part of Italy packing list. I noticed many women at the St Basilica in the Vatican wore midi dresses and used scarves to drape over shoulders, and you can do so as well.

What to wear for the Italian countryside

If you are spending more time in places like the Tuscan countryside, note that summers in Tuscany can be hot and humid. So loose-fitting (but not ill-fitting!), flowing and natural fiber clothes will get you far. Choose clothes in earthy tones, muted pastels, and soft neutrals in your packing list for Italy that will blend with the Tuscan landscape.

Consider a simple linen dress, a nice pair of jeans with a stylish blouse, or a comfortable pair of palazzo pants. Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes are essential for exploring the countryside.

For spring and fall, layering is needed in the Italian countryside. You need to pack a mix of light and warm clothing to adapt to changing temperatures.

What to wear at Italian beaches

If you are wondering what to wear at beaches in Italy, wear whatever you are comfortable with. At Italian beaches, bikinis for women and swim trunks for men is the common attire. One-piece fashionable swimsuits are also acceptable.

Cover-ups like sarongs, linen button-downs, or simple summer dresses are popular for transitioning from the beach to a nearby cafe. Be mindful that you are not in swimwear outside of beaches and resort pools. In recent years, Sorrento on the Amalfi coast has put a fine of upto €500 for walking around bare-chested or wearing swimwear—including bikinis, swimsuits, and swimming trunks.

Don’t forget sunscreen protection and practical and stylish accessories like sunglasses, straw hats, and beach bags. Flip-flops are fine for Italian beaches, though you will find many Italian women in sandals. But water shoes are recommended for rocky beaches.

What to wear while hiking

Italy boasts several famous and scenic hiking paths. Like the Path of the Golds on the Amalfi coast, Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites, and the Sentiero Azzurro in Cinque Terre. If you are doing serious hiking in Italy, make sure your packing list includes all the essential gear: trek pants, hiking shoes, hat, and a light backpack to carry water bottle, snacks, sun screen etc.

Make sure you have proper hiking shoes or boots. To take an example, the seaside destination of Cinque Terre is strict on footwear, imposing fines of up to €2,500 on people for wearing flip-flops or sandals when hiking its famous coastal paths.

Dress for the season

My Italy packing list was simplified for summer with the weather being either warm or hot. But if you are travelling in spring or fall season, keep the unpredictable weather in mind and bring layers. Begin the cooler morning with a jacket over a button-down shirt or cardigan and a t-shirt underneath. During the day, as the temperatures rises, you can easily take off the jacket or cardigan. It is smart to carry a wrap or shawl into your bag for extra warmth when the wind kicks up. And do carry an umbrella when rain is forecast.

What to pack for Italy for 2 weeks in summer

Here I have given quantities for a 2 week trip to Italy, but do adjust as per personal preference.

Clothing essentials for women

• 7- 8 assorted tops (including T-shirts, half sleeve tops)
• 3 or 4 travel bottoms (capris, shorts, skirts)
• 5-7 dresses or blouses paired with nice skirts (I wanted to change for dinner for most days, I ended up wearing the dresses twice)
• Pack 7-8 underwear and 6-7 bras. Packing cubes are useful for inner wear to keep them separate. See options here for Packing cubes. [What I did forget to pack was sachet of detergent to wash the inner wear during the trip, but managed to get it at a hotel]
• 2-3 pairs of socks for certain activities like a cycling tour. More if you wear socks beneath your city shoes, I don’t. 
• Nightwear (pajamas or shorts, or whatever else you are comfortable in at night time)
• 1-2 bikinis or swimsuits, more if you are mainly going for a beach holiday
• 1-2 Beach cover up (a flowing dress works well for me)
• 1 nice scarf (This worked well for churches as well as chilled air-conditioning in some places).
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (essential for long days of sightseeing). Open toe shoes or sandals with the focus on comfort may serve well for hot afternoons.
• 1-2 pair of fancy sandals or cute shoes (for evenings / dinner time to go with my dresses, but high heels are a bad idea in most places)
• Sunglasses
• A cap or hat for sun protection (this was much needed for sightseeing everywhere)
• If you are going for hikes, then pack all this gear: 1-2 pair of hiking pants (or hiking shorts for day hikes), 1 pair of hiking shoes, and 1 hoodie / cardigan depending on hiking altitude and time.

Italy packing list: Toiletries and medication

A toiletry bag is needed to pack all this separately. See some of the options for travel: Toiletry Bag.

• Regular toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens kit, menstrual products, hair accessories, hair brush
• It is important to travel with deodorant and good quality sunscreen to Italy in summer
• Remember if you are staying in nice hotels throughout your trip, shower soap / gel, shampoo, conditioner are all taken care of. But do carry them if you prefer your own brand.
• Prescription medication
• If you need allergy medication
• Some basic medicines like paracetamol and for stomach upset, cold.

What to pack for Italy: Electronics 

• We now read books on kindle app on the ipad. So we carried our iPads. 
• Phone
• Also charging cables and travel adapter for Europe. We use packing cubes for electronic items like chargers and cables to keep them separate. See options here for Packing cubes
• Portable power bank
• Camera. This has become redundant for me in most trips with photography limited to iPhone.

Planning a trip to Italy? Here are some posts to help you plan your trip –

Italy Itinerary: The classic two-week Italy Itinerary

Italian cities: Rome in 4 days, One day in Florence, 2 days in Venice, Visit the Vatican City, Rome or Florence 

Italian regions: Amalfi coast itinerary for 4 days, Lake Towns in Northern Italy, Lake Como in 3 days, Cinque Terre

Souvenirs: Good Souvenirs from Italy

Food in Italy: 21 of the Best Local & Traditional Italian Food you must try

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Have you visited Italy? What is the one item you would recommend as essential to carry for your Italian trip?

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