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After multiple trips to Italy, with another coming up next week, I’ve narrowed down my Italy packing list to just what I actually use. Since I prefer to travel with only a carry-on and personal item, I always avoid overpacking.
If you’re unsure what to pack for Italy, remember it’s usually less than you think. And, the right clothes and travel essentials really make a big difference. With cobblestone streets, long days of walking, and moving between towns, what you choose to pack for Italy can make your trip easier or, in many cases, harder.
Let me break down my Italy packing list, highlighting what I rely on most and what I found unnecessary on past trips. This will help you focus on what works best for an easier travel experience!
Looking for Italy travel inspiration? Read my free Italy travel guides!
My Italy Packing List
If you want a quick Italy packing list, here are the travel basics I use every trip and would always pack again.
- Power adapter
- Electric converter
- Portable charger
- Crossbody bag
- Good walking shoes
- Packing cubes
- Travel wallet
- AirTags
This is the core of what to pack for Italy, and really any trip to Europe, if you want to keep things simple and practical. It is key to have the proper power adapters and a good portable charger or two.
You may be surprised to learn that pretty much everywhere I have traveled to in Italy uses tap-to-pay, and Apple Maps is a great way to navigate a new city. So, you never want to end up with a drained cell phone!
What to Pack for Italy in 2026
Before any trip, including when I travel to Italy, I always check the weather and consider the activities I will be doing. Then I write out a little packing checklist that includes everything that I want to pack for Italy, or wherever else I am going!
I also think about my Italian accommodations and whether or not I will have a chance to do laundry. On short trips to Italy, like my recent trip to the Franciacorta region in Northern Italy, I stayed in hotels and really didn’t have to worry about laundry.
However, on longer trips, such as when we spend 3 weeks exploring places like Cinque Terre, Rome, and Venice, I make sure to book a couple of stays in apartment-style accommodations with a washer. This means I can wash most of our clothes and almost start fresh as we move on to the next Italian city on our itinerary!
TIP: We love using Booking.com to find apartments for our family with laundry when traveling!
And, lastly, I think about how I am traveling. On many trips, we like to use the Italian train system, which is why our family prefers carry-on luggage. That said, I have a great oversized fold-up tote bag from Body Surf that I always bring with me. When we pack up between stops, this serves as a catch-all for groceries and other items we have picked up along the way.
To keep things organized, I’ll now break down my Italy packing list by category!
Italy Packing List: Bags + Travel Essentials
This part of my Italy packing list overlaps a lot with my general Europe travel essentials, and these are the must-have items that make everyday travel easier.
Whether I am visiting Italy for 4 days or 3 weeks, I always bring a carry-on suitcase and a travel backpack for my plane travel. But I always have a crossbody bag on hand as well. I just tuck it into my backpack before boarding my flight to Italy!
- carry-on bag
- personal item
- crossbody bag
- travel wallet
- packable jacket
- packing cubes
- clear liquid bag
- laundry bag
- laundry sheets
- foldable tote
- water bottle
Italy Packing Essentials
A small crossbody bag is what I like to use all day, every day. These are ideal for Italy, since larger bags aren’t often allowed in museums and churches. And they are lightweight enough to keep you pain-free, unlike heavy backpacks or shoulder bags you would be carrying all day.
I also bring a travel wallet, like the Zoppen Travel Passport Wallet, to keep everything organized on the big travel days. It’s mainly to make airports and check-ins easier, and I don’t carry this around day-to-day in Europe. I keep it securely zipped in my travel backpack.
TIP: Always make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your trip!
Unless we are traveling in the peak summer season, we always bring our packable puffer jackets. I like the Lululemon Pack It Down Jacket. Choose one that comes with a storage pouch. These can double as plane pillows!
Packing cubes and a simple laundry bag help keep things manageable when moving between places. A high-quality folding tote like this Body Surf bag is another item I end up using constantly. And, it’s durable enough to check (usually full of dirty clothes) on the flight home if we find ourselves with extra souvenirs or purchases.
I like to pack some laundry detergent sheets, too! These are tiny and way easier than liquid detergent. And, it helps you avoid having to go out and buy a big jug.
A reusable water bottle is a great idea for travel in Italy. You can refill it throughout the day at public fountains. Just make sure to empty it before you go through airport security! And, speaking of security, some Italian airports are still strict about liquid sizes and that they be in a clear 1 qt. bag. So, I always just pack my liquids into these clear one-quart travel bags from the beginning.
Italy Packing List: Tech Essentials
After travel basics, let’s talk about which tech essentials to bring with you to Italy.
The most important item you need when traveling to Italy, as opposed to just within the United States, is a power plug adaptor. Most places in Italy use the two-pronged Type C power plug, the three-pronged L plug, and, on occasion, the F plug.
I like to use a convertible power plug adaptor like the Tessan Universal Power Adaptor because I can use it in countries all over the world, including the US. So, I highly recommend that. If not, you can also use these basic Tessan Type C power plug adaptors.
Italy also operates on a different voltage system (230 volts) than the United States (120 volts) does. This won’t affect charging your small devices. However, if you are using small appliances, including any hair tools you bring, you will need a step-down electrical converter.
We actually learned this the hard way when Abby fried my favorite hair straightener in Greece! So, make sure everyone in your family knows not to plug these items in without a converter. I use the ALLWEI International Travel Adapter 220V to 110V Power Voltage Converter, and it works great!
The other tech item I cannot live without while traveling in Italy is my portable charger. We have several, and we always make sure we have a fully charged charger that is at least 10000 mAh. That way, it can hold multiple charges. I like using the VRURC Portable Charger Power Bank because it comes with built-in cords. It’s lightweight enough and usually gets me through the day! I like that they come in various colors, so each family member can be responsible for their own. If you have teenagers like me, you know what I mean!
I always travel with an Apple AirTag in my luggage, personal item, crossbody, and travel wallet. And, I put them in Matt and the kids’ bags as well. You will never know how much you will need these until you do! Also, make sure to replace the batteries from time to time!
I also bring a compact organizer, like the BAGSMART Electronics Organizer, or any other pouch to keep everything together.
Italy Packing List: Clothing
Your wardrobe choices will vary a lot depending on your Italy itinerary! But, at a minimum, you will need:
- lightweight layers
- daytime outfits
- packable jacket
- cardigan or scarf
Everyone’s fashion tastes are so different, so I am not going to tell you exactly what designers or specific outfits to wear, but instead a blueprint for what you should be thinking about when putting together your outfits for Italy!
When building my Italy packing list for each trip, I keep clothing simple and focus on pieces I can rewear. I like to bring lighter, easy-to-pack clothes rather than bulky items. While we often dream about those warm Italian summers, Italy actually has a fairly diverse climate, and the northern part, where the Dolomites are, is home to mountains, snow, and cold-weather activities.
So, before a trip, I like to add my Italy destinations to my Apple Weather app on my iPhone. When we are 10 days out, I start checking it every day or so to get a sense of the forecast and start thinking about what I will need to add to my Italy packing list for that trip!
In most cases, lightweight outfits that mix and match work best, along with a few easy dresses and one nicer option for dinners. A light jacket or cardigan is essential, even in warmer months. I know it’s tempting to buy chic lemon-print dresses and themed outfits for your trip. And, it’s ok to bring a few of those! Just make sure to have basic essentials such as lightweight jeans, linen pants, a cute daytime skort, basic tees, and so on.
For every trip, I have a go-to basic short-sleeve tee from Target. I love how these fit, and they look good with everything. I own them in all the colors and love how they pack up so thin in my suitcase. So, I highly recommend those tops!
I also like to bring one basic Hill House Home nap dress. I find them so comfortable yet polished-looking for a breezy dinner out. The navy blue version is such a great closet staple for me.
I’ve learned, traveling to Italy and really anywhere in Europe, that I always reach for the same outfits, so packing less is actually better. And, Italy has some great shopping! So, it leaves you room to buy a few things on your trip!
How Do People Dress in Italy?
Italian style always feels so effortlessly chic to me! I see a lot of linen and layers, breeze tops and chic flats. Most Italians aren’t running around in lemon print rompers, but I know it’s fun for those Instagram photo opportunities. I do have an Amazon list of dresses and outfits with those Euro summer vibes if you are looking for that!
I always bring a couple of fun dresses, like this one from Amazon! And, I am a sucker for a couple of cute two-piece sets!
I will point out that while comfort is what matters most, fashion choices in Italy are a bit more chic. Athletic wear, such as your favorite Lululemon leggings, is best for truly active outings, such as hiking. And, many coastal towns don’t allow swimwear to be worn in public outside of the beach. So, pack a real cover-up!
A lightweight scarf is also something I always include in my Italy packing list. It’s helpful for layering and also important when visiting churches where shoulders need to be covered. A simple option like Achillea Lightweight Pashmina Shawl works well and packs easily.
Or just make sure you wear something that covers your shoulders when out for the day. There are magical churches around every corner in Italy, and you never know when you’ll want to pop into one!
Italy Packing List: Shoes
Shoes are one of the most important parts of any Italy packing list. I usually bring about three pairs of shoes on my trips to Italy.
- Walking shoes
- Simple sandals
- Optional dressy pair
- Optional beach shoes
Comfort is non-negotiable, especially with uneven streets and long days. I have a list of budget-friendly walking shoes that are great for European travel. My biggest tip is to break them in!
In addition to my sneakers, I have a pair of sandals, typically my favorite Big Buckle Birkenstocks. I live in these at home, so they are broken in and actually something I can wear even on a full day of walking. That said, I know that isn’t the case for everyone. So, just make sure you are comfortable!
Then I often bring a slightly dressier sandal that is low-profile and easy to pack, like these braided slides. Make sure you choose a pair and pack dresses or outfits that can all work with this shoe!
If we are planning beach or pool time on a trip, I also pack a pair of flip-flops or my Birkenstock EVA big-buckle Madrid slides. These actually look really cute with a lot of my dresses and can replace the above dressier sandal on some trips! And we always pack a couple of our favorite Dock and Bay towels for our trips to coastal Italy. They pack small and dry quickly!
Bring These & Thank Me Later
One other thing that I can’t travel anywhere without are my slippers. I hate walking around hotels or rental apartments barefoot and don’t like having my dirty travel shoes on inside. So, slippers are a non-negotiable travel essential for me. I always bring these Dearfoam slippers and put them in my travel backpack. As soon as I board my long-haul flight, I put them on and tuck my shoes underneath the seat in front of me!
I also recommend a small travel first aid kit! This will have Band-Aids in case blisters start to form.
What I Use Every Day in Italy
If you’re trying to simplify your Italy packing list, these are the items I used every single day. These are must-haves for any trip to Italy. From there, consider your destination and pack a nice mix of mostly practical outfits, with some fun ones, for your day-to-day adventures!
- Power convertor
- Crossbody bag
- Comfortable shoes
- Portable charger
- Light layer
What NOT to Pack for Italy
This is just as important as knowing what to pack for Italy. It’s so easy to overpack, especially on your first trip to Italy.
- Too many outfits
- Bulky handbags
- Uncomfortable shoes
- “Just in case” items
Trust me when I tell you that you 100% do not need heels. Most streets are cobblestone and uneven, and you will not wear them. Chic and comfortable flats and sandals are where it’s at!
Same with bags. You do not need one for every single outfit. Small, simple crossbody bags are great for daytime, and opt for a lightweight leather one like this for evening. Make sure it matches your dressy shoe option as needed.
RELATED POST: My Tips For International Travel
One of the biggest improvements I’ve made to my Italy packing list is simply packing less! Remember, there is shopping in Italy too! And, honestly, it’s really good for both clothes and toiletries.
In fact, the first thing I do when I arrive in a European city is go to the pharmacy. I love finding French beauty brands like Nuxe and Caudalie for way cheaper than in the US. In Italy, grab the Marvis toothpaste. It’s my favorite, and I use it all over the house now!
In fact, have so many favorites inspired by my trips to Italy!
Shop Finds Inspired By Italy
Do you love Italy as much as I do? Please check out my top Italy-themed gift ideas, along with my top Italian favorites, including the best toothpaste ever!
Just tap the image below to shop!
My Go-To Europe Travel Essentials
If your trip includes more than just Italy, I have a full breakdown of my Europe travel essentials and what to pack for Europe.
This builds on the same Italy packing list, adding a few additional items for longer or multi-country trips. But honestly, I would pack pretty much the same way for trips to other Western and Central European countries, such as France, Spain, and Portugal.
The biggest shift for me has been simplifying what I pack and focusing on comfort, versatility, and practicality. Once you figure out what works, every trip gets easier!
Italy Travel Inspiration
If you are looking for Italy travel inspiration for your trip or answers to frequently asked questions, make sure to read all of my Italy travel guides! Here are some of my most popular posts about Italian travel!
- Towns of Cinque Terre
- Charming Camogli, Italy
- Best Colosseum Tours
- Franciacorta Wine Region
- Lake Iseo & Monte Isola
- Venice Water Bus Tips
- Hyatt Centric Murano
And, if you have Italy on your bucket list, but haven’t planned your trip yet, make sure to sign up for flight deals alerts from Thrifty Traveler! It’s my favorite way to find amazing flight deals to Europe, even from my small regional airport.
We are big into points and miles, and you would be shocked at how cheap it can be to travel to Europe using points. If you haven’t already, make sure to read my Ultimate Guide to Miles and Points!
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