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What to Pack for Italy in Summer: Top 17 Essentials
Updated: May 21
Italy is a wonderful travel destination year-round. If you’re planning a trip, I’ve got you covered when it comes to packing! After spending a month in this beautiful country, I want to share my experiences with you so you can have a great trip too!
The weather stays very warm in Italy throughout the summer; it can get up to 98°F in central and southern cities like Rome.
Most days you’ll want to wear shorts and t-shirts. However, bringing a few layers to Italy is the best idea. You might not need a jacket all day, but once the sun goes down, it tends to get a lot cooler, and you’ll most likely be enjoying dinner after the sun goes down.
It’s common to eat later in Italy! Learn about other cultural tips before you visit Italy. Keep reading to. findout what to pack for Italy in summer and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.
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Italy Packing List for Summer
Dresses
Rain Jacket / Umbrella
Warmer Jacket
Comfortable Shoes
Pants & Shorts
Short Sleeve Shirts & Tank Tops
Undergarments
Swimsuit
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Day Bag
Water Bottle
Toiletries
OTC Meds
Adapter
Camera
Electronics
Passport
TIP: I always add the city of my destination to my weather app a few weeks before I travel so I can see what the weather is generally like. While weather varies, it will give you basic idea of the average weather to expect on your trip.
What to Pack for Italy in Summer
People in Italy tend to dress up more than in the US. If you're visiting from the United States, skip the loungewear and opt for "nicer" clothes.
You'll see most people wearing business casual or nicer in Italy even if they're just out grocery shopping.
If you plan to admire the beautiful cathedrals and churches in Italy, make sure you bring a cardigan to cover your shoulders and that your pants/dress cover your knees as this is required in religious sites.
Dresses
As the weather in Italy is generally warm all summer long, an easy and cute outfit is a dress! I reccomend packing a couple dresses, one long and one short.
They're cute, breathable, and make a super easy outfit. Top and bottoms all in one? I'm packing dresses all summer. Plus, Italians tend to dress up, so you'll fit right in. Below are a couple of my favorite dresses for traveling.
The blue one is great if you plan on admiring cathedrals as they often require shoulder and knees to be covered.
Recommended Dresses for Summer in Italy:
Short Sleeve, Ankle Length Dress (available in multiple colors)
Short Sleeve Shirts + Tank Tops
Short sleeve shirts and a couple of tank tops are a must. When it gets very hot, you’ll see more people wearing tank tops and dresses, but I found that very few men wear tank tops.
I’m not sure of the reasoning, but don’t let this stop you from wearing them. It’s still socially acceptable, just try to wear more modest tanks (not those super baggy men's workout tanks).
Best Shirts for Italy in Summer:
Swimsuit for Beach Towns
If you plan on visiting the Italian coast this summer, make sure you remember to pack a swimsuit or two! I also suggest packing some sandals as the beaches here are mostly pebbles and can hurt your feet.
Below are a couple of my recommendations for the best swimsuits for Italy. They're my go-to swimsuits for travel.
Shop the Best Swimsuits for Italy in Summer:
Read Also: A Guide to Using the Trains in Italy
Shorts + Pants
I highly recommend packing mostly shorts or dresses, but you might also want a pair of long pants. You’ll likely be outside a lot as there are so many iconic sites to see in Italy, so staying cool will be a necessity. Linen pants are perfect for summer weather.
It might be too hot for long pants, but having a pair for nice dinners or maybe even a specific activity, such as hiking, will be a good idea. We both wear pants for travel days when we know we’ll be taking trains, planes, or buses for a longer period of time.
Best Pants for Summer in Italy:
Rain Jacket or Compact Umbrella
The weather is quite unpredictable in Italy. You never know when it might rain, which is why it’s always handy to have a rain jacket or a small umbrella on you.
The good thing is that the rain tends to be more of a drizzle and doesn’t typically last more than a couple of hours.
Jacket or Cardigan
While you won’t need a winter coat when visiting Italy in summer, it’s a good idea to bring a jacket or cardigan as the evenings tend to be quite chilly. It’s also very common to eat dinner later (at least later than in the U.S.), so if you’re eating outside and the sun is down, it will be much cooler.
Remember cathedrals and other religious sites will require your knees and shoulders to be covered. A light cardigan is perfect for those places in the summer.
The Best Jackets for Travel:
Undergarments
Don’t forget these! I’ve added these to the list so you don’t forget to pack them. Make sure you bring underwear, bras, socks, camis, and whatever you might want to wear underneath.
You will want one pair of longer socks if you plan on hiking or mountain biking or anything of the like. MeUndies is our go too for all of our undergarments and loungewear.
Sunglasses or Hat
Summer in Italy is hot, and when the sun comes out, it is bright. Like, BRIGHT bright. A pair of sunglasses or a hat will definitely come in handy. Just remember to throw them in your day bag or purse so you can actually wear them!
Comfortable Shoes
Nice walking shoes are a necessity for Italy. While places like Rome have buses and trains to get around (which are super convenient), many historic sites and must-see places are within walking distance of each other.
You’ll most likely find yourself walking miles a day to see as many incredible sights as possible. My all-time favorite walking shoes are Allbirds!
Toiletries
If you’re coming from the U.S., you’re probably used to having a nice little bottle of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc., waiting for you in your hotel room and often in Airbnbs.
This is not the case in Italy. However, this is no issue, just bring a small bottle of your own, or buy some from a market or pharmacy when you arrive. Keep everything organized in a toiletry bag, it will make your life easier. And you can even share one if you have a travel partner!
OTC Meds
If you are prone to headaches or anything similar, bring a travel bottle of ibuprofen or your preferred painkiller. While there are pharmacies available here, it can be confusing to find exactly what you need when everything is in a different language.
It also might not be exactly what you wanted, so it's not a bad idea if you can fit a small bottle from home.
Read Also: Exploring the Villages of Cinque Terre
Day Bag
I recommend bringing a small backpack or some kind of day bag with you. You’ll most likely be out and about all day, so rather than bringing your big bag you probably traveled with, you’ll have a small bag you can throw just the things you’ll need for the day in.
Think sunglasses, water bottle, wallet, etc. Just be wary of people around, as pickpockets exist everywhere. Don’t bring a bag that can easily be taken from you, such as an over-the-shoulder purse.
Sunblock
Sunscreen is also a great idea. We walked around Rome for a few hours on a sunny day, forgot to put sunscreen on, and were actually sunburned. I definitely recommend throwing face sunscreen and a travel-size sunblock (also reef friendly) in your suitcase or backpack.
Water Bottle
Along with a day bag, a reusable water bottle is a good idea to bring. In many cities, there are freshwater fountains you can fill your bottle up with. In Rome, for example, they’re on nearly every street, and people even stop their cars to fill up their bottles.
You also have to buy a water bottle from a restaurant if you want water with your meal, so having your own you can just refill will save you lots of money.
International Power Adapter
Don't forget a plug adapter or converter so you can charge your electronics! You will want a converter if you plan on using anything like a hairdryer or straightener, as the standard voltage is higher than it is in the U.S. in Italy.
They will just get fried if you don't use a converter for these appliances. You only need an adapter for your phone, though, and these are our favorite universal adapters we highly suggest buying!
Camera
You will definitely want to take pictures while you’re traveling in Italy. Everything is incredibly beautiful and picturesque. From the quaint flower-covered balconies to the ancient Colosseum, Italy is a place you’ll want to remember forever. I
f you prefer to use your phone camera, that is perfect as well. Just don’t forget your charger and adapter! I have the Sony a6500 pictured below and I love it as a beginner photographer.
Personal Electronics
If you have remote work of any kind, obviously don’t forget your laptop. When you arrive in Italy, you can get a SIM card for your phone to have internet access, or you can always get an international hotspot.
We love our KeepGo hotspot. It worked really well for us in Rome and Cinque Terre, so I can imagine it works well in most places around Italy. If you have any other electronics you often use, maybe a Nintendo Switch for the plane/trains, then make sure you throw that in your bag too.
The electronic cords organizer comes in handy when traveling. It's small and helps keep your chargers, etc neatly stored.
Passport
If you are flying to Italy internationally, you definitely need to pack your passport. While you’re traveling, I recommend keeping it somewhere that is accessible, as you’ll need to have it handy multiple times (flight check-in, customs, etc.).
This is also a great form of identification to have while abroad. You can use it to buy drinks, rent a car, and more.
RFID Blocking Covers
Remember to take a photo of your passport and keep a copy on your phone for safekeeping just in case something happens to your physical passport. Check out these RFID Passport and Credit Card covers to protect your valuables too!
We highly recommend you pack these essentials for traveling to Italy in the summer. Remember that May can be very warm in Italy as well especially if you're visiting Rome or anywhere further south.
Read Also: First Trip to Italy Suggestions
We hope this Italy packing list for summer is just what you’ve been looking for! We experienced summer in Italy first hand and highly suggest following this packing list.
Helpful Italy Travel Guides:
Read Also: 2-Day Cinque Terre Itinerary
Now get packing and enjoy the picturesque streets, tiny markets, lively people, beautiful architecture, incredible food, and more that make Italy an amazing place to travel to. What cities are on your Italy itinerary? Have you been to this beautiful country before or is it your first time?
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