Without a doubt, Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, let alone Europe. This is because the Mediterranean country is home to fantastic dining choices, fun historical sites, beautiful beaches, inviting mountain towns, and lots of great attractions to visit.
Because of all this, it’s easy to decide to visit Italy. Unfortunately, your wallet might think otherwise. This is because Italy isn’t, and has never been, known for being a cheap country to visit.
Luckily there are some ways that you can save money during your trip without having to sacrifice a good time. Below you’ll find some tips on how to save money on your way to Italy and during your stay.
Getting to Italy and Getting Around
Depending on where you live, you’ll find that flights in and out of the country can get quite expensive. However, you can work your way around high costs by being flexible in terms of when you travel. You’ll also notice that some routes are cheaper than others. If you don’t mind a longer layover, you’ll save a nice chunk of change.
Once in Italy, you’ll want to stick to taking one of the many regional trains if you’re looking to travel a good distance. Walking is also a good choice for some of the larger, more touristy cities. Of course, if you can manage to budget for it, renting a car to drive around in Italy will give you the chance to make your own schedule.
Cheap Dining Choices in Italy
Italy is widely known for its food, and for good reason! In fact, chefs from around the globe travel to Italy just so that they can attend culinary school and advance their skills.
If you’re a foodie and the food here is one of your main draws to the country, you may find yourself disappointed at the high prices. There’s even a fee to sit down at most restaurants. In order to save money on the dining front, you’ll want to stick to eating out during lunchtime and snacking during the rest of the day.
You’ll also want to make sure to ask for tap water with your meal. If you don’t, you’ll find that your bill includes a bottled water charge.
Finding Cheaper Accommodations in Italy
No matter how you look at it, you’ll notice that accommodation prices here are just higher. Because you can’t really do anything about that except to choose a bed in a hostel over a high-end resort or a castle hotel, you’ll want to entertain the idea of staying outside of the big cities.
Sometimes you can find vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and other similar rentals in the small towns and suburbs just outside of the city you’re visiting. If staying within the city limits, you’ll also find that hostels located in old convents are lighter on the pocket than regular 3-star hotels.
If you decide to travel with a group, then you’ll find that you can really save a lot of money by splitting the cost of a room.
Stick with Free Activities and Attractions
All around Italy, you’ll find lots of great attractions and activities to enjoy. Some of these, however, are on the expensive side and may not fit into a smaller budget. On the other hand, there are plenty of fun things to do and see that are either really cheap or completely free. These include:
Walking Tours
A popular way to see the city you’re in while getting to meet other travelers, walking tours are a great way to save money. This is because they are free (depending on the type of tour)! You’ll just want to make sure to leave a tip for your tour guide.
Visit a Church
Even in the popular Italian cities, many of the churches are free to visit. They’re also a great way to learn more about the region’s history and culture.
Take a Hike
Whether you love to hike near the ocean or in the mountains, you’ll find plenty of free walking and hiking trails throughout the country.
Visit a Museum
It is true that most museums require an entrance fee, but there is a way to get around that fee. Some museums also offer a day where that fee is waived. All you have to do is plan a visit during that particular time frame and you’re good to go!
These are just some of the ways to save pennies when you visit Italy. Do your research and make small adjustments to your Italian itinerary, and you’ll find you’ve ended up saving quite a bit!