13 Things People Don't Even Know To Pack For Their Holiday In Italy

My husband and I moved to Italy this year…and we're having the time of our lives. But you know that feeling when you have hindsight and wish you'd known then what you know now? Yeah, well, apparently that applies to packing, too. There were SO many things we didn't even realize we'd need...until we got here.

So, in hopes of saving fellow travellers from the same fate, I thought I'd pass along our hard-earned wisdom...so you don't arrive in Italy and immediately wish someone had told you the missing items on your packing list. So without further ado... Here are some of the most commonly forgotten things to pack or prepare before taking a trip to Italy.

1. Shawl or Light Scarf

Until I moved here, I didn't realize that churches would deny entry based on your outfit. Don't get me wrong, it's a sacred place, and it definitely makes sense. I just didn't think of it. Here's the thing: When you're visiting these iconic, historical cities, popping into a beautiful church isn't the only thing on your itinerary. So the church dress code isn't really top of mind. And it's HOT in Italy. You're in shorts, sandals, and a top that allows for a shoulder tan. It's easy to not even realize you need something to cover up. So, remember to bring a shawl or lightweight scarf in your bag. Otherwise, you'll end up having to buy one from the overpriced scarf vendors outside the church...and wishing you'd just brought one from home.

2. Handheld Fan

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Something that isn't common in Canada but is very common here is carrying a fan with you. Honestly, if you don't bring one from home, you can totally pick up a cute souvenir fan while you're here — that's how common they are. It can get VERY hot in Italy, and sometimes it's hard to find relief from the heat. So, if you have a handheld fan — manual or electric — bring it along. You won't stick out like a sore thumb. They're everywhere. Lean into the Italian aesthetic .

3. Water Shoes

We moved to a coastal town in Liguria, and when you think "beach," you often think sand. Well, in Northern Italy, the beaches are much more pebbly — or sometimes straight-up filled with massive rocks. So, after a few failed beach outings, we noticed that all the locals were wearing water shoes so they could zip in and out of the water without breaking their ankles on the rocks. And honestly, they're a game-changer. There's no way we would've known to bring them until we got here. So, do yourself a favour: if you have water shoes, bring them. Your feet will thank you.

4. International Driver's Permit

A month before our move, my dad casually asked, "You got your International Driving Permit…right?" And we just stood there, thinking, "Our...what?" Thank goodness he said something, because when you rent a car in Italy, many places will ask for your passport, your driver's licence from your home country, and an International Driving Permit (IDP). In Canada, they aren't expensive, so just pop over to AMA and pick one up before your trip if you plan to drive. Trust me, it'll save you A LOT of stress. If someone hadn't told us to get one, it would've been a HUGE hassle trying to sort it out overseas.

5. Power Bank

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This might seem like a no-brainer, but hear me out. In Canada, most public places have outlets — coffee shops, restaurants, transit stations, etc. So, in Canada, I'd only need to bring my charger places because I could usually find an outlet wherever I went. Well, here, that's not really the case. Cafés don't necessarily have outlets under the seats, and the train station doesn't have them conveniently placed by the benches. And even many hotels have the power in their room connected to the room key, so you can't just leave your phone charging while you go grab some food and come back to it later. You actually have to be in the room for it to charge. So, do yourself a favour and just pack the power bank.

6. Bags and Purses With Limited Zippers

When we first landed in Rome, our Airbnb host said, "Rome isn't dangerous, but things grow legs and walk away if you aren't looking." He warned us about pickpocketing and told us that, since we were moving here, we should just get a backpack or purse with just one main zipper. That way, you don't have to worry about multiple pockets that could potentially tempt someone to have a little peek inside. So, from our Roman Airbnb host to you: take his advice. A simple, secure bag can save you a whole lot of stress.

7. Quick-Drying Clothing

Where you're staying might have a dryer, but they aren't that common in Italy. In fact, we haven't met a single local so far who owns one. The usual routine is to wash your clothes in a machine, then hang them up to dry on a clothesline or drying rack. So, don't pack heavy fabrics, thick cotton, or anything that will take ages to dry. If you plan to do laundry during your trip, it'll save you a lot of stress and hassle if the clothes you bring are lightweight and dry quickly on a line.

8. Clothes Pins

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As I said earlier, dryers aren't common in Italy. And although most Airbnbs should have clothespins for their line or a drying rack, you'd be surprised how many don't. Then you're left having to hunt them down at the local supermarket. So, if you have a few clothespins lying around, you might as well toss them in your bag. It'll save you the hassle of getting back from the beach, throwing your wet clothes on the line, and realizing you have absolutely nothing to hold them down. At the least, when you arrive, check what your Airbnb provides and make a quick trip to the store if they don't have any. Because trust me, you do not want to learn the hard way that your underwear can fly.

9. Reusable Water Bottle

Tap water in restaurants isn't really a thing. You'll generally pay for bottled water, whether you want naturale or frizzante . But the nice thing is that potable water is everywhere on Italian streets. Every few blocks, you'll find a public water fountain where people fill their water bottles, wash their hands, or even literally put their heads under the spout to cool off. So, if you were planning on hydrating with free tap water while you eat, think again — it's quite the opposite. Bring a reusable water bottle, plan to hydrate while you're out exploring, and expect to pay for your water when you sit down for a meal.

10. Bug Repellant

Let me introduce you to the Tiger Mosquito: a blood-sucking, itch-inducing menace that will follow you everywhere you go in Italy. So, pick up (or bring) some bug spray. And honestly, go one step further and bring some After Bite, too. Both will be absolute lifesavers when those guys come for you. (And they will come for you every day!)

11. Download Google Maps

Even if you live in Italy and have an Italian phone plan, cell service can be surprisingly spotty, especially when you're travelling. Get on a train, bus, or in a car, and every few minutes you might find yourself going in and out of service. So, do yourself a favour and download an offline Google Map of the region you're travelling to before you leave. That way, you won't have to rely on having service to get from Point A to Point B. I know this isn't really a packing item — it's more a "just do it before you leave" kinda thing. But as I said...just do it before you leave!

12. Power Adapter

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This is obviously something most people know to bring. And yes, we brought some. But I thought I'd tell you: In Italy, you can run into different types of outlets, even in the same room, so it's worth bringing a few adapters with different prong configurations. And when you buy power converters, make sure your adapters match your devices' voltage requirements, especially for higher-powered items like hair dryers or other styling tools. Otherwise, you could end up tripping the power or frying your electronics. So, don't just grab the cheapest Amazon find and call it a day. Do your research, bring a few options, and protect your gear.

13. And lastly... Light Dufflebag > Heavy Roller Bag

You might think a roller bag will be the easiest way to travel. But Italy is full of cobblestone streets, pebbly beaches, and grassy parks, so dragging a suitcase over all that bumpy terrain can actually become more of a hassle than it's worth. So, pack light, throw a duffle bag over your shoulder, and go order that Aperol Spritz. It might seem like a terrible idea when you're standing in line at the airport before your trip, but trust me, once you're dragging a suitcase over a 500-year-old cobblestone street, you'll be thanking me. So, unless you know you'll have a car to carry your luggage everywhere, a bag you can actually carry is truly the way to go.

Now I wanna hear from you!

Have you been to Italy or another European country? What's something you didn't even realize you'd need to pack until you got there? Drop all your recommendations in the comments so fellow travellers can be prepared before they arrive — rather than getting there and wishing someone had told them!

And if you want to follow along on my Italian adventure and pick up some travel tips along the way, check out my travel posts on the BuzzFeed On My Way page. I'll be sharing a new Italian travel story on Saturdays, so come along for the ride!

Or you can check out our journey on TikTok  here .

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