Passports and Visas

For entry requirements, including visas, consult your nearest Italian embassy or check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Polizia di Stato websites.

Citizens of the EU can use their national identity cards to enter Italy; visitors from outside the EU need a valid passport. Travellers from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days as long as the passport is valid for six months beyond the date of entry. Other nationalities should check entry details at their local embassy.

Government Advice

Now more than ever, it is important to consult both your and the Italian government’s advice before travelling. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the US State Department, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Italian Ministry of Health offer the latest information on security, health and local regulations.

Customs Information

You can find information on the laws relating to goods and currency taken in or out of Italy on the ENIT (Italy’s national tourist board) website.

There are no limits for EU citizens on most goods carried in or out of Italy as long as they are for personal use.

Insurance

We recommend that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy covering theft, loss of belongings, medical care, cancellations and delays, and read the small print carefully. EU and Australian citizens are eligible for free emergency medical care in Italy provided they have a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or Medicare card respectively.

Health

Italy has a world-class healthcare system. Emergency medical care in Italy is free for all EU and Australian citizens. If you have an EHIC card, be sure to present this as soon as possible. You may have to pay after treatment and reclaim the money later. For other visitors, payment of medical expenses is the patient’s responsibility, so it is important to arrange comprehensive medical insurance before travelling.

Italian water is safe to drink except from sources indicated “acqua non potabile”. No vaccinations are required to visit Italy.

For minor ailments, look for the green or red cross sign indicating a farmacia (pharmacy). There are hospitals covering most of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, Naples and Sorrento that provide 24-hour emergency care.

Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs

Smoking is banned in enclosed public places. Italy has a strict limit of 0.5mg BAC (blood alcohol content) for drivers; for those with less than three years’ driving experience the limit is 0. The possession of illegal drugs is prohibited and could result in a prison sentence.

ID

By law you must carry identification at all times in Italy. A photocopy of your passport photo page (and visa if applicable) should suffice. If you are stopped by the police you may be asked to present the original within 12 hours.

Personal Security

Naples is generally a safe city, but be wary of pickpockets on public transport and in crowded areas. Losses or thefts should be reported to the nearest police station within 24 hours; take ID with you if possible. If you need to make an insurance claim, get a copy of the crime report (denuncia). Contact your embassy if you have your passport stolen, or in the event of a serious crime or accident.

For emergencies, there are numbers for the Fire Brigade, Ambulance and Police. You can also reach the emergency services via the European Emergency Number (available free of charge 24 hours a day).

Most areas of Naples feel safe during the day, but, as in any city, caution should be exercised in certain areas at night.

Women may sometimes receive unwanted and unwelcome male attention. If you feel threatened, head straight for the nearest police station.

People of colour may sometimes receive glances from locals, but should not feel unsafe in the region.

Homosexuality was legalized in Italy in 1887 and in 1982, Italy became the third country to recognize the right to legally change your gender. The southern regions, however, are often less open about non-traditional relationships or sexualities. While overt displays of affection may receive glances from locals, LGBT+ travellers should not feel unsafe, especially in the more touristy parts of the city, the Amalfi Coast and Capri. The main national LGBT+ organization, ArciGay, has a branch in Naples and provides information on arts events, as well as bars and clubs.

Travellers with Specific Requirements

The region can be a challenge for travellers with specific requirements. Cobbled streets, steep staircases and a lack of elevators are all common hurdles. Renting a car and planning in advance will help, but most attractions and establishments do not offer easy access. The islands tend to be a bit easier to navigate than the city, though transport should be organized in advance. Sage Traveling and WheelchairTraveling are useful resources.

Older buildings are often without facilities for wheelchair users. However, in line with EU standards, the larger sights are making some headway at providing easier access. Some sights, such as the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, offer tactile tours and guides in braille for the visually impaired. Check websites before visiting.

It is advisable to stay in the newest hotel you can find, where facilities will comply with EU laws.

Time Zone

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST). The clock moves forward 1 hour for daylight saving time from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October.

Money

Italy is one of the many European countries using the euro (€). Most establishments accept major credit, debit and prepaid currency cards, but carry cash for smaller items and street markets, as well as smaller restaurants and businesses. In general, contactless payments are not the norm in Naples; however, their use has increased significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contactless payments are accepted on most forms of public transport, including trains, ferries and the metro, but not buses.

ATMs (bancomat) are available outside most banks, which are plentiful in Naples although less so in smaller villages. Italian ATMs charge no transaction fee.

Tipping is not expected in restaurants or by taxi drivers, but hotel porters and housekeeping will expect €1 per bag or day.

Electrical Appliances

In Italy, the electrical voltage and frequency is 220V/50Hz and plugs with two or three round pins are used. Devices from other countries may need adapters and voltage converters.

Mobile Phones and Wi-Fi

Most mobile phones will work in Italy, but it is advisable to check with your provider before departure. Visitors travelling to Italy with EU tariffs are able to use their devices without being affected by roaming charges – they will pay the same rates for data, SMS and voice calls as they would pay at home. For other visitors, it might be worthwhile to consider buying a local SIM card to avoid high roaming charges. SIM cards are cheap and readily available from mobile phone providers such as Vodafone and Tre.

Free Wi-Fi is available at many hotels, cafés and restaurants, providing you make a purchase. However, smaller hotels may still charge for internet or only provide it in the lobby.

Postal Services

Italy’s post service, Poste Italiane, while improving, can be slow. Stamps (francobolli) are sold at post offices (ufficio postale) and tobacconists (tabaccherie). Mailboxes are red and have two slots – one “per la città” (local) and one “per tutte le altre destinazioni” (everywhere else).

Weather

The climate is typically Mediterranean, with warm summers and cool winters. July and August are very hot and humid, with temperatures around 20°–30° C (66°–86° F). The best weather is in spring and autumn; October to December tend to be the rainiest months. Winter is cold, dark and rainy, but can offer dramatic views of Vesuvius’s snowy peak.

Opening Hours

During August many businesses close mid-afternoon or entirely.

Most shops are usually open 9am–2pm and 4–8pm, except in popular tourist areas where they will likely remain open through the lunch riposo.

Many shops, hotels and restaurants close for part or all of the holiday season, especially on the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Ischia. Banks generally open 8:30am–1:30pm and 3:30–4:30pm from Monday to Friday.

Some museums and galleries have seasonal opening hours, especially in coastal areas and the islands. Museums and historic sites often close one day per week, even in high season. Always check websites before visiting.

Nearly all banks, shops and businesses are closed on public holidays.

Visitor Information

ENIT, the national tourism board, provides basic information. Naples has two main Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno (ASST) offices, one near Galleria Umberto I and the other at Piazza del Gesù. Free maps, brochures and information on attractions are available in multiple languages.

Along the Amalfi Coast, tourist offices are located in Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. Sorrento and the islands of Capri and Ischia and Procida also have official information offices.

Several websites can help you plan your trip, including InCampania, the official tourism office for the whole region, and Napoli Unplugged, which has detailed information on transport, history, events and things to see and do in Naples. Useful apps include: Travelmar for purchasing tickets for ferries along the Amalfi Coast; Gira Napoli for navigating public transport in Naples itself; and the Trenitalia app for making last-minute train bookings.

Visiting Churches and Cathedrals

Entrance to many churches is free, although there may be entry fees for the more famous monuments. Strict dress codes apply: cover your torso and upper arms, and ensure shorts and skirts cover your knees.

Language

While Neapolitans speak Italian, the local dialect will seem unfamiliar even to native speakers of the language. Other dialects in the region and around the islands further complicate communication. Do not expect English in every establishment, although tourist sights and ticket offices are generally staffed by those who speak some English.

Taxes and Refunds

VAT (called IVA in Italy) is usually 22 per cent, with a reduced rate of 4–10 per cent on some items. Non-EU citizens can claim an IVA rebate subject to certain conditions. It is easier to claim before you buy; you will need to show your passport to the shop assistant and complete a form. If claiming retrospectively, present a customs officer with your purchases and receipts at the airport. Receipts will be stamped and sent back to the vendor to issue a refund.

Accommodation

Naples and and the Amalfi Coast offer a huge range of accommodation, from farm stays (agriturismi) to luxury hotels. In the summer, and at Easter and Christmas, accommodation fills up quickly, and prices are often inflated, so book in advance. An additional city tax will often be charged on top of the room price. By law, hotels are required to register guests at police headquarters and issue a receipt of payment (ricevuta fiscale), which you must keep until you leave Italy.

ENIT publishes lists of hotels, pensioni and campsites. To stay in the countryside in a private home or on a farm, a great option for families, try the Agriturist website. Summer in Italy specializes in holiday villa rentals in Capri, Sorrento and on the Amalfi Coast. If you are looking to stay with private families, Rent a Bed offers a range of choices in the region.