Italy Tourist information in general:
Italy, or the Italian Republic, has long been one of the major hubs of progressive civilization and cultural growth of the human race.
There is something about the place that just seemingly brings out the innovative best in people, and gets the creative juices flowing.
Italy tourist attractions have regularly pulled people from all corners of the world, and more often than not, have taken their breath away.
This is the country that gave the world the Romans, the Renaissance, and more importantly, pizza.
With Rome as its capital, Italy tourist attractions are deeply entrenched with a lot of references and remnants of art, culture, music and fine living. Italians are a suave bunch of people who know how to live life to the fullest, and this fact is highlighted by the impressive architecture of the country, the remarkable demonstrations of very talented artists and poets, the emergence of great thinkers and philosophers and the superior evolution of the culinary tastes of the people who reside in this marvelous country.
The major cities that offer the best Italy tourist attractions are Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin, Venice, Naples and Tuscany.
In these cities you'll find a large number of attractive museums, buildings, art galleries, restaurants and great places of scenic beauty.
Perhaps the most important and pertinent of all Italy tourist attractions is Vatican City, an independent sovereign state in the middle of Rome,
the home of the Pope.
So if you're looking for a country with a long and illustrious heritage of art, music, literature, architecture, cuisine and everything else that is fine, look no further than Italy. Read more about the cities in Italy and the regions of Italy.
Italy Tourist Attractions
As mentioned before, the major tourist attractions in Italy are primarily located in the best cities of the country.
But since there are a fairly large number of major cities in the country, our list of Italy tourist attractions may appear fairly limited.
In truth, no amount of words could be sufficient enough for listing out all the best things to see here.
Italy Tourist Attractions - Rome
The Eternal City, as it is aptly called, is the capital of the country and the prime example of everything that is good about this magical place.
If you happen to find yourself here while on your Italy Vacations, the very first place you must visit is The Colosseum.
You can tour this massive structure where the Roman Gladiators used to wage their battles with each other to please the crowd and the
Emperor in ancient Italy.
It is also worthwhile to visit Trevi Square, the home of the famous Fontana di Trevi, or the Trevi Fountain.
Legends say that anyone who throws a coin over their shoulder into the fountain will certainly return to the city again.
Right next to that you have the Spanish Steps, or the Piazza di Spagna, leading up to the Trinita dei Monti Church.
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy and you will see hordes of tourists here throughout the year.
You cannot visit Rome and not see Vatican City, and in reality you get drawn to it almost instantly.
The aura of the entire place is so strong and intense, you will really feel that you are in the Home of God.
Once there, you must have a look at the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Gardens, the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica. Learn more about the history of Vatican City.
Italy Tourist Attractions - Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy that contains the famous cities of Pisa, Florence, Siena and Lucca, and is easily one of the top tourist
attractions in Italy.
Here you will find the vast collection of all major cultural works by the Italian masters of the past.
Extremely famous Renaissance painters, sculptors, and architects found their spiritual home in the region of Tuscany.
The vast array of museums and art galleries that you will find here are truly stunning.
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, also being one of the most famous tourist attractions in Italy, contains paintings and other astounding works by great artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Raffaello, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Giotto, Botticelli, Tiziano and many many others as well.
Italy Tourist Attractions - Milan
Milan is a global center for the fashion industry, and it is engulfed in a sea of beautiful people, fine living and a multitude of attractions for art lovers and opera lovers.
It is also a shopping paradise, and it is easily one of the most well known cities all around the world.
And, if you wish to get away from the hustle bustle for a while, you can make a short trip to Lake Como, located in the Italian Alps,
which is just a few minutes away.
You should also not miss a visit to the Galleria, one of the best shopping malls in the world, which has become a prototype of sorts
for all other cities.
You must also pay a visit to the Milan Duomo cathedral, the La Scala Opera and the brilliant Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (the home of the famous painting 'The Last Supper').
Italy Tourist Attractions - Venice
One of the most romantic places in the entire world, Venice is a city that is built along the edges of a long canal that functions as the streets.
There are no cars and nobody walking on foot, instead everyone moves around in a boat, or a Gondola as it is more popularly known.
Now, this does not mean that there are no streets at all, and if you do decide to set out on foot there are a plethora of sights to see.
You must pay a visit to the Piazza San Marco, a fabulous city square where you will find loads and loads of pigeons.
Some other places to visit are the famous Cafe Florian, The Doges Palace (Palazzo Ducale), The Bridge of Sighs and The Rialto Bridge (Ponte Rialto). But the best way to see the city is on a Gondola, floating through the Grand Canal.
Italy Tourist Attractions - Leaning Tower of Pisa
Located in Pisa, this tower has gained popularity due to its leaning nature (owing to the soft ground upon which it was built) that makes it inclined at an angle to the ground, and also for being the location where Galileo Galilei conducted his physic's free fall experiments.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has become synonymous with Italy tourist attractions, and it also happens to be one of the seven wonders of the world. A simple view of this enchanting tower and the magical buildings and cathedrals around it are capable of taking your breath away.
Documents Required to Stay in Italy
A passport or a valid identity document is necessary to enter Italy.
Permission to stay for tourists is valid for three months; for longer periods enquiries must be made at Italian consulates abroad.
Current regulations require a consular visa for visitors coming from certain countries in Eastern Europe (states of the former USSR, the Baltic republics, Poland, the Czech republic, the Slovak republic, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria), from Albania and Turkey.
As far as the major countries outside Europe are concerned, a visa is not required for visitors from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan and the United States.
Minors travelling with parents, and who do not have a personal identity document, must be included in the passport of one of the parents.
Driving licenses and other traffic documents valid in other countries are recognized in Italy.
A green card (or an equivalent international insurance certificate) is required for citizens from non-EU countries.
Pets are allowed to enter only if they are in good health and vaccinated against rabies.
A permit issued by an Italian consulate and endorsed by the frontier police, is required to bring in a hunting weapon.
Italy Insurance
Citizens of EU countries who have the appropriate documents issued by their health authorities are entitled to national health care treatment.
Citizens of other countries are advised to take out insurance before their journey to cover possible health care and hospital expenses.
Italian Taxes
VAT-IVA - Sales Tax
The italian VAT (Value-added tax, in italian IVA, Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto) is often included in the amount shown on the price tag.
Telephone in Italy
Throughout Italy direct dialling is possible for continental and intercontinental communication.
If there are difficulties an operator service can be contacted by dialling 15 for European countries or 170 for countries outside Europe.
Public telephones are available in every provincial chief town and there are also public telephones in over 300,000 bars and other premises.
In addition there is an extensive network of public telephone boxes which function using coins or phonecards, sold at branches of the telephone company, tobacconists, stations and other public places.
To dial to Italy: ++39
Italy Useful Phone numbers
Police - Emergency
Phone: 113
Carabinieri - Emergency
Phone: 112
Fire Brigade
Phone: 115
Traffic Police
Phone: +39 06 67691
Medical emergency service
Phone: 118
Car rescue service
Phone: 116
News about motorway traffic conditions can be requested through the number (055) 2697.
Other useful numbers
Sailing conditions: 144 66 1906
Weather reports: 144 66 1911
Snow conditions: 144 66 1902
News reports: 144 22 1900
Post Offices in Italy
Opening hours in general:
Post and Telegraph Offices are generally open from 8.00am-13.30/14.00pm from Monday to Friday, Saturday 8.00-11.45am.
There may be shorter hours on the last day of the month or special occasions.
Some counters (e.g. registered mail, telegrams) have different hours and in the main cities they may also open in the afternoon.
The telegram service can also be contacted by telephone, number 186.
Foreign Diplomatic Representations
European countries
ALBANIA
Embassy: Via Asmara 9, Rome, Phone: 06 8380725
AUSTRIA
Embassy: Via Pergolesi 3, Rome, Phone: 06 8558241
Consulates: Via Liegi 32, Rome, Phone: 06 8443509
Via Cremona 27, Milan, Phone: 02 4812937
BELGIUM
Embassy: Via Monti Parioli 49, Rome, Phone: 06 322441
Consulate: Via Vespucci 2, Milan, Phone: 02 29004755
BULGARIA
Embassy: Via Rubens 21, Rome, Phone: 06 3224643
CROATIA
Embassy: Via SS. Cosma e Damiano 26, Rome, Phone: 06 33250242
CZECH REPUBLIC
Embassy: Via Colli Farnesina 144, Rome, Phone: 06 3296711
Consulate: Via Morgagni 20, Milan, Phone: 02 29403051
DENMARK
Embassy: Via Monti Parioli 50, Rome, Phone: 06 3200441
Consulate: Via Ariosto 30, Milan, Phone: 02 48008675
FINLAND
Embassy: Via Lisbona 3, Rome, Phone: 06 8548329/8848182
Consulate: Via Turati 16/18, Milan, Phone: 02 6592608
FRANCE
Embassy: Piazza Farnese 67, Rome, Phone: 06 686011
Consulates: Via Giulia 251, Rome, Phone: 06 6877568
Corso Venezia 42, Milan, Phone: 02 794341
Dorsoduro 1397, Venice, Phone: 041 5222392
Piazza Ognissanti 2, Florence, Phone: 055 2302556
Piazza Repubblica 2, Naples, Phone: 081 7612275
GERMANY
Embassy: Via Po 25/c, Rome, Phone: 06 884741
Consulates: Via Solferino 40, Milan, Phone: 02 6554325/6554888
S. Marco 2888, Venice, Phone: 041 5225100
Lungarno Vespucci 30, Florence, Phone: 055 294722
Via Crispi 69, Naples. Phone: 081 7613393
Via E. Amari 124, Palermo, Phone: 091 583377
GREAT BRITAIN
Embassy: Via XX Settembre 80/a, Rome, Phone: 06 4825441
Consulates: Via S. Paolo 7, Milan, Phone: 02 723001
Dorsoduro 1051, Venice, Phone: 041 5227207
Lungarno Corsini 2, Florence, Phone: 055 284133
Via Crispi 122, Naples, Phone: 081 663511
Via Dalmazia 127, Bari, Phone: 080 5543668
GREECE
Embassy: Via Mercadante 36, Rome, Phone: 06 8442584
Consulates: Via 3 Madonne 12, Rome, Phone: 06 8082030
Via Turati 6, Milan, Phone: 02 6598624
HUNGARY
Embassy: Via Villini 12/16, Rome, Phone: 06 4402032
Consulate: Piazza Fabrizio 2, Rome, Phone: 02 4402312
ICELAND
Consulate: Via Donatello 21, Milan, Phone: 02 70638515
IRELAND
Embassy: Largo Nazareno 3, Rome, Phone: 06 6782541
LITHUANIA
Embassy: Piazza Farnese 44, Rome, Phone: 06 6865786
LUXEMBOURG
Embassy: Via Ardeatina 134, Rome, Phone: 06 5180885
Consulate: Via Toscana 1, Rome, Phone: 06 4882373
Piazza Sempione 4, Milan, Phone: 02 3319162
MALTA
Embassy: Lungotevere Marzio 12, Rome, Phone: 06 6892687/6879990
Consulate: Via Larga 7, Milan, Phone: 02 58305280
MONACO
Embassy: Via Bertoloni 36, Rome, Phone: 06 8077692
Consulate: Via Angelico 32, Rome, Phone: 06 37517257
NETHERLANDS
Embassy: Via Mercati 8, Rome, Phone: 06 3221141
Consulates: Via S. Vittore 45, Milan, Phone: 02 48011723
Via Depretis 114, Naples, Phone: 081 5513003
NORWAY
Embassy: Via Terme Deciane 79, Rome, 06 5755853
Consulates: Via Terme Deciane 79, Rome, Phone: 06 5755853
Piazza Castello 20, Milan, Phone: 02 801137
POLAND
Embassy: Via Rubens 20, Rome, Phone: 02 3224455/3224597
Consulate: Via Sporting Mirasole 2, Opera Milan, Phone: 02 57602241
PORTUGAL
Embassy: Via Pezzana 9, Rome, Phone: 06 8073801
Consulate: Via Vittor Pisani 31, Milan, Phone: 02 66985230
ROMANIA
Embassy: Via Tartaglia 36, Rome, Phone: 06 8078807/8084423
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Embassy: Via Gaeta 5, Rome, Phone: 06 4941649
Consulate: Via S. Aquilino 3, Milan, Phone: 02 48706041
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Embassy: Via Colli Farnesina 144, Rome, Phone: 06 36308617
Consulate: Via Morgagni 20, Milan, Phone: 02 29403051
SLOVENIA
Embassy: Via Pisano 10, Rome, Phone: 06 8081075
SPAIN
Embassy: Via Garibaldi 35, Rome, Phone: 06 5800144
Consulates: Via Campo Marzio 34, Rome, Phone: 06 6871401
Via Montenapoleone 10, Milan, Phone: 02 76013303
Via La Pira 21, Florence, Phone: 055 217110
Parco Margherita 23, Naples, Phone: 081 411157
SWEDEN
Embassy: Piazza Rio de Janeiro 3, Rome, Phone: 06 44231459
Consulate: Via Gonzaga 7, Milan, Phone: 02 8693688
SWITZERLAND
Embassy: Via Oriani 61, Rome, Phone: 06 8083641
Consulate: Via Palestro 2, Milan, Phone: 02 76009284
TURKEY
Embassy: Via Palestro 28, Rome, Phone: 06 4469932/4941526
Consulate: Via S. Barnaba 30, Milan, Phone: 02 5513370
UKRAINE
Embassy: Via Castelfidardo 50, Rome, Phone: 06 44700172
YUGOSLAVIA
Embassy: Via Monti Parioli 20, Rome, Phone: 06 3200805/3200897
Consulate: Via Pirandello 3, Milan, Phone: 02 4812019
Main Countries Outside Europe
ARGENTINA
Embassy: Piazza Esquilino 2, Rome, Phone: 06 4742551
Consulates: Piazzale Belle Arti 8, Rome, Phone: 06 3226909
Corso Venezia 9, Milan, Phone: 02 780454
BRAZIL
Embassy: Piazza Navona 14, Rome, Phone: 06 6838841
Consulates: Via S. Maria Anima 32, Rome, Phone: 06 6877891
Corso Europa 12, Milan, Phone: 02 780851
CANADA
Embassy: Via G.B. De Rossi 27, Rome, Phone: 06 445981
Consulate: Via Vittor Pisani 19, Milan, Phone: 02 6697451
JAPAN
Embassy: Via Sella 60, Rome, Phone: 06 4817151
Consulate: Via Turati 16/18, Milan, Phone: 02 29002316
SOUTH AFRICA
Embassy: Via Tanaro 14/16, Rome, Phone: 06 8419794
Consulate: Vicolo S. Giovanni sul Muro 4, Milan, Phone: 02 809036
USA
Embassy: Via V. Veneto 119/a, Roma, Phone: 06 46741
Consulates: Via Priv. Amedeo 2/10, Milan, Phone: 02 290351
Lungarno Vespucci 38, Florence, Phone: 055 2398276
Piazza Repubblica 2, Naples, Phone: 081 5838111
Via Vaccarini 1, Palermo, Phone: 091 307813
Public Holidays in Italy
Ist and 6th January
Easter Sunday and Monday
25th April (Liberation Day)
1st May
15th August
1st November
8th, 25th and 26th December
Feast days in the main cities:
Rome: 29th June (St. Peter)
Milan: 7th December (St. Ambrose)
Naples: 19th September (St. Gennaro)
Turin: 24th June (St. John)
Palermo: 11th July (St. Rosalia)
Genoa: 24th June (St. John)
Bologna: 4th October (St. Petronio)
Florence: 24th June (St. John)
Venice: 25th April (St. Mark).
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