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Are you headed to Italy for a fabulous vacation? Stop wondering what Italy travel essentials to pack – I got you!!
We’ve just returned from a dazzling month-long escapade in Italy – an adventure that was nothing short of extraordinary. Our love for exploring this enchanting country grows with each visit.
Each time we return, I find myself rethinking and refining my packing list, bringing along various items and essentials I deem crucial for navigating the Italian landscapes.
Today, I’m thrilled to spill the beans on my Italy travel essentials – those game-changers that promise to streamline your journey, ensuring it’s as smooth and seamless as a Vespa ride down the cobbled streets of Rome (one thing we still have not done). Call it flawless, effortless, or simply savvy traveling – here’s the inside scoop!
Table of Contents
Discover My Top 18 Italy Travel Essentials: Your Ultimate Packing Guide
Here I share the tech stuff that helped me all over Italy and I hope these Italy travel essentials help you too.
1. The Clutch Charger: An Italy Travel Essential
The top accessory that I carry is actually used for my iPhone because, without my phone, I would be limited in what I could do (work, navigation, etc.). I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s the truth and most people are like me.
So to keep this thing powered and alive, I carried a sweet little thing called CLUTCH. Effortless attaches to the magnetized ring on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It also fits other iPhones like the iPhone 13 (white clutch.
You need to order the right one as the ‘c’ or ‘a’ pin on the phone is what you need to make this work. I managed one full recharge per charged Clutch session. What size is it? About 3 or 4 credit cards thick stacked, so SUPER thin.
Clutch magnetizes to the back of the phone it’s like I’m carrying nothing but at the same time, I’m charging my phone! After so many videos and photos each day, my battery was discharging faster than usual, so this was my LIFESAVER, plus the PINK is something I love!
2. Multi-functional Charging Accessory
This 3-round pad magnetic charging station (3 in 1 charging station) was the perfect solution for our end-of-day charging needs. While the Clutch charger replenished its power overnight, this nifty device simultaneously charged my phone, AirPods, and watch. I even got a second one in black for my husband.
The charger’s design is impressively compact, folding up neatly into the palm of my hand, and its super-thin profile adds to its convenience. I found it incredibly useful on the train, allowing me to keep the Clutch ready for active touring days. It also proved handy in the car during our travels. And if you’re wondering – no, it didn’t get hot at all!
3. Power Strips: Italy Travel Essentials YOU Need
A power strip is a must-have, especially when many hotels, even in Italy, offer only one or two electrical outlets. This can create quite a hassle, particularly if you’re traveling with your spouse, partner, or friends, and everyone needs to charge their devices and their charging devices, and cameras, laptops, whatever.
To navigate around this, we brought along a power strip. It proved to be an absolute lifesaver. All we had to do was connect it to a power adapter, and then we had plenty of charging ports for everyone’s gadgets. It worked like a charm!
4. Foldable Power Adapters Are Other Mandatory Italy Travel Essentials
This leads me to the foldable prong power adapters for Italy, a true game-changer. Honestly, I can’t fathom why anyone would design a power adapter without retractable prongs. The last thing you want is for those exposed prongs to get damaged as they jostle around in your luggage, potentially breaking. These foldable adapters were not just practical; they were a travel essential.
Whenever we moved locations, I simply folded down the prongs and neatly tucked the adapters into a spare pair of shoes or cushioned them within our laundry. They were a breeze to pack and kept our tech gear secure and organized throughout our Italian journey.
Italy Travel Essentials: Personal Care Items
These helpful items will make your personal care moments much easier. While Italy has a lot of nice things, a few comforts from home should be packed as part of your Italy travel essentials as you will find that you will need them!
5. Flushable Wipes (The Italy Travel Essentials You Didn’t See Coming)
If you have not read my article bathrooms around Italy you need to. Further, just because you find a bathroom doesn’t mean you’re going to find toilet paper and just because you have wipes doesn’t mean you’re gonna find a bathroom so you can figure out where I’m going with this! Having a set of flushable wipes is mandatory and you’re welcome ahead of time.
6. Toilet Paper: A Handy Italy Travel Essential
This tip might sound a bit familiar, but trust me, it’s a lifesaver. I always pack a roll of toilet paper, minus the cardboard core, squashed flat for easy storage. This little travel hack has become a staple in my Italy packing list.
I tuck it into the pockets of our raincoats or whatever we’re wearing for the day. You’d be surprised how often you’ll find yourself in a restroom in Italy sans toilet paper. A bit of an overshare, I know, but this is one of those real-deal travel insights that’s too crucial not to share!
7. Shampoo and Conditioner
This may sound like a crazy person writing this, but I’ll promise you I’m not most of the hotels we stayed in did not provide this, and we were staying in very nice hotels. I found more in an Airbnb as far as amenities than I did in a hotel. Kind of funny. If you use shampoo and conditioner, you’ll want to bring it with you even if you use small travel containers, you want it with you.
8. No-Poo Smell Spray (Mandatory Italy Travel Essentials)
Alright, it’s time to dive into some personal territory, but for a darn good reason. Picture this: You’re in Italy, indulging in all that delectable cuisine dripping in olive oil, pasta, and gelato and savoring every bite. But here’s a heads-up – a lot of bathrooms in Italy, whether you’re in a swanky hotel or a quaint Airbnb, lack exhaust fans. Yep, I discovered that about 90% of them are fan-less. And, you know, what goes in must eventually come out (thanks, delicious Italian food!).
Now, here’s my cheeky yet practical tip: carry a travel-sized bottle of no-poo smell spray. This isn’t just about being courteous to the next person in line – I’m talking about saving your loved ones from those, let’s say, ‘fragrant’ reminders of your culinary adventures.
This tiny bottle is a real game-changer. It takes virtually no space in your bag, but trust me, it leaves a significant impact – making your bathroom visits totally odor-free, even in fan-less situations. Your partner, husband, family, and friends will be silently thanking you, and hey, it’s just another way to spread a little love in the land of pasta and romance!
Practical Travel Gear for the Italian Outdoors
9. Rainproof Tennis Shoes
If you’ve ever found yourself in Italy during the rainy season, you know just how quickly a gentle rain can transform into a torrential downpour. The charming cobblestone streets, while picturesque, are notorious for trapping pools of water, as do the sidewalks and roads.
This usually means one thing: soggy, wet feet. But, here’s a brilliant solution we discovered – waterproof tennis shoes. These shoes were a travel revelation! Lightweight, and comfortable, and they kept our feet perfectly dry amidst the deluge. And guess what? Men’s waterproof shoes <<<<
You can wipe them off upon returning home, and your waterproof shoes will be their own dazzling selves again. Investing in these shoes was, without a doubt, one of the smartest travel decisions we’ve made.
10. Packable Raincoat: One Of The Italy Travel Essential Must-Haves
Ah, the packable raincoat – it’s as straightforward as it sounds, but oh so essential. Imagine a raincoat that ingeniously folds into its own pocket or comes with a tiny pouch, making it a compact travel buddy.
It’s incredibly flat, feather-light, and becomes an absolute lifesaver when those Italian skies open up. My pro tip? Choose one that’s a size up. This way, you can effortlessly slip it over your sling bag to keep it dry. Now, let’s talk umbrellas. Sure, they’re popular, but trust me, they’re walking hazards.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve narrowly escaped an eye-poking! A raincoat is the way to go. It’s lighter, easy to pack, and let’s face it, juggling an umbrella can be a bit of a hassle. Remember, Italy’s rainy season isn’t a drizzle fest – we’re talking February and March downpours. Be prepared, be practical, and embrace the rain in style!
11. Earplugs for Peaceful Sleep
For all you sleep enthusiasts out there, and let’s face it, who isn’t after a day of exploring, earplugs are an absolute must. Even in some of the most luxurious hotels we stayed at in Italy, the walls were surprisingly thin.
It didn’t matter if we were in a modern hotel or one carved into the caves; soundproofing was often not up to par. Trust me, a simple pair of earplugs can be a game-changer.
They help you drift into that much-needed peaceful slumber, regardless of your surroundings. Whether it’s street noise or just the usual hotel bustle, earplugs ensure that your precious sleep isn’t compromised.
Italy Travel Essentials: Security and Convenience on the Go
These Italy travel essentials will all help you carry your belongings with ease!
12. Italy Travel Essentials: Small Sling Bag
A Gender Neutral sling bag to carry with ease. Here’s my husband’s sling bag, and here is my sling bag. (and a carabiner too)
A small sling bag. Simply put in Italy you don’t want to have to worry about anything, especially pickpocketing. We had our incident with pickpocketers on the Metro by the Colosseum. They did not touch my husband’s sling bag, but they went for his pockets and he beat a set of three off, and the people on the metro were quite proud of him with a clap.
If you carry a sling bag, make sure that it has a reversible sling so if you were carrying it over your right shoulder for several days, you might want to switch that off to the left front shoulder. Make sure that you can do that mini sling bags don’t have that option my favorite sling bag is this one and you will see it and almost every single picture that we took on the inside of this.
There was a zipper pocket inside that zipper pocket it was an RF ID protector so inside there was my passport but it got better. There are three credit card holders perfect for using my credit card when somebody didn’t have Apple Pay I had to take out the credit cards credit cards.
The exterior has a front zipper for your phone. The back has another zipper closest to your body. If you wanted to you could put the passport there, but for the RFID unless your passport is in an RFID holder, I suggest putting it in the interior pocket.
13. Carabiner: Italy Travel Essentials
Always have a carabiner on hand. This nifty little tool is an unsung hero in the world of travel accessories. It’s the perfect solution for those moments when you need to attach something like keys, a water bottle, or even shopping bags, but don’t have an obvious place to hook them.
Its versatility goes beyond just being a keychain; you can clip it to your bag, belt loop, or backpack for easy access. Plus, it can be a lifesaver when you’re juggling multiple items and need an extra hand.
Whether you’re navigating through busy markets, going for a hike, or simply needing to secure your belongings in a crowded space, the carabiner is your go-to gadget. It’s all about making life on the go simpler and more organized, one clip at a time!
14. RFID Protection: Mandatory Italy Travel Essentials
It’s crucial to carry an RFID Passport Holder or Wallet. Why, you ask? Simple – to protect your passport number and credit card information from being scanned without your knowledge. Yes, this kind of digital pickpocketing is a real thing, and it’s happening more often than you might think.
I even have a friend who’s a TSA agent, and they’ve confirmed this isn’t just an urban legend. So, investing in an RFID-blocking wallet or pouch isn’t just being overly cautious; it’s smart travel-savvy. It’s one of those small steps that can make a huge difference in keeping your personal information safe while you’re enjoying your travels.
15. Passport Copies Are Italy Travel Essentials
Always carry either your passport or a copy. But… If you are going shopping, you will need your passport not a copy. and if you’re spending $150 or more in any store, VAT tax that you can get back through Global Blue which I wrote about in my Louis Vuitton shopping guide as it will require a passport for that purchase.
Miscellaneous Italy Travel Essentials for a Hassle-Free Experience
These are the Italy travel essentials that will help you with your clothes and going to the bathroom (WC) when you are out!
16. Portable Hangers Are Italy Travel Essentials (No Dryers)
We also packed four portable hangers each – an absolute necessity. Here’s why: when you’re doing laundry in Italy, especially at Airbnbs or smaller accommodations, you’ll often find that dryers are a rarity.
And towel warmers? Not always there. So, how do you get your freshly washed clothes dry? That’s where these handy portable hangers come in. You might be surprised to learn that not every place provides hangers.
We found these collapsible hangers to be lifesavers, allowing us to air-dry our clothes efficiently. Hanging your clothes to let the air circulate through them is essential for drying, especially if you’re constantly on the move and need your clothes ready to go. It might sound a bit primitive, but it’s all part of the adventure and practicality of travel!
17. Euros: Italy Travel Essentials (If you want to use the toilet)
It’s wise to always carry some small change in euros with you – like 2 euros, 1 euro, and even 50 euro cents. Here’s the deal: when you’re out and about in Italy and need to use a public restroom, you’ll often find there’s a fee.
These fees typically range from 1 euro to 1.50 euros, and sometimes even up to 2 euros. However, if you’re in a bar or restaurant, you might be able to use their facilities for free.
But when you’re roaming the charming streets and immersing yourself in Italian life, having these coins can be incredibly convenient. Trust me, being prepared with the right change can really smooth out your day-to-day adventures.
18. Ziploc Bags: Multi-Use Italy Travel Essentials
Always carry a larger gallon plastic zipper bag, a quart plastic zipper bag, or even a 2-gallon Zipper plastic bag, if you go swimming and have a wet bathing suit, it’s easy to transport quickly for the next day.
If you have dirty clothes, you can easily smash them in there, keeping them separated from the clean clothes you get the idea here.
19. Level 8 Luggage Set: Absolute Italy Travel Essentials
My all-time favorite luggage, which I’ve dubbed my travel beast, is the Level 8 in sleek black and gold. For those who haven’t seen it, check out my Facebook post for a glimpse.
The LEVEL 8 suitcases are the epitome of travel workhorses; they handle cobblestone streets as if they were born for them, rolling and gliding with such ease. And this isn’t just an offhand remark – I’m genuinely impressed.
We invested in the whole set (26″ 30″ 20″), and I’ve never been more satisfied with a luggage choice. It’s a traveler’s dream.
So, what makes it stand out? First off, the built-in TSA locks – talk about convenience. Then there’s the design: you get two distinct compartments. One side even boasts a waterproof pouch, which is super handy. The other side? A zippered pouch that’s perfect for stowing toiletries and other flat items.
Even my packable raincoat fit in there seamlessly. The versatility doesn’t stop there; the luggage features a telescopic handle along with two regular handles – one on the tall side and one on the wider side. This makes grabbing and maneuvering it a breeze, no matter the angle or hurry.
The zippers glide effortlessly, and the packing space is simply incredible. I managed to pack 3 and a half days’ worth of winter clothing, and there was room for more.
In summary, the Leve l8 isn’t just luggage; it’s a reliable travel partner that beautifully complements the rhythm of on-the-go adventures.
19 Italy Travel Essentials To Use Over and Over Again
For everyone reading this, I am hoping this will help you organize your packing, and bring with you what you need, not what you don’t! After spending a month there this time and a few other trips there as well, I am confident these items will get you through almost any day!
Did I miss anything? If you have other ideas, feel free to leave a comment below to help our travel community with their packing efforts on their trips to Italy! ~ DANA XO
