What to pack for Italy in summer

Italy in summer means heat, cobblestones and dress codes. Pack a light scarf or shawl for churches, shoes with real soles, and a refillable bottle — the public fountains are drinkable and everywhere.

61 items · 7-day city break, hot and dry weather, with a checked bag · tick them off, print, or adjust the list to your trip below

Churches turn people away every day

St Peter's Basilica, the Duomo in Florence, and hundreds of smaller churches require covered shoulders and knees, and they employ people at the door specifically to enforce it. In 35°C heat you will not want to dress for it all day — so carry a light scarf or linen shawl in your bag and a pair of trousers or a longer skirt for any day with a cathedral on it. It weighs nothing and saves the queue you already stood in.

The cobblestones are the real terrain

Rome's sampietrini, Florence's flagstones, and Venice's bridges are unforgiving. Thin-soled fashion sneakers leave your feet aching by day three, and cheap suitcase wheels genuinely break. Pack shoes with a proper sole and, if you're moving between cities, a bag you're willing to carry up a staircase rather than drag.

Water is free; the fountains are safe

Rome's nasoni run continuously with cold, drinkable water, and most Italian cities have equivalents. A refillable bottle saves several euros a day and a lot of plastic. Restaurants charge for bottled water and it is normal to be asked whether you want it — 'acqua del rubinetto' is tap and is fine.

August is quieter than you expect, in the wrong way

Mid-August is when Italians take their own holidays. Cities empty, but so do the good restaurants and small shops — many close for two or three weeks. If you're going then, plan around it, and expect the heat to peak. Dress a shade smarter than you would at home: Italy notices, and the difference between beachwear and city clothes matters inland.

Packing List for International Travel: The Complete Checklist A copy-paste packing list for international travel: documents, carry-on essentials, the 5-4-3-2-1 clothing formula, tech, meds, and what to leave home.
How to Plan a Trip Step by Step: A Complete 9-Step Guide Learn how to plan a trip step by step — pick dates, set a budget, book transport, build an itinerary, pack, and track spending in one simple system.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dress code for churches in Italy?

Shoulders and knees covered, for men and women alike. Major churches turn people away over it every day, including at St Peter's and the Duomo. A light scarf or linen shawl in a day bag weighs nothing and solves it at the door, which is easier than planning every outfit around it.

Can you drink the tap water in Italy?

Yes, and in Rome you can drink from the street. The nasoni drinking fountains run cold, free and potable all day across the city, and most Italian towns have equivalents. A refillable bottle saves both money and the walk to find a shop in August heat.

Is August a good time to visit Italy?

It is the hottest and, in the cities, quieter than you would expect — but in the wrong way. Many independent restaurants and shops close for weeks around Ferragosto while their owners take their own holidays, so the streets are emptier and so is the list of places actually open. Check opening hours for anything specific you are travelling for.

Each one is a full list with advice specific to that trip — and the generator underneath it, so you can adjust it to yours.

What to pack for Italy in summer

Churches turn people away every day

The cobblestones are the real terrain

Water is free; the fountains are safe

August is quieter than you expect, in the wrong way

Your list