The Ultimate Italy Packing List: Must-haves for Each Season!

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A woman in a red dress and hat walks down a narrow street with a rolling suitcase and a backpack.

Not sure what you need for your Italian adventures? Then hop on and check this post with the ultimate Italy packing list!

I absolutely adore Italy, but not having the right clothes and accessories can detract from all the country has to offer (been there, done that)!

Since I’ve visited Italy a couple of times now, I know the dos and don’ts when it comes to packing! I’ve included some tips in this post plus a list of items that I’ve categorized by season.

Let’s check it out!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Whether you’re spending 3 days in Rome or a week in Venice, here are a couple of things that you might need, when visiting Italy:

Sun screen
Sunglasses
Umbrella
Sun hat

So we’ll first start with clothes and shoes! I wanted to categorize everything so that you can easily browse through and see what you need for the specific season when you’re visiting Italy.

Below you’ll find a general list, for the whole year and then specific items you’ll want for each season.

Year Round

A person wearing a hat and casual clothes walks across a large plaza with a historic building and a tower in the background. The area is populated with other people.

Comfortable shoes – no matter the season, you need a pair of comfy shoes because you’ll do a lot of walking! Be it sneakers, hiking shoes, super comfy sandals or boots
Tops – whether it’s T-shirts, blouses, sweaters, or all, these are must-haves while visiting Italy
Jeans/trousers – classics that you’ll definitely need while in Italy, bring some thicker pairs if you’re visiting in winter or autumn, and a few light pairs for spring or summer vacation
Dresses – I’d recommend having one or 2 dresses, maybe one that’s more casual and one that’s more elegant.
Skirts – a skirt is great as you can mix and match it with blouses and jumpers. They also work for fall and spring, as you can always pair them with stockings to keep your legs warm
Jacket/ trench coat – during spring, autumn, winter and maybe even early summer you’ll probably need a jacket, either light or thick that you can wear on top in case it gets chilly, I’d pick something that works with both elegant and casual clothes so you can style it however you want

Summer

A woman in a yellow dress and wide-brimmed hat sits on a ledge overlooking a coastal town with mountains in the background.

Italian Summers can range from 23 °C to 35 °C during June to August. The lower temperatures usually apply to the Northern part of the country like Venice while the higher ones are for places in the South like the Puglia region.

If you’re heading to the North, you can definitely expect some rainy days, but nothing too serious, and definitely not as often as you’d expect them during winter.

When it comes to wind, the more you head down the coast, in places like Cinque Terre the windier it will get, but in the summer it’s a really nice breeze that you’ll probably love!

T-shirts, tank tops & summer shirts– bring a few, preferably a cotton or linen or cotton shirt so that your skin can breathe especially during those warm summer days – it gets so hot, you’ll feel like throwing ice all over you
Dresses – flowy dresses are the best option during summer in Italy. As I mentioned previously, I’d suggest you bring one that’s more casual and one that’s more elegant. Personally, I love this dress style, it’s perfect for a gondola ride in Venice or a food tour in Rome
Linen Trousers – not only are they super comfortable, but you can style them with pretty much anything to create a casual outfit or an elegant one that you can wear at a fancy restaurant in Florence
Shorts – can you even do summer without shorts? They are perfect for an island holiday, in places like Sardinia. I’d choose either denim or linen as they are super practical and can be mixed and matched with pretty much anything
Skirts – short or long, skirts are great for super hot days, when you’re strolling around a city in the South like Lecce (where it’s so hot during summer) plus they look stunning in photographs
Kimonos – if you’re heading to the beach, you’ll definitely want a kimono, but they’re also great to wear on the street for extra sun protection (and of course they look super chic)

The writer of the post in a straw hat and floral dress stands on a balcony overlooking Lake Como, framed by lush green hills and a clear blue sky.

Swimming costume – I’d bring a few pairs of swimsuits if you’re headed to a beach destination like Sicily, or even if you’re heading to the city, I’d still suggest bringing one, especially if you want to take day trips (or if your hotel has a pool).
Light sweater – at night it can get chilly, even if it’s summer, especially if you’re traveling somewhere in the North like Verona, so bring a light sweater or cardigan that you can fold in your bag
Raincoat – there are rainy summers in Italy, again mostly in the North in places like Venice so bring a light raincoat that you can carry in your bag, just in case it starts pouring as you’re exploring the city
Rain boots – along with the raincoat, bring some rain boots but again, only if you’re heading up in the Northern part in the country, otherwise you won’t need these for places in the central or Southern part of Italy, like Matera
Flip flops – if you’re headed somewhere like Capri Island and planning to spend time at the beach, definitely bring a pair of flip flops as you’ll definitely wear them a lot, for additional items you’ll need for the beach, check out our beach packing list
Sandals – I’d recommend getting super comfortable sandals so you can walk around in them without getting blisters (trust me on this, you do a lot of walking in Italy) no matter if you’re on an island like Ischia or big city like Naples

Winter

A woman in a tan coat and fur hat takes a selfie in front of a large, ornate cathedral with pointed spires.

The winter average temperatures in Italy vary from 6 °C (in the Northern areas) to 11–14 °C (in the Southern parts of the country and the islands), during December to February.

So definitely bring thicker clothes if you’re headed to the North, in places like Milan. I highly recommend layering, as although it will be cold outside, once you go to a museum or restaurant, the places will have heating and you’ll want to take whatever you’re wearing off.

Sweaters – you’ll mostly wear sweaters so definitely pack a few depending on how long you’re staying, maybe get some that are more casual and some that are more elegant and can wear to a fancy dinner and to take some nice pics
Wool Jumper – I’d bring 1 or 2 wool jumpers, especially if you’re visiting the Northern part of Italy like Lake Como or Padua where it can get colder than other parts of the country
Blouses – bring some stylish blouses that you can wear underneath the thicker sweaters or jumpers for layering, as I mentioned earlier
Thick socks – I’d recommend packing some warm winter socks to make sure your feet don’t get too cold, there’s nothing worse than feeling like your toes are frozen
Thermal vest – I mentioned how important layering is and this all starts with a good thermal vest, especially for super cold days when you want to walk around the streets
Boots – for me these are an essential, I highly recommend getting some super comfortable boots that you can walk in for hours
Coat or Puffer Winter Jacket – to be honest I usually pack both if I’m going on a longer trip, because I know I’ll have some casual outfits that I can wear with the puffer winter jacket and some elegant ones, but I this will depend on what you prefer

Spring

A person with a backpack and hat sits on a stone wall by the water, arms raised. Boats and houses are seen in the background, with mountains in the distance under a bright sky.

As in most parts of Europe, Spring temperatures in Italy can change a lot! Usually, it fluctuates somewhere between 5°C and 25°C, during March to May.

If you’re traveling during the early part of Spring season you can expect some minor snowfall in the Northern part of the country or rain, especially in places like Trento. But usually by the end of Spring, temperatures are super pleasant.

I visited the central part of Italy (Tuscany) in May and the weather was amazing! Not too hot, nor too cold, and I wore pretty much anything from dresses to jeans and skirts.

Light Sweaters – bring some sweaters that you use for layering as the weather changes a lot during spring-time
Shirts, T-shirts & Blouses – I always bring a few of these during the colder seasons as I can layer my shirts with blouses if it’s too cold or just wear them without anything else if the weather is pleasant
Dresses – bring some dresses that you can wear with a jacket and stockings if it’s cold or even with a sweater over the dress
Skirts – since the weather changes a lot, skirts are great as you can always slip on a sweater and some stockings to warm up the outfit while still maintaining an elegant style that will look fab when taking pics on the stunning streets of Siena
Jacket or trench coat – in my opinion, this is the best trench coat for Italy, not only is it stylish (perfect to wear to a restaurant on the Amalfi Coast), but also water resistant and it has a hood (just in case you get caught in the rain), plus you can wear it with a sweater underneath and just take it off when it gets sunny and warm
Flats – I personally think ballet flats are the perfect option as they work with elegant and casual outfits (and they’re comfy so you can wear them even on the days when you have to walk for hours to explore places like Positano)

Fall

Woman in a brown jacket looking through a public telescope, overlooking a cityscape with blurred historic buildings and mountains in the background.

During Autumn, you can expect something between 5°C to 15°C from September to November. Usually, September can get hotter than that with temperatures reaching 20°C or even a bit higher in the Southern parts of the country like Gallipoli or on the islands.

T-shirts, blouses & sweaters – I always bring a few of these when I travel in Autumn, just because I can mix them with a jacket over or just wear them on their own if it’s not too hot. I also make sure to have some casual ones and ones that are more elegant and can be worn with skirts
Dresses – I’d pack a thick dress, especially if you’re traveling at the end of autumn as you can wear it with stockings and a nice pair of autumn boots and a jacket over and you’ve got the perfect outfit for exploring the museums in Bologna
Skirts – I always bring a skirt or 2 that is casual or more elegant and that I can wear with stockings just like the dress I mentioned and boots, if it’s too warm you can just skip the stocking and bring a jacket to have in case it gets windy
Boots – there are chances it will rain, especially if you’re traveling in the North to places like Pavia, so if you’re visiting that part of the country I’d bring a pair
Raincoat – Italy can get rainy in fall, so don’t forget a raincoat that you can fold in your bag and carry it around

2. Accessories

A woman in a yellow top and hat takes a selfie in front of a large, ornate building with spires on a sunny day.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who sometimes forgets to pack accessories, right? Check out the list below to find all the accessories you’ll need when visiting Italy.

Sunglasses

Can you even leave the house without sunglasses while in Italy during the summer? But they’re not just great in summer.

In my opinion, they are seasonless, as there are sunny days no matter the season in Italy (and they look super cute in photos)

Scarf

Pack something light for the warm seasons or thicker for the colder seasons. I love silk and linen scarves during summer and spring as they can really protect you from the sun during the day and at night you can prop them on your shoulders if it’s chilly.

In winter, you’ll definitely need to bring a wool or cotton scarf that can keep you warm on the cold, windy days

Headwear

In Spring and Summer, avoid headaches and wear a hat while at the beach or even as you explore the city. I personally love wide-brim hats, but you can’t go wrong with a cap either.

In the colder seasons, you’ll definitely want a thick beanie, maybe even 2 if you have the space.

A person stands in a narrow, rustic alleyway lined with plants, holding a map and looking at the surrounding buildings.

Gloves

I hate it when my hands get cold, which means gloves are an absolute must. I’d suggest packing wool or leather gloves, perfect for the super cold days. If you need to use your phone a lot, you can get smartphone gloves or fingerless gloves/ mittens.

A backpack/bag/fannypack

When exploring the streets of Italy, you’ll need something to keep all your stuff in. The type of bag you get depends on what you prefer.

You can’t go wrong with a simple tote bag, but a fanny pack is also super functional. Otherwise, you can opt for something bigger like a backpack.

Jewelry

When it comes to jewelry it really depends on what you prefer! I personally like things that you can wear with pretty much anything.

Like semi-precious stone bracelets, silver necklaces with a pendant (or gold if you prefer). I’m not a watch fan but I think they can look really good, especially if it’s a classy one maybe with leather straps.

3. Necessities

A woman sits on a bed looking at her phone, with an open notebook in her lap. An open suitcase and various personal items are spread out on the bed.

To help you as much as I can when packing for your Italy trip, I’ve made this short list of necessary things that you should have in your bag:

Toiletries – travel-size shampoo, shower gel and tooth-paste are super handy and can fit easily in bags
Sunscreen – you’ll definitely need this during summer, maybe even late spring or early autumn as the sun is pretty strong during that time too
Wet wipes – super useful, I always bring a big pack or smaller ones that I can carry around when I go out
Make-up – I usually bring basic things, nothing that occupies too much space
Slippers or flip flops for the accommodation – usually you get these at the hotels but not always, so I just bring a pair just in case

Woman in a red dress and straw hat sits at a table in a lavender field, holding an open book. A wine bottle, glass, and lavender bouquet are on the table. She gazes upward, smiling.

I got you until the end of this packing process! Double check if you’ve already packed these things that you might want or need. If not then quickly add them too:

Books/Kindle – a book or 2 might do, or if you hate carrying them around then I’d recommend a Kindle
Travel water bottle – stay hydrated and also protect the environment by bringing your own bottle
Neck pillow – if you love sleeping on the plane then definitely get a neck pillow
Ear plugs – you never know when you might need ear plugs so definitely pack some just in case
Eye mask – again, if you love sleeping on the plane or if you like total darkness in the room then get an eye mask
Small umbrella – if you’re traveling to Italy during spring or autumn I’d definitely get a small travel umbrella

Quick tips for packing for Italy

A woman with a brown backpack and a straw hat stands on a rocky overlook, viewing a seaside village on a cliff with boats in the blue water below.

Here are some tips that can help you avoid overpacking or bringing lots of unnecessary things.

These are just a few tips, if you feel you definitely need help with this, check out our post with the best travel packing tips to avoid overpacking, it will definitely help you:

Leave some extra space for souvenirs
Weigh your bag before you leave
Pack different styles (elegant, casual, sporty)
Bring layers (these can save you during that time in-between seasons when the weather changes constantly)
Use packing cubes