First-time Visitor Tips

15 things I wish I had known before my first trip to Italy:

1. Cappuccino only in the morning. Italians drink cappuccino exclusively for breakfast. After 11 a.m., order espresso (caffè) or caffè macchiato. No one will stop you, but the barista's looks speak volumes.
2. Coperto is not a scam. The cover charge of 1.50–3 € per person is listed on the bill and is completely normal. You get bread and grissini for it. In tourist areas, it can be higher — check the menu.
3. ZTL zones are money traps. Many historic city centers (Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Siena) have access restrictions (Zona Traffico Limitato). Cameras capture every license plate. The fine: 80–100 € per entry. Check BEFOREHAND if your hotel can issue a ZTL permit.
4. Know museum days. On the first Sunday of the month, entry to state museums is free — it sounds great, but the lines are endless. Better: Visit during the week with online tickets.
5. Pranzo (lunch) is the better dinner. Many restaurants offer a discounted menu at lunchtime. The quality is the same, prices are 30–40% lower, and it's easier to get a table.
6. Beware of tourist traps. Restaurants with callers on the street, menus in 10 languages, and pictures of food are almost always bad and expensive. Two streets away, you'll find the trattoria where the locals eat.
7. Strikes are commonplace. Italy's unions strike regularly — trains, buses, flights, sometimes even museums. Strikes are announced 10 days in advance. Check the transport companies' websites before traveling.
8. Siesta is real. Between 1 and 4 p.m., many shops, churches, and smaller restaurants close. Plan accordingly — or do as the Italians do and take a nap.
9. Tipping is optional. Service is included in the price (servizio incluso). If you're satisfied, round up or leave 1–2 € on the table. 10–15% like in the USA is not customary and can be confusing.
10. The trains are better than their reputation. Trenitalia and Italo connect the major cities quickly and comfortably (Rome–Florence in 1:30h, Rome–Naples in 1:10h, Rome–Milan in 2:50h). Early-bird tickets are unbeatable cheap (from 9.90 €).
11. Tap water is free and good. In restaurants, you can order "acqua del rubinetto" — tap water. It is drinkable and free. Most waiters will still try to sell you mineral water (acqua minerale). Politely insist on tap water if you want to save money.
12. Many things are closed on Sundays. Especially in smaller towns and the countryside, shops, supermarkets, and many restaurants are closed on Sundays. Less of a problem in tourist areas, but plan ahead.
13. Dress code in churches. Knees and shoulders must be covered — in all churches, not just in the Vatican. Always carry a light scarf or long pants, even in the height of summer.
14. The "Italian quarter-hour" really exists. Punctuality is seen more loosely in Italy than in Germany. Appointments, buses, and restaurant openings can have a 10–20 minute leeway. Relax — you're in Italy.
15. Take less than you think. Italy's cobblestones are the natural enemy of rolling suitcases. A backpack or a light travel bag is worth its weight in gold in the old towns of Rome, Venice, and the Cinque Terre.