Visiting Italy in July: Surprises, Tips, and Packing Advice for Families

Planning a trip to Italy with kids might seem overwhelming, but with the right tips, it can be an unforgettable experience. From the blazing July heat to the surprises we encountered along the way, we navigated the journey with a few tricks up our sleeves. I am highlighting below what worked for us, what we could have done differently, and essential packing tips to help your family adventure go smoothly. From incredible sights to delicious food, we made sure to squeeze in as much as possible. If you're curious about our full 14-day itinerary, it is a whirlwind, but we did it with our family with four kids ages 7, 9, 12, and 13 with both parents in tow.

Planning When and Where to Go in Italy

1. Best times to go to Italy are in May and August, basically when it's inconvenient for families with kids in school. Just know you'll need to plan around this.
2. I would recommend a two week vacation in Italy, starting either in Rome or Venice (highly recommend Rome). Do not skip Cinque Terre.
3. End of July and early August are the HOTTEST months, which is the only time we had to go. Its not unbearable, but it is definitely something you need to prepare for.
4. August and September you risk getting a downpour in Venice and slugging in water.
5. Plan out the cities you want to go to and the accommodations. I would recommend ending your vacation in Venice so that you can leave aboard the water taxi.

Packing Tips for Italy

Packing smart can make all the difference in how smoothly your trip goes. Bringing the right items and leaving unnecessary things at home will save space and headaches.

1. Keep roller bags at home. Seriously, the cobblestones will break your wheels. Reason: there are stairs when you least expect it (generally when we were tired).
2. Do all carry on, which means kids will need to carry their own backpacks. This forces everyone to pack light and only bring the necessities. This is the bag I had, this is the bag my husband had.
3. Comfortable shoes were a lifesaver for all the walking. Bring two for the kids so they can switch out of them.
4. Extra socks and undies were essential for dealing with the heat if you are going to be sweating a lot.
5. I would not recommend buying electronic neck fans, they are too heavy. I wish we would have left it at home.
6. Do bring cooling towels because they are light weight.
7. Sandals we would have also kept at home—sneakers were perfect.
8. Pack a foldable carry-on for souvenirs.
9. Bring travel laundry detergent if staying at rentals.
10. Bring what's comfortable, ignore the fancy clothes people recommend bringing or "not looking like a tourist" - everyone is a tourist pretty much.

Currency Exchanges in Italy

1. We didn't experience a lot of pick pocketers, but were prepared. This was is the PacSafe crossbody bag I used and what my husband used, both would recommend. I wouldn't recommend the under clothes one, just be vigilant.
2. Avoid change exchange places. I traded 120 USD and only got back 73.15 in Euros. It's outrageous. Your US banks will exchange and send it to your home for a smaller amount.
3. We brought 800 Euros. I think 1000 Euros is what we'd bring if we had to do it all over again. This was mainly for souvenirs.
4. Bring a few Euro coins per person for public bathrooms.

Accommodations

Italy in July can be incredibly hot, and how well your accommodation handles the heat is important. Knowing a few details about the places you stay can help you plan ahead and stay comfortable.

1. VRBOs in Florence, Lucca, and Venice were perfect for families with three or more kids. Check out the exact places we stayed here.
2. July heat is intense—AC in rentals worked better than luxury hotels (like Intercontinental and Aleph Hilton Curio Collection).
3. That said, you risk setting off the breaker if you have AC cranked up and also do laundry at the same time in many of these old VRBOs and AirBnBs, so be careful when doing laundry!
4. Be ready with cash for city taxes for the rentals, as it’s required by law.

Jet Lag and Check-in Times

Jet lag is a challenge, especially with kids. Many hotels have late check-in times, so it's helpful to book an extra night if you’re arriving early in the morning.

1. Jet lag hit hard, especially for my husband more so than kids.
2. Hotel check-ins usually aren’t until 4 PM—book an extra night if arriving early. Intercontinental has a 4pm checkout for their Ambassador program, if you are willing to overpay for a hotel the night before so you have 4pm checkout, this is definitely an option.
3. Some hotels allow early check-in, but it’s rare in tourist-heavy areas.

Food and Dining

Food is a major part of the Italian experience, but there are some surprises. From fewer ice options to regional specialties, knowing what to expect can help you enjoy your meals more.

1. Ice is rare, and there’s no Diet Coke!
2. Florence’s La Buchetta is perfect for Florentine Steak, and Osteria Pastella for Cheese Wheel Pasta.
3. Gelato was consistently good everywhere, just avoid the ones with a high mound of gelato. Real gelato is in tins.
4. Pizza Florida had a pizza topped with potatoes - don't knock it until you try it.
5. We are glad we took a cooking class (see our review of Extra Virgin Cooking Class) that allowed us to visit Montecatini Terme and get coffee at Pasticceria Giovannini.
6. Best pistachio croissant was in Venice at Al Parlamento (everywhere else was the same, seemingly shipped in from the same maker).
7. Tipping is not a common thing, a few Euros is fine.

Drinks

Italian sodas are unique, and some might surprise you. Understanding regional drink preferences will help you know what to order and what to skip.

1. Wine was prevalent everywhere. We don't drink, so no tips on that front.
2. Ask for non-sparkling water or else you risk getting a carbonated water.
3. Limonata wasn’t great, but Tuscan cola was like a blend of Dr. Pepper and Coke.
4. Bring a light weight water bottle (collapsible) to take around everywhere. A plus of a karabiner could be used.

Excursions and Activities

Italy offers a wide range of family-friendly activities. From historical sites to unique hands-on experiences, planning excursions in advance can make your trip more enjoyable.

1. Golf cart tours on the first day in Rome and Florence is an incredible way to get a lay of the land.
2. Florence - Riccardo Luci’s marbled paper class was a hit with the kids.
3. Early morning visits to the David (Florence) and Sistine Chapel (Rome) helped us avoid crowds.
4. Cinque Terre - Monterosso cliff diving was a thrill for older kids.
5. Corniglia - Steps into the city is no joke, you will be sweating. Not sure if the ice cream was worth that entire climb.
6. Early morning visits in Rome - Colosseum and Sistine Chapel morning is a must!
7. We didn't do gondola rides and have no regrets like I thought I would prior to the trip. The water taxi to the airport more than made up for it.
8. Venice markets were awesome.
9. Cinque Terre was the most favorite part of our itinerary.

Walking and Hiking

Walking is a huge part of the Italy experience, and hiking along the coast can offer incredible views. Comfortable shoes are a must for both city exploration and nature walks.

1. Walking long distances daily is unavoidable—you’ll definitely hit your step goals! We had on average 20,000 steps per day (for an adult).
2. The Monterosso to Vernazza hike had stunning views.
3. City walking tours are a great way to see Florence and Venice.

Transportation

Italy’s trains and water taxis make getting around easy and scenic. Knowing the basics can help you make the most of the public transportation system.

1. Do not book trains through third party apps - book directly with Trenitalia and Italo. But do use third party apps like TrainLine to look at stops.
2. Conductors will check your ticket, so make sure you validate if you are on a regional train.
3. Trains were efficient, and seats in the back of intercity trains are often premium.
4. Water taxis in Venice are a beautiful way to end your trip.
5. An 8-hour train ride wasn’t bad with kids thanks to the internet onboard.
6. Booking in advance helps. Tables facing each other is great to book.

Surprises

Italy holds plenty of surprises, both good and bad. Being aware of a few things in advance will help you manage expectations and enjoy your trip more.

1. We didn’t experience any pickpocketing but stayed vigilant.
2. Train platforms weren't as scary as all the TikTok videos made it out to be.
3. San Gimignano and Lucca were less exciting than we expected.
4. A firm “no” worked well with street vendors.
5. Venice airport doesn't have a lot of food options, so go full before your trip home.
6. Be sure to follow the train strikes in Italy where Fridays and Sundays are the most popular for strikes. Have a backup plan. Here is the site with details on train strikes.

Final Thoughts

Our Italian adventure with the kids was a whirlwind of beautiful views, amazing food, and unforgettable experiences. We learned that a bit of planning, smart packing, and the willingness to explore can make all the difference. Whether you’re enjoying Florence’s best gelato, hiking the cliffs of Monterosso, or riding Venice’s water taxis, Italy has something magical for every family. Use these tips to enhance your trip and avoid the small surprises we encountered. Above all, make the most of every moment—you won’t regret it!

More Italy Vacation Tips

• Accommodation Overview in Italy
• 14 Day Itinerary to Italy with Kids
• Honest Review of Extra Virgin Cooking Class in Tuscany Countryside
• Best Italy Vacation Tips for Families with Kids
• Hotel Porto Roca Honest Review Cinque Terre