A solo female traveler's guide to Italy

Solo female travel in Italy

Italy’s the country at the top of almost everyone’s bucket list. Perhaps it has something to do with the clear blue waters of the four surrounding seas, the cities rich in art and culture, and the incredible cuisine that might just be everyone’s favorite. It’s the perfect place to indulge the senses whether you’re planning your first-ever trip alone or you’re a seasoned solo female traveler, and we’re here to show you how you can get a taste of la dolce vita. 

Best time to visit Italy

Being a popular tourist destination, Italy can get very crowded in the summer months. The peak season tends to be from May until September, and during these months you can expect higher prices, bigger crowds, and hotter temperatures (Rome experienced its highest temperature on record this summer, hitting 42°C, 109°F). Unless this is what you’re looking for, the shoulder seasons from March to April and October to November can be a great time to visit Italy, offering the best of both worlds with lower prices, milder weather, and fewer people. 

The period from November through to March is known as the off-season. Lower temperatures bring fewer visitors, which can make trips to tourist hotspots like the Vatican City much more enjoyable. This is obviously the only time to visit if skiing is on your agenda, with resorts in the Dolomites and Aosta Valley offering exceptional vistas and great value for money.

No matter which months you decide to visit Italy, solo female travelers should be aware that local festivities can cause mini-spikes in tourism throughout the year. Easter and Carnival can be great opportunities to get stuck into the celebrations, but may not be the best time to visit if you plan on touring the art galleries. 

Must see places in Italy

Rome

The capital city and home to numerous tourist sights, including the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. Don’t miss out on a visit to the smallest state in Europe, Vatican City, where you can marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, where the Sistine Chapel is located. 

Florence

Whether you’re a Renaissance art enthusiast or not, a visit to the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery is not to be missed. Have a wander through the historic center, visit the leather shops and markets, and marvel at Michelangelo’s statue of David.   

Venice

Canals weave between the 118 islands that make up The Floating City; take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal or watch the comings and goings from the Rialto Bridge before visiting St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace.    

Amalfi Coast

If you’re over city sightseeing, head to this 34-mile (40km) stretch of coastline in the south of Naples. Spend your days soaking up the sun in Positano and Sorrento, or take a boat out to the glamorous island of Capri. 

Tuscany

Enjoy truffle hunting and sipping on local wines as you take a tour through the green pastures of Tuscany, visiting hill-top towns like Siena, San Gimignano, and Lucca. 

Cinque Terre

You can hop between all five of these picturesque villages by train, but hiking along the coastal paths will give you opportunities to stop and take in the view. Enjoy the beauty of Vernazza, go snorkeling in Riomaggiore, and eat excellent seafood in Manarola. 

Lake Como

Hire a boat, take a tour around elegant villas and lakeside gardens, and relax on the beaches dotted along the shore of Lake Como. 

The Dolomites

Hikers and nature lovers will fall head over hills for the jagged mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and quaint towns of the Dolomites. 

The islands

If the Italian mainland is anything to go by, then the 400+ islands that surround the country are well worth a visit. Here are three of the most popular:

Sicily

There’s lots to see and do on the largest island in Italy, which is situated just off the tip of the country’s “boot”. Visit the catacombs of Palermo, hike up Mount Etna, and take a boat trip to discover the nearby Aeolian Islands, where you’ll find active volcanos, beautiful towns, and black sandy beaches. 

Sardinia 

Said to be the most beautiful island in Italy, Sardinia’s sure got its fair share of stunning beaches. From the crystal clear waters of Cala Brandinchi to the white sands of Spiaggia della Pelosa, this is the island for anyone in need of a bit of R&R. 

Elba

Tropical-looking beaches and underwater adventures await on the biggest Tuscan Archipelago, Elba. The mountainous interior is filled with a network of hiking trails to explore on foot or by cable car, or grab a snorkel and swim out from Pomonte beach to find a shipwreck reminiscent of dive sites in Thailand. 

Things to do in Italy

Visit the galleries and monuments

A trip to Italy is never complete without visiting one of the many cities rich in art and culture. Explore the historical centers and work your way through the extraordinary array of art galleries, museums, and monuments in cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan. 

Aperitivo, per favore 

An aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink like an Aperol Spritz or a Negroni paired with a snack, which can be anything from olives to mini pizzas! When the clock strikes 7pm, there’s no place better than a sunbaked rooftop with a view or a busy plaza to enjoy your pre-dinner snack.

Mooch around the markets

Wander through markets filled with baskets of colorful fruit and veg, cured meats hanging from the ceilings, huge chunks of cheese, strings of garlic bulbs, bags of rich spices, and dried pasta in all shapes and sizes. Indulge in plates of handmade mozzarella, barbecued fish, and truffle pasta when your tummy starts to rumble, or if you’re in the market for souvenirs, feast your eyes on the collection of handmade leather goods and hand-blown glass vases.  

Eat delicious food 

Speaking of food, you don’t need us to tell you that Italian cuisine is delizioso. Creamy plates of slow-cooked risotto, crisp Margherita pizza topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella and fragrant basil, and homemade ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and spinach… we could go on. Famous for simple yet flavorful dishes, the fresh, local ingredients of true Italian cuisine are a delight for almost anyone’s tastebuds! Of course, no solo female travel trip to Italy is complete without a (daily) trip to the gelateria - ah, when in Rome… 

Soak up the sun

If you’re a solo female traveler heading to Italy during the summer months, you may be in search of some spots to enjoy some vitamin C. Stretch out on a seaside sun lounger and listen to the gentle splash of the waves against the shore or hike along rugged coastlines to find a secret beach to lay your towel on. 

Go on a boat 

There are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water in Italy; riding a gondola in Venice, taking a private tour around Lake Como, or cruising along the coastline of Tuscany. 

Do an Italian cooking class

Your love affair with Italian cuisine doesn’t have to come to an end when you get home - learn from some of the best Italian chefs how to make your own fettuccine, tiramisu, and even olive oil. 

Get in the water

Enjoy every type of water sport you like, from surfing to sailing, kayaking to canyoning, and waterskiing to wakeboarding. If you want to get under the surface, snorkeling and scuba diving will open up a world of underwater life.  

Enjoy the natural beauty

From the mountain peaks of the Dolomites to the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy is filled with breathtaking scenes of natural beauty that shouldn’t be missed. Explore the hiking trails that weave their way past glacial lakes, craggy shorelines, and mystical mountains in landscapes reminiscent of a painting. 

Get style inspo 

Famous for being the birthplace of too many designers to count, you can take it from the likes of Dolce & Gabanna, Versace, and Prada that Italians know a thing or two about fashion. If the big fashion brands are out of your budget, window shopping might be more up your street, but simply stepping out onto the streets of Italy will give you a few ideas.

Getting around Italy

Traveling around Italy as a solo female is generally pretty easy, with high-speed trains taking you between major cities and numerous other rail routes criss-crossing through the country. Trains are quick, reliable, and easy to use, but there are also plenty of bus links making those harder-to-reach places more accessible. If you pictured yourself driving around in an Alpha Romeo or trotting along on a Vespa, hiring a vehicle can be a good option for experienced drivers. That being said, it’s important to remember that you may be driving on a different side of the road and Italian drivers have a reputation for driving “the Italian way”.

Weather in Italy

Summers in Italy can be extremely hot, averaging at 22-26°C (71-79°F) between June and August, but sometimes reaching highs of 42°C (107°F). There is generally little to no rainfall during this time. September and October can still feel pretty hot, averaging 22-25°C (71-78°F) but there is a higher chance of rainfall, and spring is a much cooler season to visit, with temperatures in March and April around 15°C (59°F). If you decide to visit Italy during the warmer months, prepare for hot weather and dress accordingly, remembering to stay hydrated and topping up on suncream throughout the day. 

Accommodation for solo female travelers in Italy

Accommodation in Italy varies from boutique to basic and shared to single occupancy. Hostels can be a great place for solo female travelers to meet fellow travelers on the road, pick up some tips and tricks, and even find some friends to tag along with, if that’s your jam. Hostels often organize group trips and tours, and many offer private rooms or female-only dorms to make solo female travelers feel more comfortable. But in a country that lives life so well, why not enjoy your stay like a local? Whether you book yourself an apartment or you land a house sit in Rome, this will give you a more realistic insight into the country. 

Is Italy safe for solo female travelers?

Italy is a great place for solo female travelers to visit. It welcomed 74.7 million tourists in 2022 and is well set up for visitors with an excellent transportation system, restaurants and hotels of any kind, and an abundance of tours and attractions. It’s an easy place to meet fellow travelers and locals are friendly and accommodating, with many Italians speaking a number of different languages. 

So how safe is Italy for solo female travelers? While the country has a low crime rate, it’s important to stay street-smart no matter where you are in the world. The most common crimes reported by solo female travelers usually involve theft, pickpocketing, and typical tourist scams. For this reason, it’s a good idea to leave valuables locked at your accommodation rather than carrying them around with you, and keep essential items you need for the day close by you at all times. 

Meeting people and connecting with locals

Italians are known for being a friendly, open bunch, and they will often make a special effort with you if they know you’re alone. It’s worth learning a few phrases other than “Grazie” and “Ciao” so you can start up a conversation with someone in the local coffee shop or sitting at the bar, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get to know a few locals. If you’re keen to meet fellow travelers, joining a tour, booking a cooking class, or simply chatting to the couple at the neighboring table at dinner can be a great way of making friends. Who knows, the group of women who just ordered a drink at the bar may even be a bunch of solo female travelers themselves!

Tips from a local

• Learn a few basic phrases before you go so you have more of a chance of connecting with locals. 
• Go for an aperitivo, it’s one of the most distinctive Italian traditions! 
• Eat at the same time as the locals - this way you’ll avoid menus catering to tourists and get to enjoy the best of Italian cuisine. 
• Dress like a local - opt for elegant outfits that don’t show too much skin.
• Validate your train tickets! Failing to do so could result in a hefty fine.
• Avoid the touristic areas and get off the beaten track to see the real Italy.
• Go slowly and be flexible - it’s all about experiencing la dolce vita, after all. 

Italy for solo female pet sitters

Pet sitting is the perfect way to visit Italy and get a real taste of what it’s like to live there. In a country so rich in art, history, and culture, pet sitting allows you to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle, enjoy the simple things in life, and learn to take it slow. Chat with your Italian neighbors, make friends at the local market, and invite them over for a meal (once you’ve learned to cook the Italian way!). Wake up to a strong espresso and end the day with an aperitivo, have an afternoon riposo (nap) and an evening passeggiata (walk), and most of all, enjoy every last minute of it.

Things to do with dogs in Italy

Italy is an extremely dog-friendly country with plenty of activities to do with your four-pawed pal. It’s important to note that while some tourist attractions may allow dogs, places like museums and galleries are generally off-limits for our canine companions (probably for the best, right?). 

• Hike along the coastline or in the mountains
• Explore historic villages
• Chill by a lake 
• Visit dog-friendly beaches
• Go to dog-friendly parks
• Dine in dog-friendly bars and restaurants

Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Italy

Many bars and restaurants in Italy allow dogs, but it’s always best to check with a waiter first and sit outside where possible. Indoor markets also welcome dogs, but large pups may be required to wear a muzzle to enter. 

House and pet sits

From the cool lakes of Lombardy to the crystal blue waters of Sardinia, check out the house and pet sitting assignments available right now in Italy.