Travelling Around Italy on a Budget: Exploring Europe
It’s easy to see why over 50 million tourists visit Italy each year, but like elsewhere in Europe, many of its major cities aren’t cheap for a holiday. However, travelling Italy on a budget is possible if you know the right places to go.
Milan, Florence, Venice and Rome are among the country’s most expensive cities for tourists, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit them. As with all major destinations across the continent, you can find value for money outside the busiest areas near the centre. For example, discovering little hidden gem villages around Lake Garda or Lake Como can make for a more affordable and interesting stay.
Let’s look at six cities in Italy you can visit on a budget and still have the best time.
- A brilliant budget holiday to Bologna
This Northern Italian city isn’t super cheap for dining out, but amazing meals are easy to come by and are more affordable than in other Italian cities. When you book a holiday to Bologna, we recommend grabbing a bite to eat on the go at the local markets, including Mercato di Mezzo and Mercato delle Erbe.
The city has many free attractions, including museums, which offer zero cost admission on weekends and certain days of the month. The Window of Via Piella is another popular attraction that won’t cost you a penny. It’s a window with an exquisite and romantic view of the city’s Moline Canal.
2. Visit vibrant Verona
One of the many terrific things about our multi centre holidays to Italy is you can combine destinations with different price points. For example, in the deal we’ve linked above, you can take a solo trip to Venice, Verona and Lake Garda without a huge budget.
There are lots of fascinating (and free) guided walking tours in Verona, for example. And when you’re looking to keep costs down, it pays to veer off the beaten track to try some delicious local pizza or gnocchi away from the main tourist areas. Visiting Verona Cathedral is completely free and definitely worth exploring.
3. Savour Naples on a shoestring
Naples is a must-visit on your trip when you’re considering travelling to Italy on a budget. It remains one of the most underrated cities to visit, and you’ll find that you can eat and drink plenty here for a lot less than most major European cities.
Some free activities you can enjoy include concerts at Piazza del Plebiscito, taking a relaxing stroll along the Lungomare (the city’s promenade) and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells at the Botanical Garden of Naples. Even just having a lazy day wandering through the city's old centre makes for a memorable experience.
4. How to spend less money in Pisa
A budget Italian holiday to Pisa is the perfect way to escape for less. It’s nice to visit renowned restaurants when you’re on holiday in Italy. However, if you’ve only got a couple of nights in each destination, you can more than get by on street food such as la cecìna, which is focaccia with chickpeas.
You also don’t need to pay to climb the city’s iconic leaning tower. You can take a selfie from the outside in the famous pose, pretending to hold it up. Pisa also has several picturesque piazzas where you can sip coffee or a Campari and soda while you do some people-watching.
5. Terrific fixed-price feasts in Turin
Our fifth and final destination for touring Italy on a budget is Turin. While it doesn’t enjoy the same high profile as Milan and Rome, that’s a great thing due to fewer visitors. Turin is Italy’s 13th most expensive city, and it’s very walkable, so you won’t have to pay for transport.
There’s an abundance of delightful dishes to try in Turin, and many of its eateries offer fixed-price lunch menus, which are an absolute bargain. Most churches are free to visit, and Parco Valentino is a popular place to picnic in the warm Italian sunshine. This six-night break to Pisa, Bologna and Turin will make you fall in love with Italy and yearn to return.
Don’t let your budget hold you back
We hope we’ve shown that travelling around Italy on a budget can still be immensely enjoyable. Even in the most popular and expensive cities, there’s always a way to have a great time without blowing your entire budget.
We firmly believe that many of the best holiday memories are made when you stray from the norm. For example, having the best pizza you’ve ever tasted from a street food vendor or meeting other holidaymakers on a free guided tour.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in Italian life? You can also read our guide to where and what to eat in Italy.
