Italy may look effortless in photographs, but navigating its most beloved cities comes with a few surprises.
From water taxis and winding passageways to timed museum entries and local customs, knowing a few insider details before you arrive can make the difference between a stressful day and a seamless experience.
Here are the things we wish every traveler knew before visiting Venice, Rome, and Florence.
1. Your hotel may be much farther away than it looks on the map.
Venice is a city of narrow passageways, bridges, and countless steps. A hotel that appears just a few minutes from the train station may involve several bridges and a walk with your luggage. Before booking, check the nearest vaporetto stop and ask your hotel about the easiest arrival route. Pack lighter than you normally would!
2. A water taxi and a water bus are two very different experiences.
The private water taxi is a wonderful, convenient way to arrive in style, but it comes at a premium. The vaporetto is Venice’s public water bus and is a practical way to travel along the Grand Canal and out to the islands. Don’t confuse the two when planning your transportation budget.
3.Plan Ahead for Public Restrooms.
Public bathrooms in Venice can be surprisingly hard to find, and many charge an entry fee. Cafés and restaurants may reserve restrooms for paying customers, too. If you’re spending the day exploring, take note of the city’s public restroom locations before heading out rather than waiting until you need one.
4. High tide can change your plans.
Known as acqua alta, seasonal high water can temporarily flood parts of Venice, particularly in autumn and winter. Some walkways may be affected, so check local tide forecasts and bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet. The city provides updates and designated pedestrian routes when needed.
5. Venice has an access-fee system for certain visitor days.
Don’t assume the rules are the same every year. Venice’s access-fee program applies on designated dates and has specific exemptions. Check the official calendar before traveling, as dates and requirements can change.
ROME
An extraordinary city, but a little advance planning goes a long way.
1. Your Colosseum ticket is tied to your name.
This is one detail travelers often overlook. Colosseum tickets are issued in the visitor’s name, and you’ll need identification to match. Entry is also tied to a reserved time slot. Official ticket sales open 30 days before the visit, so don’t leave this until the last minute.
2. You can use your contactless card for public transportation.
Rome’s Tap & Go system allows you to use a contactless credit or debit card, or a compatible phone or watch, on buses, trams, and metro turnstiles. Use the same payment method throughout your journey and remember to tap when changing vehicles.
3. Bring a reusable water bottle.
Rome has thousands of public drinking fountains called nasoni. The water is fresh, free, and safe to drink. Here’s the little trick: plug the main opening with your finger, and water flows from a smaller hole near the top, making it easier to fill your bottle.
4. Don’t underestimate walking.
Rome’s major attractions look relatively close together on a map, but the distances, cobblestones, crowds, and uneven streets add up. Comfortable shoes are essential, and it’s worth planning your sightseeing by neighborhood rather than crisscrossing the city all day.
5. Don’t expect restaurants to serve dinner whenever you’re ready.
Many traditional restaurants follow local dining hours, with kitchens closing between lunch and dinner service. If you’re hoping for a leisurely meal at a particular restaurant, make a reservation and confirm its opening hours. Some of the most sought-after tables are booked well in advance.
FLORENCE
Small enough to explore on foot, but full of details worth knowing before you arrive.
1. Don’t rent a car to explore the city center.
Florence has a restricted traffic zone known as the ZTL, covering much of its historic center. Cameras monitor entrances, and driving into a restricted area without authorization can result in a fine. If you’re renting a car for Tuscany, arrange parking outside the restricted zone and explore Florence on foot.
2. Seeing the Duomo and climbing the Dome are two different experiences.
Entry into the Cathedral itself is free, but climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome requires a separate pass and a reserved time slot. The climb involves 463 steps with no elevator, so be prepared for a workout. Book ahead if this is on your list!
3. Don’t assume your museum tickets are transferable.
The Uffizi Galleries have moved to named tickets, meaning the name on your reservation must match your identification. Book through official channels and double-check the details before confirming.
4. Florence is wonderfully walkable, but don’t plan every stop back-to-back.
The historic center is compact, which makes it tempting to squeeze everything into one day. What many visitors don’t anticipate is how much time they’ll spend browsing artisan shops, lingering over lunch, and crossing the Arno. Leave room for spontaneity.
5. Public transportation tickets still need to be activated.
If you use Florence’s buses or trams, remember to validate a paper ticket or activate a digital one when boarding. A ticket purchase alone isn’t necessarily enough, and forgetting this small step can result in a fine.
Two More Things to Know Before You Go
Always Carry Valid Identification: This is especially important when visiting museums, monuments, and participating in guided tours. In our experience, identification was requested more often than we expected in Venice, Rome, and Florence—even for children. Some venues and tours require you to present the ID used when booking, so check the requirements ahead of time and make sure everyone in your party has the appropriate identification. We learned this the hard way after having to make a quick trip back to our hotel for our passports! If you do carry passports with you, keep them in a secure, zipped bag that stays close to your body. It’s a sensible travel precaution wherever you go.
Remember the City Tax at Checkout: Many Italian hotels charge a local tourist tax, typically calculated per person, per night. This is often collected separately from your room bill and paid directly to the hotel when you check out. It may only amount to a few euros per person per night, but it can add up for families or longer stays. Be sure to factor it into your travel budget—and remember to stop at the front desk before leaving, rather than assuming you can simply drop off your key and go!
A LITTLE PLANNING MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Venice, Rome, and Florence are cities best enjoyed when you aren’t constantly figuring out the logistics. Knowing how to get around, when to reserve, and what to expect along the way leaves more time for the experiences that make Italy unforgettable.
Our advice? Don’t just book the flights and hotel. Plan the details in between, too. That’s where a truly exceptional trip comes together.
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