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8 minutes readContents
- Legal “don’ts”: Avoid fines and trouble in Italy
- Italy etiquette “don’ts” for tourists (culture and manners)
- Practical mistakes to avoid when traveling in Italy
- FAQs about what not to do in Italy
- Curate unforgettable Italian getaways with RateHawk
Legal “don’ts”: Avoid fines and trouble in Italy
While social faux pas can be embarrassing, there are mistakes that tourists frequently make when visiting Italy that can be extremely costly. The Italian government and local authorities have begun enforcing fines in recent years to preserve its historic landmarks, and many of them are for things that anyone could do.
The Italian government and local authorities have begun enforcing fines in recent years to preserve its historic landmarks.
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Eating or drinking at iconic sites like the Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain can result in up to €700 of a fine. An American tourist found out the hard way in 2022 when they were fined €450 for eating ice cream at Fontana dei Catecumeni in Rome’s Monti neighborhood.
Other rules for tourists to look out for include not wearing swimwear outside of beaches or eating in public squares in Venice. Some legal ‘don’ts’ can catch out even the most experienced travelers, from validating train tickets before boarding to not wearing noisy footwear, such as clogs and flip-flops, in islands like Capri.
Eating or drinking at iconic sites like the Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain can result in up to €700 of a fine.
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As tempting as it might be to cool down in the waters around Rome and Venice, swimming in the canals or taking a dip in the Trevi Fountain is likely to land visitors a fine of up to €450. One tipsy tourist from New Zealand was even banned for life from the Trevi Fountain after jumping in.
Italy etiquette “don’ts” for tourists (culture and manners)
Italy has been a tourist destination since the “Grand Tour” began in the 17th century, bringing millions of visitors to its shores, attracted by the promise of mouth-watering pasta, historical monuments, and the romance of “La Dolce Vita”. It’s just as popular as other European destinations like Paris, and we’re constantly rating it as one of the most romantic places to visit.
Italy has been a tourist destination since the “Grand Tour” began in the 17th century.
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Italian etiquette can trip anyone up, especially when going abroad for the first time. Below are a few behaviors to look out for that can be seen as rude or disrespectful by the locals.
Dress codes and what to wear in sacred sites
Packing is where tourists often make their first mistakes. Although temperatures can hit up to 35°C (95°F ), it’s important to still pack extra layers. Visitors aren’t allowed to wear hats, sleeveless tops, or shorts when entering a church.
Visitors aren’t allowed to wear hats, sleeveless tops, or shorts when entering a church.
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It’s not uncommon to see visitors being handed plastic ponchos to wear over their clothes or even being turned away. Travelers will want to bring a shawl or cover-up to wear when visiting the Vatican or any cathedrals – especially as street vendors will sell these at a premium outside sites like the Pantheon and St. Paul’s.
Food and dining Faux Pas in Italy
One of the worst mistakes that anyone can make when visiting Italy is the classic faux pas of ordering a cappuccino after 11 am. Food is one of the main reasons why people visit Europe, but it’s often where mistakes happen. Most Italians only have milk-based coffee drinks in the morning, with lunch being their main meal, usually between 1 pm and 2 pm. This larger lunch means that most people have dinner after 8 pm, which is also the time when most locals will finish work.
Most Italians only have milk-based coffee drinks in the morning.
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Groups will want to decide how to work out payment before asking for the bill, as most restaurants will only split the bill 2 or 3 ways maximum. While tipping is generally frowned upon, it’s worth knowing that most restaurants will charge a coperto, which covers the cost of the linens, service, and bread course. This charge will be a fixed fee and displayed on the menu, similar to how a service charge is displayed in the United States.
Here are a few other tips for dining like a local:
- Don’t rush meals! Dining is an experience that’s enjoyed slowly with food savored. It’s not unusual for groups to be at a table for several hours.
- Avoid trying to wave down a server. Simply signal for the bill or go directly to the till or reception area to pay.
- Diners will have to specifically request “acqua del rubinetto” (AH-kwah del roo-bee-NET-toh) to receive tap water.
- Cheese and seafood never mix! Similarly, it’s considered incorrect to ask for cheese on a pasta dish that doesn’t automatically come with it.
Public behavior when vacationing in Italy
No one wants to stick out as a tourist on vacation. Knowing how to behave is an important part of enjoying an Italian getaway and avoiding any unwanted comments or encounters. Expect to see queuing systems everywhere that you’ll find tourists, from the Vatican to lining up to get a gondola or buy train tickets. Trying to cut a line is guaranteed to cause problems, and it’s considered rude to speak loudly or act disruptively in public places, including on transport.
Knowing how to behave is an important part of enjoying an Italian getaway.
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Cities like Rome and Florence are full of e-bikes and scooters that are available to rent 24/7. While these might seem like an affordable way to get around the city, they’re strictly prohibited in popular tourist areas and near historic sites. Even walking one of these bikes or scooters through a famous landmark is frowned upon. Venice has banned bikes, but they’re a great option when visiting more rural locations and smaller towns. It’s always worth double-checking the local regulations.
Practical mistakes to avoid when traveling in Italy
Mistakes can cause travelers to lose time and money when visiting Italy. Here are 10 things to avoid:
- Avoid bringing large pieces of luggage, especially when traveling by train or staying in private accommodation.
- Not everywhere accepts major credit cards, so it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand, especially when visiting smaller markets.
- A permit is required to drive in ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones). Driving in these areas without a permit can result in a heavy fine.
- Tickets to popular attractions like the Colosseum can sell out days in advance, so it’s a good idea to book them online.
- Most shops won’t open until midday, including in busy tourist areas.
- Avoid restaurants in tourist trap areas, including those that don’t feature any Italian in their menus or that rely heavily on dishes like lasagna and pizza. Look out for menus with daily specials and seasonal ingredients.
FAQs about what not to do in Italy
1. Can you drink in public in Rome?
Drinking in public is permitted during the day but restricted at night-time with fines of up to €280.
2. Can I drink tap water in Italy?
Tap water is safe to drink in Italy, but most restaurants will serve bottled water.
3. Can I feed the birds at the Piazza San Marco in Venice?
It’s illegal to feed the birds at Venice’s Piazza San Marco and can result in a fine of up to €500.
4. Is it normal to tip in Italy when going to a restaurant?
Tipping is generally frowned upon in Italy and is not a part of the common culture. Most bills will include a “coperto” automatically.
Curate unforgettable Italian getaways with RateHawk
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Doing a little research in advance can help tourists avoid making very expensive mistakes when visiting Italy.
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Our user-friendly interface streamlines the booking process with an extensive inventory, exclusive rates, and 24/7 multi-lingual support. Get started with RateHawk today to offer the best European vacations for your clients in 2026.
Cover image: Photo by Massimo Virgilio on Unsplash
