Italy

Bel Paese (The Beautiful Country)

Current Local Time

Italy Flag
Time Zone
Europe/Rome (CET/CEST)
UTC/GMT +1 hour (UTC+2 during Daylight Saving)

Current Weather in Rome

22°C
Sunny
Feels like: 20°C
Wind: 10 km/h NW
Humidity: 65%
Visibility: 15 km
Tomorrow
24°C / 16°C
Sunny
Day After
21°C / 15°C
Partly Cloudy
Sunrise
6:45 AM
Sunset
7:30 PM
Pressure
1012 hPa
UV Index
6 (High)

Country Information

Capital
Rome
Population
59 million (2023 est.)
Area
301,340 km²
Government
Unitary parliamentary republic
President
Sergio Mattarella (since 2015)
Currency
Euro (€, EUR)
GDP
$2.17 trillion (2023 est.)
Calling Code
+39
Driving Side
Right
Official Language
Italian

Major Cities & Regions

Italy has 20 administrative regions with diverse landscapes.

Rome
Lazio
Milan
Lombardy
Venice
Veneto
Florence
Tuscany
Naples
Campania
Turin
Piedmont

Must-Visit Landmarks

Colosseum

Colosseum

Ancient amphitheater in Rome, largest ever built in the Roman Empire.

Rome
Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Famous for its unintended tilt, part of the Piazza del Duomo complex.

Pisa
Venice Canals

Venice Canals

Network of waterways and bridges in the floating city of Venice.

Venice
Florence Cathedral

Florence Cathedral

Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi's famous dome.

Florence
Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast

Stunning Mediterranean coastline with colorful cliffside villages.

Campania
Pompeii

Pompeii

Ancient Roman city preserved by Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD.

Naples

Brief History of Italy

753 BC

Founding of Rome

Legendary founding by Romulus and Remus, beginning of Roman Kingdom.

27 BC

Roman Empire

Augustus becomes first Emperor, beginning Pax Romana.

14th-16th C.

Renaissance

Cultural rebirth centered in Florence, with artists like Michelangelo and da Vinci.

1861

Unification of Italy

Kingdom of Italy proclaimed under Victor Emmanuel II.

1922-1943

Fascist Era

Benito Mussolini's dictatorship, alliance with Nazi Germany.

1946

Italian Republic

Monarchy abolished, modern democratic republic established.

Travel Tips for Visitors

Visa Requirements

Schengen visa rules apply. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for 90 days.

Currency & Payments

Euro (€). Credit cards widely accepted, but carry cash for small shops and restaurants.

Transportation

Excellent train network (Frecciarossa high-speed trains), buses, and metro in major cities.

Cultural Etiquette

Greet with "Buongiorno", dress modestly for churches, and enjoy meals leisurely.

Best Times to Visit

Apr-Jun: Spring, mild weather, fewer crowds
Jul-Aug: Summer, warmest weather, busiest season
Sep-Oct: Fall, pleasant weather, harvest season
Nov-Mar: Winter, Christmas markets, ski season

Italian Cuisine

Try pizza napoletana, pasta carbonara, risotto, gelato, tiramisu, espresso, and regional wines like Chianti and Prosecco.