Italian Packing List
Europe, Italy, Places to Visit in Italy, Travel Tips

What to Pack for Italy (And What to Buy There Instead)

Amy French the Roaming Historian

What to Pack for Italy (Essentials)

Quick Italy Packing Tips:

  • Pack versatile outfits (mix & match)
  • Bring only must-have toiletries
  • Buy basics like shampoo and lotion in Italy
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes

Wondering what to pack for Italy without overpacking? This Italy packing list focuses on the essentials—plus what you can easily buy once you arrive so you can travel lighter and smarter.

Sitting in a Florentine restaurant called Agricola Toscana, I was enjoying a crisp, bubbly Prosecco while sizing up the restaurant—wine bottles lined the walls, biscotti sat in glass jars, and salamis hung from big hooks, all proclaiming the bountiful goodness of Tuscany. Waitresses carried trays of antipasto—prosciutto, bruschetta, and other goodies. As I considered ordering a little snack to go with my wine, Jon started chatting to a woman traveling solo next to us. When he explained that I was travel blogger, she exclaimed that she wished someone would write a blog about what travel essentials are easily available for purchase in Italy. She was interested in packing light and had already found out that she had brought too much with her.

Dedicated to traveling light myself, I always create an extensive packing list so that I don’t bring too much or not enough. Many travel essentials I just pick up in Italy though, so I don’t have to cart them overseas (and fit all my liquids into tiny containers in a Ziploc bag). A frugal woman at heart, I don’t pay a fortune for them—anymore than I would at home.

Toiletries You Can Buy in Italy

I also don’t pack a bunch of “in case of emergency” items. If I need it, I likely will be able to buy it there. I only pack stuff that would be too expensive or time-consuming to replace—like clothes, make-up, and beauty essentials. Most toiletries though, like shampoo, body lotion, shaving cream, etc., can just be purchased in Italy. Here is a list of common travel essentials and their prices (in Euros) in Florence:

  • Shampoo/conditioner—2.29 each
  • Soap/body wash—1.09 for two bars of soap/1.59 for body wash
  • Body lotion—prices range from 1 at the Tutto store to a few euros and up for high-end lines
  • Deodorant—2.64
  • Axe body spray—3.94
  • Shaving cream (men’s style)—1.95 (women’s style doesn’t differ much in price)
  • Hair gel—2.69
  • Hairspray—varies from 2.50 and higher
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste—90 cents for each
  • Mouthwash—2.50 for U.S. brand, but cheaper for Italian brands
  • Cotton swabs/face rounds—80 cents each for a large package
  • Contact lens cleaner—3.29 for full size
  • OB tampons (16 count)/maxi pads—2.89/1.30

Everything on this list was priced in a grocery store, but you can also find lots of items at pharmacies—some of which carry higher-end beauty products, too. Italy has Sephora and other beauty stores in major cities. In Florence, there are also Tutto 1.19 Cents stores where everything is one euro nineteen cents . There you can find nail files, nail clippers, tweezers, bandages, sewing kits, bath and body products, toys, tools, home goods and more. You can also find these times at a reasonable price in other stores, too, though. Many Italian cities feature Tiger stores, which I love for a 5€ umbrella. Tiger stores are Danish variety stores that have all sorts of items you may need…or grow a burning desire to possess…at a decent price.

To avoid hauling a bunch of stuff over an ocean, you may want to consider purchasing some products in Italy. As you can see, you will likely find most of the travel essentials on your packing list at a price fairly comparable to that in the United States. Italian stores have a lot of what you need, they just don’t have a lot of variety. Unlike in the States where we may have 20 or more types of shampoo to choose from, the selection in Italy won’t be as plentiful. There were only a few conditioners to choose from or a couple brands of toothpaste. In many stores, I found just one type of contact lens cleaner. Nonetheless, I’ve always been happy with product quality and I am ecstatic when I’m not carrying a heavy bag everywhere—up and down steps and along cobblestone streets. If you’re visiting a more-populated area of Italy (Florence, Venice, Rome, Naples, Milan, etc), go ahead and pack light—just buy what you need there. Buon viaggio!

My definitive guide on “How to Pack Light” shows how I travel for months at a time with just a carry-on bag. It also has my free downloadable packing list. Check it out for more details on what to pack for Italy: https://roaminghistorian.com/2025/09/07/the-definitive-guide-to-packing-light/

Related blogs:

Tips for Packing Light
Tips for Packing a Suitcase

Florence, Italy store
Florence, Italy store
Florence, Italy store

A Favorite Italy Tour Partner: LivTours

LivTours is a boutique, family-owned company specializing in high-quality, semi-private (maximum 6 people) and private tours, primarily in Italy, as well as Spain, France, England, Austria, and other parts of Europe. They are highly regarded for skip-the-line access to major sites, expert, English-speaking guides, and curated, immersive experiences designed to avoid “cookie-cutter” travel. We’ve had amazing experiences with them and enjoy that they hire local guides exclusively.

LivTours offers Roaming Historian readers 10% off two or more tours! Save on your next favorite European memory by using our coupon code “AMYRH10.” We highly recommend this company; they offer topnotch tours, tickets, and experiences and you can save money with Roaming Historian!

Book with LivTours here: https://livtours.com?af_code=E1DDN61

Liv Tours Tours Save Money with Roaming Historian, Europe Tours, Italy Tours

Tours, Tickets, & Experiences: Viator and Get Your Guide

If you’re planning tours, attraction tickets, or local experiences during your trip, Viator and Get Your Guide are two of the most widely used platforms for discovering and booking activities around the world. Both allow travelers to compare itineraries, prices, reviews, and ratings for thousands of experiences ranging from guided historical tours and museum tickets to day trips and unique local activities. Many listings on both platforms include free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, which adds flexibility when travel plans change. Pro tip: because these platforms host experiences from many different tour operators, always check recent reviews and overall ratings before booking to ensure a high-quality experience.

Browse tours and experiences here:
Viator: https://www.viator.com/?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector
GetYourGuide: https://www.getyourguide.com/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher

Trusted Booking Resource: Booking.com

When planning a trip, it helps to compare your options in one place. Booking.com allows you to search and compare hotels, apartments, vacation rentals, flights, cruises, and car rentals worldwide, making it easier to organize the key pieces of your trip in a single platform. Travelers can review prices, amenities, guest ratings, and neighborhood locations to find accommodations that match their style and budget, and many listings offer competitive pricing, occasional deals, and flexible cancellation policies. Pro tip: when comparing places to stay, focus on guest reviews, location, and cancellation policies—these factors often matter more than the nightly price alone. Browse and compare travel options here: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6776&awinaffid=1985445

Our Favorite Travel Insurance Site

Protect your vacation with Travel Insurance dot com. This awesome travel site provides quotes from numerous travel insurance agencies and allows you to purchase them with no added increase to you: https://www.travelinsurance.com/?utm_source=pap&a_aid=65590b3a60c44

Travel Insurance dot com, affordable travel insurance

Shore Excursions Group

If you’re visiting Italy during a cruise, Shore Excursions Group is a reliable alternative to booking excursions through the cruise line. Their tours are often smaller, more affordable (sometimes up to 40% less than ship excursions), and led by knowledgeable local guides. They offer carefully designed shore excursions in ports around the world. Even better, they provide a guaranteed on-time return to the ship, giving cruisers peace of mind when exploring independently. Just plug in your cruise ship and sail date and your ports will automatically populate, so you can browse excursions for your cruise ports here:
https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1634209&data=roaminghistorian@gmail.com

Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.

Traveling Soon? Trusted Tour & Travel Partners

Planning your trip? Here are our trusted travel partners — thoughtfully chosen for quality, reliability, and exceptional experiences.

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Roaming Historian may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the research and storytelling that go into every article. All opinions are always our own.

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