Italy is one of the top travel destinations in the world. And for good reason. It has everything: a rich history, delicious food, beautiful beaches, picturesque towns. It’s one of the best places to vacation. Whenever I’m in Italy I want to bring a piece of it home with me, so in this blog post I’ll share what are the best gifts from Italy to bring home and share with family and friends. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
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Extra virgin olive oil
Italian olive oil is one of the best in the world. A bottle can be the perfect gift for a family member so they get a taste of Italy. And, of course, you should get a bottle for yourself to recreate some of the amazing Italian cuisine you tried on your trip.
If you want to gift more Italian food items, you can also consider buying some Italian gift baskets. It all depends how much space you have in your luggage. You can buy them at specialty shops, grocery stores or local markets. Food souvenirs are the best in my opinion.
Italian pasta
No trip to Italy is complete without eating your body weight in pasta. So good! Why not buy a few packs of the highest quality Italian pasta to bring home? They can be the perfect souvenir for family and friends. You can also share with them new pasta recipes you learned on your trip.
Tomato sauce
If you’re bringing home pasta, then you should also buy some tomato sauce. The real deal. Combining high quality tomato sauce with exceptional quality pasta, and maybe some parmigiano Reggiano, is guaranteed to make even the pickiest of eaters happy.
Italian wine
Gourmet food goes best with some bottles of wine. Italy has some amazing wines at affordable prices, so make sure to check out the different types of wine and bring back a few bottles. The perfect Italy souvenir for anybody who likes to enjoy a glass.
Italian chocolate
I had to start this list of souvenirs with food items because I think you can learn a lot about a country’s rich culture through food. Sharing some of the local delicacies with loved ones at home is one of the best ways to share some of the highlights of your Italian vacation.
Besides pasta, wine, and cheese, Italians are great sweet treats too. Italian chocolate like Venchi, Perugina, or Ferrero can be a great gift.
Leather goods
Italians are some of the world’s best producers of leather goods. They work with high quality leather and have skilled artisans. Just think of how many luxury brands that produce coveted leather bags or leather accessories are based in Italy.
If you have the budget for luxury brands, then you should get some leather goods while in Italy. If not, then no problem. There are plenty of local craftsmen that produce amazing leather goods that won’t break the bank.
Venetian masks
If you go to Venice, you’ll find plenty of local artisans selling masks in souvenir shops. They are all so beautiful, have intricate designs and are the prefect Italian souvenirs.
Why masks? Because every year Venice hosts the Carnival of Venice, where people wear elaborate costumes and masks. The modern-day carnival started in 1979, but its origins are from the middle ages. I’ve been to Venice, but I would love to go back during carnival.
Buying a mask supports the local artists and you’ll have a unique gift. It’s a win-win.
Murano glass
Murano is one of the little islands close to Venice. They produce the famous Murano glass, which is known for its vibrant designs and bright colors. They are able to achieve this aspect because during the production of the glass they add some minerals too.
The local artisans sell plenty of Murano glass souvenirs, so you can pick the right gift for a family member or friend. One of my friends gave me a necklace with a Murano glass pendant and it’s one of my favorite souvenirs I’ve ever gotten.
Burano lace
Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, known for its colorful houses and for its lace. It used to be a top producer of needle lace during the 1600’s. This lace was a status symbol for European nobility. It was initially produced in Venice, but due to high demand, they moved the production to Burano to reduce the costs.
If you want to make someone feel like a European queen or king, then some Burano lace is the best gift.
Italian ceramics
Italy also produces some great ceramics items. The medieval town Deruta is one of the most famous ceramics producers in Italy. The town is about 1.5 hours drive from Rome and it’s also pretty close to Tuscany. It can be a great spot for a day trip. And you can also buy some amazing souvenirs here.
FAQs about travel to Italy
Which destinations in Italy should I visit?
All of them. Seriously, Italy is such a beautiful country. So far, I’ve been to Milan, Florence, and Venice and I highly recommend all three cities. The Amalfi Coast, Rome, Cinque Terre, Sicily, and the Dolomites are other great destinations in Italy that I hope to visit soon.
How much time should I spend in Italy?
If you want to cover 2-3 cities, then I suggest you stay at least a week. If you plan on visiting 4-6 locations, then you should stay for at least 2 weeks to properly enjoy your trip and experience the Italian dolce vita.
How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?
The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.
I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.
You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.
Is Italy safe for a solo female traveler?
Yes, I found Italy safe as a solo female traveler. As with any other popular destination, always be aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re visiting attractions with large crowds.
What is the best time to solo travel to Italy?
I visited in late September and there were still a lot of tourists. October and November might be the best timing for a trip.
I tend to avoid Europe summer travel because it gets so hot and there are so many tourists everywhere that it takes away from the experience for me. I’d rather wait a few months and go in the fall so I can properly enjoy the destinations I’m visiting. I thought that September would already be a less crowded month, but I was wrong.
What is the average cost of visiting Italy?
Italy is not a very expensive destination, but it is not cheap either. It’s somewhere in the middle. You can get an amazing panino for about 8 euros. A coffee is about 3 euros. You can find mid-budget hotels around $100-200 per night.
Do I need cash?
I did not use any cash while visiting Italy. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops who don’t accept credit cards.
Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
Do I need to tip in Italy?
Tipping is not required, but I usually leave 1-2 euros when I eat out or go to a cafe. They highly appreciate it when you do this.
Do people speak English in Italy?
Yes, people speak English in major cities in Italy. I always try to speak in the local language when I travel. I usually learn a few words ahead of my trip. Every time Italians would figure out from my accent that I’m not a local they would immediately switch to English.
Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?
I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. Italy is a very popular destination so it’s very likely that tickets will sell out. Especially if you visit during the summer months. Booking in advance will give you peace of mind.
What Italian words should I learn before my trip?
This list is not comprehensive by any means, but it has some useful words for a trip to Italy.
- Ciao = hi / bye (informal greeting)
- Buongiorno = hello (only used during the day)
- Buona sera = good evening
- Buona notte = good night
- Grazie = thank you
- Prego = you’re welcome
- Si = yes
- No = no
- Per favore = please
- Parla Inglese? = Do you speak English?
- Mi dispiace = I don’t understand
- Posso pagare con la carta? = Can I pay by card?
- Il conto, per favore = The check (bill) please
- Dov’è il bagno? = Where’s the bathroom?
Do you recommend Italy as a solo destination?
Yes, I recommend Italy as a destination for solo female travelers. Since Italy is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, make sure to avoid going in the summer. You will avoid the large crowds and enjoy your experience much more. Plus, everything will be cheaper.
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