What not to do in Italy as a tourist: 30 main don’ts (and do’s)

Honestly, Italians are very used to tourists wherever you go so you are unlikely to get under their skin with the cultural don’ts.

That’s why for the longest time I was thinking that I will not be writing an article on what not to do in Italy as a tourist. It’s just basically “be a normal person who does normal, reasonable things”, and it will be ok.

But apparently, even the reasonable things need to be mentioned.

If a cultural mishap might get a snicker out of an Italian on your behalf, then some other things will get you a hefty fine.

So, let’s go over the main things you shouldn’t do when visiting Italy.

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Eating and drinking best habits

1. Don’t ask for pineapple on pizza

It’s not a thing in Italy, unless you go to a very touristy place. There are so many flavors available – just enjoy the ones that are local.

2. Don’t order cappuccino after noon

Cappuccino is a morning drink, so order an espresso or macchiato instead.

Too much milk in the afternoon is not good for digestion.

3. Don’t expect all the regions to have the same food

Italy consists of a lot of regions each with their own specialties. Even some cities have their own special thing.

For example, the Dolomites have a big Austrian influence, Lombardy has its cotoletta alla Milanese and ossobuco, Venice –  Seppie al Nero, Florence – Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and Sardinia – fregola.

4. Don’t eat or drink on the go

You’ll have trouble finding takeaway coffee anywhere, as Italians like to drink their coffee while at the bar. And the bar is actually not the type of bar you go for parties.

5. Don’t put cheese on seafood dishes

If your food has any seafood in it, cheese is not supposed to go on it. So, for example, spaghetti with seafood means no cheese. But you should use a piece of bread to soak up and eat the sauce – it’s called la Scarpetta.

6. Don’t eat near main tourist sights

Places like San Marco’s square in Venice, Duomo in Milan, or Spanish steps in Rome are extremely popular for tourists, which means that restaurants there will be more expensive and – generally – lower in quality.

It’s enough to walk just a couple of streets away, and you will most probably find something cheaper and more local.

7. Local, non-touristy restaurants have interesting hours

Italians generally have lunch between 12pm – 2pm and dinner after 6pm or even 7pm. In-between the lunch and dinner, most local restaurants are closed.

So if you see a restaurant that is open the whole day, has a permanent menu in 3 languages, and pictures for the food, it’s likely you’re looking at a tourist trap.

And many places will most probably be closed on Mondays, so be prepared.

Cultural and general tips

8. Greet people when you enter a place

Use Buongiorno (good day), buona sera (good evening), or salve (hello) when you enter a store, restaurant, or anywhere else.

Do not use ciao – it’s informal and is considered rude, unless you know the person you’re greeting.

9. Cover your shoulders and knees before entering a church

You will most probably be denied entry – and it’s just considered incredibly rude – if you try to enter a church in a tank top and short shorts. Your shoulders need to be covered (a shawl is enough) and so do your knees.

10. Don’t crowd places

There are places in Italy where you can get a fine for crowding.

For example, in Venice, on the bridges, you’re not allowed to “linger”, so as not to obstruct the foot traffic. That is, you are not allowed to stand still – it’s illegal.

Or there are certain forbidden zones on the main square in Portofino (look for signs to show you what zones are off-limits) between April and October, from morning until 6pm where you are not allowed to “linger, otherwise you’ll be fined.

11. Don’t let your mouth touch the public water fountains

Use your hands to direct the stream of water to your mouth.

12. Don’t tip the waiters

In general, you really don’t need to tip in Italy. If you find that a service in a restaurant was excellent, round up to the nearest euro or 5/10 euros, and leave the change.

13. Validate your ticket for the public transport

Ticket controls happen. You don’t want that fine on your vacation, I promise you

14. Don’t feed the pigeons

Not on San Marco’s in Venice, not on Duomo in Milan, not in Rome, not in the nature. It’s forbidden, and you can get a hefty fine.

What not to do in Italian cities and historical sites

15. Don’t carve your name… anywhere

Let’s not destroy monuments, ok? Not Colosseum, not any church, or building, or pretty place. You might actually get jail time for that.

16. Don’t sit down in front of shops, historical monuments, or bridges

You might just be asked to move on, which would be embarrassing, or you might even get fined by police.

Some popular places where sitting down or eating is forbidden:

• Venice – all the squares and bridges
• Spanish steps in Rome
• Venice – don’t lean against storefronts, again, it’s illegal
• And another Venice one – it’s illegal to lie down on benches

17. Don’t swim in fountains or the canals of Venice

…or step in fountains, or wade in fountains, or immerse yourself in fountains in any way. They are not swimming pools. Leave them alone.

And please don’t swim (or, again, immerse yourself in any way) in the canals of Venice. It’s… unhygienic. And, again, illegal.

18. No smoking on the streets in Milan

Or in any public places, including parks or playgrounds. It’s illegal.

And, overall, please don’t smoke in public places anywhere.

19. Don’t fall for tourist scams

Taking flowers from the “nice” man in touristy places, playing different games, buying souvenirs that people are selling on the streets and so many other things – they’re scams.

My friend and I fell for one in Milan when I was still young and very naive. He said that he’ll give us seeds and take pictures of us with pigeons, and in the end we lost almost all of our money and the digital camera we had with us.

20. Don’t drink alcohol or eat on the streets

Eating on the streets of Florence’s historic center every day from 12p, to 3pm and from 6pm to 10pm.

Eating or drinking while at any of the popular/famous sights of any city, including Venice and Rome (there are fines for that, too). Some German tourists got a fine of 900 euros and were asked to leave the city for having a picnic and making a coffee in Venice.

And drinking alcohol in public places, especially in open or glass containers, is illegal in most cities.

21. Stop before crossing a pedestrian crossing

It’s always a good idea to make sure that the driver sees you and is letting you pass.

What not to do in Italian nature and resorts

22. Don’t litter

This is one of things that I’m shocked I need to mention.

I always pack a zip-lock baggy with me for trash – you pack it, you take it back.

Please, don’t throw any kind of trash on the ground – not chewing gums, cigarette butts, or even fruit.

23. Don’t take sand with you

It’s illegal, for example, in Sardinia to take sand with you from the beach. You can get jailed for up to 6 years for that.

24. Don’t go off marked paths or climb over fences

Many places in, for example, the Dolomites are private property. So don’t go over fences and abide by the signs – otherwise, you might get in trouble for trespassing. Remember that if you decide on planning your own trip, and don’t decide to go taking pictures where you shouldn’t

25. Don’t swim in restricted zones

For example, at the Blue Grotto in Capri, swimming is forbidden. Even Heidi Clum got fined for that.

26. Wear appropriate footwear

For example, if you get caught hiking in flip flops in Cinque Terre, you can get a fine from 50 to 2500 euros. Or you can’t walk around barefoot in Praia a Mare, Calabria.

And please wear appropriate shoes when you go hiking in the mountains. It’s not just a “what not to do in Italy as a tourist” thing – it’s anywhere in the world.

27. Don’t approach lava flows

You must keep a distance of at least 500m from the lava at any time for your own safety. The distance is enforced by local police.

28. Ignore the weather conditions

Fog, rain, thunderstorms – it’s not safe to be out in the nature when it’s weather like this.

I can’t believe this needs to be said…

29. Keep mindful of the signs that tell you what you can and can’t do

Sign showing to not fly drones? Do not fly drones.

Sign saying to not step over a fence? Do not step over the fence.

Easy, right?

Well, lots of people ignore it.

So, please, mind the signs.

30. Don’t cook on the lava

Like, PEOPLE?! LET’S NOT COOK FOOD OR MAKE COFFEE ON LAVA!

Final thoughts about what not to do in Italy as a tourist

I think, no matter what you wear or how you talk, Italians will recognize that you’re a tourist. Most people who live in touristy areas just…  recognize tourists. It’s a skill we have.

What I was talking about in this “what not to do in Italy as a tourist” article, as you might have noticed, is more about the completely rude or illegal things. So please make sure you follow them.

If you’re unsure about something, contact me here, in our facebook group, or let’s set up a call and talk. I’m open to help you!