What To Pack For 12 Days In Italy: Complete Guide + Printable Sheet [2024]

Packing can be a nightmare, especially when visiting a country with different environments and climates. Italy offers various experiences, from the northern part with the stunning Dolomites mountains to cute sea villages or bustling streets of Milan and Rome. If you’re visiting different parts of Italy, packing might be especially challenging.

But no worries. I asked my friend Sarah from Mukikapup’s Travels what she packed for her Italian trip and she’ll tell you exactly what you should pack for a 12-day trip to Italy. You’ll learn about packing for different places and seasons and get an exact list.

So let’s pack for your Italian adventure together!

Essential Italy Packing List For 12 Days

Are you going to Italy for 12 days? I spent around 12 days in Italy, so this list is from my own experience of what you’ll need for close to 2 weeks in this amazing country!

We’ll go over packing lists for women and men, what to consider before packing, and tips to help you be the most prepared – so you won’t have to buy a pair of jeans like I had to.

The main things to think about are what you normally wear, being comfortable but also stylish, and the weather, plus your destinations and activities for your trip.

Here are the top three things everyone needs for 12 days in Italy, including kids and adults:

👉 Good pair of walking shoes
👉 Sunscreen
👉 Water bottle

You can always add to this as you have room; I’m recommending what I find fits the best in a smaller carry-on suitcase and backpack.

💡 PRO TIP: Mix and match outfits, wear things more than once, and do laundry when needed!

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Packing List For 12 Days In Italy: Women

This is my recommended packing list for 12 days in Italy for women. Consider your style for specific outfits and stick to lightweight and comfortable materials – stretchy when possible for all the walking and eating you’ll be doing!

👉 SHOES:

✅ Good pair of walking shoes: I always wear good running shoes, like Brooks, for those long days of walking, but if you want them to be more stylish, choose street-style shoes from quality brands. I also use gel insoles for extra comfort.

✅ A pair of Chelsea boots for inclement weather and style in the cooler months (optional). I love my Blundstones for this.

✅ In the warmer seasons, a pair of sandals that are good for walking and the beach. My Chacos come with me on all my trips for their versatility.

✅ Optional: Dressy sandals or shoes if you plan to dress up for dinner or events; you can also wear the other shoes mentioned earlier when you make them work with the outfits you pack!

👉 CLOTHING:

Travel Day Outfit: I pick a comfortable outfit for travel days and set this aside first.

You’ll need 4-5 outfits that you can mix and match, but the main piece to these can be shirts and jackets – I don’t think you have to have that many bottoms. I recommend:

✅ 4-5 shirts (tank tops, t-shirts, long-sleeves, button-up shirts etc)

✅ 1-2 lightweight layers, like a button-up blouse or sweater, to wear over shirts for a separate outfit

✅ 3-4 bottoms: these can be pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses, depending on the season and your own personal style preferences; make sure to bring something that covers your legs if you go into churches that don’t allow shorts

✅ Bike shorts, especially to wear under dresses/skirts for days with a lot of walking (optional)

✅ 1 exercise/at-home outfit, like leggings and a t-shirt, especially if you workout

✅ 2 sets of pj’s

✅ Socks, underwear, and bras/sports bras

✅ Swimsuit if it’s summer or your hotel has a pool (2 for summer if you have room), plus a cover-up (which can be shorts and a shirt that doubles as an extra outfit!)

✅ Jacket or sweatshirt, depending on the season. I recommend a leather jacket for fall, which is when I visited.

✅ Rain jacket (if needed for weather)

✅ Hat – I bring a baseball-style hat, but you can bring wide-brim and/or winter hats depending on your style and the season

✅ Scarf if you’ll wear it and if it’s cold, you can include gloves as well.

👉 MISCELANEOUS:

✅ Feminine hygiene products

✅ Makeup and hair needs (i.e., elastics or clips; most places already have hairdryers)

✅ Purse or fanny pack

✅ Small backpack to carry each day when sightseeing

Packing List For 12 Days In Italy: Men

Here is a quick packing list for men if you travel to Italy.

👉 SHOES:

✅ A pair of walking shoes: good running shoes, like Brooks, for long days of walking. I also use gel insoles for extra comfort!

✅ A pair of stylish boots for inclement weather and style in the cooler months, e.g. Blundstones. You can also bring a pair of boat shoes.

✅ In the warmer seasons, a pair of sandals that are good for walking and the beach. My Chacos come with me on all my trips for their versatility!

✅ Dressy shoes if you want to dress up for dinner or events, or boat shoes can work (optional).

👉 CLOTHING:

First, think about your travel day outfit: pick a comfortable outfit for travel days and set this aside first.

You’ll need 4-5 outfits that you can mix and match, but the main piece to these can be shirts and jackets – you don’t need to have that many bottoms. I suggest the following:

✅ 4-5 shirts (t-shirts, button-ups etc)

✅ 1-2 lightweight layers, like a button-up shirt or sweater, to wear over shirts for a separate outfit

✅ 3-4 bottoms: these can be pants, jeans, and shorts, depending on the season and your personal style preferences; just make sure to bring something that covers your legs if you go into churches that don’t allow shorts

✅ 1 exercise/at-home outfit, like gym shorts and a t-shirt, especially if you workout

✅ 1 set of pj’s

✅ Socks and underwear

✅ Swimsuit if it’s summer or your hotel has a pool, plus a T-shirt as a cover-up.

✅ Jacket or sweatshirt, depending on the season. I recommend a leather jacket for fall, which is when I visited.

✅ Rain jacket (if needed for weather)

✅ Hat – wide-brim and/or winter hats depending on your style and the season

✅ If it’s cold, you can add a scarf and gloves

✅ Belt(s)

NOTE: I’m so sorry, guys. As I’m a woman, I only have a printable packing checklist for women – but you can still download it since many clothing pieces are similar/common.

Packing List For Italy With Items For Women & Men

Here is a quick list of all the miscellaneous stuff you might need to add to your suitcase. Think about the necessary things; you don’t need to bring your entire home.

These are just the ideas of items you might need for your trip to Italy:

✅ Microfiber towel for the beach and, if needed, for accommodation. They’re quick-drying and easy to pack.

✅ Packable daypack and/or purse, for day trips and sightseeing. I love my packable daypack because I can carry my camera with me!

✅ A high-quality camera (Mirrorless or DSLR are better if you like to take quality photos), and accessories if you use them (like a tripod, for example), plus an action/underwater camera like a GoPro

✅ Portable charger

✅ Universal power adaptor

✅ Toiletries, including toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush, deodorant, razor, shampoo/conditioner/soap in airplane-size bottles, nail clippers, tweezers, any medications and supplements you need and anything else you use regularly

✅ Sunscreen and insect repellant

✅ Water bottle and electrolytes

✅ Sunglasses and case

✅ Packable laundry bag

✅ Headphones and anything you need for entertainment during travel, like a Kindle, iPad, or books

✅ Passport, wallet, and other travel documents (I make a color copy of my passport for my luggage as well)

✅ Jewelry, but I recommend leaving your most valuable items at home

✅ Phone and charger, plus computer and charger

✅ Small first-aid kit with some band-aids, Neosporin, alcohol pads, etc.

👉 READ ALSO: How To Make A Perfect Day Trip From Rome To Amalfi Coast

9 Tips For Packing For A Trip To Italy

I already mentioned some tips for packing, and I’ll expand on them, plus add some more here!

After a past filled with over-packing and bringing items I never wore or used on trips, I finally came up with a system that works for packing most efficiently!

So here are my top 9 packing tips to help you take it even better:

1. Plan Your Outfits

My secret to packing efficiently is planning mix-and-match outfits with items I already wear and love only. I have bought new clothing for trips, but when I do this, I don’t give myself other options for those outfits.

Decide what you’ll wear in advance, and make sure you want to wear it (try those outfits you just bought before you pack them, for example).

A big mistake I’ve made that others do as well is thinking I’ll finally wear that dress or jacket I never wore on this trip or that I need to pack something extra “just in case.” I never need it. If you need to shop, there are plenty of places in Italy – I bought jeans in Florence at an H&M!

💡 Steps To Planning Your Outfits – My Process:

➡ Lay out everything you’re thinking about packing.

➡ Do a run-through and take out anything you won’t wear or that’s not good for the season.

➡ If a few items are musts, put those aside and plan outfits around them; otherwise, pick bottoms or tops to plan your outfits around.

➡ Prioritize comfort and weather, plus color combinations. For example, I always bring a black shirt because it matches everything and doesn’t show dirt.

➡ Continue to weed out until you’re left with the number of clothing items I listed above that can all be mixed and matched!

➡ Make sure everything works together. For example, your bras work with all your tops and dresses and that your shoes, hats, and accessories work with your outfits. You can also try on outfits to see what they’ll look like and how comfortable they’ll feel.

2. Check The Weather Forecast

Always check the weather forecast, and what’s normal for the time of year you’re visiting Italy since the weather might be unpredictable.

When I visited in the Fall, I went on a photo tour one day, and it ended up raining afterward. I eventually got a car to take me back to my Airbnb, but I was kicking myself for not having an umbrella or rain jacket!

Another example is the time I visited the Amalfi coast in May. It was cold and rainy, so I couldn’t wear the summer outfit I packed. But if I had checked the forecast, I would’ve been more prepared.

3. Plan Your Itinerary

Make sure to look at the weather and climate for the areas of Italy you’ll be visiting – which means you’ll need to plan these places because different parts of the country have varying altitudes and temperatures.

For example, the Dolomites (Northern Italy) are at a higher elevation, so they’ll be colder and rainy, and you’ll need a good jacket.

South of Italy, on the other hand, gets hot, so you’ll need lighter-weight clothing. This might change your packing list to include different types of clothing or an extra long-sleeved shirt, for example.

👉 READ ALSO: 21 Italy Souvenirs To Bring Home: What To Buy In Italy

4. Think About The Luggage Size

The packing list I provided is ideal for packing light, which is important for Italy because of 1) the cobblestones in some areas and 2) mobility on trains.

But I understand some of you might need more things with a big suitcase. It depends on your circumstances.

Still, I always recommend being as conservative as possible with packing things like clothing because it keeps the weight of your luggage lower for the plane and your comfort when traveling.

You can even bring just a backpack; some open suitcases help you fit more into them! Just make sure you include everything you need on your trip.

5. Don’t Overpack

As I mentioned, don’t worry too much because you can always buy things in Italy. Shopping is everywhere, especially in the main cities, where you can find familiar and new shops.

The main reason I hate overpacking is that I have to re-pack for my next destination and can’t figure out how to stuff everything back into the bag.

It gets worse if you buy anything at all, no matter how small, and I usually find myself buying at least one small item, even if it’s for a gift for someone!

FUN FACT: I went to Italy as part of a four-country, 2-month trip once, and I mailed a package back to the US from a town near Milan because I had bought a few things and ran out of space – I never even got the package, and I had to pay around $40 to ship it! So take my advice, and don’t overpack!

6. Bring Mix-&-Matchable Outfits

Keep it simple – whatever you bring, make sure you can also wear it with other items in your bag! I recommend mostly colors like black, white, denim, and other neutrals mixed with a fun solid color or two for versatility!

It makes my life so much easier when I travel. I have more time to enjoy the destinations instead of spending over an hour each day figuring out what to wear.

7. Vary Your Fabrics & Styles

Bring contrasting fabrics for outfits that look different from each other, even while mixing and matching!

An example would be that you bring a pair of jeans, a pair of wide-legged linen or other lightweight pants, a skirt or dress, and some other kind of pants if needed. Then, bring a tank top, t-shirts with different necks (like a scoop neck and v-neck), and different fabrics and/or tightness or looseness.

Then, have a cardigan and/or a button-up blouse you can wear over shirts as needed, plus a jacket or sweatshirt, so every day looks like a new outfit!

Also, bring what looks good on you, not what you think you’re “supposed” to bring for a trip to Italy!

8. Roll Your Clothing

I don’t use packing cubes for everything. I pack smaller items in airtight bags and toiletries in bags. Still, I stack and roll everything else to fit other items in between more easily!

9. Be Hard On Yourself

My packing breakthrough came when I finally decided to stop being so lenient with myself. I decided I’m only taking x amount of outfits and bringing things I already wear often – and that made all the difference!

If you’re anything like me, it’ll make you a little sad to leave some things at home, but trust me – the second you’re getting sick of your luggage, you’ll be so thankful it’s not filled with all that junk you might wear or use but weren’t sure about!

👉 READ ALSO: Milan To Amalfi Coast: Ultimate Travel Guide

What To Pack For 12 Days In Italy For Different Seasons

While many things to pack for Italy are necessary for every season, there are things to bring specifically for each season and different parts of the country.

Here are the specifics for seasons in Italy:

What To Pack For Italy In The Spring (March, April, May)

NORTHERN ITALY (Dolomites & Milan): Mild temperatures (0°C/32°F – 5°C/41°F), with occasional rain showers. Be sure to bring a light rain jacket, possibly a small umbrella, boots or other walking shoes you can wear in the rain. Also, pack some warmer clothes like sweaters.

CENTRAL ITALY (Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany): Mild and pleasant temperatures (14°C/57°F – 19°C/66°F). Occasional rain. Bring a light rain jacket and a small umbrella, boots or other walking shoes you can wear in the rain, and layered clothing.

SOUTHERN ITALY (Amalfi Coast, Naples, Capri, Puglia): Warm and pleasant temperatures (16°C/61°F – 22°C/72°F). Less rainfall compared to other seasons. Depending on your activities, you can bring a lightweight rain jacket or just a sweatshirt or jacket with a hood for possible rain. Pack for warm weather with some warmer items for layers, like a lightweight pair of pants and a jacket.

ISLANDS (Sicily, and Sardinia): Mild and pleasant temperatures (13°C/55°F – 20°C/68°F) with occasional rain. Bring a light rain jacket, possibly a small umbrella, boots or other walking shoes you can wear in the rain, and layered clothing.

What To Pack For Italy In The Summer (June, July, August)

NORTHERN ITALY (Dolomites & Milan): Warm to hot temperatures (11°C/52°F – 16/61°F), with some humidity. Occasional thunderstorms. Bring a lightweight rain jacket or something that’s okay in the rain with a hood. Be sure to pack lightweight clothing and a hat for hot weather!

CENTRAL ITALY (Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany): Hot and dry weather, with some coastal areas experiencing sea breezes. High temperatures (25°C/77°F – 33/91°F) inland. Pack for summer, including lightweight clothing, a hat, sunscreen and sandals!

SOUTHERN ITALY (Amalfi Coast, Naples, Capri, Puglia): Hot and dry weather with high temperatures (27°C/80°F – 35/95°F). Some areas can be very humid with limited rainfall. Pack for summer, including lightweight clothing, a hat, sunscreen, sandals, plus a swimsuit and towel! If you can, pack quick-drying and/or cooling fabrics.

ISLANDS (Sicily, and Sardinia): Hot and dry weather, especially in inland areas. Temperatures range between 26°C/79°F and 29/84°F, with limited rainfall. Pack for summer, including lightweight clothing, a hat, sunscreen, sandals, and a swimsuit and towel!

What To Pack For Italy In The Fall (September, October, November)

NORTHERN ITALY (Dolomites & Milan): Cool temperatures (7°C/44°F – -2/28°F), with more frequent rain. Fall foliage is prominent. Bring a light-medium weight rain jacket, possibly a small umbrella, boots or other walking shoes you can wear in the rain, and layered clothing. It might also snow in the mountains, so pack accordingly.

CENTRAL ITALY (Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany): Mild temperatures (16°C/61°F – 20/68°F) with occasional rainfall. Pack a lightweight rain jacket, a small umbrella, boots, or other walking shoes you can wear in the rain. I recommend a leather jacket, jeans, and colors that look good with the foliage in photos!

SOUTHERN ITALY (Amalfi Coast, Naples, Capri, Puglia): Mild temperatures (17°C/62°F – 25/77°F) with occasional rain. It’s warmer than Northern and Central Italy. I recommend a lightweight jacket and clothing for warmer temperatures.

ISLANDS (Sicily, and Sardinia): Mild temperatures (14°C/57°F – 21/70°F) with occasional rain. The islands are warmer than Northern and Central Italy. I recommend a lightweight jacket and clothing for warmer temperatures, including beach clothing if the weather allows.

What To Pack For Italy In The Winter (December, January, February)

NORTHERN ITALY (Dolomites & Milan): Cold temperatures (-5°C/23°F – 0/32°F), especially in the Alpine regions. Snowfall is common in the mountains, while the plains may experience occasional snow or freezing temperatures.

You’ll need a coat, gloves, a winter hat, and a scarf, plus layers, warm pants, and thick socks you can layer. I also recommend boots that are good for the snow and icy conditions.

CENTRAL ITALY (Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany): Mild to cool temperatures (3°C/37°F – 7/44°F), with some areas experiencing occasional frost. Coastal areas generally have milder winters compared to inland regions. Bring a warm jacket with layers or a coat, and a good leather jacket with warm layers might be enough.

Bring boots or good tennis shoes, warm socks, and layered clothing. Don’t forget a hat, gloves, and a scarf in case you need them!

SOUTHERN ITALY (Amalfi Coast, Naples, Capri, Puglia): Mild and relatively warm (10°C/50°F – 14/57°F) compared to the north. While temperatures can drop, they’re generally milder, and snow is rare in most areas.

Bring a leather jacket or another warm – but not too warm – jacket. Wear layered clothing and good walking shoes. Don’t forget a hat.

ISLANDS (Sicily, and Sardinia): Mild temperatures (9°C/48°F – 14/57°F), especially along the coasts. Snow is rare, even in higher elevations. Bring a jacket and layers, good walking shoes, warm socks, and a hat.

What NOT To Pack For Italy

The easiest thing to say is not to overpack and to use the tips I’ve shared thus far, but here are some additional tips for what you don’t need in Italy:

❌ Extra electronics and chargers. While I used to pack backup power banks, I’ve realized it’s too much to carry around the whole trip! If I need one, I can buy one.

❌ Extra clothing or aspirational clothing (e.g., clothing you think you might wear on this trip but you’ve never worn at home)

❌ Clothing that’s not weather-appropriate or that you can’t mix and match with all your other clothing

❌ You don’t want to worry about expensive jewelry or valuables that aren’t necessities while taking in the Colosseum, for example!

❌ Traveler’s checks. You don’t need these, and they’ll cost you more. I recommend getting a Wise account and debit card to get cash from ATMs without the fee (up to certain amount), plus a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred (with a low yearly fee) to forgo the foreign transaction fee and add points toward future travels!

❌ A ton of makeup or dressy clothes/shoes. You can be stylish and look put together without bringing all your makeup or many clothing changes.

How To Pack For Italy In A Carry-On

If you only want to bring a carry-on suitcase to Italy, my biggest tip is to pack mix-matchable outfits. This way, you can combine all pieces of clothes and create new outfits every day.

You can also bring fewer clothes since you can match them together.

I’ve visited Italy many times (also as a tour manager), and I mostly pack in my carry-on.

So this is how I pack in a carry-on for my trips to Italy.

💡 Pack less pieces of clothes
💡 Bring mix-matchable outfits
💡 Pack fewer pairs of shoes – only 2 (good walking shoes & sandals that you can also wear for fancy occasions)
💡 Have light fabric clothes to fit them into the carry-on
💡 Think twice whether you need to bring something – if you’re hesitant, leave it at home
💡 Wear the outfits before you pack, and plan what you’ll wear each day

Get My Printable Packing Checklist For Italy

Get my free packing checklist for Italy, print it at home, and organize your clothes while packing.

You can check off clothes and items you already have and note what you’re missing/what you still need to buy.

Click on the image below and get my free packing list for Italy:

FAQs

I’ve also answered some frequently asked questions about packing for Italy. Check my answers below:

How Many Clothes Do I Need For A 12-Day Trip?

For a 12-day trip, plan on bringing a comfortable travel day outfit, 4-5 mix-and-match outfits (including shirts, lightweight layers, and bottoms), optional leggings or bike shorts for active days, exercise attire, 2 sets of pajamas, socks, underwear, and bras.

Don’t forget a swimsuit with a cover-up for warm destinations, a suitable jacket or sweatshirt for the season, a rain jacket, and a hat that complements your style and the weather. Consider your personal preferences and planned activities to streamline your packing.

What Not To Forget When Traveling To Italy?

When traveling to Italy, don’t forget to pack light, but bring necessary items like travel documents and travel insurance, copies of your passport, euros and other payment methods, a universal adapter and chargers, your camera, medications, good walking shoes, snacks and electrolytes, toiletries, water bottle, and knowledge of the emergency numbers in Italy.

How Much Money Should You Bring For 2 Weeks In Italy?

I recommend planning for around $2,000, including emergency fees, while in Italy, but I wouldn’t bring all that cash. Plan to spend around €100-€200 per day on a budget and start with around €500 in cash.

Make sure you have cash for any accommodation you haven’t paid for already and some cash for meals and other tickets.

Is $2000 Enough For A Week In Italy?

Yes, $2000 is enough for a week in Italy, depending on your budget and what you spend money on. Make sure to plan your accommodations to allow for money to budget towards food, attractions, traveling needs, and any tours or additional shopping you’ll be doing.

Is Italy Using Cash Or A Card In 2024?

Italy accepts Visa and Mastercard in most locations. However, keeping cash in case someone doesn’t take cards is always smart, especially outside of the cities. There are still many places where you can only pay cash, so have some with you each day.

WRAP-UP: Packing For A 12-Day Trip To Italy

I recommend packing this for your Italian trip. My most important advice is not to overcomplicate things and not to overpack. There are shops in Italy, so you can always buy the clothes you need. But don’t forget the most important items like passports and travel documents, cameras, and medications. Pack something to stay comfortable and enjoy your trip.

If you have any questions or need help planning your trip to Italy, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you.

Happy Packing!

🌏 About the author: Sarah Simon is a travel blogger and photographer helping people take better photos, sharing solo travel tips and more. She has a MA in archaeology from Tel Aviv University and enjoys learning about the destinations and history of places around the world, as well as participating in excavations whenever possible.

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