With experience of both solo and small-group trips in Italy, Meghan Morrison explains how you can combine the two for the ultimate adventure.
I’d always dreamed of travelling to the Amalfi Coast – sailing to nearby bays and islands, feasting on plates of bufala mozzarella, sipping Aperol spritz at a cliffside restaurant… I saw a photo of the stacked terraces of the Sorrentine Peninsula and imagined myself in it. Beyond that, I didn’t really know much.
When I finally made it to the fabled coastline on a solo trip to Italy, the views were everything I’d pictured. But the experience? Not so much. I left my passport in my room. And accidentally left my laptop under the mattress. Then I missed my ferry to Capri because I had to sprint back (up 400 steps) to retrieve said personal items – and I only discovered that my dream hike (the Path of the Gods) existed after I’d left.
Is solo travel in Italy doable? Absolutely. Does it get easier once you lean on the locals? No doubt. Are you laughing at me right now? I don’t blame you. But just so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did, here are the best tips for solo travel to Italy – no step-sprinting needed.
Flying solo without fear
It’s okay to be weary. Not knowing the language, being confused about public transport, not knowing the customs, where to go or when, not knowing if it’s safe, or what to eat – these are valid concerns. If you have a trip to Italy on your radar and any of these thoughts are racing through your head, you’ve come to the right place.
Doing anything alone can feel challenging. I have friends who wouldn’t dream of going to the movies solo, let alone a foreign country. But I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again, and I think you should, too.
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Where to go in Italy and when to visit
My first trip to Italy was in December. I know, not everyone’s first choice – but there’s something magical about it. Snow dusts the northern mountains, Christmas markets pop up everywhere, mulled wine flows and the holiday spirit is alive.
Where to go and when to visit really depends on your travel vibe. If you’re craving warm Mediterranean coastlines and days spent in the water, then you should hit spots like Cinque Terre in the Liguria region, Amalfi Coast in Campania or the island of Sicily anytime between May and September. For hiking in the northern Dolomites or wandering central cities’ art-filled streets without the crowds, aim for the shoulder months of March to April or September to October. And if you’re travelling during the busy summer months, teaming up with a locally led small-group trip can help you swerve the crowds.
You probably have a checklist of famous spots you want to see. But my favourite moments were in the quiet corners I didn’t even know existed. On my last trip, I travelled with a local leader and small group and found parts of Italy I wouldn’t have discovered on my own – like the stone city of Matera in the lesser-visited region of Basilicata or the coastal town of Polignano a Mare in Puglia.
On that trip, our leader was from Bari, and experiencing his hometown through his eyes was truly special – he pointed out his parent’s house from a train, invited us to a private pasta-making class with friends he knew and just generally shared the local culture with contagious joy. Those are the moments you simply can’t get alone.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry – there’s no wrong way to do Italy. It’s a year-round playground, and with its easy public transport, hopping from one spot to another is a breeze. So, let’s dive into the details.
How keep safe while exploring Italy
I picked Italy as my first solo adventure for a reason – it’s generally considered very safe, including for solo female travellers like me. Of course, like anywhere, stay aware of your surroundings and watch out for petty crime, but overall, Italy is welcoming and easy to explore.
Getting around plays a huge part in feeling confident in a new place and luckily Italy’s public transport is good. Coming from the US, travelling somewhere you don’t need a car feels like a superpower. A great way to get ahead is to download the Trenitalia app for up-to-date train info and even buy your tickets directly through it.
As a young woman, I’m usually cautious about walking around at night – but in Italy, I never felt unsafe. Italians stay out late, dinner happens between 8 and 10 pm, and there’s almost always someone around, so the streets never feel empty.
Of course, there’s safety in numbers, so if you’re feeling unsure, group trips can help ease those jitters. You can choose when to strike out solo or stick with your new travel friends – and still enjoy everything Italy has to offer without the stress.
Read more: 13 new ways to explore Europe
Travelling solo doesn’t have to mean alone
Just because you’re travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone. I used to travel strictly solo for the pride of it – but my first group trip as a solo traveller taught me the magic of sharing experiences.
I’ve been to Italy both alone and with a group, and my favourite memories are definitely those shared with others. That solo Amalfi trip was memorable… but for all the wrong reasons. Missing the Path of the Gods hike right under my nose broke my heart. However, returning with a small group – guided by our local leader, Graziano – made it even more special with the laughs, the shared struggles and celebrating together at the finish line.
Group travel lets me unplug. When I travel alone, I’m glued to my phone, navigating, planning, checking maps… But with others, I get to put the phone down and actually soak it all in.
When I think back on my solo trips to Italy, what stands out is the pride I felt doing it all on my own. But when I remember travelling with my group of new friends, my cheeks hurt from smiling. Bursting into spontaneous song on the way home from dinner one night (yep, like in a musical), spending the day on a boat off the coast of Capri – those are the magical moments I never got to experience solo.
Lean on the locals
I absolutely believe you can figure out the logistics yourself, but why stress when you don’t have to? No one knows the local rhythm like someone who lives there. Having Graziano handle the nitty gritty – translating, talking to chefs, ordering for the table, steering us away from the crowds – was a whole lot easier.
We were visiting hotspots like Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Rome and Puglia during peak tourist season in June. Yet Graziano somehow navigated us past the crowds – like the shoulder-to-shoulder human traffic jam in Capri’s main square – and effortlessly steered us to a quiet picnic spot tucked behind blooming trees so we were completely alone.
As we moved from one town to the next, Graziano’s insider knowledge made every stop better with hidden viewpoints and secret corners you’d never find online or in a guidebook. The itinerary wasn’t just a list of sights – it was a curated adventure shared with strangers that have become lifelong friends.
Key tips for solo travellers to Italy
Between my own solo-travel trips and small-group adventures in Italy, I’ve picked up a few tips to help you on your own Italian adventure. Consider this your cheat sheet.
- Skip the tourist traps. Those restaurants with the waiters waving you in? Avoid them. Find tucked-away spots and ask for the regional special – then order it.
- Polite phrases go a long way. You don’t need to master Italian – just know the basics: hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me, do you speak English? Can I have…? Locals genuinely appreciate the effort.
- Stay curious and flexible. You may have a plan but leave room for surprises. Some of the best experiences happen when you wander off the main path.
- Explore multiple places. Italy is compact and connected. Take advantage of public transport and squeeze in different stops.
- Book major attractions in advance. For sites like the Sistine Chapel or Michelangelo’s David, reserving in advance saves you from long lines – or worse, missing out entirely. Again, this is a perk of booking a small-group tour: they cover all the logistics for you.
Feeling ready to visit Italy?
Travelling solo isn’t nearly as intimidating as it seems. I get it – the closer your trip gets, the more that little voice of anxiety creeps in. But here’s the thing: local people live where you’re going and they’re always happy to help, especially in Italy.
If you want the freedom of solo travel plus the camaraderie of a group and the expertise of a local, you can really have the best of both worlds with a small-group trip. You’ve got this – just (a word of caution) don’t leave your passport behind.
Launch your next adventure by travelling solo on a small-group trip to Italy with Intrepid.
