Falling victim to a tourist trap in Italy is a surefire way to ruin your long-awaited vacation.
There’s nothing worse than planning an epic getaway only to overpay for mediocre food, lose your wallet to a pickpocket, or spend all your time waiting in lines.
Make the most of your international trip by familiarizing yourself with Italy’s most common tourist traps.
Duomo di Firenze
Many Florence scam artists hang out around the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also called the Duomo di Firenze. Though this stunning cathedral is worth seeing, be aware of pickpockets and overpriced shops.
Climbing to the top of the Duomo provides stunning city views, but expect to battle large tourist crowds. Instead, head to Piazzale Michelangelo to capture photos of the Florence skyline.
Gelato Carts
You can’t visit Italy without sampling gelato. However, some Italian vendors will try to rip you off with expensive, inauthentic gelato.
Avoid the gelato carts you might see throughout cities like Rome. They charge several Euros per scoop, and the sweet treats are nowhere near as tasty as what you’ll find in a homemade gelato shop.
Venice Gondola Rides
When you think of Venice, you likely imagine a romantic gondola ride down a narrow canal. Experiencing the city from the water is fantastic for gaining a new perspective on its unique infrastructure and famous landmarks.
A better way to explore Venice’s canal system is on a traghetto. These inexpensive ferries aren’t as stylized as gondolas but are more budget-friendly. They offer beautiful views and an unforgettable sightseeing experience for a fraction of what you’d pay for a gondola.
High-Traffic Cities
Pickpocketing is common in most major cities, and Italy’s metropolitan areas are no exception. Watch your belongings closely, and don’t flash valuables while visiting Venice, Milan, Bologna, and other tourist destinations.
Store your wallets, personal documents, and phones in a bag to keep close to your body. Small crossbody slings and purses are ideal for travel in Italy.
Inauthentic Restaurants
Italy has an incredible culinary scene worth indulging in. Stick to authentic restaurants for sampling local specialties, like cacio e pepe or carbonara pasta in Rome.
Skip eateries that employ workers to stand outside and usher you in, as these are likely tourist traps. You should also avoid restaurants with menus in multiple languages, a sign they cater to tourists willing to overpay.
Illegal Taxis in Rome
You can easily fall victim to an illegal taxi scheme when traveling around Rome. Unlicensed taxi drivers may approach you, offering rides at surprisingly low prices. Once in the cab, however, they will try to make you fork over a lot of cash to complete your journey.
Official vehicles are white and marked as taxis. They only pick up from designated stands, and the driver’s name and license number should be visible.
Blue Grotto
Blue Grotto is a natural ocean cave in Capri, off Italy’s southern coast. You’ve likely seen photos of its striking blue waters and famous rock formations. Despite its marvelous appearance, many struggle to justify the cost and effort to visit.
Grotta del Bue Marino in Sardinia is an excellent alternative. This less-popular cave offers a calmer environment where you can enjoy picturesque views.
Kitschy Souvenirs
Why waste money on cheap souvenirs that aren’t worth the price tag? You’ll find countless shops throughout Italy selling trinkets and knick-knacks for unreasonably high prices.
Maximize your vacation budget by browsing local markets for artisanal goods. Handmade pottery, jewelry, and clothes may be more expensive, but they’re much better quality, putting your money to good use.
Summer on the Amalfi Coast
Reconsider planning a summer holiday on the Amalfi Coast. This stunning area of Italy is world-renowned for its dramatic cliffside villages, historical sites, and recreation opportunities. However, summer is the busiest and most expensive time to visit this idyllic vacation spot.
Plan your trip outside peak tourist season to score better deals on lodging and transportation. If you want a warm-weather getaway, consider the Calabrian Coast instead. It’s a much quieter but equally beautiful region.
Major Piazzas
Be wary of spending all your time in Italy’s large piazzas. Some public city squares are worth exploring to admire the architecture and local culture.
These central areas can have more instances of pickpockets and scam artists. Don’t overlook smaller streets and public spaces offering more authentic and unique city views.
Colosseum Gladiator Pictures
Taking gladiator pictures in front of the Colosseum is one of the latest tourist traps to emerge in Italy. The scheme involves people dressed as ancient Roman gladiators approaching tourists to take a posed photo with the Colosseum in the background.
On the surface, this sounds like a fun souvenir to commemorate your trip. However, the so-called gladiator will try to force you to pay a large amount of money for the snapshots.
Lago di Braies
Skip the chaos of Lago di Braies in favor of Lago di Carezza. Lago di Braies is a beautiful Dolomite lake that attracts many photographers and influencers. High visitor numbers and vehicle restrictions from July to September can make planning a trip challenging.
Lago di Carezza boasts similar scenery with fewer crowds. This easily accessible alpine lake is gorgeous year-round, letting you escape the hustle and bustle of other popular attractions.
Overpriced Cafes
Sipping an espresso or savoring a sandwich in front of an iconic Italian landmark may sound idyllic. However, cafes located near Italy’s most-visited locations are often wildly overpriced.
These restaurants know tourists will flock there, so they can get away with charging ridiculous prices for mediocre menu items. Your best bet to find delicious, cost-effective food is to dine outside the major tourist areas.
Trevi Fountain (at Peak Times)
Timing is everything if you want to experience the Trevi Fountain in its full glory. This ancient monument is essential to any Rome itinerary but attracts many tourists.
Plan your visit around sunrise for fewer crowds and a more peaceful sightseeing environment. Don’t shop or dine in the area surrounding the fountain, as these aim to take advantage of unassuming tourists.
Add these can’t-miss Italian destinations to your travel itinerary
There’s no shortage of breathtaking places to explore throughout Italy. Add these iconic destinations to your itinerary for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Best Places to Visit in Italy: 16 Unforgettable Destinations
Explore Italy’s best cities on your next getaway
Deciding what to see in Italy can feel overwhelming. From coastal villages to bustling cultural hubs, how do you pick what cities to tour on your grand Italian vacation?
14 Bucket List-Worthy Cities in Italy for Unforgettable Memories
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
