How to Save Money While Traveling in Italy
Want to explore Italy on a budget? Here are three of the best tips to save money while still enjoying an amazing travel experience! Read this whole blog post, Cheap Travel Italy, to find out how!
1. Travel Off-Season 🏖️
🇮🇹 Flights and hotels are significantly cheaper from November to March.
🇮🇹 You’ll avoid the tourist crowds and get a more authentic experience.
2. Use Public Transportation 🚌
🇮🇹 Instead of expensive taxis, take buses and trains—especially regional trains (Trenitalia Regionale).
🇮🇹 Consider an ItaliaRail Pass for discounts on long-distance trips.
3. Eat Smart 🍕
🇮🇹 Visit local trattorias and street food spots instead of overpriced tourist restaurants.
🇮🇹 Buy snacks and breakfast from supermarkets to save on restaurant costs.
Bonus Tip: If you want to save even more, book accommodations through Airbnb or hostels instead of hotels.
Now, let’s get to the top places you can visit on a budget. Here we go.
Naples
The Heart of Authentic Italy
Why you should visit.
✅ One of the cheapest cities in Italy
✅ Birthplace of pizza – incredible food at low prices
✅ Vibrant street life and stunning coastline
This is the most important question you will ever be asked: Do you like pizza? If the answer is yes, you should definitely check this place out. Naples is the birthplace of pizza! It may sound like it’s really expensive, but it’s not—you can get a pizza here for as little as $5. Should there be pineapple on it or not? That’s up to you.
IIf that’s not enough to convince you to take a cheap travel to Italy trip, maybe visiting Castel dell’Ovo and Spaccanapoli will.
Both places are free to visit. Castel dell’Ovo is one of the oldest castles in Naples, offering stunning architecture and breathtaking views.
Spaccanapoli is a historic street in Naples. Here’s why, according to Rehlat.com (click the link in the name to see the full article):
It is a major thoroughfare that bisects the city from east to west, dividing it into north and south. The name ‘Spaccanapoli’ literally means ‘Naples splitter,’ and it refers to the street’s role in dividing the city in two. It divides the city into its two main districts: the ancient Greek city of Neapolis to the east and the Roman city of Partenope to the west.
Let’s move on to the next cheap travel to Italy destination!
Bologna
The Foodie’s Budget Paradise
Why you should visit.
✅ Cheap but delicious Italian cuisine
✅ Beautiful medieval architecture & lively student vibe
✅ Great aperitivo culture – free snacks with your drinks!
Bologna is THE dream destination in Italy if you love food but hate breaking the bank. For this reason alone, it could easily be one of the cheap travel places you should visit. Try the famous tagliatelle al ragù (the real spaghetti Bolognese). It’s cheap, but unforgettable.
After your meal, visit Torre degli Asinelli. a 97.2-meter (318 feet) tall tower with 498 steps leading to a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city. Entry is just $5!
For a taste of everyday Italian life, visit Quadrilatero. a historic street market offering some of the best street food in Italy. This place is perfect for food lovers on a budget.
Palermo
Sicily’s Budget-Friendly Gem
Why you should visit.
✅ Mediterranean beaches without the high prices
✅ A mix of Arab, Norman & Italian culture
✅ Street food heaven – cheap and delicious
Do you love crystal-clear water? Are you looking for a cheap travel to Italy experience that includes stunning beaches? Personally, this is my kind of vacation. I love sightseeing, but I also love taking a day off just to relax at the beach and swim in warm water.
If that sounds like your dream trip, head to Mondello Beach. When I first saw this beach, I thought, “I have to go there THIS YEAR!” The best part? There’s no entrance fee – you just walk in!
After a swim, visit the Palermo Cathedral. an architectural masterpiece dating back to 1185. The tour takes about an hour and is well worth your time.
As you may have noticed, I really love food. I enjoy trying local specialties, and in Palermo, you must try these three dishes:
🍴 Panelle – Crispy chickpea fritters
🍴 Arancini – Fried rice balls stuffed with meat or cheese
🍴 Cannoli – A delicious Sicilian pastry filled with sweet ricotta
You can find all of these at local street vendors for a great price!
Final Thoughts
Traveling in Italy does not mean you have to use a lot of money. You can make a cheap travel to Italy. So should you have one of these destinations on your bucket list? I think so! There is so many things you can do, so there is something for every taste.
Traveling in Italy doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. You can absolutely plan a cheap travel to Italy trip and still have an incredible experience. So, should one of these destinations be on your bucket list? I think so! There’s something for everyone—whether you love history, food, or relaxing by the beach.
Thanks for reading this blog post about Cheap Travel Italy! I really appreciate you. I hope to see you again next week. Until then, check out my post about the best cheap travel Europe destinations by clicking HERE.
Have a great day! 😊