How Not to Look Like a Tourist on an Italian Beach (2024)

FAQs

How to not look touristy in Italy? ›

Dress Code for Women

It is not permitted to wear sleeveless or low-cut clothing. Belly crop tops are a big no! Make sure your shoulders are covered. If you're wearing a skirt, dress, or pair of shorts, make sure they're at least knee-length.

Italian women show skin in the summer, but tastefully. Strappy and off-the shoulder tops are must-pack items, but remember: revealing tops shouldn't be worn when visiting religious sites.

Fashion in Italy is the same as other parts of the world.

However, casual or any other clothing in Italy generally tends to differ from some countries in the sense that people wear items that are fitted to their bodies. A tailored look is the true secret to the Italian everyday fashion observed by visitors.

Being Mediterranean, Italian women have very distinct characteristics that set them apart from other ethnicities. Italian women are known to have an intense gaze, olive skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. High cheekbones, a small or Roman nose, long hair, and soft lips are considered beautiful in Italy.

Don't point to people: Italians don't like people pointing to them with their fingers. It makes them feel like animals at a zoo. Ask for permission before photographing someone: For the same reason, you should always ask their permission before taking a photo of someone.

Should I carry cash in Italy? ›

Italy's currency is the Euro (€). We recommend that you take a mixture of cash along with currency on a pre-paid currency card. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and autostrada tollbooths.

Unless you're visiting an island resort, you should avoid wearing tank tops, baggy shirts, shorts, and other overly relaxed clothing. Wearing athletic garments from head to toe is also a big no-no. If you want to fit in, it's advisable to elevate your casual outfits so that you'll look nicer and smarter.

Avoid wearing anything that has to do with the USA or America. In particular, avoid clothing with the city's name, the country or state's flag, or similar printing. Buy accessories at local stores, especially ones that you see the locals wearing, like scarves.

Avoid bright-colored clothes and wear muted colors instead. Ditch the white sneakers, bulky cargo shorts, and yoga pants, and opt for comfortable shoes and casual pants like khakis. Forget the fanny pack and hulking backpacks. Carry only what you need.

Italians love a nice pair of short shorts, and not just for women . Guys, girls, grandmas; everybody wears shorts, and they're probably a lot smaller than you're used to. If you're traveling to Italy during the summer, get ready to wear shorts that show a little thigh.

Sneakers are fine also in Italy, but again, maybe not in a fancy restaurant. So consider taking also some nice pair of shoes with you.

Avoid wearing shirts with collar buttons or breast pockets at night. You can also never go wrong with a dress or skirt. If you're a man, wear a long-sleeve shirt at night or when attending nicer venues. Jeans are okay, but dress them up with a nice blazer and dress shirt.

Deodorant is not common in Italy and is very difficult to find, so pack your own ahead of time.

Italians can spot an American from a mile away; because, well, they are wearing flip-flops. And yes, this is a real thing, Italian's just don't wear flip-flops.

You can wear shorts in Italy and look perfectly normal.

I am so glad I decided to pack some shorts! What is this? On the first day, I wore some light khakis. We went to the Vatican and found that there were plenty of men wearing shorts.

What are the 4 food rules in Italy? ›

The best ones to pack are those that come with a rubber sole and cushioning for walking. If you prefer to keep your feet covered, closed-toe sandals light summer sneakers are also a good choice; however, make sure they are truly breathable as the temperatures in Italy can be scorching!

It's fine, though it will make you more even more readily identifiable as a non-local than you already are so just make sure you have your wits about you while walking about. As much as I love yoga pants, I like to at least somewhat look the part of a local so I usually wear jeans and flats.

Italians are known for having high cheekbones and a strong jawline, giving them sharp-looking facial features. What is this? Coupled with their dark hair and eyes, plus their auquiline noses, Italians can give off an imposing aura when they wear a serious expression.

So, what is makeup's role in a country where most people always try to dress well and look good? Well, Italians don't normally use as much makeup as you might expect. A typical Italian look, which I've recreated for you today, will usually feature very few products.

On average, Italian men weigh around 160 pounds (73 kg) and Italian women weigh around 140 pounds (64 kg). These numbers are comparable to the average weight of men and women in other Western nations.

Italians eat predominantly sweet things for breakfast. This can be quite a shock if you are used to having toast, eggs, and bacon first thing in the morning. Instead, the traditional breakfast in Italy relies almost exclusively on baked goods like biscuits, cookies, pastries, rusks, and cakes.

It is improper to put one's hands on one's lap, or to stretch one's arms while at the table. Resting one's elbows on the table is also considered to be poor manners. Do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. Drinking beverages other than water or wine with a meal is quite uncommon.

The ombrello ("umbrella") gesture is one way of saying "f-ck off", "get lost", or in Italian, vaffunculo. You can perform it by "making an umbrella" by making a fist with one arm, and slapping the upper arm with the other hand.

What not to order in Italy? ›

In general, Italians respect Americans and always welcome them as friends. They adore the curiosity of American tourists in regard to experiencing Italian culture, and they love the way that Americans enjoy their food.

There is no strict rule about tipping in Italy. Leaving a tip is a courteous gesture that shows the person who provided a service to you, that you appreciated their help. As such, leaving a tip is entirely up to you and, in many cases, it will not be expected, albeit appreciated.

Tip in the local currency

Whenever you tip during your trip to Italy it is important to use the local currency, that is - Euros. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.

In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.

Just like in America, Europeans wear all styles of clothes and it varies from country to country. That said, styles do tend to be a little more “dressy” but many Europeans are moving toward a more casual, t-shirt, sneakers, and jeans wardrobe.

Go big on top, narrow on bottom. If you like the idea of belly camouflage but want to show some shape too, let opposites attract. Pair any full-cut top, blouse, jacket or tunic with a slim base of trim pants, leggings or straight or skinny jeans (here's where the latter come in handy even if you no longer love them).

How can I dress nice but not fancy? ›

The go-to outfit is typically a pair of slacks in a neutral color, such as khaki, navy blue, or black. This is worn with a nice dress shirt. If you want, add a cardigan or blazer on top. Examples of a nice dress shirt include collared button-up shirts, crewnecks, ruffled blouses, cashmere sweaters, and vests.

Nothing says European summer vacation more than linen clothing. Whether it is a linen shirt, dress, or pants, this material creates a cool, relaxed beachy vibe. Ensure you stick to a neutral color palette, pair them with your favorite sandals and a summer hat, and you will be ready to go.

FAQs: Skipping The Lines in Rome

The easiest way to skip the lines at Rome's famous attractions is to buy skip the line tickets to the attractions. This applies to all of Rome's most popular attractions, like the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Colosseum, and the Borghese Gallery.

The famous Amalfi Coast towns of Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento are undeniably beautiful, but they can also be touristy and extremely crowded, especially in the summer.

The Collins English Dictionary defines tourist traps as places “that attract a lot of tourists where food, drink, entertainment, etc., is more expensive than normal” (Tourist trap, n.d.).

Where is the friendliest city in the world? Polignano a Mare has been voted the most welcoming tourist destination in the world by Booking's Traveller Review Award. The coastal city in the southern region of Puglia has long been a favorite summer vacation spot.

Venice is easily one of the prettiest cities in Italy.

1. Rome. With 25 million of foreign visitors a year, Rome is in the lead in the charts of the most loved Italian cities by the tourists that come from all the world. Among Colosseum, St Peter's Basilica and Trevi Fountain, the Italian capital remains the Eternal City for excellence.

What are Italian beauty rules? ›

Are jeans appropriate to wear in Italy? While Europeans tend to dress up more than Americans, you still can wear jeans in Italy. However, avoid acid wash and extremely distressed denim and opt for medium-dark blues and blacks. Black skinny jeans always look chic in Europe!

To get the Italian women over 50 looks, stick to neutral-colored dresses with simple lines. They also like to embrace their curves while not showing too much skin. Think about what silhouettes make you look and feel great and create those with your dresses.

Type IV pigmentation is frequent among some populations from the Mediterranean as well as parts of Asia and Latin America. It ranges from brownish or darker olive to moderate brown, typical Mediterranean skin tones. This skin type rarely burns and tans easily.

To blast over-50 fat the Italian-Mediterranean way, incorporate one cup of beans or peas and two to three tablespoons of olive oil daily into meals packed with veggies, herbs, spices, and fruit. Add moderate amounts of seafood, poultry, nuts, whole grains, and wine. Limit meat, sweets, and processed food.