If you are planning to visit Italy, then this selection of basic Italian vocabulary for travellers is the perfect tool for your holidays. 

With this guide, we walk you through the most phrases to communicate during your trip to Italy.

English is a widespread language in Italy, especially in big cities and resort towns, but not everyone speaks English. Despite this, sometimes, a word in Italian here and there will generally get you what you need.  

Knowing some Italian words and phrases will make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Furthermore, Italians will appreciate any attempt you make to speak their language.

For the main experiences of your trip, this selection of basic Italian vocabulary for travellers will be enough.  Scroll till the end to download your pdf guide.

In any case, important places like hospitals and hotels will have someone who speaks English and can always help you.

Let’s go!

A small basic Italian Vocabulary for travellers 

Discover our Study Holiday Italian language courses to combine culture and fun.

Greetings for any occasion

“Il buongiorno inizia dal mattino/ A good day starts in the morning” is an Italian saying according to which when the day starts well, it ends well.

In Italy, saying “Buongiorno/ good morning” is polite education in any place: when you enter a hotel, a shop, a museum, a hotel, or on the bus.

A friendly “good morning!” is the way to get off on the right foot.

You generally use the formal with people you don’t know, especially older people. The informal is used between friends.

Here are the most common greetings and their context

Basic Italian Travel Words and Phrases

Here are a few basic Italian words and phrases that will get you anywhere.

At the restaurant

Not only restaurants but also trattorias, pizzerias, taverns, in Italy you have a great variety of national and regional dishes and different types of places where you can have an excellent meal. Restaurants are distinguished by the different menus, but also by the type of price. Usually trattorias, inns and taverns offer simpler and cheaper dishes.

In Italy, some restaurants offer tourist menus. They usually include multiple courses and allow you to enjoy different dishes, but might be more expensive than single dishes.

If you ask for water, they will usually bring you (sometimes overpriced) bottled water. If you prefer tap water, you will need to specify it.

It is not customary to leave a tip at the end of the service, but you can do it if you wish.

Sometimes, however, in the bill, you will find the item coperto. Usually a few euros, coperto is a cost item that is applied for each person at the table.

To be able to order your favourite dish, here are some useful phrases in Italian to use at the restaurant.

Scroll to the bottom to download basic Italian vocabulary for travellers with the correct pronunciation.

Visit the museums

With nearly 5,000 museums, archaeological areas and monuments and as many as 55 UNESCO sites, visiting attractions is an important part of many Italian itineraries.

 In this section, we have provided you with some useful phrases in Italian to help you purchase tickets and ask common questions.

Download our basic Italian vocabulary for travellers guide to have the right phrases at hand for every occasion!