Packing for Italy in July looks straightforward until you arrive. Rome and Florence regularly sit above thirty degrees through the middle of summer, the streets are uneven stone that punishes thin soles, and the places most people travel there to see — the basilicas, the Vatican — turn away anyone with bare shoulders or knees. A list built only for the heat fails at the church door.
What follows is a list for what to pack for Italy in summer that solves all three, with the reasoning for each piece so you can adjust it for your own trip rather than copying it. It sits alongside our other Europe travel fashion guides.
The Three Problems an Italian Summer Packing List Has to Solve
Heat
Natural fibres beat synthetics every time. Linen and cotton let air through; polyester traps it against the skin. Loose cuts beat fitted ones for the same reason — air needs somewhere to move.
Colour matters less than people think, but lighter shades are more comfortable in direct sun and hide dust from the streets better than black.
Stone
Cobblestones and marble floors are hard and uneven, and a day of sightseeing in an Italian city is usually several hours of walking. A cushioned sole matters more than the look of the shoe.
Wear any new shoes in before the trip, not during it. Blisters on the second day change the whole holiday.
Churches
Covered shoulders and knees are expected at many religious sites in Italy, and the rule is strictly enforced at St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. A light scarf or shirt carried in a bag solves it without changing what you wear the rest of the day.
The Italy Summer Packing List
- Two linen shirts or blouses
- Three breathable tops in cotton or linen
- One pair of lightweight trousers
- One midi skirt or a pair of wide trousers
- One dress that covers the knee
- A light scarf or shawl large enough to cover the shoulders
- Walking sandals with a cushioned sole
- One pair of closed shoes for long walking days
- A straw or canvas bag
- Sunglasses and a hat
Tops
Linen and cotton, loose rather than fitted, in colours that all work with your bottoms. Two shirts and three tops are enough for a week if they mix freely — and a linen shirt worn open doubles as a light cover-up.
Bottoms
One trouser and one skirt cover a week. Knee length or longer is the practical default, because it means a church visit needs no planning at all.
The Dress
Its value is that it is a complete outfit in one piece that already meets most dress codes. Choose a fabric that does not crease badly in a suitcase.
Shoes
Two pairs rather than three: one sandal, one closed shoe, both genuinely walkable. Heels rarely survive the pavements. Our guide to buying shoes that last covers what makes a pair comfortable for a full day.
The Covering Layer
The single most useful item on the list, because it turns any outfit into one that gets you through a church door. A large cotton or silk scarf folds to nothing and weighs almost nothing.
What to Leave at Home
- Heels and any shoe that has not been worn in
- Heavy denim — too hot and slow to dry
- More than two bags
- Anything that only works with one other item
- Synthetic fabrics that trap heat
The piece most often packed and least often worn is the occasion outfit for a dinner that never happens. Italian evenings are relaxed; the dress on the list above covers them.
Keeping the Case Light
Summer clothes are light, so most people assume a summer case will be too. It usually is not, because shoes and toiletries weigh more than the clothes do. Two pairs of shoes can outweigh a week of linen.
Add up the list before you close the case. The luggage calculator starts from the weight of the empty bag, which is the part most people forget.
If you are travelling with hand luggage only, our guide to packing a carry-on for a week in Europe covers how to fit all of this into one small case.
Summer in Italy by Region
The Cities
Rome and Florence are the hottest and have the most churches. Pack the full list, and carry the scarf every day.
The Coast
Lighter still, with a cover-up for walking from the beach into town. Many coastal towns expect you to be dressed away from the sand.
The North and the Lakes
Evenings are cooler around the lakes and in the mountains. Add one fine knit.
For other months and destinations, see what to wear in Europe month by month. If you want a daily suggestion once you are there, the what should I wear today tool works from the temperature and the occasion.
To build the whole trip wardrobe in one go, the capsule wardrobe builder has a travel preset for hot climates. And if you want to know which summer colours suit you best, the colour analysis quiz takes three minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for Italy in summer?
Breathable linen and cotton pieces, one pair of trousers and one skirt, a dress that covers the knee, a light scarf for churches, and two pairs of walkable shoes. Pack for heat, stone and dress codes together.
What is the dress code for churches in Italy?
Covered shoulders and knees at many religious sites, enforced strictly at St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. A light scarf carried in your bag is the simplest solution.
What shoes should I wear in Italy in summer?
Cushioned walking sandals for most days and one pair of closed shoes for long walks. Cobblestones and marble are hard on thin soles, and heels rarely work.
Can I wear shorts in Italy?
In most places, yes. They will not get you into many churches, so pair them with a scarf or carry a skirt on days you plan to visit one.
How many outfits do I need for a week?
Around ten pieces that combine freely cover a week. A narrow palette is what makes that number work — see the ten pieces European wardrobes are built on.
Before you go, check visiting information directly with the Vatican Museums, and see the climate of Italy for typical temperatures by region.