Is Italy cheap or expensive? Italy is generally considered to be an expensive destination for travelers. Bigger cities, such as Rome and Milan, can be especially costly in comparison to other areas of Europe. Staying in budget hotels can be costly, with nightly rates often starting at ?60 or more.

Italy is generally considered a moderately priced European destination in 2026, falling somewhere between the budget-friendly options of Portugal or Greece and the high-cost hubs like Switzerland or Scandinavia. For a budget traveler, Italy can be relatively cheap if you focus on the South (Sicily, Puglia, Calabria) or smaller hill towns, where a daily budget of €70 to €90 can cover a hostel, local street food, and public transport. However, in major "Art Cities" like Rome, Venice, and Florence, prices are significantly higher, with a mid-range daily budget of €150 to €230 required for a 3-star hotel and sit-down dinners. You can keep costs down by taking advantage of the "Aperitivo" culture (where a drink comes with free snacks), using the excellent regional train system instead of taxis, and booking museum tickets months in advance to avoid high "skip-the-line" reseller fees. While it is not a "bargain" destination, the high quality of the food, the abundance of free historic sites, and the competitive "low-season" rates in winter make Italy accessible for a wide range of budgets.