Packing For A Month In Italy: Lessons From My Trip

Are you traveling for a month in Italy and starting to freak out about packing? Same. I’ve been planning my ancestry trip for a year and suddenly it’s two weeks away and I’m not ready. How does that even happen?

This trip is different from any I’ve taken before. I’ll be based in one apartment for a whole month instead of hopping between hotels. 

Since I’ll land late at Malpensa Airport in Milan and still have to get to Bergamo, I booked a private transfer to skip the hassle of trains, buses, and taxis.

And because I’m not dragging my suitcase over cobblestones or cramming it into overhead bins, I have more flexibility with what I pack for this month-long summer stay.

✨ Update: Now that I’ve taken the trip, I’ve gone back through this post to share what I actually used, what I didn’t, and what I’d pack differently next time. I hope these notes help make your own packing a little easier (and less stressful!).

If you’re also traveling for four weeks or more and feeling overwhelmed, read on—I’ve got your packing for a month in Italy inspo and checklists right here.

🧳Jump to get the packing list🧳

What Size Suitcase For A Month In Italy

I just about had a heart attack when I opened the door and saw the size of the humongous suitcase I ordered.

It’s a 28-inch monstrosity—embarrassingly big (for me). But after a quick Google search, I learned this is the perfect size for a month-long trip. We’ll see.

I wanted to splurge on an Away suitcase to match my carry-on, but I went with a much cheaper Delsey Paris in pine color instead. It’s lightweight, has hard sides, spinner wheels, and will do the trick just fine.

Pro Tip:
Double-check your airline’s size and weight restrictions for checked luggage. We’re flying TAP Air Portugal, and their size max is 62 inches (length + width + height)—our big suitcase squeaks in at 61.5″. The weight limit is 23 kg (about 50 lbs), so pack wisely—or be ready to shuffle things around at the airport.

Bonus Tip:
If you’re checking a bag, drop an Air Tag inside. That way you’ll know where your suitcase is at all times.  It’s easy to set up on your iphone.

Do You Check Your Bag Or Carry On?

After walking around my huge suitcase in the middle of the living room for a few days, I realized it’s too big for me. I’m going to travel with just my Away carry-on roller and a backpack. 

But the big suitcase has found its rightful owner. I’m not traveling solo—my daughters, Taja and Milan (aka the rest of the Trio), are coming too. So I’m giving the huge one to Milan and then she can take it to college when we get home. Perfect solution!

Obviously, she’s checking the big one. But there’s no way I’m checking anything I can’t live without for a few days (which is pretty much everything) in case my luggage gets lost.

So, in the end, I’m bringing everything on the plane: my Away carry-on suitcase in the overhead bin and the North Face Basecamp Voyager Daypack as my personal item under the seat.

The North Face backpack will also come in handy for 1–2 day side trips when we head out to explore ancestral villages. (See itineraries section in my post on pre-trip emotions.)

Figuring out which suitcase to bring has reminded me that I’m a minimalist, even for a month long trip.

📝 What I learned: If you’re not moving around constantly, a larger suitcase is totally manageable — and I saw plenty of people traveling with big ones, even on trains. The key is to pack what makes you feel comfortable and prepared, not just what fits into a carry-on.

Very Important Things Go In The Backpack

I’m using a North Face backpack because it has a dedicated laptop sleeve—perfect for keeping my computer safe and storing my folder of important documents.

Yes, I have digital copies of all this stuff, but they are scattered in different emails. Call me old-school, but I like having paper copies of all my important things in one place where I can quickly access them. Here’s what’s in the folder:

• Airplane tickets – We’re flying TAP Air Portugal
  
• Private transfer confirmation – I booked through Sun Transfers
  
• Travel insurance – World Nomads (don’t skip this!)
  
• Car rental agreement – Yep, I’m driving in Italy
  
• International Driving Permit – Italy is one of the few places that still requires it
  
• Photocopy of my passport – You’re supposed to carry your passport at all times in Italy, but I like carrying a photocopy and leaving my passport at the hotel or airbnb.
  
• Genealogy documents – For my time with the genealogist
  
• Itineraries – Check out my itinerary with the genealogist from Bergamo to Schilpario

Neck pillow – I got the Bcozzy and I love it.

And of course, a – Reusable water bottle – Italy has tons of public fountains with clean, drinkable water. I’m bringing a lightweight one that fits in the side pocket of my backpack. 

Now, on to what else I’m packing for my month in Italy…

Electronics

Here’s what I’m bringing:

• Laptop 
• Speaker
• Phone
• Tablet
• Hairdryer
• Electric toothbrush

You can’t just plug your cords straight into Italian outlets. You’ll need a plug adapter to fit the socket. 

I use this Vintar plug adapter, and it works great for most devices. It comes in a 2- or 3-pack—perfect if you’re traveling with family or just have a lot of tech.

Heads up: If your device has a heating element (like a hairdryer or curling iron), check if it’s dual voltage. If it’s not, you’ll need a converter—otherwise, you risk frying it. Or you can bring a small dual-voltage travel hairdryer and skip the converter.Pro Tip:
Don’t forget the cords! I use this cord organizer to keep chargers, cables, and adapters all in one place.

Toiletries

We’re staying in an apartment, so there won’t be a nice selection of little shampoos and body creams waiting for us. Honestly, even most Italian hotels don’t offer much beyond a wall-mounted soap dispenser.

Bring your own travel-size toiletries of your favorite shampoos. Just make sure they meet the liquid limits if you’re putting them in your carry-on. I am using a reusable travel bottle set to pack shampoo, conditioner, and face wash.

You can also pop into a local pharmacy or supermarket once you arrive to pick up basics like shampoo, toothpaste, and body wash. But if there’s a specific brand you love or a must-have item (like curl cream or sensitive skin products), bring it from home—some things are harder to find or more expensive in Italy.

Shoes

I’m trying to keep it minimal because shoes take up space, especially when you’re packing for hiking and city days. Here’s what made the cut:

• Trail running shoes – I’m bringing my new Topos, which are lightweight but grippy and have a wide toe base—perfect for hiking in the Bergamo Alps and exploring ancestral villages.
• Everyday tennis shoes – I could wear my comfy Dr. Scholl’s sneakers for pretty much every occasion, but I need to be more stylish like the Italians.
• Flip flops – Just for the apartment and beach days
• Nice sandals – A comfy pair of flats or sandals that look nice enough for dinner out but won’t destroy my feet.
• Dressier sandals – For getting into clubs.
• Booties – just in case.

📝 What I learned: I brought too many shoes. I ended up only wearing my Taos sandals and my Dr. Scholl’s sneakers. And I bought a pair of ballet flats when I was there.

Pro Tip:
Stuff your socks or small items inside your shoes to save space—and never pack new shoes. Break them in first unless you enjoy blisters in foreign countries.

Bonus Tip:
The first things Italians look at are your shoes. They don’t have to be expensive, they just have to be new. No scruffy Converses or old flipflops allowed.

Dresses

July in Italy is hot! So I’m packing light, breathable dresses. I was looking for linen dresses and I found Quince. Quince is an online store that sells high quality, sustainable clothing at reasonable prices. This is what I’m packing (as seen in the photo):

• 100% European Linen Smocked Midi Dress – $65
• 100% European Linen Fit & Flare Midi Dress – $74
• 100% European Linen Tank Mini Dress – $46
• 100% European Linen Sleeveless Swing Dress – $55

📝 What I learned: I loved all of these dresses and wished I had brought more, especially the short dresses. So comfortable and cute.

Pro Tip:
Stick to a color palette so everything mixes and matches easily. It makes outfit planning and laundry so much simpler. My colors are blues, blacks, whites, and flax.

Don’t Forget:
When you visit Italian churches, you need to cover your shoulders and knees. Wear a midi dress or maxi dress and throw a scarf around your shoulders.

I went with this scarf from Quince:

• Featherweight Cashmere Silk Frayed Edge Scarf – $55

Other Clothes

In addition to dresses I’m bringing:

• More linen! – Linen pants, tops, and vests also from Quince
  100% European Linen Vest – $37
  100% European Linen Wide Leg Pants – $37
  100% European Linen Long Sleeve Shirt – $40
• Hiking gear – A couple pairs of shorts, sports bras, and tank tops for day hikes in the mountains.
• Sweater – For cooler evenings and airport travel.
• Jeans – Of course.
• Light rain jacket – Especially useful in the mountains, where summer storms can roll in fast.
• Sleepwear – I’m bringing a lounge set so I’m comfortable, but still look good on the balcony sipping my morning cappuccino.
• Bras, undies, socks – Obviously!

I’m also leaving some suitcase space for shopping. Milan is the fashion capital of the world after all. And the girls are fashionistas.

Swimsuits, Hats, Sunglasses

We’re not making it to Cinque Terre (it’s five hours away and hard to get there on trains), but we will be swimming— lakes, rivers, and maybe a hotel pool or two.

Here’s what I’m bringing:

• Sun hat – Panama Fedora foldable hat on Amazon for $25
• Swimsuits – Quince has a nice selection
• Sunglasses – I always bring a backup pair just in case
• Travel towel – Lightweight, quick-drying, and perfect for spontaneous swims
• Water shoes – For rocky lake shores or slippery riverbeds

Pro Tip:
Skip packing sunscreen. Italy sells better quality sunblock with EU-approved ingredients—and you won’t risk a leaky bottle exploding all over your clothes.

Purses and Bags

I’m keeping my bags simple and functional—each one has a job to do:

• Tote bag – Doubles as my lake/river/beach bag and market. Straw tote bag on Amazon for $29.98
• Laundry bag – A lightweight one to keep dirty clothes separate and make laundry day easier in the apartment.
• Going-out purse – Small crossbody or clutch that’s easy to carry at night but still fits the essentials (phone, wallet, keys, lipstick, money).

Pro Tip:
You don’t have to wear an unattractive anti-theft travel purse everywhere, but do be cautious about pickpockets and keep your bag close.

Cameras

I’m not bringing a full-on camera crew, but I do want great photos—especially for our ancestry stops and mountain hikes.

• iPhone – My everyday camera for quick shots, reels, and grabbing moments on the go
• Tripod/selfie stick – Get this one on Amazon for $19.99
• Canon R50 – Milan’s “real” camera for when we want better quality and control—especially in low light or scenic locations

Pro Tip:
Don’t forget extra SD cards, batteries, and your charging cable for the real camera. And if you’re planning to take lots of video, clear space on your phone before the trip—you’ll need it.

Medications & Health Essentials

I’m bringing all prescription medications in their original bottles and packing them in my carry-on—never in checked luggage. I also keep a paper copy of the prescriptions, just in case anyone at customs or a pharmacy asks.

Here are a few extras I like to have on hand:

• Mini first-aid kit – Get on Amazon for $9.92
• Ibuprofen or Tylenol – For sore feet or travel headaches 
• Motion sickness tablets – Especially for mountain bus rides or boats
• Melatonin – Helps adjust to the time change
• Antihistamines – For allergies or unexpected bug bites
• Electrolyte packets – Great for hot days, hikes, or travel tummy troubles
• Band-Aids and blister pads – Because we’re walking. A lot.
  

Pro Tip:
You can get medicine at pharmacies in Italy, but it’s helpful to know the generic name for your go-to meds. (And Italian pharmacies often close midday.)

Get Organized

I was honestly surprised how easy packing for a month in Italy is when you break it down into categories and follow a checklist. 

✅ Final Reflections

Overall, I have to say — my packing list was pretty spot on.
The only things I’d change?

• Bring fewer shoes (two pairs were plenty)
• Pack more short linen dresses (I wore them nonstop)

I created two helpful resources to make your planning easier:

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– A detailed packing checklist
– A day-by-day outfit planner
– Cultural packing tips (like what to wear to churches)
– A space for notes, journaling, and reminders

👉 Grab the full Italy Packing Planner here:

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✅ Just want the quick checklist?

If you’re short on time and just want to see what I’m bringing, you can also make a copy of the checklist-only version here—no email required.

Either way, I hope it helps you pack with more confidence and less stress!

If you’re planning your own Italian adventure (or just dreaming about one), send me a note at justine [at] ciaoitalianista.com—I’d love to hear about your trip.

Read More of my tips on Italian Ancestry Trip Planning:

• Ancestry Trip Anxiety: My Emotions Before My Italy Trip
• How To Plan The Best Heritage Trip To Italy In 9 Easy Steps
• Overcoming Fear Of Driving A Rental Car In Italy
• Do Italians Like Americans Coming To Italy To Find Their Cousins?