Italy is a dream destination for many travellers, offering breathtaking landscapes, rich history, delicious food, and vibrant culture. And, when visiting this country, being able to communicate with the locals can make your experience even better. With that in mind, let’s check some  Italian phrases to know when travelling!

This blog post is based on lesson 35 of Coffee Break Italian Season 1, in which we cover a conversation at breakfast about what to see and do. So, make sure to listen to it while or after reading this blog post!

Getting around

When you think of Italian phrases to know when travelling, the ones you might have under your belt are the ones for getting around the new city. In the episode, there are some interesting examples like:

• Ecco una cartina della città. Here’s a map of the city.
• Questo è l’ufficio del turismo. This is the tourist information office.
• Cosa si può visitare? What is there to see?
• Dove potreste…? Where could you (plural)…?
• È aperto oggi? Is it open today?

If you’re looking for directions in Italian or local recommendations, these will come in handy:

• C’è un mercato dove potete trovare diversi regali e oggetti di artigianato. There’s a market where you can find all sorts of gifts and handmade crafts.
• Il palazzo apre tutti i giorni alle nove  e chiude alle cinque  e mezzo. The palace is open every day from 9 to 5:30.
• Quanto costa l’ingresso? How much is the entrance fee?

Enjoying local events and culture

Following the list of Italian phrases to know when travelling, we have some related to enjoying cultural experiences, from art exhibits to music festivals. If you’re looking for entertainment, these phrases can be useful in several different situations:

• Cosa possiamo fare stasera? What can we do tonight?
• C’è anche un festival di musica jazz. There’s also a jazz festival going on.
• Ci sono molti concerti gratuiti. There are lots of free concerts.

Eating and trying local dishes

Italian cuisine is world-famous, so trying local dishes is a must. Here are some useful Italian phrases to know when travelling to help you talk about food and enjoy your meal:

• Ci sono molti ristoranti tipici. There are lots of authentic restaurants.
• Potete assaggiare ottimi piatti regionali e anche italiani. You can try some fantastic regional and Italian dishes.
• Posso avere il conto, per favore? Can I have the bill, please?
• Mi consiglia un piatto tipico? Can you recommend a traditional dish?
• Sono vegetariano/vegetariana. I’m a vegetarian.

When travelling in Italy, making an effort to speak the language – even just a little – can make a huge difference. Italians love it when visitors try to communicate in their language, and it can lead to more authentic and meaningful experiences. So before you take off on your Italian adventure, take a little time to learn these essential Italian phrases to know when travelling.

If you would also like to learn some Italian vocabulary for going shopping, make sure to check out the blog post we prepared to help you with it!