
Full family packing list for Italy: all you need for a trip to Italy with kids
Full family packing list for Italy. Learn what to pack for Italy and what you can leave home in this packing list for families detailing what to pack for Italy in each season and essential travel gear for a family vacation in Italy.
Italy is a varied country with attractions ranging from cities to mountains to beaches and archaeological sites.
It is also a country with 4 different seasons so your Italy packing list will look very different if you are traveling to Italy in summer, winter or mid-season.
However, unless you are going skiing, hiking or planning specific activities that require technical gear, you don’t need to pack much to stay comfortable and stylish in Italy.
this is my full Italy packing list for families, the one we ourselves use whenever we go!

Packing for Italy: essential documents and must have
- Passport (for each traveler)
- Visa if applicable – check official info here
- Child birth certificate proving relationship with the adult if traveling alone with a child with a different surname as you (usually asked at border control when leaving the country)
- Travel Insurance
- Essential medications for transport time and first few days, if using
- Translation of necessary doctors’ prescriptions
- Paper copy of accommodation and tour bookings
- Basic first aid kit
- Italian phrase book
Travel shoes
In Italy, you will need comfortable travel shoes with enough support to protect you on long days of sightseeing and a versatile look to go day-to-night.
The best shoes for Italy depends on season and travel plans, but personally I recommend:
Good runners / sneakers: these are perfect for walking and many are versatile enough in appearance to work well with multiple outfits, so you can pack light. If visiting outside of summer, I recommend to bring two pairs as one may get wet in the rain.
In summer, I recommend walking sandals for the whole family
There are many good options, so many in fact that we have two dedicated guides!
The best shoes for Italy travel (adults)
The best kids’ travel shoes for Italy (toddlers and up)
Italy packing list summer clothing essentials for families
Summers in Italy are VERY hot, so I recommend you pack breathable clothing that allow to sweat and cool down.
- Underwear
- Light dresses
- Shorts
- Light pants such as chinos for men and linen pants for women
- Strappy tops / short sleeve tops / tshirts
- Light cardigan for late summer evenings
- Good walking sandals
- Summer pajama / nightgown
- A light scarf or wrap to cover shoulders when entering churches
- Crossbody day bag / day backpack
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Colorful necklaces for style
Please be advised that specific locations such as the Dolomites are significantly colder than destinations at lower altitudes. For that, we recommend you bring specific clothing, including hiking gear. You can find my packing list for the Dolomites in summer here.

Good to know! If packing for Italy in summer with a baby or toddler, i have a more detailed list here: baby and toddler packing list for summer

Family Italy packing list winter clothing essentials
Winter can be unexpectedly cold in Italy, especially in the rain. I recommend you bring:
- Underwear
- Socks + tights
- Long sleeve tops
- Woolen cardigans / sweater
- Long pants / jeans
- Thermal top (very cold days only, mountain destinations or outdoor pursuits)
- Warm winter jacket, rain proof
- Travel umbrella, lightweight
- Scarf, gloves and hat
- Winter overalls for baby
- Rain resistant trainers / ankle boots, full boots for walking
- Sunglasses – even in winter, the sun can be very bright so you may want to protect your eyes
- Winter pajama (long sleeves).
In terms of shoes, runners/ sneakers that can take some rain or ankle boots work well. I recommend you bring two pairs as one is likely to get wet in the rain, at some stage!

If traveling with a baby or toddler, I recommend bringing a stroller footmuff to keep them warm
Family packing list for Italy in autumn and spring
Autumn and spring are transitional seasons with changeable weather and unpredictable temperatures.
In early spring and late autumns, you want to opt for a winter wardrobe, adding in short sleeves tops for layering and, possibly, a lighter jacket.
For late spring and early autumn, you want to have a more summery wardrobe with the addition of a mid-season jacket and a scarf for evenings and colder days.
Our mid-season must-haves include:
- Underwear, socks, tights
- Short and long sleeve tops
- Cardigan / sweater
- Long pants (denim or chinos work well)
- Mid season jacket, ideally rainproof or at least rain resistant
- Lightweight travel umbrella
- Light scarf
- Rain resistant sneakers
- Sunglasses
- Pajama (long sleeve)
Toiletries, personal hygiene, baby essentials
In Italy, you can buy good quality toiletries and personal hygiene products in supermarkets (budget end of the product spectrum), pharmacies, (higher-end and organic options), perfume shops (high end).

Italy has a good choice of baby diapers but like any new product, it may take a minute to figure our which one works best for you so I recommend to bring some diapers for the first couple of days, so you don’t have to rush getting them.
If you travel with own toiletries, you may find this quick checklist useful
- Shower gel (usually provided in B&Bs and hotels)
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shampoo and conditioner for kids if different
- Shaving kit
- Deodorant
- Hydrating cream (body and face)
- Brush
- Comb
- Hair ties
- Make up
- Make up remover
- Sun screen
- After sun (summer only)
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Floss
- Additional dental kit accessories if using
- Body fragrance
- Feminine hygiene products
- Baby diapers
- Wet wipes
- Face masks
Italy packing list for families: baby gear
- Good travel stroller or all terrain stroller – you can find our recommended strollers for Italy here
- Portable car seat / booster seat depending on age
- Kids travel pillow for the plane if using
Portable high chair for restaurantsI don’t recommend this any longer by default as many restaurants are now equipped with them. They can still be handy to have for little ones but I wouldn’t consider it an essential.- Baby carrier – find our recommended baby carriers for Italy here
- Changing bag /diaper bag or backpack
- Portable crib if not using those provided by the hotels
Italy packing list for beach days
- Swimsuit
- Beach dress / cover
- Flip flops for adults / water shes for kids (many beaches are at least a little bit pebbly even when they have sand)
- Beach towel
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Beach bag – I like to bring a simple tote so I can just fold it away when not is use
- Floaters / life jacket if needed – please note especially the life jacket is not necessarily easy to find in Italy
- Sun screen and after sun lotion
- Water shoes for kids (especially for pebbled and rocky beaches such as those in Capri or Cinque Terre)
- Snorkeling gear for kids
Technology and electronic gear
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Travel adapter and converter for Italy / continental Europe
- Portable power bank
- Kindle
- Kids tablets if using
- Camera
- Extra memory card for camera
Family packing list for Italy: bags and Luggage
- Main bag
- Crossbody day bag – I love Gabs bags as they are very spacious and versatile, easily going from day to night
- Day backpack
- Diaper bag or diaper backpack for baby gear
- Extra wet and dry bags for emergencies
I hope you found this family packing list for Italy useful and it helped you plan what to carry with you and what to leave home. Safe travel planning!
Family packing list for Italy: pin this!

Last updated: December 2024

