Italy: a traveller's guide

Visa to Italy and entry rules

Italian visa remains the main topic for a tourist from Almaty before the trip. Entry rules to Italy are regularly updated, so preparation starts in advance. We have collected basic information about Italy's seasons and climate by month. This page will help plan a trip from Rimini to Sicily.

Visa and entry rules change: check the primary source — the visa portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic, vistoperitalia.esteri.it. The information on this page was verified on 07.09.2026.

Autumn holidays

September in Italy is considered ideal for beach holidays on the islands. October pleases with mild warmth, but the sea begins to cool down. November in Italy brings rains and cool weather around +15 degrees. Italian autumn charms with wine regions and gastronomic tours.

Collecting documents and submitting an application in Almaty

Current entry rules change, so you should check the information right before submitting. Collecting the package of documents for a Schengen visa to Italy starts with booking an appointment at the visa center located in Almaty. The application form is filled out online, and photos are taken according to strict biometric requirements, so it is easier to have your photo taken on site.

The main package includes hotel booking, air tickets, and proof of financial solvency, with all certificates translated into Italian. Please note that in the high season, from April to September, slots for submission run out several weeks in advance, so you need to plan your visit to the center in advance.

The completed passport with visa is usually returned within two weeks, but during peak periods the processing time may increase, which should be considered when purchasing tickets.

Medical insurance and financial guarantees

A medical policy for a trip to Italy is issued for the entire period of stay with coverage from 30,000 euros, and this is a mandatory condition for submitting documents. The insurance must be valid throughout the entire Schengen area and cover emergency hospitalization, although many tourists add the active leisure option.

Financial guarantees are confirmed by a bank account statement, where the amount is calculated based on a standard of about 50 euros per day of stay. The card must be active and have a clear transaction history, not just a large balance at the time of submission. If a family is traveling, documents are submitted for each member, including children, even if they are included in the parents' passports.

Passing passport control: typical mistakes

When passing passport control at the airport, Italian officers often ask questions about the purpose of the visit and return tickets, so it is worth having printed hotel bookings with you. Tourists from Kazakhstan sometimes forget that the period of stay on a visa must not exceed 90 days within six months, and violating this rule leads to serious consequences.

Entering through a country that is not the main purpose of the trip is considered a mistake and may arouse suspicion among border guards. It is important to check that the passport has at least two blank pages and that the document itself is valid for another three months after return.

The border crossing stamp is placed automatically, but if it was not placed, it is better to contact a service officer to avoid problems when leaving.

When to go: month-by-month climate breakdown for a trip with children?

Choosing the time for a trip with a child directly depends on Italy's climate by month, because heat or rain can ruin the experience. For a family holiday, it is important to consider not only the air temperature but also how warm the water is on the beaches.

Beach season on the Adriatic and the islands

Italy's climate by month shows that the ideal balance of comfort falls at the end of spring and the beginning of autumn. The beach season on the Adriatic coast, particularly in Rimini, starts at the end of May, when the water warms up to a comfortable +20 degrees. In June and July, the air temperature reaches +28–30 degrees, and the sea becomes ideal for swimming for children of any age.

On Sicily and Sardinia, the swimming season is longer: it is already warm in May, and in October the water is still suitable for swimming. In August, all Italian resorts experience peak heat and prices, so with small children it is better to choose June or September.

The beaches of Rimini are sandy and gently sloping, which is safe for toddlers, while on the islands there are often pebble areas that require special footwear.

City holidays: Rome, Milan, and Venice away from the crowds

For exploring Rome, Milan, and Venice, the best months are April, May, and October, when there is no exhausting heat or huge queues. In spring, the air temperature stays at +18–22 degrees, which is ideal for long walks with a stroller. In Venice, it is worth avoiding November, when the city suffers from flooding, while in March the gardens are already blooming and there are few tourists.

Milan empties out in August, as locals go on vacation and many restaurants close, which should be considered when planning. In Rome in July and August, the thermometer shows +35 degrees, so sightseeing is best moved to the morning or evening.

Indian summer on Sicily and Sardinia

The Indian summer on Sicily and Sardinia lasts from September to October, when the heat subsides and the sea remains warm after summer. In September, the water temperature in Sicily reaches +24–25 degrees, which is ideal for children to swim, and the air warms up to +26. On Sardinia, there is less wind than in summer during this time, and the beaches become calmer and cozier for family holidays.

October on the islands still brings sunny days, although evenings become cooler, requiring light jackets. Accommodation prices during this period drop by 20–30 percent compared to August, making the holiday more budget-friendly.

Routes with a stopover in Istanbul or Dubai

Well-thought-out logistics and knowledge of local rules will help start the journey with comfort rather than stress. The most convenient option is to fly from Almaty with one stopover in Istanbul or Dubai, where the connection takes from two to five hours. The total travel time including waiting is about 10–12 hours, and tickets are best purchased two to three months before departure.

The flight from Almaty is usually scheduled for the morning to catch the evening flight to Rome or Milan, although options with an overnight stay in the transit city are also popular. When choosing a connection, it is important to allow at least two hours for the transfer, as large airports require re-screening. Some tourists from Almaty prefer a long stopover in Dubai to stretch their legs and do duty-free shopping.

Adaptation to the time zone and local time

The time difference with Almaty is 4 hours in winter and 3 hours in summer: Italy changes its clocks (UTC+1 in winter, UTC+2 in summer), while Kazakhstan stays on UTC+5 all year round. When flying from Almaty, the time zone change is not felt too acutely, but the first day is best spent calmly, without a packed program.

To adapt faster, it is worth immediately switching your watch to local time and trying to go to bed according to the new schedule. In the morning after arrival, it is useful to go outside and walk in daylight, which helps the body adjust to a new rhythm. Caffeine and a heavy dinner on the first evening should be limited, preferring light food and water.

Transfer from the airport to the city center

From Fiumicino Airport to Rome, the most convenient way is the Leonardo Express train, which takes you to the central Termini station in half an hour. In Milan, Malpensa Airport is connected to the city by the Malpensa Express train, as well as buses that run every 20 minutes. In Venice, from Marco Polo Airport, tourists usually take the vaporetto — a water tram that delivers directly to St. Mark's Square.

Taxis in Italian cities are expensive, so for a trip to the hotel with luggage it is often more profitable to book a transfer in advance online. In Rimini, the airport is within the city limits, and you can reach a hotel on the promenade by regular city bus in 15 minutes.

Tourist tax when checking into a hotel

To avoid unpleasant surprises during your holiday, it is worth studying the main hidden cost items in advance. When checking into hotels in Rome and Milan, a tourist tax is charged, which is paid in cash and is not included in the booking price. The fee ranges from three to seven euros per night per person depending on the hotel category and season.

In Venice, the tax is higher than in other cities and amounts up to five euros, while on Sicily it is only charged in major resort areas. Children under ten are usually exempt from payment, but this information is best confirmed when booking. Payment is made at the reception desk upon check-in, so it is worth having cash in euros on hand.

Table service charge in restaurants

In most Italian restaurants, a coperto — a fixed table service charge — is added to the bill, ranging from two to four euros per person. This amount is listed on the menu, so you can see it before ordering, and it does not depend on the cost of dishes. Tips are not mandatory in Italy, but if you liked the service, it is customary to leave about five to ten percent of the bill amount.

In tourist areas of Rome and Venice, a service charge of ten percent is sometimes added to the payment, which is worth checking on the receipt. Coffee at the bar counter costs half as much as at a table, which is why locals always drink it standing.

Cost of beach equipment and car rental

Renting a sun lounger and umbrella on the equipped beaches of Rimini will cost 20–30 euros per day, although you can settle on a free public area with your own towel. Car rental in Italy requires attention to the choice of transmission, as an automatic must be booked several months in advance, while manual is the standard.

When renting a car in Sicily or Sardinia, it is worth considering the cost of insurance and the deposit blocked on the card. It is important to remember that fuel is often not included in the rental price, and there may also be a fee for an additional driver or child seat. Parking in the center of Rome or Milan costs from two to five euros per hour, and in some hotels it is paid separately.

Booking Italo and Trenitalia train tickets in advance

Careful route planning and knowledge of local restrictions will help avoid unnecessary expenses. Tickets for high-speed Italo and Trenitalia trains purchased two to three weeks before the trip cost three to four times less than on the day of departure. Ticket prices in Italy are dynamic, like airfares, so early booking provides significant savings.

On popular routes such as Rome — Milan or Rome — Venice, trains run every 30–60 minutes, offering flexibility in planning. Children under four travel free, and older children often get discounts when purchasing a family ticket. E-tickets are sent to your email, and it is enough to show them to the inspector from your smartphone, although a printed version is also accepted.

Restrictions on entering the center: ZTL zones and fines

Rome and Milan have restricted traffic zones (ZTL), where entering by car without a special permit is prohibited and punishable by a fine starting from 80 euros. Cameras at the entrances to these zones automatically record the car's license plate, and the fine arrives by mail after you return home.

Tourists renting a car often accidentally drive into ZTL zones while following the navigator, so it is worth marking restricted zones on the map in advance. In Venice, car traffic in the center is completely prohibited, and you can only move on foot or by water on the vaporetto. If the hotel is inside a ZTL zone, you must provide its name when renting a car to obtain a temporary entry permit for unloading luggage.

Seasonal closures of shops and restaurants in August

In August, many shops, restaurants, and even museums in Italy close for holidays, which locals call ferragosto. This is especially noticeable in Venice and Sicily, where family trattorias and small boutiques may be closed for the entire month. In large cities such as Rome and Milan, the situation is better, but some establishments still operate on reduced hours.

On Sundays, food markets are closed in Italy, although shopping centers and boutiques in Milan and Rome operate as usual. Before your trip, it is worth checking the opening hours of the museums and restaurants you are interested in on their official websites to avoid finding closed doors.

Visa and entry rules change: check the primary source — the visa portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic, vistoperitalia.esteri.it. The information on this page was verified on 07.09.2026.