Do I need to learn Italian to visit Italy?

Imagine, you can picture it now: you’re sitting in the shade along a cobblestoned street in Italy, gelato in hand, watching mopeds zip around under the Tuscan sun. But wait—you don’t speak a word of Italian! So now you’re asking yourself: do I need to learn Italian to visit Italy?

Do I need to speak Italian to travel to Italy?

Here’s the short answer: you don’t need to learn Italian to visit Italy. You only need to be fluent in the art of Italian hand gestures, and then you’ll be able to communicate perfectly! (Just kidding…kind of.)

With more than 65 million tourists per year, Italy is one of the most-visited countries in the world—and for good reason. Italy is home to incredible historic sites, exciting and cosmopolitan big cities, and beautiful slices of blue-water coast crowned by colorful villages. You can drink delicious wine and eat platefuls of carbs with the Colosseum or the Tyrrhenian Sea in the background. Who wouldn’t want to visit?

Getting around in Italy if you don’t speak Italian

You might be relieved to know that you don’t need to learn Italian in order to enjoy all the spoils of Italy. If you’re visiting one of Italy’s dazzling cities, like Milan, Rome, Florence, or Venice, which see millions of international visitors every year, you’ll have no trouble finding people who understand and speak English. Most of the people who you’ll encounter as a visitor, from your waiter to your taxi driver, will speak enough English to understand and help you. In many neighborhoods, most people on the street will even speak at least a little English.

You probably won’t have much trouble seeing all the famous sights, either. Oftentimes, especially in more popular, well-visited areas of Italy, many of the signs on the street will have an English translation. Attractions like the Colosseum and Opera del Duomo Museum in Florence (where you can see Michelangelo’s towering sculpture of David) typically also have signs in English and even offer English-language tours. You’ll be able to discover the beauty and history of Italy even if you don’t speak Italian.

It’s worth noting that if you’re planning on spending some time in the more isolated Italian countryside, it may be a good idea to learn a few useful phrases in Italian. People in small and remote villages are less likely to speak English, so you’ll need to know a little Italian to get around.

Learn a little (Italian), get a lot

However, even if you’re planning to stick to the big cities, it’s still a good idea to learn to say a few helpful words and phrases in Italian. (And if you’re wondering how to learn Italian, don’t worry—there are tons of resources, tips, and tricks online!) It will enrich your trip in more ways than one. Knowing a little Italian could mean the difference between eating at an overpriced tourist trap and eating at a hidden gem recommended by a local. If you get turned around while walking the charming, twisted streets of Italy, you’ll be glad to know how to ask for directions in Italian. And speaking Italian at markets and shops could even help you avoid the dreaded “tourist tax,” where obvious tourists are overcharged for goods and services.

But above all, learning some Italian before you visit Italy is an easy way to show appreciation and respect for the country and its people. Italians are known for being warm, welcoming, and friendly. They love when people attempt to speak their language—even if it’s not the most graceful attempt!

Andiamo!

So even though you don’t need to learn Italian to visit Italy, you should still make a point to know a few key phrases before your next trip to the land of pizza and pasta. Even learning to say grazie (thank you) and Parla inglese? (Do you speak English?) will make a difference. Not only will it help you feel more comfortable once you’re actually walking the streets of Italy, but it will also convey a sense of respect to the Italians you’ll meet on your trip. Unlock even more of Italy’s magic by learning the language—and enjoy that gelato!

Published by MilanoStyle.com

Image by Portumen, Depositphotos