WI-FI

In Italy, Wi-Fi is unfortunately generally not the best. Sicily does not even have broadband. Nevertheless, I have discovered some good networks every now and then, but sometimes I had days with high speed Wi-Fi like in Germany (30 Mbit or higher) and the other days it was as slow as in Mexico (2 Mbit). My conclusion: If you rely on stable and fast internet, I recommend you not use WI-FI. If you want, you can purchase a Wi-Fi modem in any telecommunications shop (starting from 50 Euro) and create your own WI-FI network with it. With this approach Wi-Fi speeds will be much better. I got one of those modems with a SIM Card for 20 Euro, which included 12GB. 

Mobile Internet

If you want a SIM Card for your phone, you will only be able to buy one from a telecommunication center. The four companies operating in Italy are Vodafone, TIM, La3 and WIND. For 2 months with 5GB each month plus the card itself, I paid 40 Euro and later purchased an additional 10GB for 10 Euro. But beware, you will continually receive promotions after purchasing. You can easily put money on it either via the app or by buying a code at a Tabacchi store (it’s a store where you can buy cigarettes that has a big green sign with a T on it). As far as I know, all of the carriers stopped offering prepaid cards you can reuse after being away for a couple of months. They will all charge a certain amount of money for your selected promotion per month, so just throw it away when you leave for longer than a month. Special tip: When you get a WIND SIM Card you will need to set your APN on internet.wind otherwise you will not be able to create a personal hotspot! If you don’t know how to do it, just ask at the store if they can do it for you. They know the problem. 

MiFi

Living in Italy as a Digital Nomad

Airbnb, hostels, and hotels are all great options for short term stays. Prices vary based on amenities and location. Dorm beds typically average between 15 and 30 euros per night, while an Airbnb apartment rental in or around Rome will run between 50 and 100 euros per night, although longer stays can often be negotiated with the owner for a discounted rate. While in Italy, make sure to enjoy the country’s world-famous coffee and gelato. If you want the native Italian experience, order your coffee (typically for less than a euro) and drink it standing at the bar. Italian pasta and pizza also provide excellent dining opportunities. Keep in mind that most restaurants won’t open for dinner until later in the evening (around 8 pm) except in touristy places where you will be able to find open restaurants between 6 and 7 pm. Rome, Milan, and Naples each have extensive public metro systems, and most of Italy’s other cities offer public transportation by bus. Metro and bus tickets can be purchased from local shops or from booths and ticket machines at metro centers. For either, make sure you validate your ticket once on board to avoid a steep fee. Taxis are available in Italy for 10 to 15 Euros for a short ride within a city. Keep in mind that Venice has no such thing: no cars, no busses, no taxis. You have to either walk from one place to another or take a boat. For intercity travel, rental cars are an option. An economy model with an unlimited mileage package is typically between 30 and 40 Euros per day. Italy also offers an extensive passenger train network from city to city within Italy and to several international locations in France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. A regional ticket from Rome to Venice will cost between 60 and 80 Euros if booked a few weeks in advance.  

Coworking Spaces

Hundreds of coworking spaces have cropped up across Italy, and they can be found in almost all the country’s cities. In Rome, a one day desk rental typically costs between 20 and 25 Euros, with month passes averaging around 200 euros. If you only need to work for a day or two, check around online to see if the space you’re considering offers a free first day pass. Several in Rome, including Bside and Millepiani Coworking, do.

Blog Posts About Italy

I have been to almost every major city and region in Italy, but since I went there before I became a travel blogger, I didn’t write about many places. Actually, I wrote about exactly two places:   Palermo (my second hometown) The  Northwest of Sicily