Spending your summer in Italy is already a great idea. But if you can work on your Italian while you’re here, even better!
You don’t need to lock yourself away in a classroom or spend hours studying. A little curiosity and a willingness to get involved is more than enough. In this article, you’ll find loads of simple tips to help you use Italian every day, even when you’re on holiday.
Whether you’re at the bar, on the beach, exploring cities or wandering through small villages, every moment can turn into a chance to learn something new. Let’s dive in!
A few easy tricks to use Italian in real-life situations
Holidays are the perfect time to practise your Italian while simply living your day. Every little moment can be a chance to learn, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
At the bar, try ordering in Italian, and maybe add an extra phrase like: “Mi consiglia qualcosa di tipico?” (Can you recommend something local?)
Read the labels when you are at the supermarket. At the restaurant, ask questions about the menu. If you’re staying in a house or B&B, have a chat with the owner. Talk about where you’ve been or ask for tips for the day. Speaking a bit of Italian every day helps build confidence and makes the language feel part of your everyday life.
Join local events and cultural activities to boost your Italian
Summer in Italy is packed with events: festivals, open-air concerts, shows, guided tours, food tastings and more.
These moments let you soak up the language in a natural way. Listening to conversations around you, reading signs and leaflets, or joining a cooking or pottery workshop in Italian, it all helps you learn by doing.
If you’re visiting a city full of art and history, take advantage of guided tours in Italian. They’re great for improving listening skills and picking up new words related to culture, history and everyday life.
Create your own personal holiday dictionary
You’ll hear new Italian words everywhere: at the market, on trains, in the street. Instead of letting them go, write them down!
Use the notes app on your phone or carry a small travel notebook. Each day, pick at least five new words or phrases, write down the meaning and create a sentence with each one to help you remember.
For example: “Affettato – sliced meat. At the bar, I ordered a panino con affettato misto.” It’s a great way to build a personal vocabulary that’s actually useful for your own trip.
Practise with tech even from your sunbed
Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. Use apps like Duolingo, Babbel or Quizlet to do a few quick exercises.
Prefer listening? Try Italian podcasts for learners while relaxing on the beach. Like videos? Turn on Italian subtitles and watch short clips, vlogs or light series on YouTube. Even just 10–15 minutes a day keeps your brain engaged and your ear tuned in.
Write something in Italian every day
Writing is a brilliant way to strengthen your vocabulary and get used to Italian grammar without stress. Keep a little travel diary and jot down what you did, what you ate or something that caught your attention.
You could also post something on Instagram or send a quick message to a friend in Italian. Do it daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Not sure how to start? Try asking yourself: “Where did I go today? What new thing did I learn? Which Italian word did I like most?” Writing helps you think in Italian and makes it easier to express yourself.
Talk to people – mistakes and all!
Being afraid of making mistakes is totally normal, but you learn Italian by speaking it. Italians are usually very supportive and happy when someone tries to speak their language.
Even saying something simple like “Ciao, posso chiederti una cosa?” (Hi, can I ask you something?) or “Scusa, dov’è la stazione?” (Excuse me, where’s the station?) is a great start. Don’t know a word? Describe it or use a gesture. What matters is getting the message across. The more you talk, the easier it gets and every conversation is progress.
5 easy Italian words to start using right away
Just starting out with Italian? No worries, here are five handy words and phrases that will help you get talking straight away:
1. Prego
A magic word. It means “you’re welcome”, but also “go ahead”, “after you” or even “here you are”. Italians use it all the time.
2. Scusa / Mi scusi
Perfect for getting someone’s attention or asking something politely. For example: “Scusi, dov’è la stazione?”
3. Quanto costa?
Essential for shopping or markets. Just two words to ask, “How much is it?”
4. Vorrei…
A polite way to ask for something. “Vorrei un caffè” (I’d like a coffee). More gentle than “Voglio” (I want).
5. Buongiorno / Buonasera
Polite greetings go a long way in Italy. Always say hello when you walk into a bar or shop. It makes a great impression.
Read signs, menus and messages…there’s always something to learn
Reading is one of the easiest ways to improve your Italian while travelling. Look at road signs, shop windows, restaurant menus, flyers or even little notes in lifts or train stations.
If you don’t understand something, make a note, look it up later and try using it in context. Even a short sentence with a new word helps make it stick.
Want to go further? Take a summer course for foreigners
If you really want to take your Italian to the next level, why not join an intensive summer course? Many Italian cities offer short programmes designed for learners, with lessons in the morning and cultural activities in the afternoon.
At Sì Studiare Italiano, we’ve created a course just for travellers like you: Master your Italian travelling around Italy. You’ll combine language learning with real-life experiences, practical exercises, writing, cultural discovery, and personal guidance from expert teachers.
It’s the perfect way to boost your skills while enjoying everything Italy has to offer.
Every holiday can be a journey into language
Travelling through Italy isn’t just about seeing beautiful places. It’s about connecting with the language, the people and the culture.
If you’re wondering how to improve your Italian during your summer holidays in Italy, remember: learning can happen anywhere. A little bit of study, a few real conversations, some reading and writing, and a curious attitude will take you far.
You don’t need to sit in a classroom for hours. Just explore, stay open, and let the language be part of your journey.
Ready to take it further? Discover our courses and turn your summer trip into an experience full of language, discovery and unforgettable moments.
Because every place, and every day, can become a new lesson in life.