From its breathtaking western beaches to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the sweeping mountain views of its northern lakes, Italy offers nearly any kind of scenery you could want.
However, people also come to this amazing country for the food, culture and the hundreds of amazing historical landmarks that still stand today.
If you're gearing up for a few weeks in Italy, you can rest assured you won't run out of places to explore. But the trip will also set you back a pretty penny, as the culinary scenes and attractions you want to enjoy aren't free.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save in Italy if you're willing to be flexible without sacrificing your experience:
Book Airbnb or Small, Family-Run Hotels
Airbnb offers a smart way to save money no matter where you travel. With a small home or rental condo, you can have more space for less money and potentially save even more by cooking some meals at home.
If you're not keen on a rental condo, Italy is also a great place to score an amazing deal on a small family-run hotel. Many around the country cost less than $100 per night and come with free breakfast-even in expensive cities like Rome.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Expert Advice for Your Trip to Italy[/READMORE]
Travel by Train
You may pay a fortune actually getting to Italy, but your travel around the country can be downright cheap.
Book trains ahead of time to take you where you want to go and then save a bundle. With fast and efficient train travel, you can often go from one city to the next for less than 20 euros per person.
Visit Off-Peak
October through May is off-season in Europe, which means there are fewer crowds and less competition for space. Prices may be lower on everything from hotels to attractions, which can help you save.
Even better, the weather in both spring and fall is often perfect-warm enough for comfort but without the sweltering summer heat.
Choose Destinations Carefully
Some cities aren't optional when you visit Italy. For example, you might be hard-pressed to imagine your trip without at least a few days in places like Rome and Florence.
However, other parts of your journey may be more flexible. If you're angling for some beach time on the Amalfi Coast, for example, you can save by choosing a less touristy town like Praiano or Amalfi versus Positano or Sorrento.
[READMORE]READ MORE: This Italian Island Has a Scintillating, Sexy Past[/READMORE]
Eat Street Food
While fine dining and sit-down restaurants serve slow, boozy, multi-course meals all over Italy, there are plenty of cheap places to grab a meal. Many restaurants offer discounts for taking your food to go versus sitting down and lingering.
Walk or Take Public Transportation Everywhere
Instead of relying on taxis, walk or take public transportation whenever you can. The savings from this simple tip will be astronomical, even if you only do it half the time.
Every time you don't take a taxi equals money saved-money you can spend on food, fun and adventure in beautiful Italy.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
