The Different Types of Accommodation in Italy

If you are visiting Italy for the first time, you will have to look for the kind of accommodation that would suit your budget and your travel itinerary. There is a standard star-classification system for hotels in Italy, ranging from deluxe five-star to one-star. The rates, however, vary between provinces. Prices are generally more affordable during the off-season months of November, December, January, February, and March. The accommodation rates usually include taxes, service, heating and/or air-conditioning.

Bed and Breakfast

Italian B&Bs are small hotels that offer rooms on a bed-and-breakfast basis. They are generally affordable and offer enough comfort for travelers. You will find a lot of bed and breakfast accommodations in the most popular parts of Italy and you can actually just scout for one once you get there.

Affitacamere

Affitacamere are rooms for rent in private homes. There is no standard rating for this type of accommodation. If you need to get more information, search for references in a local tourist office or read online reviews. You can make reservations through the Associazone Gestori Alloggi Privati (AGAP).

Agriturismi

These are farm-based houses that are normally rented out on a weekly basis. Some owners prefer shorter terms like two to three nights stay. Farm holidays are ideal for families that have young children. The kids will surely enjoy the scenery and the sight of farm animals. To get more information and a listing of agriturismi in a particular town or province, get in touch with Agriturist, Terranostra, or Turismo Verde.

Image source: affaritaliani.libero.it

Youth Hostels

Youth hostels in Italy are managed by the Associzione Italiana Alberghi per la Gioventu, which is based in Rome. You will hostels in most places, even in major Italian cities. They’re cheap and perfect for people who are traveling on a budget. Youth hostels in Italy do not have an age limit or impose a curfew. You do not have to be a YHA member either.

Other popular types of accommodation in Italy include convents, monasteries, and other religious institutions. You can obtain information about these places through local tourist offices.

Recommended Reading:

Bed and Blessings Italy: A Guide to Convents and Monasteries Available for Overnight Lodging

by June Walsh

* This article first appeared in ExpertsColumn. Published with permission from the author.