Life in Italy is often thought of as being cheap and cheerful.
But while that may be true for some of the more isolated parts of the country, living in or around major Italian cities (Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice just to name a few) or popular holiday hotspots is generally far from cheap.
And even if you live in an area with relatively low living costs, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be looking for the best possible deal when purchasing anything from groceries and clothes to transport tickets.
Luckily, there are several websites, app and online platforms that can help you do just that.
Food
Buying food, especially basic foodstuffs, has become more expensive in Italy in recent years.
Between February 2019 and February 2024, the price of extra virgin oil increased by 81 percent on average, dried pasta by 35 percent, eggs by 25 percent, and tomato puree and fresh milk by 41 and 21 percent respectively, according to consumer association Federconsumatori.
Comparison site PromoQui allows users to compare the prices of items across supermarkets up and down the country, and offers regularly updated promotional leaflets, sparing you from having to scroll through each supermarket’s website to find them.
Likewise, grocery delivery service Everli also allows you to track the best prices available before buying.
READ ALSO: Six key tips to save money on groceries in Italy
AltroConsumo is another useful option. The website publishes a yearly report outlining the cheapest supermarkets in the country, as well as a handy guide on seasonal food, which is usually significantly cheaper than out-of-season fare.
Finally, mobile app Too Good To Go connects you to restaurants and stores that have unsold food, so you can purchase it at a discounted price.
For those who prefer dining out, The Fork offers discounts of up to 50 percent at a number of restaurants across Italy.
Transport
Getting around Italy by public transport is often cheaper than in other European countries. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be looking for the best possible deal when travelling.
When it comes to train travel, long-distance rail operators Trenitalia and Italo both have 'offers' sections on their websites which advertise heavily discounted fares for families, couples, young adults and large groups.
That said, it’s always advisable to read the small print and carefully check the ‘terms and conditions’ (termini e condizioni in Italian) of these promotions as they may have 'hidden' caveats or clauses.
READ ALSO: Five clever ways to save money on train tickets in Italy
If you're looking for a quick way to compare fares from different operators, comparison websites Trainline and Omio are generally regarded as some of the most reliable options in Italy. Both are available in English.
TrovaunPosto ('find a seat') may also be a good option for those looking for last-minute train tickets. It's an online marketplace where people who can’t make their planned trips sell their tickets at prices which, under website regulations, must be lower than the price they originally bought them for.
For those who prefer travelling by car, but do not have access to one, BlaBlaCar connects drivers with potential passengers based on their intended destination. BlaBlaCar rides are generally advantageous when travelling between major cities due to the larger pool of drivers making the journey.
With respect to air travel, international site Skyscanner is generally the soundest option for finding the cheapest journey. It is available in multiple languages, including English.
Utilities, insurance and mortgages
There is no shortage of price comparison sites in Italy for both utilities and insurance, with Facile.it and Segugio.it being two of the most popular options.
The two sites provide handy tools to compare car, health, home and travel insurance deals, as well as electricity and gas providers. They can also help you find the best home internet rates on the market.
Sostariffe.it is another popular comparison site for utilities, while Linear.it focuses exclusively on vehicle insurance.
If you're looking around for the best mortgage rate, mutuionline.it is generally regarded as one of the safest options regardless of whether you're a first-time buyer or not.
Shopping
Trovaprezzi.it and Idealo.it allow you to compare prices for a variety of goods – from clothes to electronics and homeware. Conveniently, they also offer discount codes for certain items.
If you're looking for generous discounts, browser extension Honey may come in handy, as it scans over 30,000 seller sites and groups all of their discount codes in one place.
If you're looking for heavily discounted clothes, Humana Vintage and Vinted are both popular in Italy.
As a final, general point, one of the best ways to save money on goods in Italy is to shop during the yearly saldi, or sales.
Italian shops are allowed just two big sales a year – one in the summer, one in the winter – with dates varying from region to region.
Discounts usually start at around 20-30 percent, but can climb as high as 70 percent. The dates for this year's winter saldi can be found here.
Getaways
International sites such as Booking.com and Expedia are as valuable in Italy as they are elsewhere.
Smartbox.com also operates in the country, offering discounts on all sorts of experiences, including spa breaks, family escapes and gastronomic tours.
And if you're looking to book an agriturismo stay in the Italian countryside, agriturismo.it features plenty of generous offers.
Do you know of any other websites that help with saving money in Italy? Let us know in the comments section below.
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