Until the euro currency was introduced in 2002 , the Italian unit of money was the lira (plural lire), abbreviated as L or £. The exchange rate hovers around £3000 to the pound sterling, about £1800 to the US dollar. Banknotes come in denominations of £1000, £2000, £5000, £10,000, £50,000 and £100,000, and coins as £50, £100, £200, £500 and £1000; there is more than one version of almost any coin, so check your change.

In recent years the economic boom and the glut of visitors in the more touristy cities have conspired to increase prices in Italy. However, the weak lira - and now, the weak euro - often results in highly favorable exchange rates for sterling and US dollars, which helps keep real costs down. 

Generally you'll find the south much less expensive than the north: as a broad guide, expect to pay most in Venice, Milan, Florence and Bologna, less in Rome, while in Naples and Sicily prices come down to fairly reasonable levels.

Italy guide

Getting there
When to go
Where to go
Italy general info
Italy
Average costs
Credit and debit cards
Cost, money, banks
The euro
Insurance, health cover
Embassies, consulates
Red tapes, visas
Banks and exchange
Travelers with disabilities
North-South divide

Getting around
Ø Trains
Ø Flights
Ø Driving
Ø Cycling, motorbiking
Ø Ferries, hydrofoils
Ø Hitchhiking
 

Festivals:
Ø Religious, traditional
Ø Diary festivals
Ø Food festivals
Ø Arts Festivals
Ø Ferragosto

Italy food and drink
Ø Italian cuisine
Ø Italian pizza
Ø Lunch and dinner
Ø Drinking

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