Airbnb: Perfect Places to Stay in Italy + Simple Tips to Choose One You’ll Love
Here you’ll find what you need to choose the best Airbnb to meet your needs and more. Where you stay makes a big difference when visiting Italy. It can make getting around easier, keep you safe, and make you feel pampered and gloriously indulged.
Years ago, my millennial daughter introduced me to Airbnb. We were planning our first trip to Italy together and talking about where to stay. She said, “Mom, let’s book Airbnbs.”
I was NOT excited. In fact, I couldn’t imagine anyone ever wanting to stay in anything but a nice, safe hotel when visiting another country.
Fortunately, my daughter, Hannalore, is made of stern stuff (persistent and stubborn). She insisted we check into what was available.
So, I reluctantly created a username and password, logged in…and discovered a whole new world of exciting possibilities! (Thank goodness for younger generations. You get different perspectives and approaches to doing things.)
That first trip started an Airbnb tradition. In Italy, I’ve stayed in wonderful Airbnbs including a:
- Renaissance Palace
- Tuscan Villa
- Medieval tower
I’ve also stayed in places with incredible views of the Roman Forum, Arno River and canals in Venice to name a few.
Airbnb started out as a millennial thing with over 60% of guests from this group. But more and more Baby Boomers are discovering the flexibility and unique opportunities Airbnb offers too.
These days Airbnb is my default, particularly in Italy. I love the variety and different options so I can find the place that meets my requirements and needs.
I’ve stayed in Italy Airbnbs as a single traveler, with family, and with a group. All were great places that made a real difference in comfort, convenience, and connecting with Italy.
Having said that, it is important to be smart about how you choose and book on this platform. Here you’ll find what you need to make the right choice for you. So, you’ll have the amazing, unique and unforgettable experience you are dreaming of in Italy.
This post will take you step by step through a streamlined process to make your final decision. Also, if you don’t already have an Airbnb account, there’s an easy set up guide at the end of the post.
Use this table of contents to easily navigate within the post:
Airbnb Basic Entries and Location: Getting Where You Want to Be
Location matters. It’s so important that I make it the starting point. Ask yourself these fundamental questions:
- Do I want to be within walking distance of the sights I’ll be visiting?
- What kind of transportation am I planning to use (walk, public, car, FREENOW)?
- What is my budget?
- Am I willing to trade added time and distance for a lower priced Airbnb? (Make sure to add in the extra travel time and additional transportation costs to make sure it’s worth it.)
Once you’ve figured this out, it’s time to go to the Airbnb website to find your perfect Airbnb. If you haven’t created a profile, skip down to do so and then come back.
Italy consists of cities, smaller towns and villages, and rural areas. Luckily, you can find Airbnbs in all these places.
The Airbnb website gives you a general idea of a particular listing’s location. But you don’t get the actual address until after you book a specific place.
Still, there is a way to narrow your search to get closer to the things on your itinerary.
Let’s step through an example and say we’re planning a trip to Rome. Most of our sightseeing will be around the Roman Forum and we want to stay nearby.
Instead of entering just the city name on the main Airbnb screen, get more specific on where you want to stay.
With Airbnb, you can input either a point of interest or a certain address. So, for the example, we’ll enter: Roman Forum, Rome, Italy. Doing this cuts possibilities that don’t meet the location requirement.
At this point, also enter dates and the number of guests too. If you’re not sure of the exact date, you can use the plus minus days feature, specify a month, or choose “flexible”.
In the example, the map shows options near the Roman Forum. Under each listing, you see the amount of time it takes to get from that Airbnb to the forum.
Some of the listings have time walking and some show driving time. In cities and towns, focus on walking time. In most Italian cities, you should be able to find something in your price range within walking distance.
Time is precious, especially on vacations and trips. So, don’t waste it on traveling unless there’s a truly outstanding Airbnb that is an experience in and of itself.
After clicking on search, the screen shows there are over 1,000 places to choose from. Unless you love looking through mega-multiple listings, we’ll move on to the next step in finding your perfect Airbnb.
Airbnb Filters – How to Use Them to Your Advantage
Airbnb gives you many, many filters to use. These fall into 9 categories:
- Type of place
- Price range
- Rooms and beds
- Top-tier stays
- Property type
- Amenities
- Booking options
- Accessibility features
- Host language.
With so many, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. For the most part, there are only a few that you really need to deal with.
In fact, unless you’re extremely particular in your requirements, you may miss out on some gems by getting too specific. Here I’ll cover the key filters that will narrow your selection down to a manageable number of listings.
Type of Place
I recommend choosing either the room or entire home option. The difference is exactly as stated, and I’ve stayed in both.
With the room option, you stay in someone’s home and have a private bedroom within it to yourself. This space may or may not include a private bathroom. Also, there may be some shared areas for your use like a kitchen or living area or a bathroom.
The benefit of the room option is in $$ savings, which can be a half to a third the amount of an entire home.
The entire home option gives you the whole place to yourself. You have a private entrance under your control. Also, you have more space (usually), more amenities (usually), and privacy.
Price Range
Do set a maximum price here that fits your budget. Note that unless you select Display total before taxes the range is for the nightly rate before fees and taxes.
Rooms and Beds
If you’re travelling with others, enter your requirement here. Keep in mind that many Airbnbs in Italy are centuries old.
This is part of their charm. However, layouts reflect that time and renovations may have been limited by the smaller spaces typical of the time.
Fortunately, Italians are ingenious when it comes to solutions and design.
Top-Tier Stays
In late 2023, Airbnb introduced their “Guest Favorites” label. I recommend choosing this because it does several things on the front end to streamline your selection process. What you get is the very best Airbnb homes to choose from.
The Airbnb algorithm identifies these properties based on ratings and guest reviews. Factors in the mix are check-in, cleanliness, communication, location, value and accuracy. Airbnb customer service incidents are also considered.
If you want luxury (and $$$$ prices), select “Luxe” here too.
Property Type
In Italy, I never use this as a filter. It doesn’t make much sense there and limits your options. For example, in Rome most places could be designated as either a house or an apartment.
The terms have different meanings compared to many parts of the United States.
Amenities
Amenities have subcategories which are:
- Essentials
- Features
- Location
- Safety
Listed amenities are self-explanatory. To keep my options open, I only select must-haves. Key amenities to use as filters are:
Wi-Fi
If needed for working and communication with family, etc.
Air Conditioning and/or Heating
Depending on when you’re there, air conditioning or heating can be a major factor in health and comfort. Check seasonal temperatures where you’re staying in Italy. These can vary a lot between the northern and southern part of the country.
Washer
There are a lot of Airbnbs in Italy with washing machines. I love this option! Washers make travel much easier because you don’t have to pack and haul as much around (planes, trains, getting to and from Airbnbs, etc.).
Washers are much smaller than in the United States. But I’ve always found them enough for travel needs. As shown above, they are frequently located in the kitchen area.
Italians are used to air drying clothing. So, you can expect a clothes rack in the Airbnb. Often, even if there isn’t a washer. If it’s not mentioned, you can ask the host before booking.
Dryers are not as common, but I am seeing more listings with them. They are small also.
Frankly, I’ve only stayed in one Airbnb in Italy that had one, and I didn’t find it a major benefit. So, I don’t recommend checking this as a must-have. It will reduce your options and you’ll probably pay more.
Booking Options
I usually leave these off. Airbnb hosts in Italy are responsive (keeping the time difference in mind). So, unless you need an immediate reservation, this isn’t a concern.
Also, hosts that want to approve potential guests is a positive sign of concern for their Airbnb. So, this shouldn’t be counted against them.
Finally, most Airbnbs have some level of free cancellation policy.
Accessibility Features
Depending on your needs, several options here such as grab bars in the shower are helpful. Also, I appreciated the accessibility section when organizing a trip with someone who can’t use stairs.
Host language
Most Airbnb hosts in Italy can communicate in English on at least a basic level. However, it is good to check the language you prefer to use to communicate.
After selecting your filters, you get the number of Airbnbs that meet your criteria. In the Roman Forum example, there are still over 1,000 options. Not a problem! The next step is using the zoom feature on the map.
Doing this cuts the listings down to a manageable group for review. Each time you zoom in or out Airbnb adjusts the number of available homes in the map view.
You see the latest total of homes within the map area in the upper left above the listings. So, fine-tune the map until you have the amount you want to consider.
Airbnb Listings – What to Look for and How to Interpret What You See
Once you’ve filtered for listings that meet your requirements where you want to stay, next look at the individual listings themselves.
Use the following to narrow the field and get to your best choice:
- Distance from desired location
- Rating
- Price
- Pictures
- Reviews
- Superhost
- House Rules
- Cancellation Policy
Distance
When you have your final group of listings, scroll through them to review and compare distances. Each shows the time to the destination and type of transportation (walking or driving).
Cut those that don’t work for you. In the Roman Forum example, we can quickly eliminate any that show driving instead of walking time.
Rating
Airbnb uses a rating scale from 1 to 5 with 5 high. When looking at possibilities in Italy, I typically use 4.8 as my minimum rating.
You also see the number of ratings each Airbnb received in parentheses next to the rating.
For more detail, open individual listings. In each, scroll down to the section that lists the composite along with the individual ratings by category.
At the left, you see the ratings distribution showing the reviews at each level. This gives you an idea of how many positive and negative reviews the Airbnb has received.
Continuing to the right are category ratings. If the rating for a category is lower, check individual reviews for more information.
Price
Airbnb hosts set the price for their units. Because of this you may see prices of listings vary from day to day or for other time frames (weekends, months, seasonal, holidays, etc.)
In addition, Airbnb has a Smart Pricing feature hosts can use. Smart Pricing adjusts their nightly prices automatically based on demand.
Some hosts offer discounts for weekly or monthly guests too.
While not commonly known, you can also send a message asking a host for a special offer of a custom price BEFORE YOU BOOK. If the host sends an offer, you’ll have 24 hours to accept or the offer expires.
I have only done this with repeat stays at the same Airbnb. While this is a potential benefit of being a good guest, you shouldn’t expect it.
Before you decide to make a request, keep in mind seasonal demand and past reviews of you as a guest.
Italy is a popular destination now. I’ve seen listing prices rise…sometimes dramatically. So, there must be a high demand for Airbnbs.
When reviewing and comparing prices for listings, you’ll see a per night charge and a total price (without tax) for the stay.
If you do the math, in most cases the two won’t add up. That is because extra charges such as cleaning and service fees vary by listing. These may or may not be part of the nightly price.
But any extra charges are included in the total (minus tax). So, the total prices let you compare like to like.
In the example above, the first two listings have a $14 difference in their per night charge. But looking at the totals you see that the $148 per night Airbnb has a higher total than the $162 per night Airbnb.
So, the $148 Airbnb is actually a higher price overall ($7) than the $162 per night Airbnb.
You have the option of seeing only the total prices from the beginning of a search. On the Airbnb home page, simply turn on the Display total before taxes button at the upper right.
When you do this, it shows the total price for your stay without the per night price. If it’s on, keep in mind that when filtering for price you must set limits based on the total price of your stay. Entering a nightly low and high won’t work.
I prefer to see both the nightly charge and the total. But either way works as long as you remember to filter price using your maximum/minimum for the total stay amount.
Pictures
Next check the pictures. Look at what you see AND what you don’t see. Do this by scrolling using the image arrows at the multi-listing level or by opening individual listings to view the photos.
Here you see an Airbnb listing photo that is helpful in your decision making. The photo shows many features and amenities as well as general layout. So, you can really get a feel for the space.
Look to see if items you check under amenities are shown in a picture. In the Roman Forum example, I checked a washer as a requirement. But one of the listings doesn’t include a picture showing the washer.
If that listing is my top choice, I would contact the host to confirm the washer is there before booking. When I reach out, I’d probably ask where it is in the unit as well.
If you plan to do some cooking, look at the views of the kitchen. Do the appliances meet your needs? Are there adequate dishes and cooking basics? Here you see place settings for six (include this only in footnote)
Other questions to consider when reviewing:
- Is there a place to hang/store clothing?
- Will the bathroom meet your needs (space to set things by the sink, towel bars, shower or bath or both)?
- Does the bed match the size noted in the listing?
Safety is also an important consideration. Does the front door have locks and appear sturdy? In Italy, I’ve found most doors are really substantial. (The locking mechanisms work differently which can take a few tries to figure out.)
Red flags for pictures include poor quality photos and photos that focus on trivial close-ups like plants, candles, or a picture on the wall. Keep in mind, if the listing’s other photos provide good information, the host may be showcasing art or an amenity. But if most pictures are close-ups beware!
Finally, some hosts include pictures that show addresses or street views. In some cases, this gives you what you need to figure out the exact location before booking. They may even mark the location on a photo.
Reviews
One of the things I really like about Airbnb is that it is a community. Because of this, reviews have a big impact on helping you choose an Airbnb.
In reviews, you get helpful information about the place and the host. Airbnb includes details about the reviewer such as where they are from and how they rated the place.
Here are some actual reviews of the same Airbnb showing the kinds of things to look for to help you decide.
This five-star review gives you key information about the unit and its surroundings. Something I always look for and love to see is hosts that help with transportation.
I appreciate hosts who do this because it makes arrangements so much easier. Whenever I’ve had hosts take care of transportation, drivers have always been on time, vehicles clean, and the price reasonable.
Hosts have a vested interest in your experience because it reflects on them and the service they provide through Airbnb. And as you can see in the example above, these things show up in reviews.
If hosts are willing to help with transportation, it is a great way to get to an Airbnb after a long, tiring flight to Italy. Using a driver for the trip to the airport on departure is much easier too.
This five-star review is like the previous one. But it gives some other information and gets more specific. Here you can see how much time it takes to get to certain sites.
The review also includes something else I love to see…ability to check in early. Depending on your flight times, this can be huge.
For example, let’s say check-in is at 3:00 pm and your flight arrives at 10:30 in the morning. Then, you are faced with what to do with your luggage and yourself in between.
My flights to Italy are usually 8-9 hours long. So, I really like checking in early if I have a morning arrival time.
If that isn’t an option, many hosts will let you drop off your luggage until check in time. That way you can eat and sightsee without dragging it along.
Recently, I had a host that was firm on check-in time and didn’t have a luggage drop off option. However, they were able to give me contact information for a place nearby where I could store my luggage until check-in.
Most cities have many luggage storage facilities. But I like relying on help from someone living there who has a vested interest.
If a host doesn’t allow early check-in or luggage storage, don’t hold it against them. If this is a must have, continue looking to find a host that will work with you.
Remember, Airbnb rental is a business that can be a delicate juggling act. Someone checks out in the morning and the place must be cleaned thoroughly before someone else checks in that afternoon.
Hosts must coordinate with cleaning companies that have their own schedules and requirements too. So, it can get very complicated.
Here is a four-star review that is very helpful. It’s good to see mention of sleeping comfort and the bed.
Cleanliness and quiet are repeated themes from earlier reviews. Seeing the same point repeated in reviews reinforces what you’ll experience.
This reviewer is good because he includes why he didn’t give the full five-star rating. He goes on to be specific about what was missing.
While you are staying at the Airbnb, I strongly recommend you let your host know if something isn’t right. This gives them a chance to address the issue and help you have a better stay.
I’ve heard many stories about Airbnb hosts in Italy that have gone out of their way to make sure a guest is satisfied when there is an issue. In fact, it’s my impression that most Italian hosts consider it a point of honor.
So, in the review above, I would have reached out to the host while there and let them know the issue.
Similarly, if you see an issue in an older review, it may have been taken care of since then. If concerned, check with the host.
Less than stellar reviews are as important as those at the top. As a reviewer, you need to read them carefully in relation to other reviews.
Here is someone who may not have known what Rome is like ahead of time. Rome is called the City of Seven Hills (Sette Colli di Roma) for a reason. So, consider this and decide if the comment is a reflection on the Airbnb or the reviewer.
Here I’ll add a note about elevators. Unlike the United States, elevators are not found in most multi-story buildings. This is especially true if the structure is centuries old like many Airbnbs in Italian city centers.
When you find them, elevators are typically smaller with two doors to operate. Most listings will say if there is an elevator.
If you don’t see it and it is something you want or must have, communicate with the host before booking.
A final reference point to help evaluate listings is which floor the Airbnb is on. If a listing in Italy says it is located on the first floor, that is equal to being on the 2nd floor in the United States.
Superhost
To date I’ve always stayed at Airbnbs in Italy that have Superhosts. This is an Airbnb term for a host that is responsive, provides exceptional hospitality and excellent service.
In the past, it was one of the ways you could filter your selection. But that is no longer the case.
However, you can still tell if a host is a Superhost in the individual listing. This appears right below the title and unit pictures.
It will say Superhost and show how long they have been a host. You’ll also see the superhost badge overlapping their photo.
Staying at Airbnbs with Superhosts gives me confidence and peace of mind, particularly when I’m traveling by myself.
Directly below this information, check out the host’s description of the Airbnb. It gives you a general overview of the listing.
House Rules and Cancellation Policy
The house rules and cancellation policy are found at the end/bottom of the listing.
Make sure to review these in relation to your arrival and departure. Does it work with the check-in time? Is check-out going to be an issue?
I’ve found cancellation policies for Italy Airbnbs to be fairly generous. In the example above, you can cancel with full refund up to seven days before your stay.
If cancellation is a concern for you, one way to avoid limiting your Airbnb choices is to check into travel insurance.
Communication – Before, During and After
Each listing has a contact host button so you can reach out at any time. Airbnb hosts are used to interacting with people.
It is an important part of the business. Having said this, keep in mind that in most cases you are dealing with a time difference.
So, they may be sleeping when a question hits their inbox. Allow for this type of delay.
Before Booking an Airbnb
Before booking, it’s important to reach out to a host with any questions you have. Especially if you have specific requirements (e.g. no stairs). This also gives you an idea of how responsive your host is.
Booking an Airbnb
When booking, you’ll see the total with taxes. You also have several options for payment.
If it’s not an immediate booking, when you confirm you’ll be asked to share some general information with your host. I keep this simple.
Two to three sentences are fine. Something like:
My husband and I are traveling to Florence this fall. We are excited about staying in your beautiful place! Kind regards, Joyce
This lets the host know who is going to be with you.
As I mentioned above, reviews are important. This works both ways. Hosts may check reviews of you as a guest when deciding whether to approve your stay request.
At a minimum, you’ll get a reservation confirmation message. Many hosts will also provide basic information about check-in:
Hi Joyce, thanks for choosing us. We check in remotely, a few days before your arrival we will send you the information to arrive and enter.
Message from my host in Florence after I booked the Airbnb
If not, don’t worry. Each host has their own system. So, unless you reach out with a question, you may not hear from them until closer to the time you visit.
Check-In
A growing number of Airbnb hosts in Italy are changing to self-check-in options. This is helpful for everyone if you have a late night or early morning arrival.
Many still arrange to meet you at check-in. This gives them a chance to meet you and explain things about the unit. For you, it is a good time to ask any questions you may have about the unit and/or area.
Clarify how to best communicate with them. An easy way is using the Airbnb app on your phone to message.
In addition, WhatsApp is popular in Italy with many hosts of the Airbnbs I’ve stayed at. The app provides free calls and texting (great alternative to international call plans). In addition, there’s no charge for use. Check here for information and how to get started with WhatsApp.
In most cases (especially self-check-in), the Airbnb will have an information booklet of some kind about the unit. It usually includes suggestions for local restaurants and services too.
During Your Stay
You’ll find most hosts will contact you during your stay to see if everything is going well and if there is anything you need or have questions about. This is almost always via texts. They are the perfect resource for good restaurants, what to do if you catch a cold, and even where to get a great haircut.
After Your Stay
Shortly after you check-out, Airbnb will message you to leave a review. Please do this to help others make their choices. Your host will leave a review of you as a guest too.
Using Airbnb gives opportunities to connect and interact with hosts. Keep in mind that this is their business. So, not all are interested in going beyond the basic host role. Having said that, I’ve had some wonderful hosts who keep in touch afterward.
Setting up Your Profile
You must have a profile before you can book or host on the Airbnb platform. Fortunately, it’s easy to set up.
All you do is go to Airbnb’s website, click on the person icon in the upper right corner, and select sign up. Airbnb will contact you to confirm based on how you choose to continue (phone, email, etc.).
They’ll send a link or a verification code. Then, click or enter this and you’re in!
To finish signing up, they ask for first and last names, birthdate, and email. Agree to the terms and that’s it for the basic set up.
You can continue on to add a profile photo and a brief write-up now or take care of it later. Also, you can set up (and update) additional details and preferences on the Account screen at any time.
One thing I recommend you specify before traveling is your emergency contact. Enter this in the personal info section of your account.
You now have the tools and information you need to book amazing Airbnbs in Italy. Buon viaggio!
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