Fun facts about Italy you didn't know

Often hailed one of the most beautiful counties in the world, Italy is quick to cast a spell over travelers. At the same time, plenty of fun facts about Italy are also likely to grab attention. For example, did you know that Italy is one of Europe's most-visited countries? Or that tourists throw a whopping €1,000,000 into Rome's Trevi Fountain each year? And, while its history is long, Italy is actually one of Western Europe's youngest countries. For more interesting facts about Italy — including history about Italy, and unusual Italy questions that are unlikely to have ever crossed your mind! — keep reading to be entertained by our fun facts about Italy.

Chances are, if you're reading this run down of fun facts about Italy, you're considering visiting. For trip inspiration, browse our Italy itineraries — among them a fabulous 5 day in Italy itinerary for first-timers, and a 10 days n Italy itinerary that delivers a more immersive experience.

Only have a week? See our 7 days in Italy itinerary. Or, if you're not sure how long to visit for, contact our local experts — they can curate a trip for any duration.

In the meantime, read on to  — quite possibly — have your mind blown by stacks of fun facts about Italy.

History facts about Italy 

Italy is one of Western Europe's youngest countries

Italy has one of Europe's longest histories, yet it's only been a country since 1861. In Roman times Italy was a single entity. 

It then divided into a collection of sovereign states and remained that way until 1861.

This long history of individuality is why the country today has such a wide range of cultural variations.

Rome is over 2,000 years old

Rome was founded in 753 BC and the Roman Empire was born in 27 BC. The Empire ruled Europe and parts of North Africa right up until 395 AD. 

After the fall of the Empire, Italy divided into separate states until 1861. Italy's national day is called Festa della Repubblica and it's celebrated each year on 2 June.

Planning a vacation in the Eternal City? Discover the best area to stay in Rome. If you're traveling as a family, find out about fun things to do in Rome with kids.

Italy was under a dictatorship for 20 years

Benito Mussolini established a dictatorship in Italy in 1925 and ruled the country until 1945.

Known as Il Duce at the height of his powers, Mussolini wasn't always a fascist. In fact he began his political life as a radical socialist, and served as Italian PM until 1922.

During WWII, he aligned Italy with Germany and, in 1945, was executed by partisan troops.

Italy's last king ruled for just 36 days

Italy was a dictatorship until 1945, although it also had a royal family until 1946.

After WWII the country voted to become a republic and King Umberto II only ruled from 9 May to 12 June 1946.

He ended his days exiled in Portugal. In a nod to his unusually short reign, he's known in Italy as, "the May King".

Italy's flag is green, white and red

Italy's flag represents hope, faith and charity. Green is hope, white denotes faith and red is the colour of charity. Inspired by the French flag, it's often called Il Tricolore.

Tricolore Day in Italy is 7 January. And it's celebrated on Reggio Emilia, at the very spot where the flag was first adopted in 1797.

Interesting facts about Italy and culture

Tourists throw €1,000,000 into the Trevi Fountain each year

Toss a coin into the Trevi and you'll return to Rome. That's the legend.

Tourists toss around €3,000 a day into the fountain. This amounts to roughly €1,000,000 every year, which is all donated to charity.

While visiting the Trevi is one of the best things to do in Rome, if you want to break the mould, discover the best places to get off the tourist trail in Rome.

13 of Shakespeare's 38 plays are set in Italy

Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona and you can even visit "Juliet's balcony" in the city.

Julius Caesar takes place in Rome. Both Othello and The Merchant of Venice are set in Venice. And Much Ado About Nothing is based in Messina.

Although Shakespeare is surprisingly accurate about Italy, there's no proof he ever visited the country. 

So, don't be like the Bard and miss out — take a look at our North Italy itinerary.to visit Verona, and many more regional gems.

Pinocchio was first published in an Italian newspaper

Carlo Collodi wrote the legendary story Pinocchio in 1880. It was originally serialised in the children's newspaper, Gioniale per i Bambini.

Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country

Italy has 55 world heritage sites, more than anywhere else on earth. They cover the entire country, and range from Mount Etna to the Colosseum. 

The Sistine Chapel welcomes over 20,000 visitors every day

Michelangelo completed the Sistine ceiling in 1512 and today the Sistine Chapel is one of the world's most visited monuments.

It's also the official residence of the pope, as well as the site of the Papal Conclave: the process for selecting new popes.

Fun facts about Italy and geography

Italy is the tenth-largest country in Europe by area

Wondering "how big is Italy?" It covers 301,340 km² (116,350 sq mi), which makes it the tenth-largest country in Europe.

With a population of nearly 60 million. it's also the third-most populous member state of the European Union.

Italy is home to Europe’s only three active volcanoes

There's a reason Italy gets a few mentions in our round-up of the world's top 20 volcanoes.

Mount Etna on Sicily last erupted in 2021, its 50th recorded eruption. However, plumes of steam regularly flow out of the volcano and are best seen from Catania. Despite its liveliness, you can also trek to Etna's summit.

Mount Stromboli is another active Italian volcano. It's on a small island near Sicily. If you plan to visit, be sure  to check current activity and go with experienced guides.

Vesuvius in Naples has been dormant since 1944. But a visit to nearby Pompeii lets you see the effects of its devastating 76AD eruption. 

Planning to visit this vibrant southern city? Discover unusual things to do in Naples. 

Better still, check out our Southern Italy itinerary, which includes Naples.

The Vatican City is the world's smallest country

The Vatican City in Rome covers just 1000 acres. In 1929 it became a sovereign nation and the Pope is officially its head of state.

The Vatican's economy is mainly fuelled by donations. It's only an 1/8 of the size of Central Park, yet packed with monuments. 

This is where you'll see St Peter's Basilica and it's also home to the Sistine Chapel.

Italy is the fifth most visited country in the world

Almost 65 million people visit Italy each year. Given that most head to Rome, Florence and Pisa, it's still possible to find uncrowded places. Try Castelmezzano in Basilicata or head to Camogli in Liguria.

Though growing in popularity, Puglia is another stunning, less crowded option, and it also happens to be one of our best places to visit with kids and features in our round-up of the best beach holidays in Italy.

Italy has over 1500 lakes

Italy is covered in lakes and not just icons like Lake Garda or Lake Como. There are several lesser known beauties too. And you'll find lakes to hike round, lakes for boat trips and quite a few that are wild swimming legends.

If you're in Milan, it's easy to visit Lake Como and Bellagio on a day trip. 

Italy's highest mountain is Mont Blanc

Italy shares Mont Blanc with France, although it's called Monte Bianco in Italian. It rises 4,808 metres above sea level and is Italy's highest peak as well as the highest mountain in the Alps.

Into adventure? Read up on sports and outdoor activities in Italy.

Interesting science facts about Italy 

Italy has the oldest population in Europe

The average age in Italy is 45.7 years, giving it Europe's oldest population. In world terms only Japan's population is older. And estimates suggest the average age in Italy will be 54 years by 2050.

In fact, Sardinia is one of the world's five Blue Zones: places where residents live the longest. The main reasons given for Italy's aging population are low birth rate and extraordinary longevity, which might be attributed to the local diet.

On that subject discover where to eat out in Sardinia.

Santorio Santorio designed the world's first thermometer

Italian Santorio Santorio invented the thermometer in 1612. It was the first instrument to show an exact temperature against a scale.

Galileo had previously worked on a thermoscope. But his invention only showed changes in temperature and didn't measure the degrees of change.

Batteries were invented in Italy

The first batteries were invented in Italy in 1800 by Alessandro Volta - the man after whom 'volts' are named.

 Christopher Columbus was Italian

Columbus might have sailed under the Spanish flag, but he was actually Italian, and born in Genoa in 1451.

For another related fun fact about Italy — note that Genoa is Europe's largest medieval town. 

The first ever bank started in Italy

The Bank of San Giorgia was another Italian world first — it opened in Genoa in 1149, which adds to the city's contribution to our round-up of interesting facts about Italy.

Italians invented eyeglasses

Italians also invented corrective eyeglasses. They were first made in the 13th century, and used mainly by monks. 

Previously Ancient Romans had used magnifying glasses, but medieval Italian eyeglasses were the first to be worn.

Fun facts about Italy and eating

Pizza was invented in Naples

Pizza gets a mention as early as 10AD. But modern pizza was born in the 1700s and it originated in Naples.

That said, Rome isn't short of great options, either. Discover where to eat the best pizza in Rome.

Italians ate pasta as far back as 4BC

Pasta dates back to 4BC in Italy. And pre-Roman wall paintings even depict what's thought to be early pasta-making equipment.

Fourteen billion espressos are consumed in Italy each year

Over 20,000 Italians work as baristas and the country's average household coffee consumption is 37 kg a year.

You can drink espresso any time in Italy. But it's an unspoken rule that you don't order Cappuccino after 11am.

Italy is the world's largest wine producer

Italy produces about 54,800 hectolitres of wine a year compared to 49,000 hectolitres produced by France.

Italy is also the world's largest wine exporter, with most exports going to Germany, US and the UK.

Wild about wine? Following our Tuscany itinerary will have you sampling some of the country's best whiie you also enjoy stacks of unforgettable things to do in Tuscany.

It's bad luck to place bread upside down on the table

Italians think it's bad luck to place bread upside down on the table. 

Historians suggest this ancient superstition arose because bread given to town executioners in the Middle Ages was always placed upside down.

Italians eat salad for dessert

In Italy, salad is always eaten after the main course as the fibre supposedly aids digestion. 

However, it's not a dessert. Italian meals have another two courses. So after salad, you can still look forward to fruit, and then dessert.

And with that we wind up our round-up of fun facts about Italy. If you're now inspired to visit, while planning your trip, wise up on when to go and where to go in Italy, along with discovering the best things to do in Italy..

Not a fan of planning? No problem — our local experts can propose Italy itineraries to suit your tastes and ideal vacation duration.