Italy is not on the UK's no-go list, but the Foreign Office is still telling British travellers to steer clear of demonstrations across the country. Its latest advice update, published on a Tuesday, removed details of a national strike but kept a pointed warning that recent protests in northern cities have spiralled into "violent riots and looting".
The backdrop is a wave of large-scale protests that has rolled across Italy. Around 20,000 people marched in Rome on a recent Friday, prompting armoured vehicles to be stationed near the Colosseum and heavy police trucks to guard a military exhibition at the Circus Maximus, which was placed under lockdown after demonstrators got in the previous weekend. Unrest wasn't confined to the capital: Naples, Turin, Milan and Bologna all saw protests, and in Vicenza in the northeast at least three people were hurt, one hit in the head by a tear gas canister during clashes with police.
Giorgia Meloni's government responded in October with emergency measures, including prison sentences of up to five years and fines of €20,000 for anyone joining a protest group deemed to "endanger public safety". The unrest mirrors a broader European pattern driven by the cost of living, high fuel prices, flat wages and rising military spending.
So what does this mean if you've got a trip booked? The FCDO has not added Italy to its Red List — the category reserved for countries like Afghanistan, Belarus and Iran where the UK urges people not to travel at all. Millions visit Italy safely every year, and the advice is about avoiding specific flashpoints rather than the country as a whole.
The practical guidance is straightforward: steer clear of marches, rallies and political gatherings entirely. If you find yourself near one, follow police instructions and leave the area — and resist the urge to stop and film it. Officers are warning that photographing disorder or police activity is a bad idea. It's also worth checking local news and official channels before heading out, because demonstrations can disrupt transport at short notice, including strikes and cancelled services in major cities.
If you're travelling in the coming weeks, build in a little flexibility. Keep an eye on what's happening in the city you're visiting, especially Milan, where police and military presence has been increased, and have a backup plan if metro lines or trains are disrupted on protest days. The Colosseum and Circus Maximus area in Rome has seen the heaviest security, so expect possible closures or rerouted access around major sites during any new demonstrations.
Bottom line: Italy remains open and welcoming for travellers, and the FCDO's warning is situational, not a blanket travel ban. Stay aware, avoid crowds with political banners, and your city break should be unaffected.
