This post contains affiliate links. Visit our Disclosure page for details.
“What are the best travel shoes for Italy?” This is always one of the biggest dilemmas for women traveling to Europe! In this post, our readers help you avoid looking like a tourist with their expert tips. Find out their suggestions!
What are the Best Travel Shoes for Italy?
Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:
I’m going to Rome for one week. I want to be fashionable, yet I know we will walk a lot! How do I combine comfort and style? It’s supposed to be rainy and getting chilly. What are the best travel shoes for Italy?
Great question! Shoes for Italy need to be incredibly comfortable! Not only do they have to be broken in, but you should be able to walk on them on the cobblestone streets.
Here are some tips on the best walking shoes for Europe–including on cobblestone streets!
Based on reader recommendations, we suggest tall boots for winter and wedges for summer; other styles can be used interchangeably throughout the year.
Depending on the weather, flat ankle boots, boat shoes, or driving mocs are other top recommendations amongst our readers. They’re classic options and make the perfect alternative to ballet flats, especially if you need a little more room for soft insoles.
Here are the best travel shoes for Italy in warm weather:
Wedges
Elevate your Italian wardrobe with a stylish pair of wedges! Not only are wedges ultra fashionable and offered in a variety of cute styles, but they’re also a great heel option for female travelers and are an ideal choice for Italy and the cobblestone streets in Europe. As well as being perfect for if you need something dressier.
Here’s how to (not) walk in heels in Europe!
The wedge featured above is from Clarks, which gets an A+ from Travel Fashion Girl for both comfort and style! Keep things neutral in a versatile sand shade or a plain black color. The vibrant orange pair is perfect if you want to go bold.
Find out our favorite cute and most comfortable wedges for travel!
Vince Camuto Black Ballet Flat
Flats
Ballet flats are a staple for the style-conscious traveler, especially in European destinations. While they may not be the most supportive when it comes to rigorous, all-day walking, they are great for casual wear and storing in your purse as a comfortable back-up shoe.
With a light, packable and versatile silhouette, what’s not to love?
Roll Tab Sleeve Tunic | Skyler Pants
A very “Rome” look would be a pair of plain, sturdy, comfortable–yet beautiful–ballet flats. An overall neutral color such as light gray, black, chocolate brown, or cream would fit in nicely in Rome.
A little black dress or black trousers with a wrap style blouse with a pair of bright colored ballet flats would be chic and striking. A pop of unexpected color will keep you from feeling too dull.
Travel shoe brands Merrell and Crocs (they have cute Mary Jane styles now) can offer some balance of fashionable comfort.
We’ve got a roundup of the most comfortable ballet flats for travel!
For hot summer days, Birkenstocks have been quite fashionable in Europe in recent years and are very popular amongst our readers. The Yara style is a bit more trend-driven with various colors.
Slip-Ons
For easy and hassle-free footwear, opt for a comfortable pair of slip-on flats. With a structure that’s simple and a look that’s stylish, these are a fantastic travel-friendly option to bring along.
Do as the Europeans do and use accessories such as these slip-ons to incorporate fun pops of color into your wardrobe.
If you want to go the clog route, try Swedish Hasbeens.
Here’s our top picks for the most comfortable and cute walking shoes for travel!
Here are the best travel shoes for Italy in cool weather:
Blondo Waterproof Leather Boot
Boots
As if it can’t be recommended enough, boots are a total Europe must-have. Boots are a must for any time of year.
Ankle boots are ideal for mild days with light showers but bring some mid-calf or tall boots for heavy rain. Some travelers also suggest stylish galoshes such as Hunter boots. Others suggest tall Neos to wear over any shoes. They’re very packable. Take a reusable dry pouch to stow them when they are wet.
Italians wear high quality, solid leather boots throughout autumn and winter. Shopping tip: don’t take them but buy some gorgeous boots there!
Take a look at the most recommended waterproof leather boots for Europe!
Ankle Boots
Ankle boots are a total Europe must-have. In fact, black ankle boots are some of the easiest shoes to travel with in Europe when it’s cold.
Black and navy in particular are popular neutral shades amongst Europeans, making them great color choices for ankle boots. Blend in with locals and instantly polish up your look by slipping on a pair of these beauties.
Discover the best ankle booties for travel to Europe!
Tall Boots
We love tall boots because they can act as both a stylish shoe option and something that keeps you dry during any unexpected rainfall.
The multifunctional Blondo riding boot above is a perfect example of this, with an appearance that looks like a chic leather boot but a structure that consists of waterproof material. Finish off the look with a pair of dark wash jeans and a stylish raincoat.
Do you need your feet to be covered? If you’re a sneaker girl, bring your Converse (or the Italian-preferred Superga brand). Stylish travelers fond of a chic athleisure look also like Nike Flyknits.
I find Supergas incredibly comfortable and they have become a staple in my travel wardrobe.Check out our Superga sneakers review!
Belted Quilted Coat | Icon Trench Coat
LIGHT, WARM COAT
As well as needing boots for protection against the rain. You should also consider deciding between bringing a lightweight down jacket, waterproof parka, or a trench coat based on the weather forecast.
If you choose a warm, water-repellent coat, pick a style with some tailoring or a well-fitting silhouette. You want to avoid outdoor-type jackets. Instead, look for a more feminine rain coat appropriate for cities.
Read this Rome packing list for more tips on what to wear on your trip!
Here’s a quick guide summary of the best travel shoes for Italy:
| SHOE STYLE | FEATURED PRODUCT | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wedges: A great heel option for female travelers and are an ideal choice for Italy and the cobblestone streets in Europe. |
Clarks Annadel Eirwyn |
Check Price | |
| Ballet flats: A staple for the style-conscious traveler, especially in European destinations |
Vince Camuto Black Ballet Flat |
Check Price | |
| Sandals: For hot summer days, Birkenstocks have been quite fashionable in Europe in recent years and are very popular amongst our readers. |
Birkenstock Yara Leather |
Check Price | |
| Slip-ons: For easy and hassle-free footwear, opt for a comfortable pair of slip-on flats. |
Aerosoles You Betcha Loafer |
Check Price | |
| Waterproof Boots: Italians wear high quality, solid leather boots throughout autumn and winter. |
Blondo Waterproof Leather Boot |
Check Price | |
| Ankle Boots: These are some of the easiest shoes to travel with in Europe when it's cold. |
Seychelles Lucky Penny Bootie |
Check Price | |
| Tall boots: They can act as both a stylish shoe option and something that keeps you dry during any unexpected rainfall. |
Blondo Waterproof Riding Boot |
Check Price |
Don’t let your shoes ruin the trip of a lifetime! Click the below articles for more suggestions on the best travel shoes for Italy (and the rest of Europe):
- 10 Cute and Comfortable Ballet Flats
- Ankle Booties are the Best Travel Shoes for Europe in Spring and Fall
- What Shoes to Wear in Paris
- Should I Pack Heels for Europe?
- Cute and Comfortable Walking Shoes for Europe
- The Unexpected Travel Shoe that’s Perfect for Europe
Read our ultimate guide on how to choose the best shoes for travel to any destination!
LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!
Wow. Thank you for making this. I plan to visit Italy soon for vacation.
Enjoy!
I’m going to Sicily this June. Any tips on.what to bring in terms of outfits and shoes?
Hi Jessica, read this guide for full details: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-packing-guides/10-step-packing-guide-italy/
Ballet flats for walking around Rome? Don’t do it! You will surely regret it. Wear some of the other fine suggestions for daytime walking and save the flats for dinner.
I have walked all day long in Paris and all over Italy in what I’ve found to be the most comfortable sandals: KorkEase one inch Myrna wedges and Eileen Fisher sport sandals. Both still look cute. No blisters and supported cushioning.
Great suggestion Lynda, thanks!
I’m used to wear Loriblu summer sneakers instead… great for walking and sooo stylish!!!
sound good, will take a look at them!
Hi Fashion Girl, your link to the slip on loafer does not go to the orange slip on featured in the picture. Can you tell me the brand and name of the orange slip on loafer?
Jenny
Hi Jenny, the items get sold out instantly so unfortunately, we link to the categories so our readers can search for available products instead 🙂
I walked 2 weeks through Euope…City sneakers are the best…cute and comfortable!!
I used Ralph Lauren Black City leather slip on sneakers.
Thanks for the recommendation Anna!!
All Birds – these are woollen sneakers and are trully the most comfortable shoes ever made. Wearing them feels like you sre just wearing a pair of thick, woolly socks!!
Wow those sound incredible!! I’ll have to look into them, thanks for the recommendation Georgina!
I wore ballet flats to Europe and got shin splints!!!!! My feet and legs ached until I purchased a pair of comfortable sneakers there. If you plan to do a lot of walking get shoes that support the sides of your feet and ankles-like Converse sneakers or Mephisto sandals. Both give a lot of support when walking on sand, cobble stones and hard surfaces. Your feet will thank you! Happy Travels!
Great tip! Shoes are certainly the most important part of your travel wardrobe!
I still haven’t found the best walking shoes…Skechers actually hurt my feet because I have wide feet – and wide sizes are often too wide in the heel. Also, memory foam tends to make my toes go numb. I love shoes, but times like these I really hate my feet! I want to be comfortable and not look clunky, and I don’t know if it’s possible. I’m going to Italy in early November, and we will be walking a lot, so I’m still trying to track down one good fit!
Oh man! It is really tough finding the right shoes! This post may help you out more: https://travelfashiongirl.com/20-comfortable-and-cute-walking-shoes-for-travel/
We recently came back from Rome for 11 days. I had a pedometer so on average we walked 20,000 steps a day or 8 to 12 miles! Most in my life and I am 42 years old! Anyway, forget looking cute, I wore my Skechers Go Walk 2 shoes in beige. So comfortable it was incredible.
I’ve been wondering about the Go Walk Skechers shoes, Good to know they’re a great walking shoe! Thanks for sharing!
I was thinking about Sketchers to wear to Italy, but not sure about the arch support. They are super comfy, but they do get hot and do not have a lot of arch support.
Your Skechers might be really heaven to put on at the END of the day when your feet need a treat. That’s what I did in London. Boy were my feet tired at the end of those days!😀
I like wearing cute Birkenstocks (they have a vast array of styles and colors) and also Mephistos sandals (super comfortable). I also pack a pair of New Balance retro trainers and this year I am taking a pair of 1 3/4″ Swedish Hasbeens sandals… will see how those work out. 😀
I love how the current fashion trends are working perfectly for travel shoes too 🙂 Let me know how the 3/4″ Swedish Hasbeens sandals work out! Thanks 🙂