Solo in Italy: A Light Trip with a 20L Expandable Backpack
Traveling solo through Italy wasn’t something I had always planned, but it turned out to be one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had.
As a woman traveling alone, I knew I'd need to stay aware, but I didn’t want fear to dictate how I moved. With a bit of preparation, a flexible itinerary, and my 20L expandable backpack, I discovered Italy at my own pace — not as a tourist on a checklist sprint, but as someone simply walking into stories as they unfolded.
On this trip, I visited Rome, Florence, and Bolzano — with no car, no tight itinerary, and no travel buddy. My days were guided by the local buses and trains, and my nights often ended in unexpected cafés or moonlit piazzas. One thing I learned early on: solo travel in Italy isn’t about hiding, it’s about blending in. Dressing simply, walking with purpose, and carrying just what you need (in my case, in a small backpack) makes all the difference.
I stayed in small guesthouses, booked local trains on the spot, and carried everything I needed on my back: a phone, a card, a refillable bottle, and an oversized scarf that doubled as a blanket on cooler nights. That’s where the 20L expandable backpack came in handy — compact when I didn’t need much, but roomy enough for souvenirs and last-minute groceries when plans changed. It kept things simple — and light.
Of course, Italy has its quirks. Public transport can be confusing. Street lights can be dim. But I found comfort in the rhythm of it all. Riding the train from Florence to Bolzano, I watched the architecture fade into alpine views. In Rome, I got lost looking for a late-night dinner — and stumbled into a nearly empty Campo de' Fiori, glowing under old lanterns. In Bolzano, the lakes were so still in the morning that I forgot the noise of everywhere else.
Was I ever scared? A little. Mostly when walking alone at night. But I learned to keep my phone out of sight and my card in a zipped side pocket. I didn’t carry more than I could afford to lose. The less I looked like I was worried, the less attention I attracted. Confidence matters more than equipment. But a good backpack definitely helps.
So if you're planning a solo trip to Italy — especially if you’re a woman — my honest take is: don’t over-plan. Pack smart. Walk like you’ve done it before. And bring a bag that works with you, not against you. For me, the 20L expandable backpack made it possible to be light on my feet and open to the world.
Italy gave me silence, beauty, and just enough chaos to feel alive — and I got to carry it all on my back.
