€50-80/day is doable. €100-120/day is comfortable. Here's exactly how to make it work, city by city.
Plan your Italy trip →Shoestring (€50-65/day): Hostel dorm (€20-35), market/supermarket meals + one cheap trattoria (€15-20), public transport or walking (€3-5), one free activity + one paid (€5-8). Possible in every Italian city except Venice (add €15/day).
Comfortable budget (€80-120/day): Private hostel room or budget B&B (€40-60), lunch at a trattoria + dinner at a nice restaurant (€30-45), transport + one museum (€15-20). This is the sweet spot — you eat well, see things, and don't feel restricted.
Mid-range (€150-200/day): 3-star hotel (€70-100), sit-down meals at good restaurants (€50-70), museums and activities (€20-30). Standard tourist budget.
Accommodation: 40-50% of your budget. The biggest variable. Hostels (€20-35/dorm, €50-80/private) vs hotels (€80-200+) makes or breaks a budget trip. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for the best rates. Shoulder season (April-May, September-October) drops prices 20-30%.
Food: 25-35%. The second biggest expense and the easiest to control. A supermarket breakfast (€2-3), a pizza al taglio lunch (€3-5), and one proper dinner (€15-25) keeps you well-fed for €25-35/day.
Transport: 10-15%. High-speed trains are expensive at full price (€50 Rome-Milan). Regional trains are cheap (€15 Rome-Naples). Book high-speed trains 2-4 weeks ahead for Super Economy fares (€19-29).
Activities: 10-20%. Museums average €12-20. Free alternatives (churches, piazzas, markets, viewpoints, street life) are Italy's best attractions.
Naples: Cheapest major city. Pizza: €4-5. Espresso: €1. Hostel dorms: €18-25. The most bang for your budget in Italy.
Bologna: Student city = cheap eats, cheap drinks, cheap transport.
Palermo: Street food lunch for €5. Budget accommodation from €20/night.
Most expensive: Venice (everything costs more on an island), Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Capri.