Under 26 in Italy = DISCOUNTS EVERYWHERE. EU citizens under 18: FREE entry to ALL state museums (Colosseum, Uffizi, Borghese — all free). EU 18-25: €2-5 reduced. Non-EU under 26: 50% reduction at many museums. Trains 15-30% off with Carta Giovani. Backpacking guide →
Museums: EU under 18 = FREE (bring passport). EU 18-25 = €2-5 (vs €15-25 full). Non-EU under 26 = often 50% off. First Sunday of month: ALL state museums FREE (any age). Trains: Carta Giovani Nazionale (€20/year, ages 18-35) = discounts on Trenitalia, Italo, plus restaurants, shops. Interrail pass: €194 for 4 days in 1 month (under 27 price). ISIC card: Student discounts worldwide — works at some Italian museums, shops, restaurants.
Sleep €15-25: Hostels (Generator Rome €18, Ostello Bello Milan €20, Plus Florence €15). Camping €8-15. Couchsurfing (free). Eat €10-15: Bar breakfast €2. Supermarket picnic €5. Street food dinner €5-8. Cook at hostel €3. Transport €5-8: Regional trains (slow but cheap €3-15). Walk. Sights €0-5: Free churches. Free tours. Student discounts.
Bologna: THE university city — cheap bars, student culture, free portico walks. Naples: Cheapest major city — pizza €4, hostel €15, street food capital. Florence: Student population keeps bars affordable despite tourism. Palermo: Ballarò market lunch €5. Rome: San Lorenzo neighborhood = student bars, €5 pizza+beer.