Italy is one of the largest countries in Europe by population, however it’s not one of many largest by measurement. But the distinctive form of Italyand its geography — to not point out the proximity of two microstates — imply it touches six different international locations alongside its borders. To not point out, Italy additionally shares numerous maritime borders with different international locations.




Whether or not you are planning an epic European trip or simply need to know what international locations you possibly can go to whereas on a visit to Italy, listed here are six international locations that share borders with Italy.

Remember the fact that 5 out of six of those international locations are
part of the European Union
, which makes journey (and forex swaps) easier.


6 France

Italy shares its northwestern border with France

shutterstock_1035446422
through Shutterstock/Depositphotos

Photographs of Johnny Depp and St Tropez, France

France and Italy are home to some of the biggest cities in Europe, and it is pretty simple to journey between the 2 international locations, provided that they share a border. Whereas a visit from Paris to Rome (every nation’s largest metropolis) will take many hours, a practice from Paris will attain Italy in about six hours. Journey from France to Rome is quite common, with some common routes together with Rome to Paris, Milan to Good, and Venice to Paris.


  • Size of border: 320 miles
  • Closest “huge” cities: Good, France and Genoa, Italy

5 Switzerland

Italy shares its northern border with Switzerland

St. Moritz, Switzerland
Shutterstock 

St. Moritz, Switzerland

Switzerland lies north of Italy, and that may conjure up photographs of ski slopes and snow bunnies. Nonetheless, Switzerland has a average local weather with separate seasons — although the scenic Alps are a significant tourism draw. The town of Ticino, which lies alongside the border with Italy, is alleged to be related in local weather to its southern neighbors and is likely to be the warmest place in Switzerland.

Tourism is not the one purpose folks journey between Switzerland and Italy, although; round 82,000 commuters travel from Italy to Switzerland to work annually.


  • Size of border: 462 miles
  • Closest “huge” cities: Turin, Italy to Bern, Switzerland

Switzerland is the one one among Italy’s neighbors to not use the euro; you’ll want to replenish on Swiss Francs for those who plan to pay money.

4 Austria

Italy shares its northeastern border with Austria

River Gail flowing through the Schuett in the natural park Dobratsch in Villach, Carinthia, Austria
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River Gail flowing by way of the Schuett within the pure park Dobratsch in Villach, Carinthia, Austria

You may not consider Italy and Austria as being close to each other, however in actual fact, they share over 200 miles of border. Due to how the borders are drawn, nevertheless, you will want to go to the northeastern area of Italy to make a same-trip go to to Austria attainable. Touring by practice is the best approach to get between the 2 international locations, however journey is quite common throughout this border.


  • Size of border: 251 miles
  • Closest “huge” cities: Venice, Italy to Villach, Austria

3 Slovenia

Italy shares its jap border with Slovenia

Murska Sobota, Slovenia
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Murska Sobota, Slovenia

Alongside the jap border of Italy, it and Slovenia share not solely miles of border, but in addition the Gulf of Trieste. Trieste is situated in Italy, however the attention-grabbing nature of the 2 international locations’ borders signifies that a lot of the gulf lies in Italy, whereas you would need to journey additional south in Slovenia to succeed in the seashore space.

  • Size of border: 144 miles
  • Closest “huge” cities: Venice, Italy and Ljubljana, Slovenia

Round 400,000 Italians go to Slovenia annually.


2 San Marino

San Marino lies inside Italy’s borders

Guaita Tower and other historical buildings in San Marino
Picture by Matteo Panara on Unsplash

Guaita Tower and different historic buildings in San Marino

San Marino is one of Italy’s most densely populated countries, and that is as a result of it is positively tiny. It additionally lies completely inside Italy’s borders; San Marino is a microstate proper inside Italy. The nation is absolutely landlocked, however you possibly can go to Italy’s seashores on the Adriatic coast with ease.

  • Size of border: 24 miles
  • Closest “huge” cities: Bologna, Italy to Serravalle, San Marino

San Marino is just not a member of the European Union, however the border with Italy is technically open.


1 Vatican Metropolis

Vatican Metropolis lies inside Italy’s borders

Illuminated panorama of Rome and Vatican City, Italy
Picture by Julius Silver from Pixabay

Illuminated panorama of Rome and Vatican Metropolis, Italy

Vatican Metropolis is one other distinctive microstate that lies inside Italy, simply exterior of Rome. Vatican Metropolis provides a wealth of historic and cultural sights, because it’s one of many oldest cities in the region.

  • Size of border: 2.2 miles
  • Closest “huge” cities: Vatican Metropolis to Rome, Italy

Just like San Marino, Vatican Metropolis maintains an open border with Italy, and when you do not want a passport, the microstate is just not a part of the European Union. After all, the forex is identical, seemingly as a courtesy to Vatican Metropolis’s neighbors.

Do you know?
Italy additionally has maritime borders with many extra international locations, together with Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Greece, Libya, Malta, Montenegro, Spain, and Tunisia. Transportation between these international locations is commonly attainable by ferry.


References: Trainline, Google Maps, I Really feel Slovenia, ETIAS, European Union



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