Making Friends in Italy: Tips for Building Your Social Circle

I'm lucky in the fact that now, after being in Calabria almost three years, I'm immersed in a loving Italian family, which means...built-in friends!

But in the first year, it was lonely. I had A friend (who had a baby, so she wasn't interested in going out a lot). It took a while to build my friend circle.

So I want to make it easier for you when you land in Italy!

1. Learn (at least some) Italian

This is going to be my advice for anything you want to do here. You decided to move to Italy, so go to the effort of learning the language. Period.

You don’t need to quote Dante, but a little effort with the language goes a long way. Even basic Italian signals respect and openness — two traits Italians value highly in a friend. Plus, mistakes often make great icebreakers. ("I said I'm pregnant instead of I'm embarrassed...and now we’re best friends!")

Even if you make friends with English speakers (the way I inadvertently did), knowing the language will help when you're at aperitivo with your new friends and they're speaking Italian 100 miles an hour!

2. Frequent Local Spots

Italians are creatures of habit. Go to the same bar, the same piazza, the same bakery. Over time, you’ll shift from being that foreigner to being a familiar face. Relationships in Italy often start with a simple nod of recognition...then maybe a "Buongiorno"...and before you know it, an invite to Sunday lunch.

I love having a local bar where they know my name (a bit like Cheers...). They know what I'm going to order and who's coming to meet me!

3. Join Classes, Clubs, and Groups

Italians are passionate about cooking, art, hiking, soccer, you name it. Find a group that matches your interests. Many towns offer language exchanges, dance classes, and sports teams. Bonus: hobbies give you something to talk about besides how weirdly slow the post office is.

In Calabria, there are often excursions to nearby towns and attractions. Be brave and go, even if you're by yourself. I guarantee you'll come home with new friendships!

4. Be Patient

Friendships here are built slowly. Don’t expect an immediate “bestie” after one conversation. Italians often form tight-knit groups and aren’t always quick to bring newcomers in, but once you’re in, you’re in for life.

5. Say Yes

You might be invited to things that seem random or chaotic (a sagra? a cousin’s baptism?). Say yes. These experiences are gold for building genuine connections — and trust me, you’ll have stories to tell.

6. Use Expat Networks — Wisely

There’s nothing wrong with having other expats in your circle. Sites like Meetup, Facebook groups, and InterNations can help you find your footing.

It can be helpful to connect with expats who have already walked the path you're on. They can give advice to help you get settled and can lament with you over all the frustrations for an expat in Italy.

Just make sure you balance it by connecting with locals, too. After all, you didn’t move to Italy to hang out exclusively with people from back home.

Making friends in Italy is part art, part persistence, and part showing up (preferably with a good attitude and maybe a bottle of wine). Take it slow, be yourself, and remember: here, relationships aren’t rushed...they’re savored.