Check out our selection of the best podcasts to learn Italian, including options for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners.
Our Selection of the Best Podcasts To Learn Italian
1. Italy Made Easy
Cost: Free limited access, or $300 for lifetime access to the full course
Suitable for: Beginner to intermediate learners
Italy Made Easy is considered to be one of the highest-rated courses around, not to mention one of the best podcasts to learn Italian. Episodes are 10-20 minutes long and the host records them in 100% Italian, so it does help to have some understanding of Italian before you get started. We found the podcast to be extremely detailed and in-depth, while also being super accessible for beginners. Alongside the podcast, you can access transcripts, translations, comprehensive notes and answers to commonly asked questions. The founder, Manu, also has a YouTube channel, which you can use to learn Italian alongside the podcast.
What we like:
- Manu, the host, is very likeable and makes the podcasts fun
- The course offers cultural facts about Italy too
- Manu is a native speaker, so you’re in good hands!
What we don't like:
- It’s expensive so won’t be accessible for everyone
- Limited grammar tips and explanations
- You’ll need a basic understanding of Italian to get started
2. Italian Automatico
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Intermediate speakers
Italiano Automatico (Automatic Italian) is another podcast that's spoken completely in Italian. But, don't let this discourage you: immersion is one of the best ways to learn a foreign language! Alberto, the host of the podcast, speaks slowly and clearly, so you can hear and (try to!) understand each word. You can also access PDF transcripts to download and follow along with if you’re just starting out. The podcast has been running for a long time, which means there are hundreds of episodes to listen to, and they release new episodes each week too!
What we like:
- Hundreds of episodes available
- Materials are available to use alongside the podcast
- Alberto speaks only in Italian, making it a great immersion exercise
What we don't like:
- Almost no grammar help
- Can only be used as a supplementary tool
- You'll need at least a basic understanding of Italian
3. News in Slow Italian: 4/5
Cost: Free with a premium version available for $19.90/month
Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced speakers
News in Slow Italian is one of the best podcasts to learn Italian, but you’ll need to be an intermediate speaker or above. The idea is simple: native Italian speakers read out real Italian news stories, but at a much slower speed, giving you the chance to hear, understand and break down each sentence. Alongside the podcast, you’ll find transcripts for each episode on the News in Slow Italian website, as well as grammar materials, pronunciation exercises and short quizzes.
What we like:
- Includes extra materials to use alongside the podcast
- Great way to learn how grammar is used in context, not just through textbooks
- Ideal for students with an interest in current affairs and politics.
What we don't like:
- The vocabulary is too difficult for beginner students
- The conversations and the reading speed is a little too fast sometimes
4. Coffee Break Italian
Cost: Free, or $124 for lifetime access to the full course
Suitable for: Beginners to intermediate speakers
Coffee Break Italian is a podcast that combines all the skills you need to learn a new language, which is why it has made it into our list of the best podcasts to learn Italian! You’ll learn Italian with the help of two native speakers, as well as Katie, a language student. It’s a relatively laid back podcast series, where the host encourages you to talk along with the student during the 20-minute lessons. Coffee Break Italian offers an impressive amount of content for free too. However, you can purchase the premium version to access even more content, including accompanying videos with in-depth notes.
What we like:
- Short episodes, perfect for those with limited time
- The audio is extremely high quality
- The content is very well researched and thorough
What we don't like:
- There are no opportunities to practice speaking
- You’ll need to pay for the extra materials
- You will need to use other resources to become fluent
5. La Bottega di Babbel
Cost: 20 episodes for $30
Suitable for: Intermediate speakers
La Bottega Di Babbel is one of the newest initiatives created by the team behind Babbel, one of the leading language learning apps. Gianluca, a native speaker, hosts the podcast, but, this time, it's completely in Italian! Gianluca discusses Italian culture and society to help you boost your Italian language skills, as well as your knowledge of Italy. Some of the topics include, “When was pizza invented?” and “How is Christmas celebrated in Italy?” The podcast also comes complete with a transcript to help you follow along, ideal for beginners who haven’t yet found their feet with Italian.
What we like:
- Aside from language skills it also teaches you about Italian culture
- Available on all streaming services: like Apple or Spotify
- It was made by the creators of a known and trusted language app
What we don't like:
- This course is only suitable for intermediate students
- The host, Gianluca, can speak too quickly sometimes
6. 30 Minute Italian
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginner to intermediate speakers
30 Minute Italian is an educational podcast led by Cher Hale, who shares her stories on travel, culture, education and other interesting topics. She covers all important aspects of language learning such as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation practice. It's a very well rounded course making it one of the best podcasts to learn Italian. As the title suggests, you only need 30 minutes or less to listen to this podcast, making it easily accessible to even the busiest of individuals. This podcast has been around for several years (dating back to 2014) so there is a ton of content available for you to listen to already!
What we like:
- The host of the podcast is fun and entertaining
- 30-minute episodes are easy to fit around a busy schedule
- The tutor isn’t a native speaker but does understand the troubles of learning Italian as a foreign language.
What we don't like:
- It was last updated in 2019, however, there are episodes since 2014. We’re not sure if there are any plans to update this.
- It is a pretty basic podcast, so you will need extra resources to help you learn Italian
7. BBC Language Italian
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginners
If you're looking to learn Italian, the BBC website is a great online tool for language study. And, what’s a better-trusted source than the BBC? The BBC provides a free podcast to help you learn vocabulary, grammar, as well as pronunciation. Alongside the podcast, the BBC also offers a lot of extra learning materials like videos (television and radio clips in Italian), quizzes, a phrasebook for everyday Italian, as well as a guide to Italian slang, and an actual 12-week Italian course too. That's a lot of free resources!
What we like:
- Respected and trusted source
- Focuses on all aspects of language learning
- Tons of free resources available
What we don't like:
- This won't help you reach fluency (the materials are not sufficient enough).
8. My Daily Phrase
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginners
My Daily Phrase Italian is a simple podcast created by the brains behind Coffee Break Italian. It is designed for beginners who have limited time to tackle Italian during the day. Each episode is about five minutes long and introduces a new phrase to add to your Italian dictionary. Unlike many other podcasts, this one aims to teach you one phrase and help you grasp the meaning of it: understand what contexts to use it in, how to use it, and when to use it. You can easily download the episodes onto your mobile device and start learning as soon as possible!
What we like:
- Created by the trusted makers of Coffee Break Italian
- The podcast episodes are nice and short
- Interesting approach to learning only a phrase at a time
What we don't like:
- You will need to supplement your learning with other resources
- Designed only for beginners
9. Language Transfer: 4/5
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginner to intermediate speakers
Language Transfer is a little different from the other podcasts on our list, however, we still believe it deserves a chance to be here. Why is it different? It's more of a short audio course, divided into 45 episodes (each episode being around ten minutes long). Language Transfer also doesn't claim to teach you Italian but rather teaches you about Italian. It helps you understand how language works, how to pronounce Italian words, how grammar works and more. You can download all the episodes onto your phone and listen to them offline, but the podcast is also available on SoundCloud or the new Language Transfer app.
What we like:
- The content is available to download and use offline
- Supported by several platforms: you can listen on Youtube or SoundCloud
- Focuses on different aspects of language learning beyond just grammar and vocabulary
What we don't like:
- Limited amount of episodes, and they will not be updated anymore
- Not a fully comprehensive course: you will need more to support your French language learning
10. 5 Minute Italian
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginners to intermediate speakers
5 Minute Italian is a fun podcast for those who want bite-sized lessons in Italian. Kate and Matteo host the podcast: Kate, being a native English speaker and Matteo a native Italian speaker. During the podcast, they share some tips and tricks to help you pick up Italian quickly and effectively by focusing on grammar and vocabulary. Kate acts like a student and discusses common mistakes that first-time learners make, and the barriers they may have to cross to boost their confidence. It’s one of the best podcasts to learn Italian, especially if you’re a beginner!
What we like:
- Includes resources like quizzes, flashcards and more
- There is a blog and notes to accompany each lesson
- The hosts are very entertaining and interesting.
What we don't like:
- The podcast isn’t actually five minutes long (it is a little misleading)
- It has not been updated since June 2020
11. Max Mondo
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Intermediate speakers
Max Mondo is a podcast that focuses on learning about all things Italian: Italian food, Italian culture, Italian traditions, Italian holidays and so much more. The topics are endless, but they are always educational, entertaining and more importantly, great for your language skills. Each episode comes with a transcript, as well as a glossary of new words and terms to help you understand the podcast, but also to help you learn new phrases too! After just a few episodes, you’ll have a good understanding of how to string a sentence together in Italian about slightly more complicated topics. For example, recycling or Italian fashion. Since the host speaks in Italian throughout the entirety of the podcasts, we'd say this is one of the best podcasts to learn Italian, if you already have a foundation of the language.
What we like:
- Extra resources are available
- Fun podcast that also discusses Italian culture
- Immersive way to study Italian
What we don't like:
- Hasn’t been updated since July 2020
- You need to subscribe to the website in order to gain access to the podcast and the extra materials
12. ItalianPod101: 4/5
Cost: $4/month
Suitable for: Beginners to advanced
ItalianPod101 is one of the best podcasts to learn Italian, no matter what your ability level! It offers plenty of different resources to help you build all of your necessary language skills by focusing on vocabulary, sentence structure and just the right amount of grammar. ItalianPod101 structures its lessons really logically which makes it easy to work through the podcasts. They even include sections about cultural norms in Italian and use a bit of light humour to loosen up the mood..
What we like:
- Lots of content available and it’s always being updated!
- Inexpensive: only $4 a month
- You can use it across all devices: laptop, tablet, and phone
What we don't like:
- Audio quality varies between podcasts
- It is not very organised
- They use a lot of English to explain concepts
13. L'italiano Vero
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginners to intermediates
L'italiano Vero, otherwise known as The True Italian, attempts to teach you Italian through friendly conversations between the host and their close friends. Episodes last anywhere between 20 minutes to 1-hour, covering a range of topics such as world events, travelling, shopping and sports. Given the episode lengths, this podcast offers great variety and can fit in with your daily routine easily! To make the episodes more enjoyable they also include lots of cultural references, so you can learn more about the country too.
What we like:
- Perfect podcast to get to know Italian culture and Italian people
- It is being updated constantly, so you’ll always have something to listen to
- The podcast has a friendly atmosphere, it makes it seem like you're studying with friends, not teachers
What we don't like:
- Only available through their website (not on Spotify or Apple Podcasts)
- Not enough to help you achieve fluency in Italian
14. Let's Speak Italian
Cost: $15 for 100 lessons
Suitable for: Beginners to intermediate speakers
Let’s Speak Italian is made up of 100 podcast episodes. The team behind the podcast cleverly designed the episodes to help you to build your confidence while speaking Italian and learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible. The idea is to study Italian in short intervals every daily. If you learn a little bit every single day you should start to learn Italian, without feeling too overwhelmed. There are a few sample lessons available, however, if you wish to continue studying Italian with Let's Speak Italia you will need to purchase access to the podcast.
What we like:
- Effective methodology: learning a little bit every day
- Helps build confidence as well as knowledge
- You can try some sample lessons before purchasing the whole course
What we don't like:
- Only 100 lessons are available, and there are no plans for more
- The interface is outdated and not super user-friendly
15. Rai Radio 2: Caterpillar
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced speakers
Caterpillar is a podcast/radio show hosted by Massimo Cirri and Sara Zambotti on Rai Radio 2 (a popular radio station in Italy). This is a great alternative to those who want to replace their regular morning drive-time shows, or mundane songs, with something a bit different. Unlike most radio shows, this will teach you something new about Italy and help you to learn Italian. Massimo and Sara cover topics such as current affairs, social trends, favourite books, movies and more. The hosts discuss these topics in easy to understand bite-sized chunks and using easy language. It’s a great way to improve your vocabulary and listening skills and one of the best podcasts to learn Italian.
What we like:
- Great way to incorporate language learning into your daily routine
- Updated regularly
- Rai Radio is a respected radio station in Italy
What we don't like:
- There is no way to practice speaking
- No grammar explanations or help
- Only in Italian (not ideal for beginners)
16. Scientificast
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
Scientificast is one of the best podcasts to learn Italian if you’re interested in science, technology and inventions! After all, learning is much easier if you love what you’re listening to! The information is well presented, intriguing, and most importantly for you: it’s in Italian! You will learn how to discuss your favourite topics in Italian, and be the first to impress others at a language exchange. While the whole podcast is in Italian, the host speaks very slowly and clearly, making it accessible for ambitious beginners too!
What we like:
- Interesting podcast for those interested in science and technology
- You don’t need a background in science to follow the episodes
- The website is well organized and divided into topics like chemistry, physics, medicine and more
What we don't like:
- Episodes can be up to one hour long!
- No extra materials provided.
- No focus on grammar.
17. 2024
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
Our last podcast might have touched on technology as a topic, but 2024 is a podcast that is completely devoted to it! It focuses on tech news such as new products, new games, new startups and trends in the sector. Unfortunately, the downside is that the Italian is quite fast and very colloquial. It is one of the best podcasts to learn Italian if you’re already an advanced speaker, however, you can also use the podcast player to slow down the speed if you are a beginner or intermediate student too.
What we like:
- The podcast is continually being updated.
- Produced by Radio24 a trusted source.
- Great for those that love technology and want to stay up to date.
What we don't like:
- Some of the topics can be quite difficult for beginner learners.
- You need to understand tech and advanced Italian.
18. America 24 (Italian Talk)
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
Following our latest theme, American 24 is an informative podcast series that offers a daily five-ten minute run-down of the events happening in America and discusses any major themes. Aside from focusing on the major events of the day, it also picks one issue that wasn’t necessarily mentioned in the news and analyses it. For students who are interested in current affairs or politics, this is a top contender for one of the best podcasts to learn Italian. We'd recommend that only advanced speakers use this podcast, as it is quite hard to follow if you are a beginner.
What we like:
- You can discover American politics in Italian
- A unique way to learn more phrases and vocabulary
- This podcast is free!
What we don't like:
- It has not been updated since 2017
- There is no focus on language learning: no speaking practice, writing or grammar
19. Fisicat
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
Last but not least in our mini-series of informative podcats: Fisicast. This monthly podcast aims to help you understand physics in Italian. However, it is also aimed at those who are non-scientists, which means the level of physics is easy, approachable and enjoyable. The topics include anything and everything: microwave ovens, x-rays, the Big Bang Theory and more. Unfortunately, while the podcast is interesting it doesn’t include a script or any extra resources at all. You will have to look up words, repeat large parts of the podcast and maybe even pause to take a breather. This one is definitely for intermediate to advanced speakers.
What we like:
- Over 4 years of episodes to get through: that’s a lot of content!
- Interesting topics are discussed: helps you to gain new vocabulary
What we don't like:
- Has not been updated in years
- Does not include any additional resources making it very hard to follow the podcast
20. Eye On Italy
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
Eye on Italy is a fun podcast that just loves to explore Italy as a whole. The hosts of the podcast invite a different guest every week and encourages them to share their Italian experience, expertise and any other tips and tricks they may have up their sleeve. The hosts are very passionate and interesting people so you will learn about Italian wines, Italian fashion, Sycillian architecture and more. It’s most certainly the best podcast to learn Italian for those who love to indulge themselves in Italian culture!
What we like:
- Great for those obsessed with Italy and discovering new things!
- New guests every week create a varied and interesting atmosphere
- Tons of new vocabulary to learn based on the topics
What we don't like:
- There are no new episodes created anymore
- Doesn’t work too well (you may have to refresh your browser once or twice)
21. La Linguacciuta
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
La Linguacciuta is an advanced podcast created by Babbel, which you may recognise as one of the leading language learning apps on the market. This podcast focuses entirely on the Italian language taking you through all the strange, but interesting, aspects of Italian. This could include the etymology of Italian words, untranslatable words and concepts, invented words and slang, borrowed words and more. If you love linguistics or history, this podcast is ideal for you.
What we like:
- Only 10 episodes available so far so you can quickly catch up
- 10-15 minute videos: perfect for a quick learning session
- Created by Babbel
What we don't like:
- This is a supplementary course about Italian, however, it doesn’t teach you Italian at all.
22. Senza Rosetto
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
Sensa Rosetto (“Without Lipstick”) is a feminist podcast focusing on the various issues that Italian women navigate through their daily life. What is super interesting is that the podcast was launched on the 70th anniversary of the first political referendum that included women. Pretty cool, huh? If you are a feminist, or just want to improve your understanding of the female world and the struggles they share (while of course, improving your Italian), then this podcast is for you. The podcast is completely in Italian, and it can be hard to follow sometimes.
What we like:
- Interesting topic and an original podcast idea
- Great way to learn more Italian
- Only 16 episodes recorded so far (you have time to catch up!)
What we don't like:
- Only recommended for advanced and intermediate speakers
- Sometimes the hosts speak quite quickly and it’s hard to follow
23. I Provinciali
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Advanced speakers
Hands up who wants to own a house in Tuscany? I Provinciali is a podcast exactly for that kind of person! Hosted by Rai Radio 2, I Provinciali focuses on provincial life beyond the famous cities like Naples, Rome, Milan or Florence. You will follow the hosts around Italy as they discuss remote regions and the way they differ from each other in terms of their accents, traditions, food and culture. We'll warn you that there are some very tricky regional accents in this podcast, however, it's a great way to practise your listening skills!
What we like:
- Perfect for those dreaming of the Italian countryside
- Interesting podcast idea following a unique theme
- Tons of new vocab to learn based on the topics
What we don't like:
- There are no new episodes created anymore. It was recorded between 2015-2018.
- Doesn’t work on the Safari browser, try Chrome.
24. Quattro Stagioni
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginner to intermediate speakers
Quattro Stagioni (“Four Seasons”) covers short 10-minute episodes that focus on mini-stories about everyday topics. The hosts use an easy to follow format, simple vocabulary and talk slowly and carefully: perfect for beginners who are just starting their language journey. The topics include things like: cities to visit in Italy, how to celebrate holidays in Italy and many more.
What we like:
- Perfect for beginners: easy to understand host, easy vocabulary and fun topics
- Each episode is told in the form of a story, that’s very fun!
- Tons of new vocab to learn based on the topics
What we don't like:
- You have to subscribe to gain access to extra material
25. Meet Italia Podcast
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Beginners to intermediate speakers
Meet Italia is a podcast that includes three categories: travel, culture and society. Travel is the most prominent category teaching you practical ways to communicate with Italians in Italy, meeting new people, ordering at a restaurant or shopping at the store. Unlike a simple phrasebook, this will teach you how to use the vocabulary and phrases you learned in a conversation. The other two categories: culture and society, focus on understanding Italy and its people. Alongside the podcast, you can also access a range of supplementary PDF learning material to help with your writing, reading and grammar.
What we like:
- Perfect for those who want to learn Italian to travel
- An interesting podcast about society, culture and travel
- You can learn phrases and vocab for travelling and meeting new people
What we don't like:
- Only 23 episodes are available
- Doesn’t work too well on their main website, you have to find an alternative to listen to the podcast
26. The Italian Escape Podcast
Cost: Free (with optional Patreon upgrade)
Suitable for: Beginners
The Italian Escape Podcast is highly focused on sharing all aspects of the Italian culture, which can be useful for learners. The podcast uses a mix of English and Italian (code-switching) which is a very organic and authentic representation of what life in a multilingual relationships or communities might look like. It's highly informative and entertaining, and you might learn some Italian along the way too.
What we like:
- There's a mix of English and Italian, which helps beginners stay engaged, and free of overwhelm if it had all been in Italian.
- Integrates language, culture, and society – not just the Italian language
What we don't like:
- The English/Italian switching might be frustrating for some, and it might not be ideal as a straight learning tool
- There's only 18 episodes so far
Kris is the founder of Actual Fluency, and has spent the last 8 years becoming an expert in language learning software, methods, and techniques.
He lives in Denmark and speaks 5+ languages at varying levels. His other interests are Wine, Online Marketing, and Travelling.