Where are photographs allowed?

No Flashes in churchs or museums. Tripods not allowed in Churches. People use a monopods I guess. I had fun at an outdoor market in Rome. I just held the camera up to my chest and snapped shots of people. Took dozens, kept 20 or 30. It was fun catching a snapshot of locals.

Hi Charles. Where in Italy will you be? I've taken pictures in a number of cities (Florence, Rome, Ravenna, Lucca, Bologna, Venice, among others) and never had any issues with "street photography" (I'm not sure what you mean by this). Churches that don't allow photography will have signs posted, like the Duomo in Florence. Museums, as you said, are a different story. When I was there, visitors were allowed to take pictures in the Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello, and San Marco Monastery in Florence without a flash. In my experience in museums in different countries, if a museum allows photography it usually doesn't permit a flash. If you aren't sure, ask.

I am a professional photographer and have traveled Europe and Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica. I think by street photography you mean capturing the local people? I typically capture people in a scene and do not invade people's privacy or space. In very poor countries the people will usually ask to be paid to allow you to take their photo, but in Europe, not the case. You have to realize how you would feel if you were strolling your baby down the street and a bunch of Italian tourists came up and started taking photos of your baby. People who live in other countries are not our props for photos. However, people shopping at markets and wandering the street have to expect to be included in some touist photos...just use common sense.
If you were doing a series , say of 'people at work' you might politely ask to take a photo of a shopkeeper, or a street vendor, but always abide by what they say. I prefer a more candid approach, so I capture more candid street scenes and the people are not the main subject, just a part of the scene. In this case I don't feel the need to ask as they usually don't even know they might be included in my photo, and I work fast so I am usually on to the next scene. Also, lots of museums and churches are okay with no flash. Have fun!

For museums and churches there will be signs posted as to what is and is not allowed. Some churches don't allow pictures at all and some don't allow flash. Most museums don't allow flash and in some rooms there are no photos allowed at all.... the Sistine Chapel is one. Just pay attention as you enter sites and go from room to room of churches and museums and you'll be fine. As for street photography, the only restrictions I know of is that you must have a permit to use a tripod. You may be able to use a monopod but I have never found a definitive answer on that. Most museums won't allow either to be used. Donna

I agree with Terry kathryn. While I am not a professional photographer, I would not take photos of individuals. It does seem an invasion of privacy. However, groups of people are ok.