Podcasts are one of the best ways to train your ear and hear how Italians really speak, and you can listen anywhere. As an Italian teacher (and the host of my own podcast), I’ve listened to a lot of them. Here are the ones I recommend to my students, grouped by level, with what each one is best for.
In short
- Complete beginners: ItalianPod101 or Coffee Break Italian, with explanations in English.
- A2/B1: slow, clear Italian like Piazzetta Italiana, Italiano Bello or Easy Italian News.
- B1 to C1: natural Italian with Podcast Italiano, Easy Italian or Italiano Automatico.
- The rule: choose a podcast you understand most of, and listen with the transcript.
| # | Podcast | Level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ItalianPod101 | A1 to B2, organized by level | complete beginners who want structure |
| 2 | Coffee Break Italian | A1 to B1 | learners who like a teacher guiding them step by step |
| 3 | Italiano Bello | A2 to B1 | grammar and culture explained in clear, simple Italian |
| 4 | Quattro Stagioni | A2 to B1 | short episodes you can listen to every day |
| 5 | Piazzetta Italiana: the Slow Italian Podcast | A2 to B1 | slow, clear Italian about real life in Italy today |
| 6 | Easy Italian News | A2 to B2 | following the news without being overwhelmed |
| 7 | Italiano con Amore | A2 to B2 | a slow tour of Italy from your sofa |
| 8 | Simple Italian Podcast | B1 to B2 | contemporary topics in comprehensible Italian |
| 9 | Podcast Italiano | A2 to C1 (separate beginner and intermediate series) | natural Italian on language, culture and society |
| 10 | Italiano Automatico | B1 to B2 | motivation and learning tips in Italian |
| 11 | Easy Italian | B1 to C1 | real, spontaneous conversations |
| 12 | News in Slow Italian | A2 to B2+ | current events with grammar and expressions explained |
| 13 | Learn Italian with Lucrezia | B1 to B2 | everyday Italian, culture and useful expressions |
| 14 | Pensieri e Parole | B2 to C1 | culture and literature |
| 15 | Arkos Academy | B1 to C1 | short episodes on culture, society and literature |
| 16 | The Italian Coach | B2 to C1 | modern topics and cinema |
| 17 | Con Parole Nostre | B2 to C1 | natural, fast conversation |
Italian podcasts for beginners (A1/A2)
1. ItalianPod101
Level: A1 to B2, organized by level
Best for: complete beginners who want structure
A multi-level podcast by Innovative Language. The lessons are bite-sized and come with transcripts in Italian and English, vocabulary lists and examples ready for your flashcards. Most episodes are two-person dialogues, which is much more useful than a single voice, and they’re organized by level and theme (the weather, introducing yourself, Italian at the office).
2. Coffee Break Italian
Level: A1 to B1
Best for: learners who like a teacher guiding them step by step
A classic. Each episode (about 15 to 20 minutes) is a lesson between a teacher and a learner, with key phrases and grammar explained in English. Topics range from travel to Italian culture. Extra materials are available with the paid course.
3. Italiano Bello
Level: A2 to B1
Best for: grammar and culture explained in clear, simple Italian
Hosted by two Italian teachers who speak simple, clear Italian and explain grammar, vocabulary and many aspects of Italian culture. Episodes run around 10 to 20 minutes, each on a specific topic.
4. Quattro Stagioni
Level: A2 to B1
Best for: short episodes you can listen to every day
Created by a professional Italian teacher, with short episodes (about 5 minutes) about all things Italian: places, recipes, famous Italians. Transcripts can be purchased, which makes it great both for self-study and for teachers.
Italian podcasts for lower intermediate learners (A2/B1)
5. Piazzetta Italiana: the Slow Italian Podcast
Level: A2 to B1
Best for: slow, clear Italian about real life in Italy today
Host: me, Serena!
Yes, this is my podcast, so I’m biased! I created it for learners who understand more than they can say: short episodes in slow, clear Italian about contemporary Italy, everyday life and culture, with the vocabulary you actually need. It’s the audio companion of my magazine, Piazzetta Italiana.
6. Easy Italian News
Level: A2 to B2
Best for: following the news without being overwhelmed
Short news episodes (about 5 minutes) on Italian and international events, in accessible Italian, with free transcripts. A simple and effective way to build a daily listening habit.
7. Italiano con Amore
Level: A2 to B2
Best for: a slow tour of Italy from your sofa
Hosted by Eleonora, who takes you around Italy: cities, food, traditions and famous Italians. Episodes are around 20 minutes, narrated slowly enough for lower intermediate learners but still interesting for advanced ones.
8. Simple Italian Podcast
Level: B1 to B2
Best for: contemporary topics in comprehensible Italian
A lovely podcast in comprehensible Italian, with episodes of about 30 minutes. I like it because it covers fresh, contemporary topics (personal growth, learning strategies, travel stories) instead of the usual “all things Italian.”
Italian podcasts for intermediate and advanced learners (B1 to C1)
9. Podcast Italiano
Level: A2 to C1 (separate beginner and intermediate series)
Best for: natural Italian on language, culture and society
Host: Davide Gemello
One of the most popular Italian podcasts for learners. Davide talks about the Italian language, culture and society in natural but clear Italian, and there’s a separate series for lower levels. Many transcripts are free on his website.
10. Italiano Automatico
Level: B1 to B2
Best for: motivation and learning tips in Italian
Host: Alberto Arrighini
Alberto talks about language learning, motivation and Italian culture, in a friendly and energetic way. Great if you want to listen to a lot of Italian and pick up good learning habits at the same time.
11. Easy Italian
Level: B1 to C1
Best for: real, spontaneous conversations
Hosts: Matteo and Raffaele
From the team behind the Easy Italian street interviews on YouTube. Two friends chat about everyday life in Italy and answer listeners’ questions. Real spoken Italian, with transcripts for members.
12. News in Slow Italian
Level: A2 to B2+
Best for: current events with grammar and expressions explained
Weekly news read slowly, plus segments on grammar and idiomatic expressions. Interactive transcripts and exercises come with the paid subscription.
13. Learn Italian with Lucrezia
Level: B1 to B2
Best for: everyday Italian, culture and useful expressions
Host: Lucrezia Oddone
Lucrezia, an Italian teacher, talks about everyday Italian, culture and the expressions Italians really use. Episodes are often paired with a video and a blog post.
14. Pensieri e Parole
Level: B2 to C1
Best for: culture and literature
A deep dive into Italian culture and literature, hosted by Lidia, a professional Italian teacher. Scripts of the episodes can be purchased on her website. I recommend it for upper intermediate and advanced learners.
15. Arkos Academy
Level: B1 to C1
Best for: short episodes on culture, society and literature
A long-running podcast taught by a professional Italian teacher, with episodes of five to ten minutes on Italian culture, society and literature. Transcripts are available on the website. Perfect for busy days.
16. The Italian Coach
Level: B2 to C1
Best for: modern topics and cinema
Host: Moreno
Moreno brings his passion for movies and languages to a variety of modern topics. Episodes are around 10 to 12 minutes, and transcripts can be purchased on his website.
17. Con Parole Nostre
Level: B2 to C1
Best for: natural, fast conversation
A casual chat between three Italian teachers about their lives and about Italy. The pace is natural and fairly fast, so it’s ideal for intermediate and advanced learners, especially with the transcripts available on their website.
How to learn with Italian podcasts
- Choose the right level. You should understand most of what you hear. If you’re lost after a minute, pick an easier podcast: challenging is good, overwhelming isn’t.
- Listen actively. At beginner and intermediate level, don’t just play podcasts in the background. Take notes on useful phrases, interesting vocabulary and ideas.
- Work with transcripts. Read and listen at the same time, a few times. It helps you connect sounds and words, and improves your pronunciation and listening together.
- Use what you hear. Talk about the episode with your tutor, or write a short summary in your own words. That’s how listening turns into speaking.
A note: many podcasts publish in seasons, so check the date of the latest episode before you subscribe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Italian podcast for beginners?
For complete beginners, ItalianPod101 and Coffee Break Italian explain everything in English. Once you reach A2, slow-Italian podcasts like Piazzetta Italiana, Italiano Bello and Quattro Stagioni are a great next step.
Can you learn Italian with podcasts?
Podcasts are excellent for listening and vocabulary, especially with transcripts. Combine them with speaking practice and some grammar study to make real progress.
What is a good Italian podcast for intermediate learners?
Podcast Italiano, Italiano Automatico, Easy Italian and Learn Italian with Lucrezia are all great for B1 and B2 learners.
Should I listen to Italian podcasts with transcripts?
Yes, especially at beginner and intermediate level. Reading while you listen helps you connect sounds and words and understand much more.
Read and listen to a story
Want to read and listen to the same story? All my books come with audio, so you can train your ear with a story at your level:
Due Amiche e un Album di Fotografie
Level A1
Two friends, an old photo album and a trip through southern Italy.
Read more: Piazzetta Italiana, my slow Italian podcast · learn Italian with short stories · Italian magazines for learners
