The Best Italian Podcasts for Beginners in 2026 (A1-A2)

Whether you are just starting Italian or building confidence at A2, these 9 podcasts cover both sides of beginner listening. The first section is focused on podcasts, where hosts speak slowly and explain vocabulary, perfect for beginners. The second section has course-style podcasts that teach Italian from scratch. If you know nothing yet and want structured lessons, use those.

If these are too easy and you want actual Italian podcasts, check out our intermediate Italian podcast list for a step up.

Italian Podcasts Made for Learners

These podcasts are designed specifically for Italian learners. Hosts speak slowly and clearly, explain vocabulary, and build up gradually. A perfect starting point for A1 and early A2.

Podcast Italiano

Language Learning / Culture

Davide creates in-depth episodes about Italian culture, history, and language, blending storytelling with vocabulary explanations along the way. One episode explores the quirks of Italian regional dialects and how they shape modern speech. The pace sits at about 17% slower than the typical Italian pace, and with nearly 300 episodes averaging about 25 minutes each, there is a huge archive to work through.

Italiano con Amore

Language Learning / Culture

Sara covers Italian culture, traditions, and daily life with warmth and clear explanations, pausing to break down useful phrases and grammar. Episodes explore everything from Italian coffee culture to regional festivals. The fastest of the four but still well below average Italian speed, with over 200 episodes running about 20 minutes each.

Italiano Bello

Language Learning

Short, focused episodes on vocabulary, grammar, and Italian life delivered at the slowest pace on this list, about 30% slower than the typical Italian pace. One episode walks through essential phrases for ordering at a bar, another unpacks the subtle differences between similar-sounding words. Over 200 episodes averaging about 12 minutes make it easy to fit into a daily routine.

Easy Italian

Language Learning / Culture

Matteo and the Easy Italian team discuss everyday topics and Italian culture in clear, approachable language, at about the same pace as Podcast Italiano. Episodes cover practical situations like navigating Italian bureaucracy, understanding gestures, and exploring regional food traditions. Over 200 episodes averaging about half an hour each.

Learn Italian from the Ground Up

If you are starting from zero, these podcasts teach Italian step by step. They explain everything in English and build your knowledge from the basics. Unlike the shows above, these link to their own websites rather than LangoPod.

Coffee Break Italian

Mark, Francesca, and Isla from the Radio Lingua network teach Italian from scratch in structured 20 to 30 minute lessons. The format follows a teacher guiding a student through grammar, vocabulary, and conversation, so you hear common mistakes explained in real time. Part of the same network behind Coffee Break French, with the same proven lesson structure.

ItalianPod101

A massive library of audio and video lessons organized by level, starting with an absolute beginner track. Native Italian teachers walk through dialogues, vocabulary, and grammar with English explanations. Each lesson comes with transcripts, vocabulary lists, quizzes, and flashcards. Thousands of episodes covering everything from introductions to everyday conversations.

News in Slow Italian

Weekly news episodes read at a deliberately slow pace, with grammar and vocabulary breakdowns built into each story. The beginner tier explains everything in English before introducing the Italian. Episodes cover real current events, so the content stays fresh every week. Part of the Linguistica 360 network with years of weekly episodes.

5 Minute Italian

Short daily episodes focused on pronunciation, common phrases, and practical grammar you can use right away. Each episode tackles one specific point in about five minutes, making it easy to build a consistent listening habit. Now part of the Joy of Languages network.

Learn Italian with Lucrezia

Lucrezia Oddone covers grammar, culture, and daily life in approachable bilingual episodes that mix English and Italian. She explains everything clearly and her relaxed teaching style makes complex grammar feel manageable. A great companion for learners who want to absorb Italian culture alongside the language.

Looking for more?

These 9 are a starting point. Browse all Italian podcasts on LangoPod to find more at your level. Every podcast comes with transcripts to help you follow along, so you can read while you listen. When you are ready for a challenge, our intermediate Italian podcast list has 15 more picks at a faster pace.