05/11

ITALY

Table of Contents

Introduction

Italy is one of the classic hostage rescue maps in Counter-Strike 2, and it’s had some major updates in the latest version. It’s set in a charming Italian village with tight spaces, winding alleys, and narrow streets that create lots of close-range fights. This guide will help you get familiar with the map’s main areas, strategies, roles, and a few helpful tips to boost your gameplay.

Overview

Italy in CS2 is a fresh and colorful remake of the older version many players remember (In Counter-Strike 1.6, the Terrorists had a clear advantage). The setting features cobblestone paths, cozy courtyards, and traditional buildings that give it a lot of character. Because of the tight layout, weapons like SMGs, rifles, and shotguns work really well here. Snipers don’t get many chances, but they can still hold key spots if used wisely.

Players move through narrow corridors, open markets, and indoor rooms that make every match feel different. The hostages are usually placed in buildings that are easy for the Terrorists to defend, so Counter-Terrorists have to work together and plan carefully to rescue them. Hostage rescues are what the whole game on this map is about, so it’s important to know how to approach each situation smartly.

About

  • Map Type: Hostage rescue
  • Faction Terrorist: Phoenix Connexion, Eastern Europe
  • Faction Counter-Terrorist: SAS (Special Air Service), UK
  • Location: Italy
  • Release Year: 2000
  • Map code: cs_italy

Logo

A gold rooster emblem on a black shield with the word 'ITALY' and an Italian flag stripe at the top, representing the Italy map in Counter-Strike 2.

Italy Map Callouts

T Start – Where the Terrorists begin the round.

CT Start – Where the Counter-Terrorists start the round.

Stairs – Connects T Spawn to the center of the map.

Wine Cellar – A small, closed-in spot that’s good for cover.

Connector – A path that links several areas and is often used to rotate.

Middle – The central part of the map with access to many routes.

Apartment – An indoor spot with windows and balconies for better angles.

Left Alley – A route from CT Spawn leading toward key areas.

Right Alley – Another path that helps with rotating or flanking.

Market – A wide-open space where lots of fights happen.

Long Hall – A long corridor that leads to where hostages are often held.

Upstairs – A higher area that looks down over parts of the map.

Front Door – An important entry point into a major section.

Window – Lets you look into another room or section.

Balcony – A raised area that’s useful for watching or defending angles.

A top-down layout of the Italy map from Counter-Strike 2, showing various labeled callouts such as T Start, CT Start, Market, Apartments, and Wine Cellar.

Tactical Strategies

Terrorist Side

One of your main goals is to control the Market area. If your team holds this spot, it gets harder for the CTs to move around or rescue hostages quickly. Defending from places like Wine Cellar and Apartment can be really effective, especially if you use corners and cover well.

If you want to catch the CTs off guard, try using flanking routes like Left Alley, Right Alley, or the Connector. It’s also important to pick the right weapons – SMGs and rifles are great for holding tight corners and defending small rooms.

Counter-Terrorist Side

On the CT side, setting up good positions early can help slow down the Terrorists and make it easier to rescue the hostages. Try to lock down choke points near Long Hall and Apartment to make it tough for the enemy to hold their ground.

Rotating quickly through areas like Connector and Middle helps you adjust your defense or push when you need to. When it’s time to rescue hostages, make sure to use smokes and flashes to clear rooms safely. Stick with weapons that work well in close fights – rifles and shotguns are perfect for this map.

Not sure what to do? Head to the T spawn point and meet them there with the hostages.

Tips

Use Sound Cues
Listen for footsteps or gunfire to get an idea of where the enemy might be.

Smoke & Flash Grenades
These are super helpful for blocking vision and making it safer to enter buildings during a rescue.

Pre-Fire Common Angles
If you expect an enemy around a corner, shooting first can give you the upper hand.

Team Coordination
Talking to your teammates and working together makes a huge difference, especially when you’re going in to rescue hostages.

Gallery

A European-style courtyard with a unique blue mosaic emblem on the ground in Counter-Strike 2’s Italy map.
A narrow cobblestone street lined with shops and archways, leading to key routes in Counter-Strike 2’s Italy map.
A scenic view of an Italian-style alley with balconies, a hotel sign, and connecting pathways in Counter-Strike 2's Italy map.
A vibrant marketplace with fruit stands and rustic Italian architecture in Counter-Strike 2’s Italy map.
A dimly lit wine cellar with wooden barrels and a hostage in Counter-Strike 2’s Italy map.
A wide Italian courtyard with staircases, doorways, and boxes in Counter-Strike 2’s Italy map.

Conclusion

Getting good at Italy in Counter-Strike 2 takes some practice, but once you know the layout and how to play each side, you’ll feel a lot more confident. Whether you’re defending as a Terrorist or rescuing hostages as a Couner-Terrorist, smart plays, teamwork, and good utility use will help you win more rounds. Keep at it, and you’ll see your skills improve!

Want to sharpen your skills even further? Don’t stop here – check out other classic and competitive maps like Ancient, Anubis, Dust 2, Inferno, Mirage, Nuke, Office, Overpass, Vertigo, and Train. Each has its own twists, tactics, and secrets waiting to be mastered.

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