Italian Opening Times
Latest page update: 19 November 2024
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By Dion Protani
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For the first time visitor to the country, it's worth a few minutes' research to understand the Italian Opening Times which don't always follow the typical hours seen in other parts of the world.
Perhaps the greatest difference comes in the world of retail: throughout the western world we see a greater tendency towards shops opening all day and on every day of the week but whilst that is the case in some parts of Italy, notably the larger, modern shopping centres, most regular shops will close for lunch. There are also varying opening times and days of the week to consider for restaurants and visitor attractions. |
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Shops
Italian shops tend to open once in the morning, have an extended lunch break and then come back for an evening session.
Typical opening hours are as follows:
08:30 - 13:00
16:00 - 20:00
Italian shops tend to open once in the morning, have an extended lunch break and then come back for an evening session.
Typical opening hours are as follows:
08:30 - 13:00
16:00 - 20:00
Restaurants
Where as restaurants in some western countries such as the UK or United States may be available to eat at for most of the day, this isn't often the case in Italy. Italian restaurants tend to open just for lunch and dinner sessions but not in-between. Anyone used to living in Great Britain or America for example is at risk of being caught out by this if they fancy a late lunch or an early dinner for example.
Typical restaurant opening times are as follows:
12:00 - 14:30
19:00 - 22:00
Where as restaurants in some western countries such as the UK or United States may be available to eat at for most of the day, this isn't often the case in Italy. Italian restaurants tend to open just for lunch and dinner sessions but not in-between. Anyone used to living in Great Britain or America for example is at risk of being caught out by this if they fancy a late lunch or an early dinner for example.
Typical restaurant opening times are as follows:
12:00 - 14:30
19:00 - 22:00
Bars (Cafes)
Italians use the word bar instead of cafe for the most part; when they go to a bar it's usually to have a quick coffee or sometimes an alcoholic drink. Bars are open early in the morning to allow for the busy period when people need a pre-work coffee, and sometimes stay open right the way though to the evening.
Typical Italian bar opening times
06:30 - 23:00
Italians use the word bar instead of cafe for the most part; when they go to a bar it's usually to have a quick coffee or sometimes an alcoholic drink. Bars are open early in the morning to allow for the busy period when people need a pre-work coffee, and sometimes stay open right the way though to the evening.
Typical Italian bar opening times
06:30 - 23:00
Churches
Italian churches often follow the same opening times as shops with a morning session, lunchtime closure and evening opening session, this all of course in addition to timed services.
Typical church opening times:
08:00 - 12:00
16:00 - 22:00
Italian churches often follow the same opening times as shops with a morning session, lunchtime closure and evening opening session, this all of course in addition to timed services.
Typical church opening times:
08:00 - 12:00
16:00 - 22:00
Hairdressers
The weekly day of rest for Italian hairdressers and barbers is Monday; this is to counter having to work at weekends when other businesses may be closed. Aside from the weekly closing day, hairdressers maintain similar hours to shops:
08:30 - 13:00
16:00 - 20:00
The weekly day of rest for Italian hairdressers and barbers is Monday; this is to counter having to work at weekends when other businesses may be closed. Aside from the weekly closing day, hairdressers maintain similar hours to shops:
08:30 - 13:00
16:00 - 20:00
Galleries and Museums
There are no set hours or closing days of the week with galleries, museums and similar attractions. Many will open for the whole day from around 8:30 in the morning to 7:30 at night but this should never be taken as read.
It's always worth studying the latest opening times for any attraction you're planning to visit as they may have an unusual day of the week as a rest day, open at different times depending on the time of year, close for lunch or require pre-booking. This last point is especially prevalent since the Coronavirus pandemic hit the country in 2020.
There are no set hours or closing days of the week with galleries, museums and similar attractions. Many will open for the whole day from around 8:30 in the morning to 7:30 at night but this should never be taken as read.
It's always worth studying the latest opening times for any attraction you're planning to visit as they may have an unusual day of the week as a rest day, open at different times depending on the time of year, close for lunch or require pre-booking. This last point is especially prevalent since the Coronavirus pandemic hit the country in 2020.