Pharmacies
Most pharmacies close for lunch and don’t work late in the evening. But one farmacia di turno (duty pharmacy) is always open for night and holidays.
How to find it:
- Check the duty schedule displayed at the entrance of any pharmacy.
- Search in Google: farmacia di turno [ваш город] aperta ora.
- Use regional pharmacist directories — for example: Ordine dei Farmacisti.
Many pharmacies also have 24/7 vending machines outside, where you can buy basic medicines like painkillers, antiseptics, or plasters.
Food and Daily Essentials
Bars and Restaurants
Some close mid-day or on Mondays, but cafés often save the day.
Supermarkets
Chains like Esselunga or Carrefour are usually open from 8:00 to 20:00–22:00, sometimes even 23:00.
Shopping Centres and Hypermarkets
Work continuously, without lunch breaks, and often seven days a week.
Vending Rooms
Many towns now have 24-hour self-service rooms with hot food, drinks, and microwaves.
Post Offices and Banks
Work mostly in the morning. However:
- Basic payments and fines can be handled at tabaccheria kiosks.
- Modern ATMs allow deposits, transfers, and statements.
- Poste Italiane offers a convenient mobile app for online services.
Medical Assistance
If you don’t need emergency hospitalization, avoid pronto soccorso (ER): waiting times can reach 5–6 hours for non-critical cases.
Instead, contact guardia medica — an out-of-hours medical service open evenings, nights, and weekends. You can find the nearest one via Google Maps or ask at a pharmacy.
Local Life Hacks
- Closed cafés often leave a vending machine outside for coffee, snacks, and water.
- In small towns, you’ll find milk and bread vending machines — a true lifesaver on holidays.
- Local Facebook groups help you locate open shops or services during holidays and weekends.
Final Thought
Italy may not be a 24-hour country, but it’s a well-organized one — where every “closed” door usually has a quiet alternative. Understanding this rhythm is part of becoming local.
If you’re planning a move or already living in Italy, I can help you not only buy property but also adapt smoothly to everyday Italian life. Contact us to get personal guidance and practical advice.
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