Opening Hours in Italy: Shops, Supermarkets & Sundays

Opening hours in Italy vary considerably depending on the type of business, location, season and day of the week. Tourists arriving from northern Europe or North America are sometimes surprised to find a small shop closed for several hours in the middle of the day – while a large supermarket or shopping centre nearby remains open continuously until late in the evening.

There is no single nationwide timetable that all Italian shops must follow. Retail opening hours have been largely liberalised, so businesses have considerable freedom to decide when they open. As a result, opening times in central Rome, Milan or Florence can be very different from those in a small village in Sicily or Tuscany.

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According to Italy’s official tourism portal, shops are generally open from Monday to Saturday. Some stay open continuously from around 9:00 am until 8:00 pm, while others still close for a lunch break, often roughly between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

This guide explains the opening hours tourists are most likely to encounter in Italy, including supermarkets, shops, shopping centres, pharmacies, post offices, banks, restaurants and museums. It also answers common questions about Sunday shopping, lunch breaks, public holidays and differences between major cities and smaller towns.

Opening Hours in Italy at a Glance

Business	Typical Opening Pattern
Small shops	Often around 9:00–13:00 and 15:00/16:00–19:30/20:00
City-centre shops	Often approximately 9:00/10:00–19:30/20:00 without a long break
Large supermarkets	Often approximately 8:00–20:00/21:00, sometimes longer
Shopping centres	Often approximately 9:00/10:00–20:00/21:00
Sunday	Many supermarkets, malls and tourist shops open; smaller independent shops vary
Pharmacies	Often daytime with a lunch break; duty pharmacies cover nights, Sundays and holidays
Post offices	Highly variable; many smaller offices close early, larger offices may stay open longer
Banks	Usually Monday–Friday; branch hours vary significantly
Museums	Usually daytime; closing day varies by museum
Restaurants	Lunch and dinner periods rather than continuous opening everywhere

Important: These are useful general guidelines, not guaranteed opening times. Always check the individual business if you are making a special journey.

Shop Opening Hours in Italy

Traditional Italian shops often operate with a midday break. A typical pattern might be:

• 9:00 am to 1:00 pm;
• closed for lunch;
• reopen around 3:00 or 4:00 pm;
• close around 7:30 or 8:00 pm.

This pattern remains particularly common among smaller independent shops and in smaller towns. However, it is becoming much less universal.

In major cities, shopping centres and busy tourist areas, continuous opening has become common. A clothing shop in central Milan or Rome may remain open all day, while a small family-run shop in a rural town may close for several hours after lunch.

Do Shops in Italy Close for Lunch?

Some do, but many no longer do.

The traditional Italian midday closure is often called the pausa pranzo. You may also hear people use the term riposo for a rest or closing period.

Italy’s official tourism portal notes that some shops continue to close approximately between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, while others remain open continuously until evening.

You are more likely to encounter a lunch break at:

• small independent shops;
• family-run businesses;
• shops in smaller towns and villages;
• businesses away from the busiest tourist centres.

You are less likely to encounter a midday closure at:

• shopping centres;
• large supermarkets;
• international chain stores;
• major city-centre shopping streets;
• shops in very busy tourist areas during the main season.

Supermarket Opening Hours in Italy

Supermarkets generally have longer opening hours than traditional small shops.

Large branches in cities and holiday resorts commonly open in the morning and remain open continuously until evening. Hours such as 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm or longer are common, although there is no standard national closing time.

Some urban supermarkets have even longer opening hours, while smaller supermarkets in villages may close at lunchtime or earlier in the evening.

Sunday opening is also common among supermarkets, especially in cities and tourist regions.

Are Supermarkets Open on Sunday in Italy?

Many are.

Italy differs from countries with strict nationwide Sunday retail restrictions. Italian retail opening hours were liberalised, and businesses can generally choose to open on Sundays.

This means that in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples and many holiday destinations, finding an open supermarket on Sunday is usually not difficult.

However, there is no guarantee that every supermarket will open. Possible Sunday patterns include:

• normal weekday hours;
• shorter opening hours;
• morning only;
• closed all day.

Smaller supermarkets and independent food shops are generally more likely to close or use reduced hours than large urban branches.

Are Shops Open on Sunday in Italy?

Sunday shopping depends strongly on location.

In Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice and other major tourist cities, many shops in central areas open on Sundays. The same applies to shopping centres and outlet centres.

In seaside resorts during July and August, Sunday can be one of the busiest shopping days of the week. Souvenir shops, clothing stores, convenience stores and supermarkets often remain open.

In smaller non-tourist towns, however, many traditional shops may be closed.

A useful rule for tourists is:

The more tourist-oriented and commercially busy the area, the more likely shops are to be open on Sunday.

Shopping Centre Opening Hours in Italy

Large Italian shopping centres generally have some of the longest and most predictable retail opening hours.

Many open approximately around 9:00 or 10:00 am and close around 8:00 or 9:00 pm. Some remain open later.

The shops usually remain open through lunchtime.

Shopping centres are also among the most likely places to find shops open on Sundays.

Restaurants, cinemas and entertainment venues inside a shopping centre may have longer hours than the retail stores.

Opening Hours in Tourist Areas

Tourism has a major influence on Italian opening hours.

In places such as:

• Venice;
• Florence;
• Rome;
• Lake Garda;
• Lake Como;
• Rimini;
• Amalfi Coast;
• Capri;
• Sicily;
• Sardinia;

businesses catering to tourists often stay open longer than similar businesses in residential areas.

Season also matters. A shop in a Sardinian beach resort may remain open every evening in August but operate limited hours or close completely during part of the winter.

Opening Hours in Rome

Rome has some of the longest shopping hours in Italy, especially in the historic centre and major shopping districts.

Stores around Via del Corso, Via Cola di Rienzo and other busy central areas often remain open continuously through lunchtime and into the evening.

Many shops also open on Sundays because Rome receives tourists throughout the year.

Small independent businesses outside the centre are more likely to follow traditional opening hours and midday breaks.

Opening Hours in Milan

Milan is Italy’s major shopping and fashion centre, and opening hours tend to be relatively long.

Stores in central shopping areas such as Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Torino and the fashion district commonly stay open through lunchtime.

Sunday opening is widespread in central Milan, shopping centres and major commercial areas.

Small neighborhood businesses may use shorter or more traditional hours.

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Opening Hours in Florence

Florence has a compact tourist centre containing a very large number of shops, restaurants and services.

Businesses around the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the major shopping streets frequently remain open all day because of the volume of visitors.

Many shops also open on Sunday.

Traditional businesses outside the main tourist area may still close for lunch.

Opening Hours in Venice

Central Venice is heavily dependent on tourism, so visitors will find many shops open seven days a week.

Souvenir shops, fashion stores, glass shops and convenience stores around the main tourist routes often remain open through lunchtime.

Opening hours can be much more limited at small specialist shops away from the busiest areas.

Opening Hours in Naples

Naples combines large modern shopping areas with thousands of small traditional businesses.

This means opening hours vary greatly. Large stores may remain open continuously, while smaller family-run businesses can close during the afternoon.

Sunday opening is common in central tourist and commercial areas but cannot be assumed for every shop.

Opening Hours in Sicily

The traditional midday break remains more noticeable in parts of southern Italy and Sicily, particularly during hot summer afternoons and away from heavily tourist-oriented areas.

However, supermarkets, malls and shops in major cities such as Palermo and Catania often have long continuous opening hours.

At beach resorts and tourist towns, opening hours can become much longer during summer. Some businesses stay open late into the evening when streets become busiest after temperatures fall.

Opening Hours in Sardinia

Sardinia has strong seasonal differences.

In resorts along the Costa Smeralda, around Alghero and in other tourist areas, shops can have long opening hours during summer and remain open on Sundays.

During winter, the situation can be completely different. Seasonal businesses may reduce their hours considerably or close until the following tourist season.

In larger towns such as Cagliari and Sassari, opening hours are less dependent on tourism.

Are Shops Open on Public Holidays in Italy?

Public holidays are less predictable than ordinary Sundays.

Some supermarkets, shopping centres and tourist shops remain open, while others close or reduce their hours. Holiday opening policies can also change from year to year.

Important Italian public holidays include:

• 1 January – New Year’s Day;
• 6 January – Epiphany;
• Easter Sunday;
• Easter Monday;
• 25 April – Liberation Day;
• 1 May – Labour Day;
• 2 June – Republic Day;
• 15 August – Ferragosto/Assumption Day;
• 1 November – All Saints’ Day;
• 8 December – Immaculate Conception;
• 25 December – Christmas Day;
• 26 December – St Stephen’s Day.

Christmas Day and New Year’s Day generally involve much more extensive closures than an ordinary Sunday.

Ferragosto: Are Shops Open on 15 August?

Ferragosto on 15 August is one of Italy’s most important holidays.

Traditionally, many businesses close, and Italians themselves often travel or spend the day with family.

However, Ferragosto falls in the middle of the main tourist season. As a result, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and some supermarkets in tourist resorts may remain open.

Do not assume either that everything will be closed or that everything will be open. Check important shops in advance, particularly if you need groceries or another essential service.

Christmas Opening Hours in Italy

Christmas Day is one of the days when tourists are most likely to encounter widespread closures.

Many shops and supermarkets close on 25 December. Hours may also be reduced on Christmas Eve and 26 December.

Restaurants can be open on Christmas Day, but many offer special fixed menus and require reservations.

Pharmacy Opening Hours in Italy

Italian pharmacies are easy to recognize by the illuminated green cross.

Typical pharmacies may open in the morning, close for lunch and reopen in the afternoon. However, hours vary according to town, region and pharmacy.

In large cities, some pharmacies stay open continuously and a small number may operate around the clock. Italy also operates systems of duty pharmacies for nights, Sundays and public holidays. Italy’s official tourism information specifically notes that pharmacies provide holiday and nighttime emergency coverage.

How to Find an Open Pharmacy in Italy

If the nearest pharmacy is closed, look at the door or window. Pharmacies frequently display information about nearby duty pharmacies.

The Italian Ministry of Health also maintains an official database of pharmacies that can be searched by region, province, municipality or postcode.

Useful Italian terms include:

• farmacia – pharmacy;
• farmacia di turno – duty pharmacy;
• farmacia aperta – open pharmacy;
• aperto 24 ore – open 24 hours.

Post Office Opening Hours in Italy

Post office opening hours vary considerably.

Many smaller Poste Italiane branches close during the early afternoon, while large branches may have extended hours.

Saturday hours are usually shorter where a branch opens at all, and Sunday opening is unusual.

Because there is no useful universal timetable, tourists should check the specific branch they intend to visit. Poste Italiane provides an official search tool showing individual post offices and their services.

Bank Opening Hours in Italy

Traditional bank branches generally open from Monday to Friday and are closed at weekends.

It is no longer useful to state that all Italian banks are open only from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm. Individual banks and branches have different schedules, and many services are now handled online or through ATMs.

For most tourists, bank opening hours are not particularly important because:

• ATMs operate outside branch hours;
• cards are widely accepted;
• online banking handles most routine transactions.

If you specifically need a staffed branch, check its current opening hours before going.

Museum Opening Hours in Italy

Italian museum opening hours vary enormously.

Many major museums open in the morning and remain open until late afternoon or early evening. Some attractions have evening opening during high season or on certain days.

The traditional rule that Italian museums are closed on Monday is not reliable enough for planning a trip. Some major museums close on Monday, some close on another day and others open every day or have different seasonal arrangements.

Always check the official website of an important museum before visiting.

This is especially important for major attractions in:

• Rome;
• Florence;
• Venice;
• Milan;
• Naples;
• Turin.

Restaurant Opening Hours in Italy

Restaurants operate differently from ordinary shops.

The old idea that Italian restaurants normally open at 10:00 am and remain open continuously until 11:00 pm is inaccurate for many traditional restaurants.

Instead, restaurants often work around separate lunch and dinner services.

A typical pattern might be:

• lunch approximately 12:00/12:30 to 2:30/3:00 pm;
• closed for part of the afternoon;
• dinner approximately 7:00/7:30 pm until 10:30/11:00 pm or later.

These times vary greatly according to location and style of restaurant.

What Time Do Italians Eat Dinner?

Dinner in Italy generally starts later than in northern Europe.

Restaurants may technically open around 7:00 pm, but many local diners arrive later. In southern Italy, dining at 8:30 or 9:00 pm is perfectly normal.

Tourist restaurants in Rome, Venice and Florence often serve dinner earlier because international visitors expect it.

Are Restaurants Open in the Afternoon?

Not always.

Traditional restaurants frequently close between lunch and dinner. A tourist looking for a full meal at 4:00 pm may therefore have fewer options than at lunchtime or in the evening.

However, cafés, bars, bakeries, fast-food restaurants and businesses in heavily tourist-oriented areas can provide food throughout the afternoon.

Café and Bar Opening Hours in Italy

Italian bars are not necessarily alcohol-focused establishments. A bar frequently serves coffee, breakfast, snacks, sandwiches, drinks and aperitivi.

Many open very early in the morning to serve coffee and breakfast.

Depending on the business, a bar may remain open throughout the day and into the evening.

This makes cafés and bars particularly useful for tourists outside normal restaurant meal times.

Souvenir Shop Opening Hours

Souvenir shops in major tourist destinations tend to have long opening hours.

In places such as Venice, Rome, Florence, Capri and the Amalfi Coast, many remain open through lunchtime and into the evening.

Sunday opening is also common.

Clothing Store Opening Hours

Large clothing chains usually have similar opening hours to shopping centres and may remain open approximately from morning until 8:00 or 9:00 pm.

Independent boutiques are more likely to have a midday break, particularly outside major commercial areas.

Do Opening Hours Change in Summer?

Yes, especially in tourist resorts.

At the seaside and on the islands, businesses may substantially extend their hours during July and August.

It is common for holiday resorts to become busiest after sunset, when temperatures are lower and tourists return from the beach.

As a result, clothing stores, souvenir shops and small supermarkets can remain open late in the evening.

During winter, the same business may have much shorter hours or close completely.

Do Opening Hours Change in Southern Italy?

The traditional lunch break tends to remain more noticeable in smaller towns and in parts of southern Italy.

Hot summer temperatures also make afternoon closures practical.

However, it would be wrong to assume that everything in southern Italy closes for several hours. Large supermarkets, malls and businesses in busy tourist destinations frequently remain open continuously.

Useful Italian Words for Opening Hours

Italian	English
aperto	open
chiuso	closed
orario di apertura	opening hours
orario continuato	open continuously / no lunch break
chiuso per riposo	closed for rest/day off
giorno di chiusura	closing day
domenica	Sunday
festivo	public holiday

Frequently Asked Questions About Opening Hours in Italy

What are normal shop opening hours in Italy?

There is no universal timetable. Many shops open around 9:00 or 10:00 am and close around 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Smaller shops may close for several hours at lunchtime.

Do shops close for lunch in Italy?

Some do. Traditional small shops often close around 1:00 pm and reopen around 3:00 or 4:00 pm. Large stores, malls and many city-centre shops remain open continuously.

Are shops open on Sunday in Italy?

Many shops are open on Sundays, particularly in major cities, shopping centres and tourist destinations. Small independent shops are more likely to close.

Are supermarkets open on Sunday in Italy?

Many supermarkets open on Sundays, although some use shorter hours. Sunday opening is especially common in cities and tourist areas.

Are shops open in Italy on public holidays?

Some are, but public-holiday opening varies considerably. Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and some major holidays generally have more closures than an ordinary Sunday.

Are shops open on Ferragosto?

Some businesses close on 15 August, while supermarkets, restaurants and tourist shops may remain open in holiday resorts. Check locally if you need something important.

Are supermarkets open late in Italy?

Many large supermarkets stay open until 8:00 or 9:00 pm, and some urban branches close even later. Smaller supermarkets may close earlier.

Are shops open late in Rome?

Many central Rome shops remain open into the evening and commonly stay open through lunchtime. Tourist areas generally have longer hours than residential neighborhoods.

Are shops open on Sunday in Rome?

Yes, many shops in central Rome and major shopping areas are open on Sundays.

Are shops open on Sunday in Milan?

Many shops in central Milan, shopping centres and major commercial districts open on Sundays.

Are shops open on Sunday in Florence?

Many shops in Florence’s tourist centre are open on Sundays because of year-round visitor demand.

Are Italian pharmacies open on Sunday?

Not every pharmacy is open, but duty pharmacies provide Sunday, holiday and nighttime coverage. Larger cities may also have pharmacies with very long or 24-hour opening schedules.

Are Italian post offices open on Saturday?

Some are, usually with shorter hours. Others are closed. Check the specific branch through Poste Italiane before making a special journey.

Are banks open on Saturday in Italy?

Traditional staffed bank branches are generally closed at weekends, although ATMs and online banking remain available.

Are museums closed on Monday in Italy?

Some museums close on Monday, but this is not a universal Italian rule. Always check the specific museum’s current opening days and hours.

What time do restaurants open for dinner in Italy?

Many restaurants begin dinner service around 7:00 or 7:30 pm. Italians often eat later, particularly in southern Italy.

Can I eat in an Italian restaurant at 4 pm?

Many traditional restaurants close between lunch and dinner, but cafés, bars, fast-food restaurants and tourist-oriented businesses may serve food throughout the afternoon.

Conclusion: Opening Hours in Italy Are Flexible

Opening hours in Italy are much less uniform than many tourists expect. The traditional pattern of opening in the morning, closing for lunch and reopening in the afternoon still exists, particularly among smaller independent businesses and in smaller towns.

At the same time, modern Italian retail has changed considerably. Large supermarkets, shopping centres, international chains and shops in busy tourist areas frequently remain open continuously from morning until evening. Sunday shopping is also common because Italian retail opening hours are comparatively flexible.

Location is often the best guide. In Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice and major tourist resorts, visitors can usually shop throughout the afternoon and often on Sunday. In a small village or rural town, the traditional lunch break and weekly closing periods remain more important.

Season also makes a major difference. Beach resorts in Sardinia, Sicily, Rimini and other holiday regions can have very long opening hours during July and August but significantly shorter schedules in winter.

The safest rule is simple: use general Italian opening times for planning, but check the individual business when the visit is important. This is particularly worthwhile for museums, pharmacies, banks, post offices and shops on Sundays or public holidays.+

Horario de apertura Italia

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