(Last updated: 7 Nov 2012)
Visiting
Business hours
The opening hours for banks, shops and services vary from region to region.
In general, the hours are open between 9.00am–7.30pm, closing for lunch from 1.00pm- 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Some large supermarkets and shopping centres are open also on Sunday mornings.
Banks are generally open between 8.30am–1.30pm and from 3.30pm–4.30pm.
Post offices and public offices are usually open between 8.00am–12.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Some post offices are also open in the afternoon.
Public holidays
January 1 - New Year’s Day
January 6 - Epiphany
April 25 - Liberation Day
May 1 - Labour Day
August 15 - Assumption
November 1 - All Saints Day
December 8 - Immaculate Conception
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 26 - Boxing Day
Climate
Italy’s climate varies from temperate in the north to semitropical in the south.
Summer (June-August) is hot in the south (including Sicily and Sardinia) and may be warm muggy in the north, while winter (December-March) is generally cold, with occasional snow and fog in the north. Winter in the south is generally milder. Visitors should bring warm woollens and overcoats in winter and lightweight cotton and linen clothing in summer. Italians generally dress quite formally for business meetings.
For weather details in Italy, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
Italy is part of the common European currency, and in January 2002 converted to the Euro (€). The Euro is now the official currency for all transactions. One Euro is made up of 100 cents. Euro notes are common to all Euro zone countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain), while the coins are customised with the national symbol. Both Euro notes and coins can be spent in any Euro zone country.
Time zones and time differences
Italy is eight or 10 hours (depending on the season) behind Australian Eastern Standard Time - Daylight saving starts at the end of March and ends at the end of October (as in the rest of Europe).
To find out the current time in Rome, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
Italy's country code is 39.
For calls to Italy from Australia dial: 0011 + 39 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from Italy to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
Italy’s power supply is 220 volts. The round two-pin plugs are the most common.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
Italiaplease.com – www.italiaplease.com
Italian State Tourism Board – www.enit.it/default.asp?Lang=UK
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.