Italian mail (Poste Italiane) is famously slow. A postcard to the US can take 2–4 weeks. Or 2 months. Or never arrive.
Plan your trip →Buy stamps (francobolli): at any post office (Poste Italiane, yellow signs) or tabacchi (tobacco shops — ask for "un francobollo per …"). Prices (2026): within Italy €1.25. To Europe €1.30. To USA/rest of world €2.50–3.00. Mailboxes: red (Poste Italiane). The slot marked "Per tutte le altre destinazioni" is for international mail. Delivery time: officially 3–5 days within Europe, 5–10 days worldwide. Reality: add 50–100% to those estimates. For anything important: use Poste Italiane raccomandata (registered mail, €5–8) or a private courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS).