Why is everything closed on Sunday in Italy? And what IS open.

Sundays in Italy are for family, food, and not working. Most shops are closed. Some restaurants are closed. But tourist-area businesses are usually open.

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What’s closed

Most non-food shops. Supermarkets (some close, some open until 1pm, some open all day — check Google Maps). Banks. Post offices. Government offices. Many small-town restaurants (Sunday lunch yes, Sunday dinner often no). Laundries. Many non-tourist businesses.

What’s open

Restaurants in tourist areas (usually). Museums and monuments (most are open Sunday, many close Monday instead). Churches (obviously — Sunday Mass). Bars/cafés. Tourist shops. Supermarkets in cities (often open, check hours). Pharmacies on duty (farmacie di turno — posted on every pharmacy door). Shopping malls (in suburbs, usually open).

Tip

Sunday morning is when Italians do the passeggiata (the stroll), go to the market (if there is one), and eat a long lunch. Sunday afternoon everything is quiet. Plan museum visits or a big lunch. Monday is the museum-closed day — don’t plan Uffizi on Monday.

More practical guides

Opening hoursLunch breakBank holidays
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