A typical Italian working day begins at 8.00 or 9.00 and lasts to 13.00, when is the time for siesta, and then continue from 15.00 to 18.00 or 19.00. Usual working days are Monday to Friday. Ordinary working day that is known in the northern countries of Europe, ie from 9.00 to 17.00 (in Italian “orario continuato”) with an hour lunch break can be seen mainly in the northern part of Italy. The more south you go in Italy and the more traditional business or company is, the more visible the above-described Italian traditions are.

State Offices close at 14.00. Shops are usually open from 8.30 or 9.00 to 13.00 or 13.30 and from 15.30 or 16.00 to 19.00 or 20.00. In the larger cities, shops are open despite the lunch break, hours of work without interruption comply with the retail chains of supermarkets and hypermarkets. Many shops, especially food shops, use to have closed one afternoon a week.

Photo by pizzodisevo

Italian museums are slowly adapting to new rules, particularly in the north they are open daily from 9:00 to 19:00, except for two Mondays in the month and, of course, holidays. In winter, most state institutions change back to the original visiting hours from 9:00 to 13:00 from Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 12:30.

Private and smaller museums to determine this time themselves, so we recommend you check everything in advance by phone. Archaeological sites are usually open from 9:00 to one hour before sunset (Tuesday-Sunday). The churches are usually open from 7:00 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00. However, tourists are not very welcomed in the church during the worships.

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