Phone numbers and phone codes in Italy are pretty easy to find online – and for free, mobile (cell) phones too (mobile phone numbers start with a 3, not zero). The telephone country calling code for Italy is 39. When calling abroad from Italy, the international call prefix is 00. Note that italian area phone codes always start with a zero even when dialled from abroad. Another thing to note is that with italian phone numbers you always have to dial the city code even if you’re in the same city. In Italy phone numbers are always listed as City Code + Phone number.

Free telephone number search

PAGINE BIANCHE
(http://www.paginebianche.it/index_en.html) White pages telephone directory for people and businesses in Italy, in English and four other languages (choose the small UK flag top right). Special searches also provides reverse search from telephone number. Entries linked with aerial and road maps.

PRONTO ELENCO
(http://www.pronto.it/elenco/query.php) Good white pages for people and businesses. In Italian but translates well using the Google tool bar (a free install from Google, you really need this). Enter a surname, city, or number in ‘inserisci nome, cognome, citta, numero o partita IVA’ and press ‘Cerca’. Entries have linked google maps.

PAGINE GIALLE
(http://www.paginegialle.it/index_ing.html) Yellow pages business directory for Italy in English.

VIRGILIO
(http://1254.virgilio.it/) Phone book for people and companies in Italy, in Italian but translates well with Google tool bar. You must enter a ‘Località’ (locality), such as ‘Roma’. Also provides reverse number search.

Cinque Terre Card

The Cinque Terre is famous for its scenic coastal walking trails and if like many visitors you intend to do some walking on your holidays, you’ll need to buy the Cinque Terre Card.

There are three types of Cinque Terre cards:

• Cinque Terre Card
• Cinque Terre Card Treno (includes train)
• Cinque Terre Card Battello (ferry)

The cards give you access to the following services:

• Use of ecological park buses and public elevators
• Access to the trekking path n° 2 (which includes Via Dell’Amore  or Lovers’ Walk), the naturalistic observation centres and recreation areas
• Entrance to the Sciacchetrà Museum in Manarola, the History Museum in Riomaggiore and the ancient Oil Mill in Groppo
• Entrance to the Virtual Aquarium in Monterosso al Mare (currently closed due to restoration ) and the multimedia room in Levanto
• Access to visit the Anchovies Salting Centre in Monterosso al Mare
• Three hours free hire of bicycles (where available ) for trails in the upper area of the Park
• A discount on products purchased at the Information Centres located throughout the Cinque Terre Park.

Cinque Terre Card Treno

This card includes unlimited train travel on the Levanto – La Spezia Centrale – Levanto line (on Direct Regional and Inter-regional trains in 2nd class) for the duration of your card.

Cinque Terre Card Battello

This card allows unlimited ferry travel within the Marine Protected Area of the Cinque Terre. It also allows unlimited train travel on the Levanto – La Spezia Centrale – Levanto line (on Direct Regional and Inter-regional trains in 2nd class).

The Cinque Terre Card and Cinque Terre Card Treno are available for Adults, Children, Over 70s* and Family** and are valid for 1, 2, 3 or 7 days.

   * Over seventies can purchase the Cinque Terre Card Argento
** Families with more than one child can acquire the Cinque Terre Card Famiglia

The Cinque Terre Card Battello is available for Adults and Children and is valid for the day of travel only.

Hiking the various trails of the Cinque Terre is a key part of any holiday to this region and if you’re intending on doing any of the walks, including the Via Dell’Amore or Lovers’ Walk, you’ll need to pay a park entrance fee. The Cinque Terre Card and Cinque Terre Card Treno cover this fee.

• Units legally used in business in Italy
• How to convert the metric system of weights and measures into their Imperial equivalents and vice versa

In general, weights & measures in Italy are metric, as in France.

Units legally used in business in Italy

The USA and UK

With the switch of the UK to the metric system (although not completely), only the USA still uses the weights and measures system it inherited from Britain. However, although some American measures have the same name as old English measures, they’re not the same…

• The American pint has 16 fluid ounces whereas the UK pint has 20 fluid ounces  (US=473.176473 ml UK=568.26125 ml)
  Note: this is especially important to note when ordering a beer!
• The American gallon has 8 pints as does the UK but the measure is different
• (US=3.785411784 Litres UK=4.54609 Litres)

People in Britain still commonly refer to the old traditional measurements though.

Here’s how to convert the metric system of weights and measures into their Imperial equivalents and vice versa:

Metric measurements in the UK and US are the same.

Find out Italian Weights and Measures equivalents in your country: Dictionary of Units

Find out about the Roman Empire’s Weights and Measures and currency system here!

Other Italy pages:

Travel to Italyfor more than a Roman holiday!

Tour Routes in Italy

When to travel to Italy: weather and seasons

Useful facts, dates and links to help you plan your tour of Italy

Food in Italy: a brief gastronomic tour

Book your sightseeing tours or day-trips in Italy online

Book your hotel in Italy online

ITALY TRAVEL WITH US: PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

• Festivals
• Public Holidays
• Visas
• Health
• Time
• Electricity
• Weights & Measures
• Money, Banks etc.
• Useful Telephone Numbers

Festivals

One important factor may be the festival calendar. Like Spain, Italy has a lot of festivals and saint’s days etc. and you may wish to co-ordinate your Italy travel accordingly.

EVENT CALENDAR SEARCH

Italian Public Holidays

Note: There are also local feast days held in honour of the patron saints of particular towns and cities, but shops and offices usually don’t close. These include:

• Venice: Apr 25 (St Mark).
• Turin/Genoa/Florence: Jun 24 (St John the Baptist).
• Rome: Jun 29 (St Peter & St Paul – Patron Saints of Rome).
• Siena: Jul 2 and Aug 16, Palio horserace.
• Palermo: Jul 15 (St Rosalia).
• Naples: Sep 19 (St Gennaro).
• Bologna: Oct 4 (St Petronius).
• Trieste: Nov 3 (St Giusto).
• Bari: Dec 6 (St Nicholas).
• Milan: Dec 7 (St Ambrose).

Festivals and Events worth noting

• February/March: Shrovetide carnivals, celebrations before Lent, the Venice one is particularly famous.
• March/April: Holy week and Easter celebrations throughout Italy, good but crowded in Rome where the Pope is at the head of the procession on Good Friday.
• April/May: Jazz festival in Milan.
• May: Palio Balestra (medieval crossbow contest on horseback) using antique weapons held in Gubbio.
• June: Historical regatta of the four Ancient Maritime Republics involving boat race between rival sea towns of Pisa, Venice, Amalfi and Genoa. Spoleto’s world famous arts festival is held in June.
• July: The Umbria Jazz festival is held every July in Perugia and is one of the most popular festivals in Italy.
• July/August: The medieval Palio festival where ancient clothed riders race bareback around the town’s square in Siena (held both months).
• September: The Joust of the Saracen, performed by “combatants” dressed in ancient suits of armor held in Arezzo. Italian Grand Prix held in Monza.
• October: Truffle hunts, market and fair held in Alba. Feast of St. Francis held in Assisi.
• November: Feast of San Martino (Nov. 11th), Sigillo festival: a wine and chestnut event held in San Martino.
• December: La Scala opera season opens in Milan.

Visas:

Italy, along with Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, forms part of the border-free travel zone subject to the Schengen Agreement. EU passport holders can come and go as they please. Citizens of the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand are among those who may enter Italy as tourists without a visa and stay up to 90 days.

Health risks:

Rabies (only found in the Alps), Leishmaniasis (transmitted by sandflies in coastal regions) and Lyme Disease (Trentino, northern Italy). And the cost of medical care – come with insurance.

Time:

GMT/UTC +1 (+2 in summer)

Current Italian time

Electricity:

220V (some 125V still found 50Hz, 2-pin (round) plug

Weights & measures:

Metric

More useful facts for travel to Italy: Italian Weights and Measures and their equivalents

Clothing and shoe sizes conversion: US, UK, Europe

Money:

The Euro (€)

As of January 1, 2002, the euro (€) replaced the national currency of 12 countries within the European Union, including Italy. You can exchange currency at any bank branch (hours are listed below). Automatic cash machines can be found in most commercial centres.

• Bank Opening HoursBanks in Italy are from Monday to Friday from 8:35 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.; in many tourist areas they are open continually from 8.30 a.m. to 4p.m. and closed all day on Saturday and Sunday and of course national holidays.
• Currency exchangeCurrency exchange can be carried out at all bank branches, ATMs or exchange offices (Ufficio di Cambio) at airports, seaports and railway stations in the main cities. ATMs in Italy are known as Bancomats. There are plenty around in the large cities and even in small towns. At the beginning of the transaction, the ATM asks you for your preferred language.

Check out the current Euro exchange rate with your currency here (close the new window to return): TRAVEL SIGNPOSTS CURRENCY CONVERTER

Useful telephone numbers :

The country code for Italy is 39. As public telephones in Italy do not accept coins, if you need to use one you’ll have to buy a phone card. These are sold at most tobacconists , post offices, some newsagents and occasionally machines near the phone booths.

• Carabinieri (army corp which is also a police force) 112
• Police (more serious emergencies) 113
• Fire Brigade 115
• Medical Emergency 118
• Car rescue service 116
• Operator (English speaking) 170
• International Directory Enquiries 176

Lost Credit Cards/Travelers’ Cheques

• American Express 06.72282
• Diner’s Club 800 864 064
• Euro/Mastercard 800 819 014
• VISA 800 819 014

Other Italy pages:

Travel to Italy for a Europe Tour that’s more than a Roman holiday!

Tour Routes in Italy

When to travel to Italy: weather and seasons

Food in Italy: a brief gastronomic tour

Book your sightseeing tours or day-trips in Italy online

Book your hotel in Italy online

ITALY TRAVEL WITH US: PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS