Your Roman Shopping Experience on Foot or by Car

What will you do during your vacation in Rome? Probably a lot! Among them, you might also experience what Romans do every day: shopping, crossing the streets, and maybe even driving and looking for parking. In this article, we will explore how to manage these activities efficiently, minimizing difficulties and unexpected situations as much as possible.

What Are the General Store Hours in Rome?

Store hours in Rome can vary greatly depending on the type of shop and its location. While there are national guidelines for opening and closing hours, local administrations can grant exceptions. This is especially true in cities with high tourist traffic, where businesses have specific needs.

Small Shops and Minimarkets

Most small and medium-sized stores open around 8:30-9:00 AM and close in the evening around 7:30-8:00 PM. Some of them remain open all day, especially in high-traffic areas like the historic center.
However, some shop owners take a “lunch break” of a few hours, closing around 12:30-1:00 PM and reopening around 3:00-3:30 PM.

Typically, small and medium-sized stores are open until Saturday morning. Many close on Saturday afternoon, and nearly all remain closed on Sundays. However, in the city center and tourist areas, it is common to find stores open on Sundays.

Minimarkets, which sell a bit of everything from groceries to household items, operate under slightly different rules. They are often open until 10 PM, and some even remain open on Sundays.

These hours are indicative and largely left to the discretion of individual shop owners. However, by law, every store must display its opening and closing hours outside the entrance.

Shopping Malls and Supermarkets

For several years now, shopping malls and supermarkets have not been subject to specific hour restrictions. They usually open between 8:00 and 9:00 AM and remain open continuously until the evening, closing between 8:00 and 9:00 PM.
Some supermarkets even operate 24/7.

Generally, large retail chain stores remain open seven days a week, sometimes with slightly reduced hours on Sundays.
You might find them closed or with reduced hours only on certain holidays, such as Christmas Day or May 1st (Labor Day).

Compared to smaller shops in the city center, malls and supermarkets make it easier to check their hours. You can easily find the opening and closing times for individual stores online.

In particular, the official tourism website of Rome provides a page dedicated to the city’s shopping malls.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies typically open between 8:00 and 8:30 AM and close around 8:00 PM. However, there are also some pharmacies open 24 hours a day. On Sundays, pharmacies operate on a rotating basis, ensuring that at least one remains open in each area.
If you find a closed pharmacy on Sunday, you will usually see a posted list of nearby open pharmacies. Alternatively, you can search online to find out which pharmacies are open in your specific area of Rome.

With a little patience and research, you can always find an open shop for any urgent purchases.

And if you decide to visit Rome with a Sidecar tour in Rome, you can include shopping stops upon request.

Should I Carry Cash, or Are Credit Cards Widely Accepted?

Credit cards are widely accepted in nearly all stores, restaurants, and hotels in Rome. While Italians have historically relied more on cash than other Europeans, card payments are becoming more common, especially due to laws that promote digital transactions.

You might encounter difficulties only in small neighborhood shops and minimarkets. In some tiny cafés, owners may hesitate to accept cards for very small transactions, such as buying a single coffee, due to bank transaction fees. Some businesses set a minimum purchase amount for card payments.

Many store owners prefer digital payment apps like Satispay, which offer lower transaction fees compared to traditional credit card payments.

Taxi drivers often resist accepting card payments, despite a municipal regulation requiring them to have a POS (point-of-sale) terminal.

You may also have trouble using a card at outdoor markets or street vendors, as not all have adopted electronic payment devices.

As for card types, American Express is much less common in Italy than in the United States. Mastercard and Visa, however, are accepted almost everywhere.

It’s always a good idea to carry some cash for any unexpected needs. You can withdraw money from ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) outside most banks, which operate even when the banks are closed. You’ll also find ATMs inside shopping malls and hospitals.
Withdraw only what you need to avoid losing money or becoming a target for theft, and keep your cash safely stored in a secure pocket.

Speaking of safety…

Are There Areas in Rome to Avoid at Night?

In central Rome, where you will likely spend most of your time, there are no areas that can be considered completely “off-limits.” It is generally a safe city, though, like any major metropolis, it is not immune to occasional unpleasant incidents. The key is to remain alert and avoid potentially risky situations.

For example, especially at night, stay in well-lit and populated areas, rather than wandering into isolated backstreets. While the idea may seem adventurous, it’s best to explore hidden corners of the city in a group rather than alone.

Some places are less welcoming than others, such as the area behind Termini Station and certain peripheral metro stations late at night.

Entertainment districts like Pigneto and San Lorenzo (the university district, full of student bars and nightlife) are generally safe due to their busy atmosphere. However, it’s best to remain where the crowds are and avoid deserted side streets.

In short, Rome is a largely safe city, but it’s always a good rule to follow this simple guideline: stay where there are people and lights, especially at night.

If you need local advice, the guides of Sidecar tour in Rome will be happy to provide information and ensure you experience the city in a fun and safe way.

How Do Parking and Parking Meters Work in Rome?

Driving in Rome is far from relaxing, and finding a parking spot can be even more challenging. If you plan to move around by car, it’s important to understand the meaning of the different colored lines that indicate various types of parking spaces.

The only free parking spaces are marked by white lines. However, finding them in central Rome is almost impossible—they are extremely rare and tend to be occupied immediately.
Pay attention to the yellow lines, as they are reserved for residents of specific areas or for commercial loading and unloading operations.

As you can imagine, finding free parking in the city center is highly unlikely, so you will probably need to use paid parking spaces.

The majority of parking spaces in central Rome are paid parking spots, marked by blue lines. Near these areas, you will find parking meters where you can pay. The cost varies depending on the location, ranging from €1 to €3 per hour.
You will need to enter your license plate number and insert coins according to the duration of your parking. The machine will then print a ticket displaying the expiration time. Make sure to place the ticket on your dashboard, where it can be easily seen by traffic inspectors.

Another option is to use a supervised parking garage. While more expensive, it guarantees a parking spot and added security for your vehicle.

Crossing the Streets: Is Jaywalking Illegal in Rome?

Traffic in Rome isn’t just challenging for drivers—it’s also something pedestrians need to navigate carefully. The practice of “jaywalking,” or crossing outside of designated pedestrian areas or against a red light, can be quite dangerous. But is it illegal? It depends. Pedestrians are required to cross at marked pedestrian crossings if they are within about 100 meters. However, it’s rare for police officers to issue fines for jaywalking unless it causes a traffic hazard.

Regardless of the legal aspect, your safety is the priority. Always cross at designated pedestrian crossings and obey traffic signals. If the pedestrian light is green, you may cross safely. If it’s yellow, you can still cross, but be quick and cautious. Many crossings also have an acoustic signal to assist visually impaired pedestrians.

In most cases, pedestrian crossings are accompanied by a push button to activate the crossing signal, allowing you to stop traffic and cross safely.

If a crossing has no traffic light, be extra cautious. Roman drivers are not always the most courteous when it comes to stopping for pedestrians. Standing at the curb waiting for a driver to let you cross might not be effective.
The best strategy in these cases is to step cautiously onto the crosswalk to signal your intention to cross, allowing drivers enough time to slow down. Once you are certain that they have noticed you and are stopping, proceed to cross.

Yes, it may sound like a challenge, but navigating Rome’s pedestrian crossings requires awareness and caution. Keep that in mind, and you’ll be just fine. 😉

And if you truly want to explore Rome without the stress of traffic, the best choice is to rely on locals who know the city streets inside out. Naturally, we’re talking about the Sidecar tour in Rome guides! With them, riding through Rome on a beautiful Vespa will be the most enjoyable and safest way to see the city!