Drinking Water & Toilettes for Free, is your right in Italy (2024)

Drinking Water & Toilettes for Free, is your right in Italy (1)

Article: Free water is considered a birthright in almost all European nations and Italy is not left behind in following this water culture. Sightseeing in Italy in summer can take a toll as the scorching heat will drench away all the minerals from the body and dehydrate the visitors. Therefore, water is badly needed. There are basically three sources of water in Italy.

Tap Water: Tap water is the most used source of drinking water and easily accessible while travelling. The tap water in Italy is considered safe to drink and many taps are situated at all major places in Italy. The source of the tap water in Rome is the mountains and as a result the taste of the tap water is very sweet to taste. Many tourists prefer to drink from taps placed near many attractions and carry empty water bottles that they refill from these taps.

Bottled Water: Like all countries, Italy also offers bottled mineral water and many visitors and tourists, who feel that tap water is unsafe for consumption, buy bottled water from shops and vendors located all around the cities and towns of the country. Almost all restaurants in Italy offer bottled water to its customers and there is no custom in Italy for customers to drink tap water in restaurants. In some restaurants, tap water is provided to the customers on demand.

Fountain Water: The country of Italy boasts of many fountains like the Trevi Fountain and the Fountain of the Four Rivers. To avail drinking facility at the fountains, it is recommended to carry an empty bottle that can be refilled at the fountains located in many major streets (nasoni fountain). However, look out for fountains that have a ‘Not Potable’ sign indicating unsafe for drinking.

Rome free water

Florence free water

Milanfree water

Pisafree water

Venicefree water

WC in Italy for Freeis your right in Italy

The WC or Water-Closet facility in Italy is located in nearly all major public places. Standard toilets are placed in restrooms across all airports in all the cities. Be it intercontinental airports, international airports or domestic airports, restrooms of high standard are located in the terminals in the airport premises. Same is with the railway stations. There are restrooms and washrooms situated in all railway stations; though the quality and maintenance of these WC’s are not at par with the one at the airports, they are usable and hygienic. All hotels, restaurants and stadiums in Italy have restrooms for customers and they are well maintained and hygienic, though in restaurants, the WC can be used only if there is a meal ordered. Sounds rude, doesn’t it? There are coin operated and even free urinals in many public places like bus stops, taxi stands and even on streets these urinals, also called as pissiors, auto-disinfect themselves after every use. Finding a WC on the Italian streets can be troublesome, hence carrying a tourist guide that shows locations of WC’s is recommended.

There are various flush systems in Italy and some of them are different from major European nations. The more standard and commonly found flush systems are the wall hanger and the turner. A wall hanger has a rope connected to the water tank whereas the turner is a knob attached to the tank.

list of free WC of Rome:

list of WC in Florence:

list of WC in Venice:

list of WC in Milan:

list of WC in Pisa:

Note: Please note that drinking water is a RIGHT in Italy, public bars HAVE to serve water if asked KINDLY.

They also have toilets you can use, however it is

Drinking Water & Toilettes for Free, is your right in Italy (2024)

FAQs

Drinking Water & Toilettes for Free, is your right in Italy? ›

Article: Free water is considered a birthright in almost all European nations and Italy is not left behind in following this water culture. Sightseeing in Italy in summer can take a toll as the scorching heat will drench away all the minerals from the body and dehydrate the visitors.

Are public toilets in Italy free? ›

USING A PUBLIC PAY BATHROOM IN ITALYIf you use a public pay bathroom, you'll pay a small fee (usually €0.50 to €1.00) by inserting Euro coins into a machine or paying an attendant. Occasionally, the bathroom will be 'free,' but you're expected to 'tip' the attendant (€0.50 to €1.00 is fine).

Do you get free water in Italy? ›

In Italy, don't shock your waiter by asking for tap water

You might occasionally be offered filtered — but you'll still be expected to pay for it. If you ask for the tap stuff, some waiters will simply refuse.

Do you get charged for water in Italy? ›

If you get served mineral water then yes, you pay for it. If you want, you can ask for tap water. That is supposed to be free. Some restaurants serve filtered water, which you have to pay but is usually cheaper than mineral water.

Can I drink water from bathroom tap Italy? ›

The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.

Why are there no toilet seats on toilets in Italy? ›

We asked Italian friends about the frequent absence of toilet seats, and they helped to fill in the blanks. Apparently, the toilet seats are there originally but, then, they break. The seats break because people stand on them. People stand on them because they are not kept clean enough to sit on.

Can you throw toilet paper in toilet in Italy? ›

The toilet situation in my country is actually the same as in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, …. The toilet paper can be flushed without any fear of clogging the toilet like it is for example in Greece. Just dont put a huge ball of toilet paper in size of your face in there, otherwise u might need to flush two times.

How to ask for free water in Italian? ›

At restaurants, know what you do and don't have to pay for

(You can ask for “acqua dal rubinetto,” tap water, but it's often seen as a bit rude. Plus, those glasses of tap water will take ages to get refilled by your waiter, if they're refilled at all!).

Is bread free in Italy? ›

The bread isn't always free

If a restaurant brings you bread before your meal, it's not always free. Generally, a restaurant will charge “pane e coperto” to your bill, and it's around EUR1. 50 – 2.50 per head.

What not to order in Italy? ›

Rule #1: Do not order Cappuccino with a meal

The Italian menu is skilfully structured with: antipasto (starter), primo (first course that involves pasta or rice), secondo ( meat or fish) with a contorno (a side dish: salad, roasted potatoes, sautéed vegetables), dolce (dessert) and then coffee and digestives.

Should I bring a water bottle to Italy? ›

It's important to stay hydrated (and caffeinated) when you're traveling. Rather than spending your hard-earned Euros on bottled water, bring your own and refill it. Whether you go to Rome, Venice or Florence (or all three in this 9-day 7 Wonders of Italy trip) you'll find ample opportunity to keep your bottle full.

Why do Italians drink bottled water? ›

Italy ranks first in Europe and second in the world ranking of mineral water consumers. The fact is in Italy, tap water is not always drinkable: in many areas it's only used for washing things and washing youself, which is why we consume so many bottles of water.

Do Italians drink tap water in restaurants? ›

Almost all restaurants in Italy offer bottled water to its customers and there is no custom in Italy for customers to drink tap water in restaurants. In some restaurants, tap water is provided to the customers on demand.

Do you tip in Italy? ›

Tipping isn't the norm in Italy like it may be in North America and some other countries in Europe, but it is still appreciated. Feel free to leave a small amount if the service has been particularly good. In taxis, tipping is not expected, but if rounding up the charge makes life easier, go for it.

Can you drink tap water in Italy hotels? ›

You can safely drink tap water pretty much always and everywhere in Italy. Restaurants, bars, hotels, private homes, and many public fountains dispense free and clean water every day 24/7.

How much is bottled water in Italy? ›

As of August 2022, the average selling price of carbonated mineral water in hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini-markets, and discount stores was 0.26 euro per liter. The average selling price of still mineral water was 0.20 euro per liter.

Do you have to pay for public toilets? ›

TfL toilet facilities are free to access, but some non-TfL facilities may be chargeable.

Do you have to pay to use public restrooms in Europe? ›

And you're probably in no state to argue, anyway. Pay toilets are the norm at highway rest areas, train stations, and even at some sights — hang on to your small change for WC stops. (Many coin-op WCs have self-cleaning toilet seats; stick around after you're done to watch the show.)

Do hotels in Italy provide toilet paper? ›

You don't really need to bring this from home, of course — Italy does have toilet paper! — but it's a smart thing for ladies, particularly, to throw in their purses before leaving the hotel in the morning.

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