Travel Tips

Tourist informations
Museums and Galleries
Monuments and Catacombs
Airline Companies
Telephone
Post Office
Banks

Tourist informations

Here at Gulliver's House, we believe that the very first thing to be considered to ensure an enjoyable and unforgetable journey is Safety.

So in addition to our tips to where, why, when, what, who, and how to, we will not forget to mention the where,..... and the what not to as well. (Your parents will like that).

Our attentive advice and directions will guarantee your enjoyment of the eternal city, while of course paying attention to every traveller's budget. Whether you are looking for the cheapest supermarket or the most secretive baroque church, to the great disco's or the best gelato, we have Rome covered from head to toe.

Although Rome is our city, our tips will cover italy as well as Europe and more...

So no matter how stupid you think your question might be, please ask it !! The questions (activities, destinations, or curiosities) you have, will always be answered, as we love to share our years of knowledge and experience of this fantastic city with you. But if it's dumb we will definitley let you know!!

Museums and Galleries

Archaeologic

City Hall Aquarium
Findings and testimonies of everyday life in ancient Rome.
V.le Parco del Celio, 22 - tel. 067001569
Summer opening hours. 9a.m.-7p.m., holiday 9a.m.-1.30p.m. - closed Monday
Winter opening hours. 9a.m.-5p.m., - holiday 9a.m.-1.30p.m. - closed Monday
Entrance: L. 3750 - L. 2500 under 18 e over 60 years.

Capitoline Museum
The most ancient museum of the world it contains a rich collection of Roman sculptures (Galata Morente, group with Amor and Psyche and the Capitoline Venus) and an interesting picture gallery with works by Caravaggio, Reni, Rubens, Guercino and Tiziano.
P.zza del Campidoglio - tel. 0667103069
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; sun. and holidays 9a.m.-1.30p.m. - closed: 1 January. - 1 May. - 25 December.
Entrance L. 10.000 - L. 5.000 less than 18 and over 60 years old and students with card.
Free: last Sunday of each month, December 15.

Barouque Museum
The so called "Farnesina ai Baullari", this palace was attributed to Antonio da Sangallo the young. It contains an extensive collection of testimonies of the most ancient Mediterranean civilizations: the Egyptian, the Minoan, the Cretan, the Etruscan, Greek and Roman.
Via dei Baullari, 1 - tel. 68806848
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; sun. 9a.m.-1p.m.; closed Monday
Entrance L. 3.750, with exhibition L. 10.000 - students L. 2.500.

Museum of Roman Civilization
An impressive ammount of reproductions testifie the Roman civilization in all its aspects, room XXXVII contains the famous model of impreial Rome on the scale of 1:250 a work by the architect Italo Gismondi.
P.zza Agnelli, 10 - tel. 065926135
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; sun. and holidays 9a.m.-1p.m.; closed Monday
Entrance L. 5.000. Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old.

Museum of via ostiense
In the interior of Porta S. Paolo and at a few meters from the Pyramid Cestia: it contains photographies, mouldings and printings about the history of via Ostiense, the most important street to the sea.
Via R. Persichetti, 3 (Porta S. Paolo) - tel. 065743193
opening hours: 9a.m.-1p.m.
Entrance: L. 4000

Museum of the walls
A fascinating walk inside the Aurelian Walls where the visitor can reconstruct
the history thanks to the findings and models.
Via di Porta S. Sebastiano, 18/Q - tel. 0670475284
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; sun. and holidays 9a.m.-1.30p.m.; closed Monday
Entrance L. 3.750 - students L. 2.500

Ship Museum
Repertory of Roman boats which were found during the excavation of the harbour of Claudio.
Via Alessandro Guidoni - Fiumicino - tel. 0665010089
opening hours: 9a.m.-1p.m.; Tue. and Thurs. also 2-5p.m.
Entrance L. 4000. Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old.

National Museum of Villa Giulia
The summer villa of Giulio II houses now the National Museum of Villa Giulia, its facade and inner rooms are by Vignola, the portico and the courtyard by Ammannati with the beautiful nymphaeum which was erected together with Vasari.
Since 1889 it contains the most extensive collection of Etruscan testimonies in Italy, among which the famous "married coupel's sarcophagus".
P.le di Villa Giulia, 9 - tel. 063201951
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; sun. and holidays 9a.m.-1.30p.m.; closed Monday
Entrance L. 8000. Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old for EC citizens

Rome National Museum
It contains one of the largest collections of antique art in the world, it houses findings which go from the foundation of the city up to the imperial age.
V.le Enrico De Nicola, 79 - tel. 064880530
opening hours: 9a.m.-2p.m., Sun and holidays 9a.m.-1p.m.; closed Monday
Entrance L. 12.000 (it includes the visit to Palazzo Massimo). Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old for EC citizens

Medieval and Modern

Modern Comunal Gallery
It is housed in a former convent of the discalced Carmelites, here we can admire works of art of the last two centuries; among others: Rodin, Balla, De Pisis, Prampolini, Carrà.
Via F. Crispi, 24 - tel. 064742848
opening hours: 9a.m.-6.30p.m.; Sun and holidays 9a.m.-1.30p.m. - closed Monday
Entrance L. 10.000 - Cheap fare L. 5.000. Free: less than 18 and over 60 years

Gallery of the National Accademy of St. Lucia
One of Rome's most prestigious galleries, it displays works of classic art by Raffaello, Canova and Van Dyck.
Via dell'Accademia di S. Luca, 77 - tel. 066798904
opening hours: Mon.-Wed.-Fri. 10a.m.-12.30a.m. From Sept. 15 until June 30.

Doria Panphili Gallery
The marvellous nobiliary palace contains this gallery which displays Italian works of the XVII century,
among others: Carracci, Rubens, Domenichino.
Piazza del Collegio Romano, 1/A - tel. 066797323
opening hours 10a.m.-1p.m.; closed Wednesday and Thursday
Entrance: L. 10.000

National Gallery of Antique Art Palazzo Barberini
An extensive collection of works of art dating back to the XV up to the XIX century ( Raffaello, Tiziano, Lotto and Caravaggio).
Palazzo Barberini, Via IV Fontane, 13 - tel. 064814430
opening hours: 9a.m.-2p.m.; closed Monday
Entrance: L. 8.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years

Modern Art National Gallery
It houses the most important collection of Italian paintings and scuptures of the XIX and XX century. We can admire the masterpieces of the artists belonging to the most famous modern and contemporary cultural and artistic movements.
Viale delle Belle Arti, 131 - tel. 06322981
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; Sun and holidays 9a.m.-1p.m. - closed Monday.
Entrance: L. 8.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

Spada Gallery
Small but delicious collection of works of art, nearly all dating back to the XVII century (Domenichino, Reni,Guercino). Collected by the Cardinal B. Spada, it still preserves its aspect of patrician collection.
Piazza Capo di Ferro, 3 - tel. 066861158
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; Sun and holidays 9a.m.-1p.m. - closed Monday.
Entrance: L. 4.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old.

Museum of the late Middle Ages
A museum of national interest for its richness and variety of archeological findings: precious kits found in Longobard tombs, building material, marble furnishings, pottery, cloths and also imported jewels.
Via Lincoln, 3 - tel. 065915656
opening hours: 9a.m.-2p.m.; Sun. and holidays 9a.m.-1p.m.
Entrance: L. 4.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

Museum of Palazzo Venezia
In this museum we can find testimonies of all Medieval and Renaissance applied arts: bronzes,earthenware , ceramics, silverware, Cinese pottery, hangings, cloths and much more, coming from donations and legacies.
Via del Plebiscito, 118 - tel. 066798865
opening hours: 9a.m.-2p.m.; Sun. and holidays 9a.m.-1p.m. -closed Monday
Entrance: L. 8.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

Napoleonic Museum
After the restoration and embellishment works it was recently reopened to the public.
Piazza di Ponte Umberto Primo - tel. 0668806286
opening hours: 9a.m -7p.m.; Sun. and holidays 9a.m.-1.30p.m. - closed Monday
Entrance: L. 3.750 -: L. 2.500 for students with card
Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

National Museum of Castel S. Angelo
In this beautiful castle there are invaluable works of art, small collections,single masterpieces and a real museum in the armoury. In four small rooms we can see portable fire-arms, from here we can get to the modern armoury and finally to a section dedicated to exotic arms.
L.go Tevere Castello, 50 - tel. 066875036
opening hours: 9a.m -7p.m.; - closed II and IV Tuesday of each month
Entrance: L. 8.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

Local History

Museum of Music Instruments
About three thousand different instruments which help us to reconstruct the history from the first antique instruments to those of our century.
Odd sections dedicated to exotic and portable instruments.
P.zza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, 9/a - tel. 067014796
opening hours: 9a.m -7p.m.; closed Monday
Entrance: L. 4.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

Museum of Folklore and Roman Poets
Characteristic and unique, we can admire paintings with scenes off Roman daily life and the reconstruction of tipical popular houses dating back to the XVIII and XIX century. Aquarelle by E. Roasler Franz.
P.zza S. Egidio, 1/B - tel.065816563
opening hours: 9a.m.-1p.m.; Tue. and Thurs also from 5p.m.-7.30p.m.;Sun. and holiday 9a.m.-12.30a.m. closed Monday
Entrance: L. 3.750 - L. 2.500 for groups. Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

Museum of popular Arts and Costumes
It is the only museum which collects dates, documents and objects belonging to the material, ritual and ceremonial culture of the Italian popular world.
P.zza Marconi, 10 - tel.065816563
opening hours: 9a.m. -2p.m.; Sun. and holiday 9a.m.- 1p.m.
Entrance: L.4.000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old

Waxworks Museum
A funny museum where you can admire 250 statues of famous
people and the reconstruction of historic scenes.
P.zza SS. Apostoli, 67 - tel. 066796482
opening hours: 9a.m. - 8p.m.
Entrance: L. 6.000

Museum of Criminalogy
Evidences of the history of punishment and imprisonment from
the ancient times up to nowadays: guillotine, torture instruments.
Via del Gonfalone, 29 - tel. 066868849
Tue.-Wed.-Fri.-Sat.: 9a.m.-1p.m.; Tue. and Thu. also 2.30p.m.-630p.m. - closed Sun. and Mon.

Museum of Rome
Collection of paintings, sculptures and different objects of the Roman
Medieval and modern history.
P.zza San Pantaleo - tel.0668802713
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; Sun and holiday 9a.m.-1p.m. - closed Monday

"Pigorini" National Prehistoric and Ethnologic Museum
Numerous legacies coming from private collections characterize these rooms
At the first floor we can admire the ethnografic section, divided per continent. At the second floor we find the prehistoric and the protohistoric section. These sections are constantly brought up to date thanks to findings coming from all over Italy.
Piazza Marconi, 14 - tel. 065910702/065923057
opening hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; Sun and holiday 9a.m.-1p.m. - closed Monday
Entrance: L. 8000 - Free: less than 18 and over 60 years old.

National Museum of the History of Spaghetti and Pasta
A unique museum in the world, it shows a rich patrimony of the history
of pasta with its relative machinery, objects and documents.
P.zza Scanderberg, 117 - tel. 066991119
opening hours: 9.30a.m.-12.30p.m. / 6p.m.-7p.m. every day.
Entrance L. 12.000 - L. 6.000 for teen-agers with less than 18 years
and soldiers in uniform.
Earphones with guide in 6 languages, every visitor will receive a little
present

Vatican Museums
Viale della Mura Vaticane. Tel: 066983333

Mind you that in Italian the expression is "museums" and not museum. In fact there are 6 museums to visit. So plan to come early and stay until the closing time. For this reason it is better that you visit S. Peter's Basilica another other day, or when you exit the museums.
The opening time is between 8.45 AM and 1 PM, Monday through Saturday. The last Sunday of the month the Museums are not only open but also free.
Between April 1st and June 14th, September 2nd - October 31st the opening time is Monday to Friday 8.45 AM - 4 PM. As usual the last Sunday of the month it is open and free.
The ticket cost is £ 18.000. For students (with official University Card, or International Student Card under 26) £ 12000.

Egyptian Museum: epigraphic collection of documents about the Egyptian funerary customs; sculptures coming from Hadrian's villa in Tivoli.
Chiaramonti Gallery: Greek and Roman art. Divided in three parts: the Chiaramonti, the Lapidary Gallery and the New Whing which preserves, among others, Eros who draws the bow, a copy of the original by Lisippo.
Pius-Clementine Museum: one of the most important collections of Roman-Greek sculptures; it preserves, among others, Apoxyomenos, a copy of the bronze original by Lisippo (IV century. b.C.); Apollo by Belvedere, a copy of the bronze original of the IV century b. C.; Laocoon, a copy of the Greek original of the I century and Torso by Belvedere, a copy of the original by the Athenian Apollonios Nestor, who had lived in Rome during the Ist century B.C.
Etruscan museum: a collection of objects which belonged to the old pre-Roman civilizations which lived in Rome and Latium, it is one of the most important of the world.
Vatican Picture Gallery: a huge collection of paintings from the late Middle Ages to the XVII century. Here you can admire some of the most important works of the western art, among others the politician Stefaneschi, Giotto's unique painting in Rome; Christ in front of Pilatus, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter by Pietro Lorenzetti; histories of St. Nicholas from Bari by Gentile da Fabriano; parts of the fresco that decorated the apse of the church Ss. Apostoli di Melozzo da Forlì; Transfiguration and Madonna of Foligno by Raffaello; St. Jerome by Leonardo da Vinci; Deposition by Caravaggio.

Sistine Chapel: it was built under Sixtus IV (1471-1484) by the architect Baccio Pontelli, the walls were painted by the most celebrated artists of the day and testifie the evolution of Renaissance art up to Michelangelo.
The frescos on the wall are divided in three different sections, the middle section was made by some of the most important artist of the Umbrian and Tuscan school: Pinturicchio, Perugino, Botticelli, Signorelli. The frescos of the vault were commissioned by Julius II to Michelangelo in 1506, who painted the Last Judgement on the back wall thirty years later (1536-1541).
Rapahel Rooms: Julius II (1503-1513) succeded to the hated Alexander VI Borgia and decided to renew the pope's apartments in the Vatican, He commissioned to the young Raffaello the decoration of four rooms (room of Constantine, room of Eliodoro, room of the Signatura, room of the fire in the Borgo). The subjects which he illustrated were porbabely indicated by the pope himself and they represent prodigious interventions of God to protect che Church and express religious and philosophical ideals of the Renaissance.

Catacombs

Domitilla: the vastest Rome catacombs- more than 15 km galleries- they have developed in the IV centuries and V on three levels beginning from seven primitive pagan and christians ipogei. Above the catacomb, the Ss. Nereo and Achilleo basilica stands.

Via delle Sette Chiese, 282
Tel. 06/5133956
Opening 8.30-12.00/ 14.30-17.00
Entry: L. 8000

Priscilla: between the most ancient and important of Rome, this catacomb preserves important paintings, among which the Lady with the Child - beginnig of the III century a.d. - , retention the oldest representation of this kind in the catacomb.

Via Salaria, 430
Tel. 0686206272
Opening 8.30-12.00/ 14.30-17.00; Closed on Monday. Closed in January
Entry: L. 8000

S.Callixtus: almost 20 km long and 15 hectares extensive, the catacomb have been formed by four superposed levels, still not of the all explored. Interesting the crypt of the popes and S. Cecilia one.

Via Appia Antica, 110
Tel. 06/ 5136725
Opening: 8.30-12.00/ 14.30-17.30
Entry: L.8000

S.Sebastiano: it preserves the triclinium] a building for banquets [funebrei], and very handsome paintings of the end of the IV century.

Via Appia Antica, 136
Tel. 06/7887035
Opening: 9.00-12.00/ 14.30-17.30
Entry: L. 8000

Airline Companies
Airline companies in town
Airlines at Leonardi da Vinci Intl' Airport (Fiumicino)

Airline companies in town
The large majority of airline offices are located between Piazza Barberini and Via Vittorio Veneto (metro A: stop Barberini), or bus 492 from Termini and the Vatican. Precisely, most aerlines offices are in Via Barberini or in Via Bissolati, and also in the surrounding streets. Some companies have their bureaus directly at the Fiumicino Airport.
Aer Lingus: Via Barberini, 3 - tel.06-4818518
Aerlineas Argentinas, Via Sicilia 43, tel. 06482961
Air France via Sardegna, 40 - tel. 0647181
Via Veneto 89 tel. 06483803
Via Veneto 93, tel. 064885563
Air Malta Via Barberini 29, tel. 064884685, 064883106. Fiumicino airport: 0665010401
Air New Zealand Via Bissolati 54 tel. 06-4880761
Alitalia Via Bissolati 13. Reservation: National flights tel. (24 hrs) 0665641 International flights tel. (24 hrs) 06-65642 Information tel. (24 hrs) 0665643
Customers luggage support at Fiumicino airport: (24 hrs) 0665634956
Central operator at Fiumicino airport 0665631
Austrian Airlines Via Po 10, tel. 0685354610
Via Mussi 5, tel. 068125766/068125796
British Airways via Bissolati, 54 - tel. 06485480
Canadian Via C. Veneziani 58 (building C) operator 066591300, reservation tel. 066557117
Fiumicino airport tel. 06-65011462
Cathay Pacific Airways Via Barberini 3 tel. 064820888
Delta Airlines Via Po n. 10, Toll free number 167-864114, fax 0685354925. Fiumicino airport: 06-65954104 open 8-12 AM every day including Sundays.
EL AL Via Bissolati, 76 - tel. 064742301 fax 06-4872205. Fiumicino airport tel. 0665954123
Iberia via Bertoloni, 3D (Piazza Pitagora) bus 910 from Stazione Termini- tel. 1478-31055
Japan Airlines (JAL) - the bureaus are at Fiumicino Airport, tel. 0665953840, 0665953841, 06-65953842
KLM Booking (Fiumicino airport) tel. 066529286
Lufthansa Via S. Basilio 41, tel. 064872023 Booking - tel. 0646601. Fiumicino airport tel. 06-65954156
Olympic Airways via Bissolati, 76 - tel. 0648903089, 064747711, 06478671
Qantas via Bissolati, 35 - tel. 06486561. Fiumicino airport 0665010200
Sabena Via Bissolati 54 reservation 064873377 fax 0685856007. Fiumicino airport tel. 06-65011481
SAS Booking (Fiumicino Airport) - tel. 0665010771
Swissair Via Po 10, reservation 068470518 fax 064873377
TAP - Air Portugal Via Veneto 84 (1st floor) tel. 0648998200 fax 064820718. Fiumicino airport tel. 06 65010537
Turkish Airlines Piazza Repubblica 55, reservation 064828349, 064819535, box office 064873368, 06-48903857. Fiumicino airport tel. 066529167, 0665010043
TWA - Via Barberini, 67 - tel. 0647211. Fiumicino airport tel. 0665954921
VARIG - Via Sardegna 38F, reservation tel. 064677210. Fiumicino airport 0665011573, 0665011574

Airlines at Fiumicino Airport
Some airline companies handle most if not all of their work directly in the airport. The central operator of the airport is 0665953640, 0665954455 We have already indicated which companies operate in the airport.

Post Office

Stamps:
Postage fares depend on the destination country, on the type of item to be dispatched, and on weight. A postcard to the United States for ex. will cost you 800 Ital. lira (45 cents) and a letter 1,050 Ital. lira (app. 0,63 cents). Postcards or letters to the European Union countries cost just as internal Italian fares. Sending a post card would cost you 700 Italian Lira, and a letter 900 Ital. Lira.
A registered letter will cost you a fee of 5,000 Ital. Lira more. You can only post registered letters in post offices, and it will cost you 5,000 Ital. lira more then the above mentioned fare. Insured letters cost 10,000 Ital. Lira more. The latter are internal Italian fares, for foreign countries the cost changes with the country, you should enquire at the post office.
To post letters and postcards you will find letter boxes in every quarter or block, and particularly in train stations and out of post offices. For any destination other than Rome, use the "Per tutte le altre destinazioni" (for all other destinations) slot.

Parcels
It is not a good idea to dispatch parcels back home with goods you bought in Italy, or with your personal belongings just to travel light. The Italian postal fares and regulations are complicated, you will find it hard to prepare the parcel according to the regulations they provide. Last but not least it is rather expensive, especially to the US, Canada and Australia. Private forwarding companies have more flexible regulations and offer a faster service, but they are not a good solution too as they are expensive

Telephone

How to use a phone long distance

How to use a phone.
In Italy, like in any European country, you pay every call, even local ones. The following are the fares:
Between 8 AM and 6.30 PM you pay one unit (200 Ital. Lira, app. 11 US cents) every 3 min. and 40 sec.. During the remaining time you pay one unit every 6 min. 40 secs.
Long distance.
If you call directly it is quite expensive. Calls are timed, and there is still the units logic. More the place you are calling is far, and less time you have for a unit. It also depends on which time you are calling: more you do it during business hours and more the call is expensive (less time you have before you pay a unit).
The bottom line: try to call at night after 10 PM when the fare is reduced to 50%, or use your calling cards, and bill it to your account in your country.

Country Direct
Country Direct makes it easy for foreign visitors to call home from Italy.
All you need to do is dial 172, tap in the special code for the country you are calling, and you'll be put through to an international operator who will help you to make the call.

Acces Numbers are:

Country	Select
Argentina	172-1054
Australia (Optus)	172-1161
Australia (Telestra)	172-1061
Bahrein	172-1973
Bolivia (Entel)	172-1591
Brasile	172-1055
Canada (At&t)	172-1002
Canada (Teleglobe)	172-1001
Cile (Ctc)	172-1256
Cile (Entel)	172-1056
Cile (Vtr)	172-1156
Colombia	172-1057
Costarica	172-1116
Domenican Rep.	172-2020
Domenican Rep.	172-2851
Domenican Rep.	172-1851
Philippines	172-1063
Japan (Pldt)	172-1063
Japan (Idc)	172-1080
Japan (Idc Auto.)	172-1180
Japan (Itj Aut.)	172-2181
Japan (Kdd)	172-1081
Japan (Kdd Aut.)	172-1181
Guatemala	172-1112
Hawaii	172-1030
Hong Kong	172-1852
Hong Kong (Aut.)	172-2852
Hong Kong (Pcc)	172-3852
India	172-1091
Indonesia	172-1062

Country	Select
Indonesia	172-2062
Israel	172-1972
Israel (Goldenline)	172-2972
Israel (C. Card)	172-3972
Israel (Prepaid)	172-4972
Malaysia	172-1060
Mexico	172-1052
New Zeland	172-1064
Perù	172-1051
Singapore	172-1065
Singapore (Aut.)	172-1165
Singapore(Signtel)	172-2065
South Africa	172-1027
Taiwan	172-1886
Thailand	172-1066
Uruguay	172-1598
Usa (Ameritech)	172-1009
Usa (At&t)	172-1011
Usa (Bell Atlantic)	172-1010
Usa (Bell South)	172-1025
Usa (Idb)	172-1777
Usa (Mci)	172-1022
Usa (Us Sprint)	172-1022
Venezuela	172-1058
Virgin Isands(Usa)	172 1011

EUROPE	EUROPE
Austria	172-0043
Belgium	172-0032
Cyprus	172-0357
Croacia	172-0385
Denmark	172-0045
Denmark	172-0045
Finland	172-0358
France	172-0033
France	172-0331
Germany	172-0049
Greece	172-0030
Ireland	172-0353
Island	172-0354
Liechtenstein	172-0041
Luxemburg	172-0352
Malta	172-0356
Marocco	172-0212
Norway	172-0047
Holland	172-0031
Poland	172-0048
Portugal	172-0351
Russia	172-0007
Slovacchia Rep.	172-0542
Slovacchia Rep.	172-0421
Spain	172-0034
Sweden (Telia)	172-0046
Sweden (Tele 2)	172-0546
Turkey	172-0090
United K.(Bt)	172-0044
United K.(Bt Aut)	172-0144

You choose how you want to pay for the call. You can either bill it to your calling card or reverse the charges.
Country Direct is free from public phones, but before making the call you have to first use a phonecard or insert a coin - any coin you insert will be returned to you at the end of the call.

Money Matters

Banks
Exchange, Banks
Money Transfer
Exchange
Travellers' cheques, credit cards, personal bank cheques... paying in Italy
Exchange on Sundays and holidays

Exchange.
Banks usually offer the best exchange rate, although you have to pay a modest commission to exchange cash (usually 5,000 Ital. Lira, app. 2.8 US$).
If you want to know the present international exchange rate of your currency, please click on this link:
Currency converter
Banks or exchange bureaus will reduce the value of 1-1.5 % if you want to buy Ital. Lira, and then apply also the modest commission above mentioned.
The US dollar is a fickle international currency, whose value might change even in the same day. As a result of all this, it is better if you enquire well before exchanging money.
The banks are open Mon.-Fri. 8.45 AM - 1.30 PM and then again usually between 3 and 4 PM.

Traveller's cheques, credit cards, personal bank cheques... paying in Italy
They are not popular in Italy, nor welcomed in many if not most places. If you rely on them, be prepared to go to banks and change the traveller's cheques, or to use your card in the bank ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines). On the other hand, they are a better solution to bringing cash with you, as you will prevent thefts. Banks charge 5-10,000 Ital. Lira (app. 3-6 US$) to change traveller' s cheques.
Credit cards are accepted in Italy (and especially in Rome) in selected places, so use them when you can, but don't rely on them to pay normally.
It is not a good idea to rely on your personal bank cheques. They will not be accepted in Italy, unless the persons or the Company you have to pay know you well. In any case the ones accepting your cheque will have to pay a bank commission to cash the cheque and they will ask you to reimburse it to them. It is also not a good idea to cash Ital. Lira with your personal cheque in banks. You generally need a bank account to do this, and hence you should be resident in the country.

Exchanging on Sundays and holidays
There are also plenty of private exchanges near the popular monuments or sights, and they are open also in the afternoon. We found the best ones in Piazza Barberini. You will find them before and after the corner with Via Veneto. Pay attention, these exhange offices have often (but not always) less favourable rates.
On Sundays the Thomas Cook offices in Piazza Barberini and in Via della Conciliazione (the way to the Vatican) are open in the morning.

Money transfer

In case you need to receive money as fasta as possible the well developed network of western Union agencies is available all over the country, click our link to check the nearest location.

How much money could could you get in Italy with the actual currency rate ?