Banks—In general, banks are open Monday to Friday 8:30am–1:30pm and 2:30–4pm. Note that many banks do not offer currency exchange.

Business Hours—Most Roman shops open at 10am and close at 7pm from Monday to Saturday. Smaller shops close for 1 or 2 hours at lunch, and may remain closed Monday morning and Saturday afternoon. Most restaurants are closed for riposo (rest) 1 day per week, usually Sunday or Monday.

DentistsAmerican Dental Arts Rome, Via del Governo Vecchio 73 (near Piazza Navona; tel. 06-6832613), uses the latest technology.

Doctors—Call the U.S. Embassy at tel. 06-46741 for a list of English-speaking doctors. You’ll find English-speaking doctors at the privately run Salvator Mundi International Hospital, Viale delle Mura Gianicolensi 67 (in the Gianicolo neighborhood; tel. 06-588961); or at the Rome American Hospital, Via Emilio Longoni 69 (tel. 06-22551), located well east of central Rome. The International Medical Center is on 24-hour duty at Via Firenze 47 (near Piazza della Repubblica; tel. 06-4882371). Medi-Call Italia, Via Cremera 8 (tel. 06-8840113) can arrange for a qualified doctor to make a house call at your hotel or anywhere in Rome.

Emergencies—To call the police, dial tel. 113; for an ambulance tel. 118; for a fire tel. 115.

Newspapers & Magazines—The English-language expat magazine Wanted in Rome comes out every 2 weeks and lists current events and shows. Time Out also has a Rome edition.

PharmaciesFarmacie, recognizable by their neon green or red cross signs, are generally open 8:30am–1pm and 4–7:30pm, though some stay open later. Farmacia Piram at Via Nazionale 228 is open 24 hours. All closed pharmacies have signs in their windows indicating any open pharmacies nearby.

Police—Dial tel. 113.

Safety—Violent crime is virtually nonexistent in Rome’s touristed areas, though pickpocketing is common. Purse snatching happens on occasion, by young men speeding by on scooters; keep your purse on the wall side of your body with the strap across your chest. Always be suspicious of anyone who tries to “befriend” you in a tourist area. Walking alone at night is usually fine anywhere in the centro storico.

 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.