Imagine waking up in Italy… The morning sun gently streams through the window, and the rich aroma of coffee—so strong it could wake you up on its own—fills the air. You step outside, ready to embrace the Italian way of life, where things move at their own pace, and even the smallest daily rituals feel a little more special.
Let’s take a stroll through a typical week in Italy, shaped by traditions and habits that bring a unique rhythm to everyday life. While every Italian’s routine is different, certain moments are shared across the country—let’s see what they might look like!
But first—are you familiar with the days of the week and how to talk about your weekly routine? If not, check out this video!
And now, let’s discover a typical week in Italy…
Monday – Lunedì
💼 Italians return to work or school after the weekend. People often say “lunedì è sempre lunedì” (Monday is always Monday) to express how tough it is to start the week!
Italians usually have breakfast at home with the ubiquitous caffé and something sweet. This is usually in the form of biscuits (biscotti) or fette biscottate (similar to melba toast) with jam or Nutella. However, during the morning, it’s common to take a coffee break, sometimes even stepping out briefly to a bar for an espresso.
In recent years, Italian cities have seen a boom in the use of motorcycles (moto), mopeds (motorini) and bicycles (biciclette), thanks to the introduction of more cycle lanes and bike-sharing schemes. Many Italians, especially in Milan and Rome, now opt for two wheels instead of four, making urban travel quicker, greener, and often more enjoyable.
Office work often starts around 8 or 9 AM, and many businesses take a full lunch break. Talking about breaks, it is considered acceptable – especially in small places – to go to a shop (negozio), find it close and see a notice on the door saying “Torno subito”, which means “back soon”. Where did this person go? Perhaps for a quick coffee?
Want to find out more about the rituals of coffee in Italy? Read this article. Or watch this video.
Tuesday & Wednesday – Martedì e Mercoledì
📚 These are busy working days. Usually, schools in Italy often have lessons only in the morning, although some may have some extra sessions in the afternoon. As a result, children usually eat lunch at home.
In contrast to the UK and other countries, where lunch breaks are short and people often eat at their desks, many Italians go home for lunch or take a proper lunch break, eating a full lunch at home, at a canteen or at a trattoria (family run small restaurant that serves traditional dishes). If the only option is choosing a bar they enjoy a panino imbottito (a filled sandwich) with a glass of wine or a beer.
Many shops, especially in smaller towns, close for a few hours in the afternoon (usually from 1 PM to 4 PM). This surprises many foreign visitors!
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Giovedì – Thursday
📅 By Thursday, the week is in full swing, and many Italians never miss the opportunity to catch up with friends or colleagues over a coffee break. Stopping for an espresso at the bar is a daily ritual for many, often accompanied by a quick chat before heading back to work.
Italians often visit local markets (il mercato) or small neighbourhood shops throughout the week to pick up fresh ingredients. Unlike other countries, where people typically do one big supermarket shop for the week, Italians prefer to buy fresh produce more frequently to ensure it’s always at its best.
Bread (il pane), for example, is a staple on the Italian table and must be purchased daily. Any leftover bread from the previous day is called raffermo (stale) and, instead of being served at the table, is used in the kitchen for recipes that require pangrattato (breadcrumbs).
Friday – Venerdì
🎉 The weekend begins! Italians love going out for an aperitivo (pre-lunch or pre-dinner drinks and finger food). This is different from the British tradition, for example, of heading straight to the pub after work!
A typical aperitivo includes Aperol Spritz, prosecco, or Campari, served with small bites (stuzzichini) like bruschetta, olive (olives), prosciutto (ham), etc.
If you want to know more about the ritual of the aperitivo, read here.
Dinner is also later than in Northern countries—most restaurants start getting busy after 8 PM.
Saturday – Sabato
🛍️ Saturdays are perfect for shopping, going to the market, or meeting friends for coffee. In Italy, cafés and bars are a social hub, and it’s common to spend an hour chatting over a single espresso.
At the weekend, Italians are more likely to enjoy a relaxed cappuccino and croissant at the bar. Foreign visitors often find it surprising that Italians don’t drink large takeaway coffees while walking around.
Saturday is the most popular day for eating pizza. Unlike in the UK or the USA, where takeaways are daily occurrences, Italians prefer to go to a pizzeria for a freshly made pizza.
Saturday night is also a big night for socialising with friends and family. Many Italians go out for dinner and then take a passeggiata (a stroll) before having gelato. However, this gelato ritual starts in spring, never in winter, as Italians have a low tolerance for the cold! Brrrrrr!
Sunday – Domenica
🍽️Sunday is the day for family meals. In Italy, il pranzo della domenica (Sunday lunch) is sacred. Families gather for a long, multi-course meal, accompanied by wine, that can last for hours, allowing them to spend time together and chat.
Shops (negozi) and businesses tend to be closed on Sundays, except in tourist areas. This is quite different from the UK, where most shops remain open. However, this is changing in Italy as well, and most supermarkets and centri commerciali (shopping centres) are now usually open on Sundays.
To sum it up
A week in Italy is shaped by small but meaningful rituals—morning coffee at the bar, long lunches, aperitivo with friends, and the sacred Sunday lunch. Life moves at its own rhythm, with time for socialising, fresh food, and, of course, the occasional torno subito sign on a shop door.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Italy or just curious about the Italian way of life, paying attention to these daily habits can help you experience the country like a local. Why not start by learning how to talk about your own weekly routine in Italian? Practice using the days of the week and describing your habits—before you know it, you’ll be living la dolce vita, at least in conversation!
