I have never been in Italy during a bank holiday. We are trying to decide when to go next year. One option would be the last two weeks of October which includes November 1st and 2nd. We would be either in Florence/ Lucca, Siena or Portofino around that time. What is opened on the first of November? Are restaurants, shops churches major sites etc? Or are they all closed and it's a lost day.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15874 posts
It's All Saints' Day, a religious holiday when people visit their loved ones at the cemetery.
The places you are visiting a tourist destinations where almost nothing will close.
Posted by
North Italy
371 posts
1st November is All saint's day. In 2024 it's on a Friday which makes a good 'Ponte' or long weekend. Traditionally those days are for visits to the cemetery but nowadays a lot of Italians take advantage of the long weekend for a trip somewhere- Florence Lucca or Siena could be good candidates so you may find these places busier/more expensive than the rest of your trip. Restaurants will be open. Shops may or may not be. Major sites depends, see what they're doing this year. Most will be open because there'll be tourists around.
November 2nd is a normal day