Restrooms in Italy

I always hit the large McDonald's in Rome to use their bathroom if I am in the area and Vatican city has tons of bathrooms so use those on your way in and out and a few times in between. LOL. San Gimignano has public restrooms but they are squat toilets. I know Sienna has public toilets (for pay) as well. It seems like if you buy a little something from a shop they will let you use their "gabinetto." I really did not have a problem finding them and believe me, I know all the restrooms in midtown Manhattan.

Always, always use the restroom when you're in a museum. They tend to be quite nice, since the museums charge admission. Watch out for the occasional "Turkish" toilet, especially at some train stations. It's a hole in the floor with a toilet seat glued to the hole. Srsly.

Right or even no toilet seat on floor…recall that was the case at Milano Centrale…you’ll have a stall but just a hole and two spots for your feet (I actually encountered this set-up in a Shell station near Passau in Germany once, too). That reminded me to mention that you may need to pay at the door before entering the WC in stations…drop coins in and the turnstile doors open. Don’t forget that large department stores will most likely have WCs somewhere…you may or may not need to pay an attendant. Large hotels will also have nicer WCs somewhere on the lobby level just like here. Walk in like you’re a guest and use it. You can also walk straight into any bar, café, restaurant, etc. like you’re a patron and go to the back or down the stairs to use their WC. Always carry some change in case it's needed. The terms WC and toilet are ubiquitous ...restroom is not used.

Hi Judy,
Just back and what you heard is absolutely true! In RS books he suggests using public restrooms in major attractions and restaurants whenever possible. This is really good advice! Small eating establishments don't always have public restrooms either
so plan accordingly. I would also encourage you to have wet wipes and tissue packs as we encountered restrooms w/o tp and/or soap....
The "seatless" toilets are a whole separate topic- get used to squatting :)!

The restroom situation in Europe is very different than in the US. Restrooms are very private and well control by the establishments -- ie - locks. First rule is that you never pass restroom. McDonald and the fast food places are good spots that often require a purchase and a code. Of course, you can hang out by the door and grab it before it relocks. Water closets -- get use to that name - in restaurants are buried and may require a map to find -- and generally in the basement. If a big place with a crowded bar you might be able to walk through pretending to a customer.

The situation at tourist sites is improving. Many have been remodeled and will be convenient and nice. Some of the older sites less so. Some may have a charge and an attendant to collect a Euro coin. Bus and train stations have lots of water closets.

And the condition can very a lot from no toilet paper and no toilet seat to very nice and clean. You need to be prepared and carry your own paper. And sometimes privacy is not very high. Many bathrooms are shared.

If you are getting the idea that is very unpredictable, welcome to European bathrooms. Just be prepared and don't drink a lot of coffee in the AM.

PS And wait till you hit what some call Turkish toilets or Greek toilets. And they are in Italy. A whole new experience that is best experienced than described. Makes you wish for an old fashion out house.

In Florence there are many public pay toilets (yes, you have to pay - but you get a decent toilet). Here is some info: Florence public restrooms

You can also use the bathroom in most bars, etc. Italians are not so militant about this, but buying a coffee before going is polite anyway :)

I am not as familiar with the other cities!

It's been said. There are more ancient roman toilets in Ostia. Than there modern toilets in Rome.

I'm not sure if that's too far from the truth.

Don't wait till you have to.

It is not uncommon to come across "squat" public toilets in the rural areas. You'll find some in the cities as well. Saw them in Monterosso. These public places often have a handicap toilet which is more like ours in the U.S. It's best to use the toilets in restaurants whenever you can. I've also darted in into large hotels on occasion. Also, carry your own TP. Its not everywhere.

Thank you for confirming that my concerns have not been in vain! Based on your information I guess I need to take more skirts.

Interestingly, more men responded to a subject I thought would be more critical to women. Thanks for your input. Now I know what to expect.

Some areas may be better than others as far as public restrooms. For instance, San Marino has them right off the sidewalk. Corleone did also.
Haven't been in a situation yet where I couldn't find one. As others said,pop into a bar or restaurant if you need to.Also it's not uncommon to see someone on the side of the road takin care of business although I haven't seen (yet)any ladies doing that.

1. Always, always use the toilet before you leave (hotel, museum, etc.).

2. Always have tissues and wipes with you.

3. Most toilets are NOT squatters, but there are a few.

4. Before you look for a public toilet, look for a really good hotel. The luxury hotels will never turn you away and their toilets are the BEST.

Always have at least 3 euro in small coin.

We only had .50 once. The wife got to use that for a bathroom. I had to find some bushes.,, which isn't easy in parts of Italy..

I never pass a mcdonald's in europe. Not that I eat there, but so far, they've always been free toilets. As another poster mentioned, keep your small change available for WC attendants, since you don't want try to find change when the WC is right in front of you when you need it.

I have found that fast-food restaurants are the place to go when you have to "Go". Just be sure that you purchase something like a Coke or fries to make your visit legit. Otherwise, use the facilities at museums and before you leave your hotel. If you do stumble upon a "public" restroom, don't pass up the opportunity to "Go" as you don't know when the next chance will present itself.

Don't sweat it. It's true there aren't many public restrooms in Italy, but you can ALWAYS run into one of the ubiquitous cafes around town to use their loo. Just do the polite thing and buy a bottle of water/coffee first.

Mandy
www.revealedrome.com

Judy, I haven't been to Rome in awhile but I remember the public restrooms at the Coliseum are great - actually, any restroom with an attendant will usually be clean. Tip for extra toilet paper (it seems that one square is standard).

I wasn't going to mention this as it is a little "off color", but in dealing with the rare "squat" toilet and lack of toilet paper, it can be advantageous to shave or otherwise wax the nether regions to make things easier (no dingleberries).

Why is it that toilet questions seem to attract the most posts?

@ Kent--Not as much as the ZTL in Florence!

I've received a ticket for improperly using a squat toilet in Florence two years ago. It seems I was not in the correct zone. Do I have to pay this ticket, and if I don't, can I be banned from peeing in Italy in the future?

Karen: Glad you asked! Although the point isn't covered in the guidebooks, I can assure you that you must pay the toilet ticket or be banned from Italian toilets for all time.

Like the Florence ZTL just now mentioned by Scott, the Florence ZPL (zona peeico limitato) is likewise enforced by automatic camera, which photographs the relevant portion of the user's anatomy, ensuring posterior identification (uhm, I mean positive identification) if one attempts to dispute the fine.

It's all a scam...you walk into a cafe to use the loo. But, you have to buy something, say a coffee, to be nice. Then, in a little while, thanks to the coffee, you need to use the loo again. So, you go into another cafe, buy a coffee and use the loo....and the viscous cycle begins.

Well, before we get lectures from Norma about doing the right thing, I guess I'll pony up and pay to pee.

No, Frank II, the cycle isn't viscous. It's really quite watery.

It is a way to blend in....human fountain.