Water questions

Yes, I always drink the water in Italy. I also fill my water bottle in public fountains. I have never had a problem. Bottles of water in local markets differ on the brand you buy, but are similar to the prices you would pay in the US.

I have never had any problems with water from the faucet in hotels. After the first few trips to Italy and consistently during the last 3 Italian trips I fill from the public fountains like the locals. In addition to being good tasting water from hotel faucets and public fountains this eliminated buying multiple plastic bottles. However I am quite fond of the local/regional acqua con gas(fizzy water)seved in glass bottles in restaurants.

Hi love4,

Most stores (and supermarkets) sell San Benedetto bottled water between 1€ to 1,50€.

I think? there are over 2,000 "nasone" (public and a constant water flow) in Rome. The water's fresh, clean, and super-cold.

I believe there may be a map online indicating where to find them. I know for sure, there is one at St. Peter's as you exit the Basilica. I honestly don't know if you can fill up before going in. Guards are there.

As an added notation: There is no tap water brought to restaurant tables. You need to order "Frizzante" (fizzy) or "Acqua Minerale" (still or natural)

Hope this helps.

The main thing to remember is that the default in Italy for bottled water seems to be fizzy. If you want still water, be sure to specify that, and take a look at the bottle immediately when it is brought to the table. A couple of times I have received the fizzy sort, which I just cannot stand. A large bottle will be considerably less expensive per ounce than multiple small bottles.

During a summer 2015 trip to Italy I learned that a cold bottle of water purchased at a bar (standing at the bar, not sitting at a table) was very affordable. I don't believe I ever paid more than 1.50 euro. Although I start the day with a full bottle of water in my purse, it doesn't last long on a hot day, and an inexpensive cold bottle of water can be a life-saver. There are bars everywhere, often easier to find than a store.

In some smaller towns, I found bottled water available for less than 1 euro for a liter bottle. I usually grabbed a couple.
But that was when there were not public water sources available. I usually buy a large water (maybe 1.5 -2 liters) in my first city and then refill it with tap or fountain water throughout the remainder of my travels in Italy.
If I have a fridge in my lodging, I get a hold of several smaller bottles and always keep water chilling and switch out empty bottles (it was 97 degrees last time I was in Florence and this worked out very well for me)

The tap water is fine in most places. I remember one hotel in Sicily where the water was clearly marked as non-potable, but everywhere else was just fine!

And as someone said above, be sure to know the difference between ordering still and sparkling water if this makes a difference to you. I hate sparkling water, so I always have to order the still at restaurants.

Water from the "nasone" fountains in Rome was excellent, as it was from other drinking fountains that weren't marked as non-potable. We also didn't have any trouble with tap water although we haven't had the pleasure of traveling to ALL corners of the country yet.

Paying the couple extra euro for glass-bottled still or fizzy water with restaurant meals is no biggie. It's sort of a special touch, and, well, when in Italy, eh?

You can buy bottled water very inexpensively in grocery stores, such as Conad or Coop. Half liter bottles can cost as little as 0.25 euro and liter bottles can cost under 0.50 euro. The same bottles of water at a mini market or from a street vendor can easily cost 4-6 times as much.

Thank you so much for the replies! We are non fizzy water drinkers so that information helps us. I backpacked through Europe in my 20’s but this is my first time back with a family. I can’t even remember what I drank for water then. So excited to make some memories with my family.

Thanks again!

As others have said, what comes out of the tap is safe. We bring our own reusable bottles (non-BPA) and either fill from the tap or from 2 liter bottles we buy for us in our apartments. We also are not hesitant to refill at a public nasone.

In restaurants, it is not good form to ask for tap water and the bottles sold in restauarants are reasonably priced (unlike in Switzerland or France!), so go with the flow and order two liters for the table at dinner.

Fizzy water in Italian - acqua frizzante or just frizzante

Personally, I love the stuff, and the level of carbonation is usually a little lighter than soda water in the US.

Last time in Rome, the waiters usually asked with gas or no gas? If you say No Gas, they will know you want still water.

My only experience is Perrier which I did not enjoy. Might have be like an Italian when in Italy. :)

Please consider the environment if you consider single use plastic bottles. At least reuse them several times before recycling or preferably use a washable permanent container or your thumb on a Nasone which uses no plastic and tastes wonderful.

Plenty of free running water in Switzerland too.

monsters,

As the others have mentioned, the tap water is just fine in Italy and there are lots of public fountains in many places. Watch for the words "potabile" or "non-potabile". Tap water in Italian restaurants is uncommon, so plan to buy bottled water with meals.... it's cheap. After a hot day of touring, you'll appreciate a well chilled bottle of water. Your choice between acqua naturale or acqua gassata.

The comments about disposable bottles are something to consider. I normally buy a bottle of water (~550 ml) at my departure airport and just refill that for the entire trip. It goes into the recycling bin when I get home.

I hate buying water in plastic bottles and always travel with 2 or 3 of my own (in case I misplace one), which I refill. I would gladly drink tap water in restaurants, but in many areas it's just not culturally acceptable. I look forward to the day when those places have seen the light.

Never fear! We are big recyclers and travel with refillable water bottles. These replies have really helped us. I purchased our Vatican tickets this morning. Waiting for the Colsseum to open next week for April. 🤩