Bathrooms in Italy are a fascinating blend of practicality and quirkiness. While our previous post tackled the essentials, like bidets and public bathroom costs, there’s still much more to discover and explain. Let’s dive into some unique aspects and surprising experiences that await you when stepping into bathrooms across Italy. Trust me, it’s more entertaining than you think!
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The Great Toilet Flush Challenge
One of the most confounding features for travelers is the wide variety of flushing mechanisms. You might encounter wall-mounted buttons, pull cords, foot pedals, or levers attached to tanks high above your head. It’s like a bathroom scavenger hunt. Pro tip: if you do not know what to do and are staring blankly at the wall, look for a small panel or button hidden near the toilet paper holder.
Bathrooms in Italy: Views That Take Your Breath Away
Some bathrooms in Italy are architectural wonders. Imagine washing your hands while gazing out at a Tuscan vineyard or the canals of Venice. Even ordinary restaurants and rest stops can surprise you with picturesque windows and charming decor. A bathroom break in Italy might end up on your Instagram feed—yes, they can be that stunning.
The Mystery of the Shower
Ah, Italian showers… range from luxurious waterfall-style setups in modern hotels to confusing contraptions in older homes. Often, you’ll find handheld showerheads with wall brackets at awkward heights. And let’s not forget the notorious all-in-one wet room bathrooms, where the shower lacks a partition, leaving the entire room soaked. Hence, I will always pack flip-flops. They also double as slippers. It seems like a genius packing item, doesn’t it?
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The Art of the Lock
If you’re heading into a bathroom in Italy, don’t assume a lock is there. Some older doors require an extra jiggle or gentle shove to secure. Conversely, figuring out how to unlock the door after you’re done can feel like solving an escape room puzzle. Been there, done that! Nothing will panic you more than trying to get out of a bathroom.
Public Bathroom Etiquette: Bring Your Own Supplies
Public bathrooms in Italy aren’t always equipped with soap or toilet paper. Carry small packets of tissues and hand sanitizer with you.
Quirky Bathroom Signs
Prepare to giggle at the creative bathroom signs. Rarely will you spot a sign indicating “Men” and “Women.” Depending on its location, some signs lean into local culture, featuring characters like gondoliers or chefs. I love it when I spot ones with legs crossed. They’re little works of art that add charm to the most mundane moments.
Why Are Bathrooms So Small?
You’re not alone if you’ve ever struggled to maneuver in an Italian bathroom. Many bathrooms in historic buildings were retrofitted, squeezing modern plumbing into centuries-old spaces. While they may lack sprawling counters or spacious stalls, they will surely make up for it in character.
What you won’t find in Bathrooms in Italy
This is quite important for those traveling with families, especially infants. Ninety-nine percent of the time, you will not find a children’s changing station or table. They don’t have them, so be prepared to use your stroller with the seat folded down.
Public places and Bathrooms
Museums certainly will have facilities. There will most likely be one when you first enter the building. Sometimes, it’s best to use the first one you see… just in case.
Cafes and restaurants will have bathrooms. Restaurants go without saying, but if you are traveling with children and they need a bathroom, most cafes will allow young children accompanied by an adult to use a bathroom without purchasing anything. If you ask nicely and they give you a bit of a look, ask for a bottle of water or a café, and it goes without saying that if you purchase something, you are entitled to use the restroom.
Be aware that pasticcerias (pastry shops) and gelaterias usually do not have bathrooms. They are not required by law to have one in Italy.
Train stations have toilets, but whether you want to use one might be more of a consideration. Note they are coin-operated (usually €1), or an attendant might be sitting before you enter. They can range from nice and clean to a hole in the ground – seriously! Most toilets will not have a seat as they usually break and are never replaced. Toilet paper, most of the time, seems like a luxury that never seems to be in the stall I choose. Always carry tissues for this purpose!
In Conclusion
A trip to Italy is always full of surprises, and its bathrooms are no exception. Embrace the quirks, laugh off the occasional challenge, and marvel at the creativity behind these everyday spaces. Who knew a simple bathroom break could be an adventure in itself?
Bathrooms in Italy are always an adventure! The best public bathrooms we have found are in the Venice train station. Excellent tip on bringing your own supplies – we have noticed that there seems to be an inverse relationship between how nice an establishment is and how primitive the toilets are!
Couldn’t agree with you more, Angelo! Thanks for always being supportive by commenting and sharing great information. We appreciate it!!
Our son used the facilities in Pisa. When he pulled the cord, nothing happened. He tried a couple times. Then he found another button which worked. When he exited, he found medics coming to help him – he had been pulling the emergency assistance cord!
Oh no! That emergency cord gets pulled more than you think – especially in hotels. Thanks for the comment (and giggles).
What a great idea for a blog! Have got to share this one!
Thanks Kathryn! Our other bathroom post is #1 when searching on Google. We figured it was time to add more pertinent information! Always appreciate sharing our posts!
Having been to Italy 6 glorious times I have experienced every type of restroom they have. It takes a minute or two to get up the nerve to use the “2 foot spots and a hole in the floor” but when you got to go, you do what you gotta do! I always bring my own supplies while touring and they have come in handy more than once. All of these experiences just add to the memories of your trip to Italy!!
I completly agree Theresa – bringing your own supplies is a smart move. I like your outlook that these experiences enhance the memories. Thanks for sharing!!