CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (2024)

Yes, tap water in Italy is save to drink. Italy ranks fifth in Europe for tap water quality [1]. All tap water in Italy ischlorinatedwith the minimum required level being 0.2 mg / liter [2], or in exceptional cases there will be a non potable sign.In this blog we explain more about tap water in Italy.

ITALIAN MINERAL WATER IS SOLD AROUND THE WORLD

Italy is renowned for its many famous mineral waters. However, this has resulted in the rise of water brands. For example San Pellegrino or San Benedetto. Thanks to advertisem*nts, the export of bottled Italian mineral water has increased over the past decade [3].Main export marketsare the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and France. Pretty crazy to transport water all over the world, right?!

CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (1)
CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (2)
CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (3)
CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (4)
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MINERAL WATER IN ITALY

Italians are used to buy six-packs of 1.5 litre plastic bottles of water from the supermarket. Instead of buying bottled mineral water, you can just fill it for free on the street. Interestingly, Italy is full of ancient water fountains. They can be incredibly beautiful, so bring your water bottle and camera! Some public areas have paid refill stations, that serve filtered tap water for 5 to 10 eurocents.

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CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (8)
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TAP WATER IN ITALY – BARS & RESTAURANTS

Bars and restaurants most likely serve bottled water. We recommend you to just try and ask tap water. No one usually does and your waiter might not want to bring it to you, but youcanask for it. [4]. Luckily, some restaurants already serve chilled, filtered tap water (for free or for a small fee). Moreover, Refill Italia tries to map all these refill stations, by adding them to the free Refill app. You can also add yours!

CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (12)
CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (13)
CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (14)

TAP WATER IN ITALY – USEFUL LINKS

CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY? - Refill Ambassadors (2024)

FAQs

Can you drink the tap water in Italy? ›

The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.

Are there places to refill water bottles in Italy? ›

Fountain Water: The country of Italy boasts of many fountains like the Trevi Fountain and the Fountain of the Four Rivers. To avail drinking facility at the fountains, it is recommended to carry an empty bottle that can be refilled at the fountains located in many major streets (nasoni fountain).

Can you drink from fountains in Italy? ›

The answer is yes - you can drink from the fountains in Rome. The water is completely potable, and to be honest, will save you a lot of money on your walking treks around the city.

Why do Italians drink bottled water? ›

Italy ranks first in Europe and second in the world ranking of mineral water consumers. The fact is in Italy, tap water is not always drinkable: in many areas it's only used for washing things and washing youself, which is why we consume so many bottles of water.

Who has the cleanest tap water in the world? ›

  • Switzerland. If you've ever been to Switzerland, it probably won't surprise you that the alpine nation is home to some of the world's cleanest tap water. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • United Kingdom. ...
  • New Zealand. ...
  • Singapore. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • Scandinavia and Finland.
Mar 12, 2019

Who has the best tap water in the world? ›

1. Switzerland. Switzerland is blessed with rich reserves of glacial water, but it's the active efforts of the Swiss government and their strict policies that can be credited with keeping it clean. 80% of Switzerland's tap water comes directly from the ground, whereas 20% is sourced from lakes.

Should I bring a refillable water bottle to Italy? ›

It's important to stay hydrated (and caffeinated) when you're traveling. Rather than spending your hard-earned Euros on bottled water, bring your own and refill it. Whether you go to Rome, Venice or Florence (or all three in this 9-day 7 Wonders of Italy trip) you'll find ample opportunity to keep your bottle full.

Is tap water filtered in Italy? ›

Do you need a water filter in Italy? In most of Italy you can drink the tap water as it is. However, if you are concerned about the taste, contaminants from the local pipes or don't trust your local water provider then a water filter is a good and cheap solution.

Is water free at restaurants in Italy? ›

In Italy, don't shock your waiter by asking for tap water

Not so, as you should never ask for free tap water in restaurants. As Fodors explains, usually, you'll be offered a bottle of still (naturaleor liscia) or sparkling (frizzante or gassata).

Can you drink the hotel water in Italy? ›

Yes. Tap water in Italy is safe to drink. There are a number of free drinking fountains around Pisa which you can drink from.

Can you drink the water in the Trevi Fountain? ›

Don't drink the water. Although the water from the Trevi Fountain comes from one of Rome's most storied aqueducts, all those coins make it less than palatable.

What do drinking fountains look like in Italy? ›

Most nasoni share a design in the shape of a column. The form of the water spout varies but most nasoni have a metal spout protruding at mid-height which looks like a nose and gives the fountains their name "large noses". Other designs include wolf-heads, dragons and lions.

Why is coffee served with water in Italy? ›

This tradition has its origins in the ancient Italian coffee roasters, in which water was served to customers before they tasted the coffee. The roasters, in fact, wanted customers to appreciate all the aromatic nuances of coffee without having the taste of other foods previously eaten.

How to get free water in Italy? ›

Italians are used to buy six-packs of 1.5 litre plastic bottles of water from the supermarket. Instead of buying bottled mineral water, you can just fill it for free on the street. Interestingly, Italy is full of ancient water fountains. They can be incredibly beautiful, so bring your water bottle and camera!

Why do Italians put water bottles outside? ›

To deter stray animals: It's believed that the reflection of the sun on the water in the bottles scares off stray cats and dogs. Some people believe that the water amplifies the animals' own reflection, frightening them and discouraging them from marking territory.

Why do restaurants in Italy not serve tap water? ›

If you ask for the tap stuff, some waiters will simply refuse. And this isn't because the restaurant is trying to fleece you or because water from the tap is bad — Italians will drink it at home. Rather, it's because the water in Italy tends to be mineral-rich, making it hard.

Should I take a water bottle to Italy? ›

It's important to stay hydrated (and caffeinated) when you're traveling. Rather than spending your hard-earned Euros on bottled water, bring your own and refill it. Whether you go to Rome, Venice or Florence (or all three in this 9-day 7 Wonders of Italy trip) you'll find ample opportunity to keep your bottle full.

Can I drink the tap water in Venice? ›

In conclusion, drinking tap water in Venice is generally safe and meets high-quality standards. The city's water supply system, sourced from the Venetian Lagoon, undergoes comprehensive treatment processes to ensure its safety.

Can you drink tap water in Italy Amalfi Coast? ›

Italian tap water is safe to drink, but...

If you want to buy bottled water, glass bottles are preferable as they won't add to plastic waste. However, you don't have to: you won't get sick from drinking tap water in Italy.

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