Do I understand correctly that Italy doesn’t have such long holidays as Russia? I mean the period from December 24 to January 7, and the Easter long weekend. I’m asking because I want to plan being away for a while.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25, New Year’s Day (Capodanno) on January 1 — but there isn’t a holiday stretch until the 7th like in Russia; by January 2–3 everything is already coming back to life. Easter and Easter Monday (Pasquetta) — yes, that’s a short long weekend. But August is a whole different story: in August the whole of Italy pretty much doesn’t work, it’s a long-standing tradition, and cities noticeably empty out.
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Thanks! Is August totally dead, or are any shops and cafés open?
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well, at Ferragosto and for a week or two around August 15 it’s basically dead season; many small bars and shops close with a “chiuso per ferie” sign. in big cities like Rome or Milan chain supermarkets are open and tourist spots too, but local trattorias are often closed. in resort areas it’s the opposite — it’s peak season there, everything’s in full swing.
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In my experience it’s quietest from August 10 to 20; before and after it’s easier to find something open. If you need to sort documents — forget about August altogether: half the staff at the questura (police headquarters) are on ferie (holiday leave) and you won’t get through. For Christmas, by the way, the 26th, Santo Stefano, is a holiday, so you definitely can’t get anything done on the 24th–26th, but from the 27th things slowly start to come back to life.
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On the coast, August is actually the season — everything’s in full swing there.
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April 25 and May 1 also often become long weekends, not just Easter.
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