Italy by campervan: food and supermarkets
Where to buy food in Italy, which supermarkets to use, opening hours and practical tips for eating on the road. What to know before you go.
Published 18 September 2026Last checked 18 September 2026
Currency
Euro
EUR. Cards must be accepted, any amount
Language
Italian
German is co-official in South Tyrol
Driving
Right
Motorway 130 km/h, 100 km/h over 3.5 t
Power
230V, type F and L
Italy keeps its own three-pin plug
Tap water
Safe to drink
Ask for acqua del rubinetto
Emergency
112
Any language. ACI breakdown 803 116
Food and shops
Food and shops
Shop opening hours were fully liberalised in Italy in 2011, so a supermarket open on a Sunday is normal rather than lucky. The chains you will see are Conad, Coop, Esselunga in the north, Carrefour, and the two discounters, Eurospin and Lidl. A 2026 Altroconsumo survey of 1,158 stores put Eurospin cheapest by a wide margin, with Lidl second among the discounters.
Where to shop
- Best value: Eurospin or Lidl.
- Full range: Coop or Conad.
- Camper access: Use an Ipercoop, Conad Superstore or other retail-park branch outside historic centres.
Supermarkets, and what each one is for
| Chain | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eurospin | The cheapest weekly shop in Italy by a clear margin in the 2026 Altroconsumo survey. Own label almost throughout. | Discount format, edge of town, easy parking |
| Lidl | Second cheapest discounter. The most familiar layout if you are coming from northern Europe. | Dense across the whole country |
| Conad | The biggest network, from village shops to hypermarkets. Spazio Conad own label rated best value among branded chains in 2026. | The one you find in small towns |
| Coop | Strong on fresh produce and regional products. Cooperative, so prices are steady rather than promotional. | Strongest in the centre and the north |
| Esselunga | The best food halls in Italy. More expensive. | Lombardy, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Lazio |
Eating out without getting it wrong
- Al banco or al tavolo. A coffee standing at the counter is cheaper than the same coffee at a table, and both prices must be on display. On a piazza in Venice or Rome the table price can be several times the counter price.
- The coperto is legitimate. A per-person cover charge is normal and must appear on the menu. A charge that is not printed anywhere is not.
Stocking the campervan
- Buy olive oil, tomatoes, pasta, coffee and wine here. They cost a fraction of what they do north of the Alps.
- Gas is the awkward one. Italian refill bottles are a national system and not interchangeable with German or French ones. Refillable LPG tanks and the Italian bottle exchange at petrol stations and hardware shops are the practical routes.
