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La Passeggiata – An evening stroll in Italy.
La Passeggiata is very real. Late afternoon/early evening, young and old, friends, families, multi-generational family groups and singles are all out walking. Walking dogs on leads, leading young children by the hand, pushing strollers, slowly strolling, arm in arm, visiting, eating, kissing, admiring window displays, and often clogging the wide pedestrian zones. No one is in a hurry. Bicyclists and wheelchairs are in the crowds as well as the ever present street vendors.
In Italian culture, there’s so much wonderful family tradition and time reserved for certain times of the day that are custom if not a typical part of Italian lifestyle and daily ritual. La Passeggiata is one of those daily rituals that Italians and everyone visiting Italy should really enjoy – just taking some time late in the day to relax and walk through the pedestrian streets, greeting old friends, window shopping or just wander aimlessly connecting with people and celebrating the end of a wonderful day in Italy.
Definition of the Italian Word Passeggiata: From Wikipedia
As evening falls and the harsh sun inches out of the your favorite piazza, an evening ritual is bound to begin, the Italian tradition of passeggiata, a gentle stroll (slow! think slow!) through the main streets of the old town, usually in the pedestrian zones in the centro storico (the historic center) or along the lungomare if you’re by the sea.
Italians tend to dress up for passeggiata, and tourists are usually easy to spot in their shorts and day packs.
Older folks sit along the route, on a bench or nursing a beer or a glass of wine in the bar, and watching for things to gossip about; la passeggiata is where new romances and new babies are on display as well as new shoes. Folks of all ages take part in the passeggiata, from the youngest babies being pushed in their strollers to the oldest members of the community who take it all in from the sidelines.
During passeggiatta, is the time to see and be seen, catch up with old friends, and make good impressions on new ones. If you want a real taste of Italian life, join in the evening passeggiata and either stroll along or find a bench or bar where you can take in the scene.
In every city and town, during the early evening time, it’s a must do event, even for tourists. It is so very easy, interesting, exciting and costs “niente”!
Sometimes I join in the evening stroll and sometimes I just sit and watch.
…love the passeggiata!
Yes, it is a very nice tradition.
One of my favorite past times in Italy! I love to watch and listen to families and friends enjoy each other.
Yes Susan, I really do enjoy watching the families and friends meeting up and greeting each other as they walk. I can watch for hours and I do.
Great way to end the daylight hours and take the time to meet and greet people which seems to be disappearing in the big cities of Oz.
Yes Gail, it would be a wonderful ritual for us to enjoy here. There are many Italian traditions that would be so nice here in Aus
La passeggiata is so much fun! Plus if you walk enough….you can eat more!
Great idea Cristina. Yeah, love the passeggiata
La passeggiata was fabulous in Naples for me, it felt like a safe way to be out and strolling around in the evening where i was a bit freaked out at other times. All the families, women and children was a really nice environment.
I have experienced it in many cities and villages around Italy and it always feels safe, and of course FUN
Love this time of the day there. Only last week I enlightened people in my beginner’s class about it :) Great post!
Thanks Ishita. It is such a beautiful civilized thing to do hey.
Delightful – that would be a wonderful thing to do here in spring & autumn.
Absolutely Kay. I would love it. But our suburbs are not really set up for it.
What an interesting blog. Sounds wonderful to be a part of. Thank you as always for your story and beautiful photos. Xx
Thanks Leah. It is a wonderful way to finish the day, every day xx
La Passeggiata is a fantastic concept. It is exercise, social, fun and family time all rolled into one.
Yes George, it ticks all the boxes. I have enjoyed it in many places around Italy from big cities to tiny little villages.
One of my favorites as well! Between the Italian doors and the passeggiatas, it seems we have much in common!
We love Italy, it says it all. Thanks
Interesting custom.
and fun. Great concept.
so interesting, thank you!
And thank you for your comment and for following my blog
Totally agreed! Passeggiate are a great part of Italian culture.
It’s a really great way to finish the day. Thanks for stopping by my blog
Of course! Thanks to you!
When I was a teenager la passeggiata on Saturday afternoon in my birthplace , Pistoia, was the best way to meet teens as me & know new ones and of course… fall in love with someone at first sight!😂😂😂great times!
It is a fantastic custom, I love it and wish we had it here in Australia. Thanks for your comment Lyn