Where to Find an English-Speaking Pharmacy in Rome and how to get there
- tscheiman
- May 4
- 3 min read
Where to Find an English-Speaking Pharmacy in Rome
And How to Get There Without Stress When Your Child Is Sick
Traveling with a baby or toddler is an adventure. Traveling with a sick baby in a foreign country? That’s a whole different story. I’ll never forget the moment our son developed a fever on our second night in Rome. It was 8:30 PM. The nearby pharmacy was closed. And we were in a city where we didn’t speak the language, had no idea which medicine to ask for, and didn’t want to carry a flushed, half-asleep child through the streets looking for help.
So if you're reading this in advance — you're already doing something smart. This guide covers where to find English-speaking pharmacies in Rome, what medications are commonly used for children in Italy, and — most importantly — how to get there calmly and safely when your child really needs you to hold it all together.
Are There English-Speaking Pharmacies in Rome?
Yes, absolutely — though not all pharmacies (called “Farmacia”) will have English-speaking staff, especially in more residential areas. That said, most central locations and tourist-heavy zones do, and pharmacists in Rome are often used to helping travelers, even if their English is basic.
The good news? You don’t need a prescription for basic over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol (Tylenol), ibuprofen, oral rehydration, or baby teething gel.
When You Don’t Want to Wander: Why We Took a Taxi
On the night we needed medicine, we could have walked 15–20 minutes to a late-night pharmacy. But with a fussy, feverish baby in the stroller and 30°C heat at night, we booked a taxi with a child seat from TaxiBambino.com. It arrived in minutes and dropped us right outside the door — no navigating dark alleys, no metro stairs, no wondering whether the place was even open.
We were in and out in 10 minutes. Our son never woke up.
Trust me: when you're holding a toddler who's sick or finally asleep, the last thing you want to do is jostle through buses or guess your way through Google Maps.
Reliable Pharmacies That Speak English in Rome
Here are a few we used or researched — especially good for travelers:
Farmacia Internazionale – Spanish Steps
📍 Via della Croce, 19🕒 Open daily, late hours✅ English spoken, good range of baby products and medicine
Farmacia Vaticana – Near the Vatican
📍 Just outside Vatican walls (ID may be required to enter)🕒 Open Monday–Saturday✅ Professional staff, good prices, but not always easy access for tourists
Farmacia Comunale Termini – Termini Station
📍 Inside Termini train station🕒 Open 24/7✅ Very accessible, English usually spoken, ideal for emergencies
Farmacia Medica – Campo de’ Fiori
📍 Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 330🕒 Open daily✅ Helpful with kids’ needs, stroller access
You can also search "farmacia 24h Roma" on Google Maps to find the closest open pharmacy at any time of day or night.
Common Children’s Medications in Italy
Here’s a quick list of names for over-the-counter medicines you might need for your child, and what they’re called in Italian pharmacies:
Need | Brand Name (Italy) | Equivalent |
Fever / Pain | Tachipirina (drops/syrup/suppository) | Paracetamol / Tylenol |
Fever / Inflammation | Nurofen bambini (syrup) | Ibuprofen |
Diarrhea / Gut health | Enterogermina | Probiotic |
Oral rehydration | Humana Elettrolit / Reidrata | Pedialyte |
Cough | Grintuss bambini | Natural cough syrup |
Teething / Gums | Alovex dentizione | Baby gum relief |
Always ask: “È per un bambino piccolo” (It’s for a small child), and show your child’s age if needed. Pharmacists will help with dosage and format (syrup, drops, suppository).
What to Bring to the Pharmacy (Besides a Calm Voice)
We found it helpful to bring:
A screenshot of the medicine name in Italian
Our son’s passport or ID, just in case (especially at Vatican pharmacy)
A short written list of symptoms, in case of language gaps
Our insurance card, even if just for reassurance
Most pharmacies take credit cards and will give you a receipt for insurance claims if needed.
Final Thoughts: Calm Parents, Happy Kids (Eventually)
You can’t always avoid fevers or upsets while traveling. But you can avoid the panic. Knowing where to go and how to get there quickly — with your child secure and safe — makes all the difference.
Whether you’re dealing with a midnight fever, an empty box of teething drops, or just trying to find the right SPF 50 baby sunscreen, Rome’s pharmacies are helpful, accessible, and used to supporting families.
🚖 Need to get to a pharmacy quickly and safely with your child?Book a taxi with a child seat at TaxiBambino.com — and let someone else handle the directions while you focus on your little one.
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