On our Italy Travel Facebook page, a reader who just returned from a month in Florence warns that some small, family-run restaurants don't take credit cards so if you want to get away from the tourist restaurants you may need to pay with cash. She stayed in a vacation apartment in Florence's San Frediano neighborhood (across the Arno) and says:
Alla Vecchia Bettola was right around the corner and the fried zucchini flowers were a miracle -- but the place, in keeping with the spirit of historic foods, doesn't take credit cards. It's remarkably difficult to find places to change cash and exchange services are tough on fees. Plus, unlike the past, many regular banks won't change money anymore.
I've found that the easiest way to get cash these days is by using my ATM card in a bancomat, but to avoid problems be sure to call your bank to let them know you'll be using your ATM card (and your credit card) in a foreign country. Read more about Using ATM Cards in Italy and How to Safeguard Your Money.
Need to update your ATM in Italy page. I know we’ve withdrawn 500 Eu in one transaction in May 2010.
That’s interesting. In June 2010, I still couldn’t get more than 250 euro at a time. I’ll check it out again when I’m back in September and will update after I research it a little more.