Can I buy a site guidebook?
gui-DA — the 'ui' glide. Stress on second syllable.
Ask at the ticket office, gift shop or bookshop within the site. A good guidebook enhances both the visit and your Italian vocabulary. Many Italian archaeological sites have excellent bilingual publications.
Italian archaeological sites usually have a bookshop ('libreria' or 'bookshop') selling official site guides, children's books, scholarly publications and souvenirs. The Electa and Mondadori publishing houses produce high-quality site guides. Maps ('piante') are often free at the entrance.
C'è una cartina del sito?
Is there a map of the site?
Maps are usually free — always take one at the entrance.
Hanno una guida anche in inglese?
Do they have a guide in English too?
Major sites have multilingual publications.
C'è un'app per il sito?
Is there an app for the site?
Many Italian sites now have official apps with AR features.
The Electa publishing house, founded in Milan in 1945, is the official publisher for most of Italy's major museums and archaeological sites. Their guides are scholarly yet accessible — a genuine Italian cultural institution in publishing form.