Here’s How to How to Survive the Vatican Jubilee if You Visit Rome in 2025

Tourists who unknowingly booked a trip during the Jubilee year may be wondering whether the city still worth visiting, or if rescheduling would be the wiser move. As a local who’s lived in Rome since 2017 and worked in tourism throughout that time, I know there are a number of ways to make the most of your trip despite the added excitement and challenges the city is sure to face during the year-long Vatican Jubilee.

Book ahead – far ahead

In a normal year, I recommend booking accommodations in Rome about six months in advance, guided tours two to three months ahead, and restaurant reservations one to two weeks before your trip. For high-demand restaurants, it’s ideal to reserve your space 30 days in advance (or whenever reservations open). If you’re staying at high-end hotels, the concierge may be able to assist in securing them.

But in 2025, forget those timelines. Once your trip dates are set, lock in your must-do activities and make reservations immediately, particularly for high-demand attractions like the Colosseum and the Vatican Museum.

With very few exceptions, guided tours in Rome will be bookable well in advance of your trip, and 2025 dates will likely fill up quickly. When possible, book directly with tour operators, rather than sites like Viator or GetYourGuide. In recent years, ticketing has changed at the Vatican and Colosseum to prevent bots from purchasing all the tickets. Now, every single ticket needs to have the guests’ first and last names. Third-party platforms skirt this by allowing a large number of tickets to be purchased before the tour operators have secured them, which can result in cancellations later on, often at the very last minute. Individual tour operators can book specific tickets with your name and information on them, making them less likely to be canceled.

For some attractions, you can book your tickets directly with the business, and you’ll want to set a reminder or alarm to secure them on the first available date. For example, for unguided entry to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, you can book directly through the websites 30 days in advance.

For restaurants, check out Italian reservation apps like The Fork and Quandoo to secure a table during your trip, but keep in mind that some Roman restaurants only accept bookings by phone or through their reservation system on their websites. Be sure to visit the restaurant’s website directly to check on its booking process. Again, hotels and lodging hosts can often assist.

Stay outside the historic center

While it’s tempting to stay in the heart of Rome, the historic center’s constant influx of tourists can wear down even the most patient traveler. Instead, consider one of these more laid-back neighborhoods, offering a calmer home base while maintaining easy access to the city’s top sights. If you prefer to stay close to the action, don’t worry: the neighborhoods below are still plenty lively, but will allow you to experience a more local side of the city.

Monti

Nestled between the Colosseum and Termini Station, Monti is a hip neighborhood with cobblestone streets, vintage shops, and trendy bars. Its central location offers easy access to major landmarks, but its low-key piazzas and artisan boutiques give it a more local, intimate vibe. It’s still extremely central, with the Colosseum marking its southern border.

Trastevere

Trastevere is a picturesque neighborhood known for its narrow, winding streets and vibrant energy. While it’s home to lively nightlife and some fantastic local restaurants (but beware of tourist traps!), its location just across the river from the main attractions makes it feel like a retreat from the crowded city center.

If you don’t want to be in the thick of the evening revelers, look for accommodation near Piazza San Cosimato, a more tranquil spot towards the back of Trastevere.

Salario

A quieter, more residential district, Salario provides a peaceful escape from Rome’s bustling tourist areas. With charming cafes and easy access to the expansive Villa Borghese park — a must-visit on your trip to Rome — it’s perfect for those looking to experience the authentic, everyday side of Roman life.

Prati

Near Vatican City, Prati offers a more upscale, refined atmosphere often overlooked by tourists. The elegant neighborhood has wide, tree-lined streets, fantastic shopping, and less touristy restaurants. It borders Vatican City to the west, making it ideal for visitors who want to stay close to the Holy See without being in the thick of the crowds. It’s also worth noting that Prati is a large neighborhood with spacious streets and sidewalks, which helps prevent it from feeling too congested.

Visit less-frequented sites and museums

While a trip to Rome would be incomplete without visiting iconic sites like the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, and many more, the city is teeming with lesser-known sights, museums, and art galleries well worth the visit. Exploring these attractions can deepen your experience beyond the usual tourist route and provide a much-needed respite from the crowds.

The Doria Pamphilj Gallery

The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is hidden in plain sight, on Via del Corso just a few steps from Piazza Venezia. The gallery is the former palace of the Doria Pamphilj family — the same family that lends its name to Rome’s largest park in the city’s Monteverde neighborhood. The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is filled with luxurious furnishings and decor collected beginning in the 1600s, providing a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of one of the city’s most well-known families. The gallery showcases an impressive collection of art, including masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian.

Doria Pamphilj Gallery: Via del Corso, 305, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Palazzo Altemps

One of four sites that make up the National Roman Museum, Palazzo Altemps is an aristocratic mansion in the fairly central neighborhood of Campo Marzio. It sits just steps from Piazza Navona, the most well-known public square in Rome.

While the architecture of the palace itself makes it worth the visit, visitors can also explore an intricate labyrinth of decorated rooms showcasing ancient sculptures, including pieces from some of the most-well known collections in Europe spanning different periods of Roman art history. That includes the Mattei Collection, with sculptures that once adorned the grand Villa Celimontana on one of Rome’s famous seven hills, as well as art from the Del Drago Collection, known for 15th-century reliefs that were nearly lost to illegal exporting. You’ll also see historical items, like the Ludovisi Throne, dating to 460 BCE.

You’ll likely get the most bang for your buck by buying in advance a combined ticket, which includes admission to each of the National Roman Museum sites over a seven-day period: Terme di Diocleziano, Palazzo Massimo, and Palazzo Altemps. It normally also includes the Crypta Balbi, but it’s currently closed for ongoing renovation work. It’s expected to reopen before the Vatican Jubilee, but no official date has been announced as of October 2024.

Palazzo Altemps: Piazza di Sant’Apollinare, 46, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Palazzo Bonaparte

Palazzo Bonaparte is in the heart of Rome, just two minutes down the road from the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, and hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions. The stunning palace is steeped in history and was once the residence of Napoleon’s mother, Letizia Bonaparte. Visitors can admire both the architectural beauty of the building, as well as the rotating art and cultural exhibits.

Palazzo Bonaparte: Piazza Venezia, 5, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art

Modern and contemporary art lovers, rejoice! The National Gallery is home to an extensive collection of Italian and international art from the 19th to the 21st centuries. The large gallery has the biggest modern art collection in Italy, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and installations from Neoclassicism to impressionism, futurism, and beyond. It has art from Italian artists such as Umberto Boccioni and Antonio Canova, as well as other well-known creatives like Jackson Pollock, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and many more.

The National Gallery: Viale delle Belle Arti, 131, 00197 Roma RM, Italy

If possible, avoid official Vatican Jubilee event dates

The Jubilee spans from December 24, 2024, to January 6, 2026, but certain event dates and weekends are expected to be more crowded than others. (There’s a full list of events on the Vatican Jubilee website). The most crowded is usually the opening of the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 24, 2024. It’s a highly coveted event, with crowds compounded by the fact that Rome usually sees large numbers of visitors over the holiday season.

In addition to the door opening at St. Peter’s, the three other Papal basilicas in Rome — the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls — will also experience an increase in visitors. Each of the four basilicas has its own Holy Door, and entering through them is believed to be the pilgrim’s chance for spiritual renewal and a way to forgive most atonement for sins. The Holy Doors are opened only during a Jubilee year, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many.

Enjoy your trip

If you’re visiting Rome in 2025, being prepared and setting realistic expectations is key to enjoying your time during the Vatican Jubilee. With careful planning and a willingness to explore beyond the typical tourist spots, you can experience the city’s complex history and authentic culture without letting the crowds ruin your experience. But don’t worry if you aren’t able to visit all the sites you’d like to see. No matter how busy it gets, Rome’s charm and beauty ensure it’s a magical destination that will always beckon a second (or tenth) visit. You’ll never run out of things to do.