Rome is preparing for a huge influx of visitors in 2025 due to the Jubilee, a special event in Catholicism that happens every 25 years. In 2025, around 35 million people are expected, compared to just 13 million in 2023. The Jubilee starts on Christmas Eve 2024 and ends on January 6, 2026.
The event will focus on prayer and spiritual reflection, with visitors coming to pass through the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica and other major basilicas. Pope Francis has declared it the Year of Prayer. Pilgrims will travel from all over the world to seek forgiveness and gain a plenary indulgence.
Key Tips for Travelers:
Plan ahead: Accommodation will be in high demand, with Rome’s 400,000 beds likely to fill up fast. Budget travelers may struggle to find places, so book in advance for your hotel or hostel.
Expect a tourist tax: Rome may charge up to €2 more per night on your accommodation fees.
Crowds will be huge, especially around Easter 2025, so avoid those busy times if possible.
Check out the lesser-known sights. Rome has many hidden gems, like churches with Michelangelo and Raphael’s artworks that are free to visit.
With all the preparations underway — including restoring famous works like Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers — Rome will be ready to welcome millions of visitors.
Tips to Enjoy Rome:
Avoid the crowds: Winter months like January and February are quieter and still beautiful.
Explore beyond the tourist crowds: Rome has many fascinating sites outside the big attractions like the Vatican and Colosseum.
Despite the expected crowds, Rome has hosted millions of tourists for centuries, and the 2025 Jubilee will be another historic moment in the city’s rich legacy.