We will be in Rome over Easter - Thursday - Tuesday. I know Sunday and Monday are holidays. Does anyone know if the colosseum/palatine hill/forum are open on either Sunday or Monday?
Will we have problems getting into a restaurant on Easter Sunday? Shall we make reservations for a nice Easter brunch/dinner somewhere - if so - any recommendations? If Monday is a holiday - any recommendations on what to do that day - parents and 3 children (aged 9-13).
Thank you so much in advance!
I was in Rome in 1998 for the days leading up to Easter. We actually left on the train on Easter Day. Yes about making reservations! We expected lots of tourists, but were still shocked at how many. What we realized being there was that there was a huge number of Italian and other European tourists there, besides American and Canadian tourists. Everything was packed.! Trains, buses, restaurants, museums!
It was our first trip to Rome and I have enjoyed subsequent trips much more, avoiding Easter. My sister on the other hand, loved being there at Easter.
I repeat, save yourself some hassle and make some dinner reservations for the nights leading up to Easter and through the holiday.
Have a Great Trip!
Mimi
Does anyone know if the colosseum/palatine hill/forum are open on
either Sunday or Monday?
Yes but you don't want to go on Sunday! State Museums (these three fall into that category) are free on the first Sundays of every month and they'll be mobbed. There are no tickets or tours sold for free Sundays so it involves standing in long, long lines. Go on Monday but order tickets in advance.
Way back in 2005, we arrived in Rome on Easter Sunday afternoon and had a hard time finding an open restaurant near our hotel in the Trastevere. The next day wasn't much better. Nine years later, we made the mistake of arriving in Torino on Easter Sunday, and encountered the same problem. Easter Monday was almost as bad - for open restaurants. Italians take Easter much more seriously than Americans.
Sorry to sound so negative, but you will probably have to look extra hard for open restaurants on Easter Sunday and Monday in Italy.
When we lived in Rome (2012 to 2016), there were plenty of restaurants open for Easter. Easter lunch is a big deal and many Italians dine out, not just tourists. Reservations are essential. We have enjoyed the restaurants in the Ghetto several years.
