We are going to be in Rome on May 4-6 this year. May 5 is our 1 full day in Rome and it's "Free Sunday" which means we can't book any thickets in advance. Any advice on the best use of our time or any way to avoid a long queue? Our flight gets in midday on the 4th. Should we do the Colosseum that afternoon instead of trying to get in on Free Sunday? Please help! We've never been and really want to make the most of our time before carrying on to our next stop! :) Thank you!
Posted by
San Jose
1194 posts
I’d avoid the lines and go to Domus Aurea (Nero’s Pleasure Palace). It’s only open to the public on weekends because the nearby auto traffic is less. It is not one of the free sites.
Posted by
New York, NY
1586 posts
You can go to a Roman ruin called Ostia Antica for a day trip. It is just a short train ride from Rome.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/ostia-antica-near-rome
Posted by
Phoenix🌵
3120 posts
We booked Eating Italy Rome Sunday Tour for the same Sunday 5/5. Walking tour + brunch.
https://www.eatingeurope.com/rome-food-tours/rome-sunday-tour/
I justed checked, Domus Aurea tickets are not available for May yet. Available ticket dates stop at the end of March.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I would avoid the Colosseum on a free Sunday, so imo visiting on your arrival afternoon would be better. The Colosseum ticket includes the Forum and Palatine Hill, and you could explore them afterwards. Many people find it best to be outside and active on their arrival day to mitigate jet lag, which is another reason to go with that option.
Keep in mind that a surprising number of major sights in Rome are not state-owned and thus not free on free Sunday (unless they're always free). The Capitoline Museum is city-owned and not free that Sunday. The National Museum should be free but not overcrowded. Even the Forum and Palatine Hill aren't overrun on a free Sunday the way the Colosseum is. If you plan wisely, there are plenty of sights in Rome you can see on a free Sunday without long queues.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
I'm just going to ask - have you got current, up to date information on 'Free Museum' dates? The culture minister shook things up in August 2018 by stating the 1st Sunday of the month free state wide museum days would end. There are now 20 free days in the 2019 year, but it is up to the museum to decide what dates they want to offer it
https://www.thelocal.it/20181114/italy-introduces-20-free-museum-days-per-year
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/20-free-days-in-italian-museums-in-2019.html
So, you will want to be checking each site closer to dates to ensure you know what they have decided.
In the past, you could still reserve Borghese Gallery gallery for this day. Free entry + 2E booking fee; so you could still avoid the lines.
If Colosseum is a high priority, I would be there 45 minutes prior to opening (8:30a.m.). Or grab a nap after the flight and go for 4:30 on the 4th.
You need to prioritize your list, ensure you know their times of entry, utilize early morning and late in the day for (slightly) less crowds. If all your priority sites are free that Sunday, then you are going to have to alter the list, or plan to stand in line.
Posted by
Chicago
2123 posts
Absolutely book dinner reservations for Sunday night in advance. Off-season, I know that some restaurants close on Sundays. Maybe more will be open on Sundays in May, but I wouldn't count on it. We traveled 2 years ago February, booked a few days ahead of a Sunday night at Pizzeria Emma near Campo de' Fiori, owned by the Roscioli family. Had a fabulous, casual meal. Best spaghetti alla carbonara I've ever tasted.