I know Rick's guide book says some closures on April 25/ May 1 due to holidays. Can anyone advise to what degree closures would be? If we were in Rome on April 25, Would we have a hard time finding things to do or a place to eat? Or is it less impact in the larger cities?
Posted by
Washington DC
27216 posts
Major museums are usually pretty good about listing the days they will be closed on their websites. Checking some of the key sites you want to visit in Rome might relieve your mind to some degree, though it would be a good idea to check again closer to the dates in question to be sure you've configured your sightseeing plans as well as possible.
Posted by
Milan, Italy
290 posts
Almost all museums in Italy are closed on May 1st. April 25th depends on the museum, but there are more chances they will be open.
Posted by
Washington DC
27216 posts
Oops. May 1 is a Monday, a common closing day in Italy. I have occasionally seen (though it may not have been in Italy) sites that were closed on Mondays except when that was a holiday, so I still feel like it would be worthwhile to check site websites.
There's no sign that Ostia Antica will be open. The Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli will be closed on May 1 but apparently not on April 25.
I think you can freely access the Appian Way, though I assume the visitor center will be closed.
The Non-Catholic Cemetery is quite interesting and nice to visit in good weather. Its website says it is open 9 AM - 1 PM on holidays (last entry at 12:30), but there's a pop-up showing total closure for several days during the Christmas/New Year period, so it would be important to check back for similar exceptional closures around April 25 and May 1.
The official website for the Pantheon indicates that it will be open:
"Monday-Saturday: 9.00-19.30
Sunday: 9.00 - 18.00
Midweek Holidays: 9.00 - 13.00
Closed: January 1, December 25"I wouldn't be surprised to find most of the major churches open on the holidays. For example, the websites for St. Peter's Basilica and Santa Maria in Trastevere indicate those churches are open daily. A spot check of a few others found the same.
Piazzas and fountains are always open.
I assume the Tiber River trips will be running.
I think you'll be fine if you just plan in advance to see places like museums on other days.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15259 posts
May 1 is a major closure day for everything (museums, offices, stores).
Restaurants and bars are likely open.
April 25 is less observed by stores and others.
That is the busiest week in Rome as many Italians are off and visit the Eternal City, so I count you will get hotel reservations early.