I'm planning to take my family to Italy next year, probably in September. I just read an article saying that the Vatican is having a year-long Jubilee which is expected to bring 35 million pilgrims to Rome. It talked about a shortage of lodging, crowded attractions and encourage regular tourist to look elsewhere for 2025 travel. I had not heard this prior to starting my planning for our trip, but I thought someone here had more information, or could confirm this is true. Thanks.
Jim
Yes, Rome is preparing for a year-long Jubilee and is expecting to be even busier than normal. September, BTW, is already a high-season month. But I haven't seen anyone here say not to go; just get the ducks in a row and reservations nailed down as soon as possible. Heck, we're seeing posters on this forum already well along in their plans for Italy in 2025, including Rome.
Just a few previous threads on the subject:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/2025-vatican-jubilee-an-estimated-35-million-pilgrims-expected
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/2025-italy
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/italy-2025-jubilee-year-would-you-still-go
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/holy-year-in-rome
Quite right, Kate.
Ordinarily, for an April 2025 trip to Italy, I would have waited until October at the earliest to start booking, in order to try and snag the best airfares. But I started booking air, hotel, AirBnB's and tours starting in July and I'm pretty well buttoned up now except for the odd tour or two and my Trenitalia tickets, which can't be booked until 4 months out--mid-December. We'll hit Florence April 2, Rome the 6th, Salerno the 10th and Taormina the 13th, and I'm expecting it to be busier than normal, especially in Rome.
Encouraging tourists to look elsewhere. That says a lot. If every hotel is full, what about the streets and attractions?
When I was in Rome in May 2024, there were alot of construction projects going on so that Rome will be "pretty" for the 2025 Jubilee.
If you plan to visit the Vatican in 2025, I suggest that you look up the Jubilee schedule on the Vatican website and use that information strategically. I plan to go to Italy in spring of 2025; a dear friend has never been to Italy, and this is when she can go. According to the Vatican website, there will be special Jubilee days for specific groups, for example women, medical personnel, and (when I will be there) "entrepreneurs!" I understand that those special days will have many many people of that group from around the world all entering St. Peter's together, through the special door only opened for Jubilee years. Thus, I figured my friend and I will plan to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's on a day when a Jubilee special day is not scheduled. For our visit in May, there is only one day without a Jubilee special day, so that's when we will plan our Vatican visit.
