Could someone tell me more about each of these holidays— what’s open/closed, impact on trains, restaurants, museums, etc? Impact on major cities (Rome, Florence) vs smaller cities? What to expect and plan around, etc.
Thank you!
Posted by
Washington DC
28249 posts
I've never been in Italy on one of those holidays, but as it happens I did some research yesterday because a friend is heading over on April 22. It was a recent post on this forum that got me started down the path. Perhaps these high-level notes will help you:
April 25 -- Liberation Day.
Apparently many businesses will close but museums will generally remain open. In the past some (all?) national museums have been free on that day--though potentially very crowded. This website will (I assume) eventually have a complete list of places to be free on April 25.
The participating spots in the Veneto region (none of the biggies in Venice) are already listed, but there's no info for Rome and Florence yet.
If you want to see what was free last year, the list is still online. Choose the appropriate region to key in on the area where you'll be on April 25:
Ministry of Culture list of museums free on April 25, 2022
May 1 -- Labor Day
This major holiday falls on a Monday this year. Lots of sights will be closed; I've seen May 1 shown as a day of closure on museum websites when I was looking for other information. You'll need to check all the places you want to go, and pickings may be slim. Any traditional attractions that are open may be really swamped. If the less-famous churches are open, they would be a good option.
This online article has information about a few specific sights in Rome (which I'd want to verify on the official websites, though I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the info):
https://www.romewise.com/rome-events-in-may.html
I found that article by Googling open in Rome May 1. That might be effective for other cities.
Posted by
755 posts
I was in Italy last year for both holidays and everything was open (tourist sights and restaurants) and trains were running and there were people everywhere! Italians like to get out and about on their holidays and it was very very crowded.
Posted by
3465 posts
I have managed to be in Italy for Liberation Day twice. The first time, we were in Bologna for the day back in 2014. The museum we wanted to visit was open, and we had no problem finding a place to eat, but the street scene was close to chaotic - a woman tried to pick my husband's pocket, and a few minutes later a mime tried to steal his hat.
We were enjoying the Amalfi Coast on April 25, 2022. The coastal road was congested, but most businesses seemed to be open.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Trains between cities run 365 days a year in Italy, on holydays on a reduced schedule. You can check how much reduced it is on trenitalia.com and italotreno.it
Metro, trams and buses run on a very reduced schedule. In some cities They could stop running very early on May 1 or begin service later than usual.
Taxi drivers do not go on Holiday when there are money to make, like souvenirs shops and restaurants on the tourists' path.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7236 posts
We were in Rome last April 25 (Monday) and in Florence May 1 (Sunday). I don't recall anything being closed.
It was super crowded everywhere- especially Florence. Seems like it's a very popular time for school trips and just locals having time off in general.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16135 posts
Nothing closes in the tourist areas of major cities like Rome or Florence, and also in heavily touristy towns.
For museums check the individual websites, but they are mostly open as well.
Trains operate, but buses not so much, so they are not good days to take day trips out of town if it requires using buses.