We will be in Rome from the morning of April 27th, leaving "The Eternal City" the morning of May 7th. I'm figuring the weekend of May 1st will be packed, but how about the week preceding Mayday and the week following. Can't change the times.....so any suggestions from travelers that have been there during this time? Appreciate the information, as always
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
I don't think you will notice much of a difference on May 1. The Vatican Museum will be closed. There is a huge free concert at Piazza San Giovanni every year but the rest of the sights should not see a big jump in attendance.
Posted by
bergamo
401 posts
This year your lucked out as the two big holidays, April 25th and May 1st fall on weekends, so no one can do "the bridge" where if the holiday falls say on a Wednesday people take the rest of the week off. However Saturday is seen as a work day in Italy and on May 1st the schools will be closed along with some offices so you might see more Italian tourists in Rome that weekend, but at that time of year Rome in general is starting to get pretty crowded.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
1170 posts
I was in Rome, May 1 last year and afterward this year. I can say that May 1 is a very busy tourist day, and most that I encountered were Italian. Look for long lines at any public toilet (if you can find one). The Colosseum and Forum were closed on May 1, but the road leading past them (Via dei Foro Imperiali) was closed to traffic and there was a festival atmosphere. Most, if not all, of the national museums should be open. Things are usually back to normal after May 1. I can't speak for the week before May 1, but if Easter comes late in April, I'm sure it can be a busy week also. Easter is April 4, 2010 so that should not be a problem for you. Have fun!