We are planning a one week trip to Rome. We arrive on Christmas Day. Will anything be open that week? Restaurants? St Peters, Vatican Museum, Forum, Colosseum, San Clemente, Borghese Gallery? What about transportation: trains, buses, taxis? Does anyone know if there is a Christmas DAY mass at the Vatican? Thanks, Cyd
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
46 posts
We spent last Christmas in Rome. On Christmas day, not a lot of the sights are open but buses, metro, and taxis were running ( I don't know about trains, I didn't take one this trip). Restaurants, and all the sights and museums were open that week. We didn't have a problem getting in anywhere. Restuarants are open on Christmas and New Years Eve, not all of them but more than enough. Getting dinner on New Years Eve was more of a problem than Christmas becuase a lot of Roman families go out to elaborate multiple course meals on New Years Eve, restaurants typically have one seating and a fixed menu including wine. The prices were a bit steep for our budget but I'm sure the experience would have been amazing. If you're interested, try to make reservations early. I know there is a papal blessing on Christmas day but I'm not sure about the mass, you may want to contact the North American College, they helped us attend the Christmas Eve mass.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
We were also in Rome last Christmas. Since all of the (fee) sites that we wanted to see were closed on Christmas, we just wandered around, looking at churches (which were closed during the afternoon for awhile...siesta or something such) and outdoor attractions like the Forum. We had no problems finding open restaurants. I went to each place's own website (Borghese Gallery,etc.) and each listed their individual holiday hours and closings. This is the website for info on the Pope and tickets:
http://www.santasusanna.org/