Hi everyone, I am considering my first Rick Steves' tour the first week of April, which is also the week before Easter. I realize there will be more crowds than normal, but that isn't a big concern. I think there are positives about being in Rome at this time, with the excitement of Easter/Holy Week. Are there any concerns about sites, shops and/or restaurants being closed during the week? Holy Thursday, Good Friday, etc.? Thanks for your feedback,
Paula
Posted by
King George, VA
26 posts
We were in Rome during Holy Week this year and didn't have any problems with sites, shops or restaurants being closed. We were able to see and do everything we wanted to do. We left on the Saturday before Easter for Tuscany, so I can't comment on anything past Good Friday, but the rest of Holy Week was great!
Posted by
Poulsbo, WA, US
223 posts
You are correct about there being positives... I was able to go to the Holy Thursday service in the Vatican and while I am not Catholic it was a very moving service led by the Pope. Rome in general was pretty busy with tourists etc converging for the holiday but it was only a bit busier than previous years I had been in Rome at different times of the year.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
You will see most local shops closed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, two of the biggest holidays of the year in Rome. Most tourist sites (with the exception of the Vatican Museums) are open.
Posted by
OP
Hackensack, MN, USA
2 posts
Thank you for your responses! Paula
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
We were there Easter week but left the day before Easter. We didn't really care about being near the vatican on Easter. No problems at all that week. I thought crowds would be huge but they were actually pretty reasonable.
Posted by
Sedona
85 posts
We went to the Vatican on Good Friday this year. Not intentionally, our itinerary just worked out that way. We expected the worse but were pleased the crowds were a lot less than we feared. We were into the Vatican (through security) only 15 minutes after we arrived.