Rome on Last Sunday of the Month?

Posted by Bethany (Texas) on 07/20/08 02:56 PM

OK, well, I am planning way in advance for my trip, but this is good because I can still rearrange if things don't work out well. I just noticed that, if I keep the dates I've planned, I'll be in Rome on a Sunday and Monday (and part of Tuesday morning)... the last of the month, no less. I searched and found one thread on Sundays in Rome, but it mostly focused on the availability of alcohol. Since I have no interest in alcohol, does anyone else have suggestions for making the most of that Sunday? I know that the Vatican museums will be free, so I obviously want to avoid those. Anything else I should avoid? (I'll do those things on Monday, I suppose.) Major sights that might be closed on a Sunday? Special things to see or do that only happen on Sundays? I'm Protestant myself, but if there's a church where the Sunday mass is extra special, that could be a great experience.

Thanks!

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

07/20/08 03:28 PM

9222 posts

If you can get Rick's Italy book he lists which sights are closed and opened on which days. Many more things closed on Monday than Sunday actually but mostly museums. All the major sites are open. Maybe this link will help.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A04E4DC143AE63BBC4153DFB0668388669FDE

Posted by RnR

The Hague, NL (AMS)

07/21/08 01:56 AM

2207 posts

Bethany - almost ALL major tourist sites are open on Sunday, the exception being the Vatican Museum, unless you're coming on the last weekend of the month - as you are!

Stores are a different story. Many open late - at 1 PM or 3 PM and some just do not open on Sundays... so shopping would be hit and miss. Restaurant are open.

Most Italians will head to the parks, the beach, and other recreational spots on Sundays. Traffic in the evening returning from the beaches and lakes can be CRAZY!

You can go to almost any of the churches on Sunday for mass.. and there are more than 900 to choose from in Rome!Each is unique in their own way! If you're staying at a hotel I would talk with your concierge or manager to gain insight into a church in your area.

markets are mostly closed in Rome on Sundays - the exception being the "grand-daddy" of them all, Porta Portese, located on about 10-12 blocks in Trastevere. it opens very early and closes in mid-afternoon. Certainly if you like to explore "stuff," this is the place where you can buy almost anything!

We usually pack a picnic lunch, wine, and a couple of books and head for one of the larger parks... Borghese, Ada, or Doria Pamphilj? and enjoy the afternoon and then seek GELATO!! Enjoy your time in Rome!

Ciao,
Ron

Posted by Claire

bergamo

07/21/08 02:22 AM

401 posts

Museums are closed on Mondays so if there are any museums you want to go to (the Borghese, the Doria Pamphili, ecc) you need to plan to do that on Sunday. I second Ron's suggestion of heading to one of the big parks, Villa Borghese, or Villa Pamphili and relax and people watch. Most restaurans are open. Monday is usually the quietest day of the week, but could be a good time to check out the Caravaggio paintings (if you are interested) in San Luigi dei Francesi, San Agostino, and Santa Maria del Popolo, all of which are open Monday morning.

Posted by Bethany OP

Texas

07/21/08 06:42 AM

49 posts

Thanks yall! A park definitely sounds nice!