The Jubilee 2025: A Guide for Worried Travelers

As you may know from previous posts on this website, Rome has been preparing for an extraordinary event in 2025 – the Jubilee, which is now in full swing… or is it?

What’s the latest on the Jubilee?

Media reports might have you concerned about overwhelming crowds and chaos, but we’re here to tell you, just like we did before that there’s no need to be worried – Rome is not as crazy as the news make it out to be!

The reality of the Jubilee’s impact on tourism

Recent developments have actually led to a more manageable situation than originally predicted. First, many tourists who had planned to come to Rome canceled their reservations when they learned of the Jubilee. This has already reduced the number of people in the city.

The unfortunate reality of the pope’s health has also had an impact on the projected numbers of visitors: the Holy See has made adjustments to the calendar of Jubilee-related events, with some of them being cancelled or modified due to Pope Francis’s health concerns.

Post-COVID Tourism Patterns

It’s worth noting that Rome has already successfully navigated the intense post-COVID tourism surge of 2022 and 2023. Current data suggests that these extreme visitor numbers have largely normalized, making 2025’s challenges more manageable than you might think. The city has learned valuable lessons about handling large crowds and implementing effective crowd management strategies.

For instance, the city administration has identified just 19 “red dates” between April and August 2025 when significant crowds are expected. These dates correlate with specific Jubilee events:

• April 5-6, 2025: The Jubilee for the Sick and Health Care Workers
• April 25-27, 2025: The Youth Gathering
• April 28-29, 2025: The Meeting of People with Disabilities
• May 16-18, 2025: The Jubilee of Confraternities
• June 7-8, 2025: The Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities
• July 28-August 3, 2025: The Jubilee for Young People

Why You Shouldn’t Cancel Your Trip

When you look at the bigger picture, these “red dates” represent only a small fraction of the year. That leaves over 340 days when Rome will operate as usual, with its normal tourist patterns. Even during peak seasons like summer and Easter, the city has proven capable of handling large numbers of visitors effectively.

Smart Planning Tips for Your 2025 Rome Visit

Have you booked your holiday in Rome during the dates indicated above? Fear not! Here are some tips to make the most of the Jubilee:

• Book skip-the-line tickets for major attractions in advance
• Visit popular sites early in the morning or later in the afternoon 
• Consider exploring lesser-known attractions during peak times (we list so many under our “Off the beaten path” tag!)

And when major sites are busy or don’t have ticket availability, consider engaging in

• Local food tours and cooking classes
• Evening concerts in historic churches
• Walking tours
• Archaeological sites beyond the Colosseum
• Art workshops or other cultural activities (language classes, movie screenings…)

While the 2025 Jubilee is indeed a significant event for Rome, it’s important to maintain perspective. The city has hosted numerous major events throughout its history, including ancient triumphant processions, invasions, other Jubilees and, indeed, other Jubilees! This Jubilee year will be another chapter in its rich history, and with the right preparation, you can be part of this historic moment while still enjoying all the eternal city has to offer.

The key is to stay informed and remember that Rome’s charm isn’t limited to its most famous attractions. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences come from wandering down a quiet alley, discovering a hidden piazza, or sharing a meal in a neighborhood trattoria far from the crowds.