Planning a trip to Italy this year? You¡¯re likely going to have to consider your plans a bit more than in previous years, as this one¡¯s special: it¡¯s the Jubilee Year, a Roman Catholic religious event that¡¯s held once every 25 years.?

And because it¡¯s a special event, it¡¯s expected to draw an estimated 25 million visitors to participate in Rome¡¯s religious rites and celebrations, creating 90 percent occupancy rates at area hotels and ensuring travelers who don¡¯t plan ahead to purchase tickets for iconic attractions will find it pretty much impossible to access them.?

What is the 2025 Jubilee Year?

Crowds on Via de'l Lucchesi near the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy. (Photo Credit: Philip Mallis / Flickr)

The Jubilee Year is a religious holiday celebrated by Roman Catholics. During the year, a whole calendar of events in Rome and at the Vatican promise times for Papal Masses and audiences, pilgrimages to sites like the Holy Stairs and St. Peter¡¯s Basilica and other experiences for the faithful.?

It began on December 24, 2024, when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter¡¯s Basilica, through which 32 million pilgrims are expected to pass through this year as part of Catholic tradition.?

¡°During the 2025 Jubilee Year, travelers should expect an influx of religious pilgrims, with an estimated 20 to 30 percent increase in visitors to the Vatican and other key religious sites in Rome. To avoid the busiest times, it¡¯s best to visit the major attractions early in the morning or later in the afternoon¡­¡± said Raffaele Di Santo, Regional Manager for Italy at Daytrip. ¡°Lastly, remember that the Jubilee is not just a tourist event¡ªit¡¯s a deeply religious time, so respect for local customs, especially around sacred sites, is crucial."

The city¡¯s metro will experience 15-20 percent more passengers, and hotels will likely have higher prices and require much more time in advance to book, with occupancy rates expected to be around 90 percent during some times of the year.?

Christian and Catholic holidays will be especially busy times to visit Rome, with Papal Masses during Easter expected to draw crowds of one to two million each. For those looking to participate in the Jubilee events, we recommend researching the Vatican¡¯s website, which offers a calendar of events, along with the Jubilee¡¯s website. Rome's official tourism website will also be a helpful resource.?

How to Visit Italy in 2025

Travelers at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy (Photo Credit: Eric Bowman)

Our first tip to planning a trip to Italy in 2025: book it now.?

Planning in advance will be the best way to ensure travelers will be able to visit all the sites they want, choose the accommodations they desire and plan without too much worry. The more last-minute a traveler books, the more challenges they are likely to face. We recommend booking at least four to six months in advance.?

Travelers who might be intimidated by the planning process during the year should consider taking a tour to Italy instead: Central Holidays is promising travelers guaranteed departures to Italy this year. Those who book tours with the operator can enjoy skip-the-line tickets, pre-booked tours and a dedicated destination management office in Rome, ensuring a seamless trip without the hassle of planning it all¡ªand during an even more busy travel year for Italy¡ªalone.?

Tour operator Classic Vacations also recommends traveling outside of Rome to avoid major crowds: Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, is home to several historical and religious sites, making it a great place for pilgrims wanting to participate in the Jubilee, while Chianti is a must-visit for wine lovers wanting to experience Italy¡¯s beautiful countryside.?

¡°While Rome will undoubtedly be a focal point during the Jubilee Year, we¡¯re seeing more travelers extend their trips to explore other iconic destinations across Italy, from the timeless romance of Venice and Florence to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast and hidden gems like Umbria and Puglia,¡± said Bonty Escallon, Managing Director, Europe at Classic Vacations. ¡°...Advisors can rely on Classic Vacations to craft exceptional itineraries that seamlessly blend Jubilee events with the best of Italy¡¯s rich culture, history, and landscapes.¡±

Participating in the 2025 Jubilee?

At St. Clement Basilica as 12th-century church is built atop a 4th-century church, which in turn is build on a 1st-century temple. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

Travelers interested in visiting Rome for the Jubilee Year should also take the above advice into consideration, making sure they plan their trips well in advance and be aware that tickets will be required to book as early in advance as possible.?

Those who are intimidated by the planning process could also consider a faith-based tour. ETS Tours specializes in religious travel and is one such great option for a parish or group of Catholics to experience the Jubilee for themselves.?

¡°ETS faith-based travel professional and experts in Catholic pilgrimages are on hand curating every detail, including exclusive skip-the-line tickets, meticulously planned fully-escorted programs, knowledgeable guides giving you the history of your faith, and peace of mind that they are traveling with a reliable company specialized in providing faith-based group travel for more than 50 years,¡± said Bethany Barbree, BDM at ETS tours and Catholic pilgrimage expert.?

Travelers visiting Rome for the Jubilee can participate in plenty of activities throughout the year, including daily Mass, all seven pilgrimage churches, a Jubilee of the Youth for young adults held from July 28 through August 3, an Advent pilgrimage opportunity with Christmas markets and much more.?

Practical Tips to Make the Most Out of a Trip to Italy?

Ruins of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Noppasinw)

Travelers heading to Italy in 2025 should be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas, even in churches or religious sites. They should be wary of strangers and keep their phones in a secure location to avoid theft¡ªa pants pocket isn¡¯t good enough to prevent theft.?

¡°Crowded places like St. Peter¡¯s Square, public transportation, and major tourist sites can attract pickpockets and scammers,¡± said Carl Cronje, co-founder and CEO at TourAxis. ¡°Keep your valuables secure in a money belt or anti-theft bag and be cautious of people offering ¡®free¡¯ items or unauthorized tours. Stick to official vendors for tickets and tours, and always keep an eye on your belongings to avoid theft. Rome¡¯s buses and metro will be crowded, especially routes to Vatican City and major landmarks. Keep your bag in front of you and watch out for pickpockets, especially near doors.¡±

With large crowds expected in Rome, travelers should make sure to prepare beyond the typical water bottle and walking shoes: they should also be aware of the Italian emergency phone number (112), just in case.?

They should also pack their patience, as large crowds ensure longer wait times in not just major attractions, but also in restaurants, shops, pharmacies and other areas. Americans are especially accustomed to being served quickly, but that may not be the case when there are millions of other travelers visiting at the same time.?

Lastly, be respectful to the locals. They¡¯re the ones who keep the tourism industry running, plan all the Jubilee events for pilgrims to participate in, maintain the beautiful historical and religious sites and ensure opportunities for worship, education and exploration for travelers.?

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