Around this time last year, we told you the story of why August, and August 15 in particular, seems to be the month when almost every Roman, and every Italian more generally, seem to go on vacation.

This year, we would like to list what your options are if you’re in the city at this time. You don’t have to worry – stockpiling groceries or rushing to see everywhere you can the days before Ferragosto is a thing of the past!

Yes, most shops will be closed, and yes, some attractions will observe shorter opening hours, but you will be able to enjoy Rome nonetheless.

What is closed on Ferragosto?

With Ferragosto overlapping with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven, the Vatican Museums will be closed on August 14 and 15.

The Pantheon will be closing at 5pm on August 14, and will be open from 10.30am to 1pm on August 15 (many churches worth visiting will be closing early on August 15, so make sure you go in the morning, when there are higher chances to find them open, as a Holy Mass will be officiated).

Most supermarkets in the city center will be closed. Seven Elevens will be open.

A partial list of open supermarkets is available at this address (in Italian, use Google Translate to read the relevant paragraph).

Malls will be closed except for Parco Leonardo, by the Fiumicino airport, and the cinemas at Roma Est.

Banks, post offices and government offices will be closed.

Below, popular expat Youtuber Tia Taylor explains Ferragosto to her fellow countrymen… and not just them!

What is open for Ferragosto?

While the Vatican Museums will be closed, St. Peter’s Basilica will be open, with the Pope appearing for an Angelus address before noon.

Contrary to belief, State-owned and city-owned museums will be open, with special events planned throughout the day. A few examples include:

• free access to the National Gallery of Modern Art at Valle Giulia (by the north entrance of Villa Borghese). A recommended visit!
• Night visits to Castel Sant’Angelo.
• Reduced tickets to the Rome Zoo (the “Bioparco”).

Theme parks will be open, including popular destinations such as Cinecittà World and Luneur Park.

Finally, while many restaurants will be closed, this is a list by excellent food critic and blogger Katie Parla of what you can expect to find open.

This is not a comprehensive directory, but it includes many travelers’ favorites. Should there be any other places you would like to eat at on Ferragosto, we recommend calling ahead of time to make sure they will be, indeed, open. In which case we strongly suggest you book your table as soon as possible!

Need to use public transport?

Remember  the planned closures for the A line of the subway! More generally speaking, keep in mind that buses, trams and city trains (whether on railway lines or subway lines) will observe the Sunday schedule on Ferragosto.

If you’re unsure about said schedule, know that such mobile apps as Probus, Citymapper or Moovit, available for both iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android (most other phones and tablets!) are absolute lifesavers and cal help you plan your journey through the city quickly and easily.