There is a growing wave of concern about the upcoming start of the Jubilee in Rome, with many would-be travelers intending to skip it altogether because of the added numbers of visitors during the entire period.

Wait, what’s the Jubilee again?

If you’re one of those tourists who doesn’t know, the Jubilee is one of the most important events in the life of a Catholic, and it takes place every 25 years. Since the influence of Vatican City is literally something that extends beyond its walls, the celebration is bound to involve the entire Roman territory, as during the Jubilee the faithful are pardoned of their sins by visiting several sites, one of which is St. Peter’s Basilica.

Because the Jubilee lasts for an entire year (starting on December 24), a projected 30 to 35 million Catholics will descend onto the city in hopes of completing this particular pilgrimage. This is why, once again, many people intending to travel to Rome between the coming month of December and the end of 2025 are now rethinking their plans. We’re here to tell them not to skip the city from their itinerary: here are the five reasons why!

Reason no. 1 not to skip Rome during the Jubilee: Diverse attractions

For most first-time visitors, the top three sights in Rome are the Vatican Museums with St. Peter’s, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain (or the Pantheon!). There is no way around it: the crowds will be bigger at these sites.

However, Rome has so much more to offer. You could focus on ancient sites that are technically outside the city, like Ostia Antica, the Etruscan necropolis at Cerveteri, or Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli. You could set your sights on the ancient Appian Way and visit the museums scattered along its route. You could explore Rome’s contemporary art scene with visits to the MAXXI or MACRO museums while exploring the areas of the city they are in… There are virtually dozens of customizable itineraries at your fingertips, and they do not include the most visited sights in Rome while still being immensely enjoyable.

Reason no. 2 not to skip Rome during the Jubilee: Finally, an improved infrastructure

2024 has been, as many tourists who have been here during the high season can attest, the lowest point in Rome’s recent history for public transportation and infrastructure in general. The government is scrambling to complete roadwork and repairs before December, and everyone, including visitors from abroad, has been affected. By 2025, however, Rome will have better public transportation and improved facilities to accommodate visitors. This will also have a major impact on… our collective psyche. Today’s traffic jams and delays will seem like a distant dream!

Reason no. 3 not to skip Rome during the Jubilee: Artistic heritage as you’ve never seen it before

Speaking of the experience of many visitors from around the world who have been here recently, some have been frustrated by the fact that important landmarks have been covered or affected by scaffolding: some of these sites include the square overlooking the Pantheon, the baldachin in St. Peter’s Basilica, the entirety of Piazza Navona, and so on and so forth. With the Jubilee, these sites will finally be unveiled and you will be able to see them as the Romans of old did when they were first completed. A special opportunity!

Reason no. 4 not to skip Rome during the Jubilee: An event of historical significance

Witnessing Rome during a Jubilee year is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see the city during a spiritually and culturally significant time: even if you’re not religious, you will see history happening before your very eyes.

Reason no. 5 not to skip Rome during the Jubilee: A unique atmosphere

The Jubilee Year will create a special atmosphere in the city, with cultural events throughout the year. Many of these will be only tangentially related to the Jubilee itself and will be designed to be enjoyed by visitors at the same time as this great celebration: of course, you can expect religious celebrations, but also concerts in unique settings, special exhibitions, unique openings of otherwise closed monuments or buildings…

Our advice: stay informed and plan ahead

Afraid of crowds? With proper planning (booking accommodations and tickets to major attractions in advance), you can still have a great experience in Rome in 2025. Keep in mind that not all tourists come from North America, and dates that are important to you may not be important to European travelers or those flying in from South America. The Vatican makes it easier to plan around major programmed events by listing them all here: plan around them as much as possible and remember that certain times of the year will be more challenging because of high temperatures, for example the months of July and August.

Rome has withstood thousands of years of history – it can certainly handle a busy year and still be an amazing place to visit. Also, if the Vatican area is not a must-see for you, we encourage you to try more authentic, local experiences in less touristy areas: areas like Testaccio, Porta Metronia, or Trastevere will be less affected than areas closer to the religious sites directly involved in the Jubilee. Don’t give up on Rome: just plan wisely!

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