Italy will be extra crowded during its Jubilee Year in 2025. Here’s what you need to know
Jubilee Year, held every 25 years, brings millions of extra tourists to Rome and the Vatican, and visitors need to be prepared
If you are planning a trip to Italy this year, remember it is Jubilee Year, a religious event that is held once every 25 years.
Because it is a special event, it is expected to draw an estimated 25 million visitors to participate in Rome’s religious rites and celebrations, with 90 per cent occupancy rates in hotels. Travellers who do not buy advance tickets for attractions may be disappointed.
What is the 2025 Jubilee Year?
The Jubilee Year is a religious holiday celebrated by 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 in Rome including the Holy Stairs and St Peter’s Basilica.
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 this year.
“During the 2025 Jubilee Year, travellers should expect an influx of religious pilgrims, with an estimated 20 per cent to 30 per cent 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,” says Raffaele Di Santo, regional manager for Italy at Daytrip, a platform that provides vehicle hire with drivers for international tourists.
“Remember that the Jubilee is not just a tourist event; it’s a deeply religious time, so respect for local customs, especially around sacred sites, is crucial,” he adds.
The city’s metro will experience 15 per cent to 20 per cent more passengers, and hotels are likely to charge higher prices and require much more time in advance to book.
Christian and Catholic holidays will be especially busy times to visit Rome, with papal masses at Easter expected to draw crowds of one to two million.