What better time to visit Rome than in 2025? Since 1300, every 25 years the Great Jubilee has been celebrated. This Catholic event, which runs throughout the year, has a historic significance of restoring the right relationship with God, others, and creation. The theme of Jubilee 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope,” declared by Pope Francis, is a call for global humanitarian solidarity, unity to fight against climate crisis, wars, and inequality.
In this post about Jubilee 2025, The Touring Pandas shares everything you need to know if you’re planning to visit Rome this year.
Preparations for the Jubilee
Aware of the scale of this event, the city has been preparing to offer a more tourist-friendly Rome, with better organization for access to the main attractions to ensure a smoother and more efficient visit, restoration of monuments, public transport upgrades, and urban improvements:
The Trevi Fountain now has a visitor limit to ensure a better experience. Seeing the Trevi Fountain will remain free since it’s in a public square, but to get closer, you’ll have to queue in shifts. This avoids overcrowding near the monument and ensures a better experience when tossing a coin into the fountain.
Pro tip: If you toss two coins,you will fall in love with an attractive Italian! Watch out if you’re traveling as a couple!
Great news! As part of the preparations for Jubilee 2025: The Vatican’s Pietà (the Madonna della Pietà by Michelangelo) at St. Peter’s Basilica has been restored. The Borgo Corridor (Passetto di Borgo), a secret walled passage connecting the Vatican to Rome, which was once used by Popes to escape danger, has also been reopened. Now, tourists can walk through this historic passage and enjoy the view from a unique perspective.
The city hasn’t only focused on restoring its monuments but has also worked on improving accessibility and sustainability. One of the key initiatives is the creation of pedestrian spaces. The new Piazza Pia is Rome’s largest pedestrian zone, connecting Castel Sant’Angelo to the Vatican. This square is designed to facilitate access to the Vatican and nearby monuments and will serve as a stage for key Jubilee 2025 events. It also contributes to the city’s urban planning by reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in the area.
Classic Monuments and Attractions
You can’t go wrong! Whether you’re an art lover or just a curious traveler, your life will change after visiting the Vatican Museums. The Vatican houses some of the world’s most important artistic treasures, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and many others form one of the largest and most complete art collections in the world. Priceless treasures like the Laocoön and His Sons, over 2000 years old, and the colossal Allegory of the Nile, a marble sculpture of the Nile River, are among the highlights.
Keep an eye out! Every artwork tells a story waiting to be uncovered. With so much to explore, we recommend planning your visit carefully to make the most of your time and not miss the most fascinating parts.
The city’s iconic piece will always be the Roman Colosseum. Almost 2000 years old, it perfectly symbolizes human ambition and ingenuity. It was a gift from the Emperor of Rome in the 1st century to the people, where gladiators and wild animals fought for their lives. On our Colosseum’s Arena Floor, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour, you’ll get to experience the Colosseum and Gladiator Arena up close, the heart of ancient Roman life, and Palatine Hill, where emperors once lived. Are you ready to step into the gladiators’ battlefield?
One of the main religious attractions of the Jubilee is the opening of the four traditional “Holy Doors” at Rome’s four main basilicas: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These doors symbolize access to forgiveness and God’s grace. Every 25 years, the Pope opens them, and unlike previous celebrations, the Pope will open a fifth Holy Door at the Rebibbia prison in Rome.
Don’t forget that Rome, the Eternal City, has so much more to offer. The nickname is no accident: from the majestic Pantheon, the “Temple of All Gods,” to its iconic squares and fountains, a boat ride on the Tiber River, a visit to Villa Borghese, exquisite cuisine, and much more! Rome is a city that always surprises, even its own inhabitants, as shown by the discovery of 2nd-century archaeological remains during urban development for Jubilee 2025.
There are also some platforms that offer interesting deals if you want to visit the Colosseum alongside some other Rome attractions. One of our favorite is Tiqets. Here you have some options that will help you save money, like the Rome Pass which includes:
-Colosseum
-Vatican Museums
-St. Peter’s Basilica
Things to Keep in Mind
Now that you know the updates for this Jubilee, here are some tips to make the most of your trip:
Visit during Holy Week: Holy Week will run from Sunday, April 13, to Monday, April 21, 2025. Since this is a highly significant event for Catholics, expect increased crowds during these days.
Plan ahead: Due to high demand, we recommend booking tickets at least one month in advance. Especially this year, due to the Jubilee, getting into popular attractions will be more difficult without pre-purchased tickets. You can buy tickets on official monument websites or, for a more stress-free experience, consider a guided tour that guarantees you entry and a guided experience.
Consider a guided tour: A guided tour is a great option to learn about the history of the places you visit and avoid crowds. At The Touring Pandas, we offer tours in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, helping you skip long lines and enjoy a unique experience as our guide takes you through the wonders of ancient Rome and its art.
Dress appropriately: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking, but keep in mind that when visiting religious sites like the Vatican and churches, you should dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees.
Use the official Jubilee app: Download the official Iubilaeum25 mobile app to get more information about Jubilee 2025 and its schedule.
Lastly, prepare to enjoy to the fullest! With the increase in tourism, it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings to avoid ruining your day. Keep your belongings in front of you at all times, and you’ll be all set to relax and enjoy everything Rome has to offer in 2025.
You’re good to go!
Don’t miss out on the chance to experience Rome in 2025; you’ll find a renewed, more friendly city and enjoy an unforgettable experience—at least until 25 years from now! So, the moment is now!
We hope this post about Jubilee 2025: A Unique Rome has been helpful.
If you’re interested in exploring Rome in one day, check out our Rome Day Tour: the Vatican and the Colosseum, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour in your language (English, Chinese, Korean or Japanese) to visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, followed by St. Peter’s Basilica, and finish with a visit to the Roman Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. You can also explore our range of tours to discover Rome and choose the one that suits you best.
If you’re interested in exploring Spain, check out our tours in Barcelona, where you’ll visit the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. For those feeling adventurous, we also offer the Montserrat Tour from Barcelona or the Toledo Tour from Madrid. All our tours are designed to be the perfect plan to discover the wonders of Spain!