23 Tips for Traveling to Rome During Peak Season 2025 – Jubilee Year

Experience Rome Beyond Tourist Spots

My best travel advice is to not just visit a destination but to actually experience it! People can travel to a destination and spend time at the resort and come back home but they would not have really observed what that spot has to offer. Take tours, explore the local towns, book excursions that really help you get to know the people, landmarks and truly understand the culture. Traveling helps us grow, so taking the time to really discover will bring more intention to your travels.

Escape Crowds in Rome’s Underground

I think one of the most underrated tricks is to use Rome’s underground spaces as an escape from the crowds and heat. While everyone else is sweating in long lines at the Colosseum or Piazza Navona, you could be exploring places like the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or the underground ruins beneath the Basilica of San Clemente. These spots are cool–literally, temperatures stay around 15°C (59°F)–and they offer a completely different view of Rome’s history without the overwhelming foot traffic. Since most people don’t think to go below the city, tours are easier to book, and you’ll get a quieter, more immersive experience away from the noise and congestion above ground.

Stay Hydrated with Reusable Water Bottles

Staying hydrated in Rome sounds obvious, but during the Jubilee year, it becomes even more important. Higher foot traffic means longer wait times everywhere, and summer temperatures often exceed 95°F. Instead of constantly buying plastic bottles, tourists can carry a reusable one and refill at the city’s public fountains, known as nasoni. These fountains provide clean, cold drinking water at over 2,500 locations, including major tourist spots like the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia. Skipping long cafe lines for water saves both time and money while keeping energy levels up for long days of walking.

Stay in Monti for Affordable Meals

I’ve discovered that staying in the Monti neighborhood, just a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum, gives you amazing food options without the tourist-trap prices and keeps you close enough to major sites. After comparing hundreds of restaurant prices across Rome’s districts, I found authentic local spots in Monti charge about 40% less than similar places near the main attractions, plus you get that real Roman neighborhood vibe.

Refill Water Bottles at Public Fountains

Use Rome’s public fountains to refill water bottles instead of buying overpriced drinks. The city has over 1,500 “nasoni,” small fountains that provide free, clean drinking water. Vendors charge $3 for bottled water, which adds up quickly on hot days.

Carrying a reusable bottle and filling it at these fountains saves both money and plastic waste. Many are conveniently located near major sites like the Spanish Steps and Piazza Venezia. Staying hydrated without spending a fortune is one of the easiest travel hacks in Rome.

Avoid Restaurants with Hosts Outside

Avoid restaurants with hosts standing outside. In Rome, the best places don’t need to lure customers in. If someone is waving a menu at passing tourists near the Pantheon or Piazza Navona, chances are the food is overpriced and underwhelming.

Walking five minutes away from a major landmark leads to better, more authentic meals. Local trattorias with handwritten menus and plenty of Italian-speaking customers tend to serve better food at reasonable prices. Choosing where to eat based on atmosphere instead of convenience improves both the experience and the bill.

Carry Cash for Small Businesses

Many places in Rome still prefer cash, and with the influx of tourists in 2025, some smaller businesses may limit card payments to avoid processing fees. This is especially common at family-run trattorias, market stalls, and local taxis. While major shops and restaurants will accept cards, always carry some euros to avoid getting stuck.

ATMs in high-traffic areas may run out of cash faster than usual, so don’t wait until the last minute to withdraw money. Use bank ATMs (like Unicredit or Intesa Sanpaolo) instead of the standalone Euronet machines, which charge high fees. If you’re taking a taxi, ask about payment options before getting in to avoid any surprises at the end of the ride.

Book Dinner Reservations in Advance

Booking a dinner reservation in advance might sound unnecessary, but during the Jubilee year, it will save both time and frustration. Popular restaurants in Trastevere and Testaccio already fill up quickly under normal conditions. With millions of extra visitors in 2025, finding a table last-minute will be nearly impossible. Even small trattorias that usually take walk-ins will have long lines. Calling ahead or using reservation apps like TheFork can turn an exhausting two-hour wait into a relaxed evening with a glass of wine before the meal even starts.

Avoid Subway Ticket Machine Scammers

Ignore anyone offering help at subway ticket machines. Scammers at Termini Station and other busy stops pretend to assist tourists, then demand money. They press a few buttons and expect a tip, even when nothing was needed.

Handling ticket purchases independently avoids these situations. Machines offer multiple language options, and official staff wear uniforms and ID badges. If someone insists on “helping,” firmly say “No, thank you” and continue on your way.

Carry Small Change for Convenience

Always carry small change, especially for cafes and public transportation. Many small businesses prefer cash, and bus tickets cost $1.70 but need to be bought before boarding. Tourists often assume contactless payments work everywhere, only to be turned away when trying to buy a coffee or a subway pass.

Withdrawing $56 in smaller denominations at the airport or a quieter ATM avoids frustration. Trying to pay for a $2.25 espresso with a $50 bill won’t always go over well. Having exact change for things like bus tickets or a quick snack makes everyday transactions much easier.

Pack with Space for Souvenirs

After every fruitful trip comes the return packing. In this aspect, keep in mind to pack with “space to grow” or allocating a small section of your luggage space for souvenir shopping and other items that you accumulate on your tours.

Consider using packing cubes or even sealed reusable plastic bags to stay organized. This gives a clear delineation for your things. While still in Rome, edit and check which items may already be discarded to save yourself from the dreaded post-trip clutter.

This travel-friendly approach can be of significant help in decluttering, not to mention minimizing the stress when you get home. A clean, fresh start includes your luggage, too.

Arrive Early to Major Sites

During my 2016 Roman holiday explorations, I discovered the “morning magic window” – arriving at major sites like the Colosseum and Vatican at 7:30 AM (30-45 minutes before opening) put me first in line, while tourists who arrived “early” at 9 AM faced two-hour waits. In 2025’s Jubilee crush, this strategy will be even more crucial; I’ve already advised my clients to book accommodations in Trastevere or Monti neighborhoods, which offer authentic experiences while being walkable to major sites for those crucial early arrivals.

Skip the overpriced tourist restaurants near attractions and instead find your meals by following this rule: walk at least three streets away from any major landmark, look for places with handwritten menus (not photo displays), and spot where locals are eating. Last summer, this approach led me to a tiny trattoria near Campo de’ Fiori where the owner-chef personally recommended seasonal specialties not on the menu, resulting in the best cacio e pepe of my life at half the price of tourist spots.

Remember that “Rome rewards the curious wanderer more than the determined checkbox tourist,” so build deliberate downtime into your itinerary. The summer heat in 2025 will be intense during midday hours (12-3 PM), making it the perfect time to adopt the local riposo custom – retreat to your accommodation for a nap or book reading, then re-emerge when temperatures cool and the evening passeggiata begins, experiencing Rome like a true local rather than an exhausted visitor.

Book Skip-the-Line Tours at Lunch

With my experience managing large-scale projects, I’ve found that booking skip-the-line tours between 11am-2pm can actually save you money since most tour groups avoid those hot hours. I personally discovered this hack last summer when prices dropped by 30% during lunch hours, plus the special exhibits were way less crowded even though it was peak season.

Tour Palazzo Colonna on Saturday Mornings

Having traveled extensively during peak seasons, I’ve learned that booking a guided tour of Palazzo Colonna on Saturday mornings (it’s only open then) gives you access to one of Rome’s best-preserved private palaces while everyone else is standing in line at the Vatican. The palace’s Baroque apartments are stunning, and since most tourists don’t know about this hidden gem, you’ll actually get to enjoy the art without fighting through crowds.

Explore Rome Early and During Siesta

A lesser-known tip for visiting Rome for the first time during the 2025 Jubilee Year is to explore the city in the early mornings and make use of the ‘lunch lull’ to visit the most important sites. The famous landmarks such as the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Trevi Fountain will be extraordinarily crowded throughout the day with millions of additional visitors. When it comes to Romans, their day starts late, leaving tourists free to hit the streets after mid-morning. Take full advantage of this window and visit the major landmarks just after sunrise. Make sure that you don’t miss out on places such as the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona because they are nothing but magical when empty.

Another hack is to visit during Italian siesta hours from 1 PM to 3 PM. It’s the time when a lot of people sit down for meals during the day. The tour groups get thinner, and tourists can enjoy relatively shorter lines at St. Peter’s Basilica, Roman Forum, or any other site of their choice. Then, instead of fighting against the dinner rush, opt for an Italian happy hour, aka aperitivo, at a rooftop bar. This way you’re avoiding the hassle of peak season commotion while still enjoying the beautiful city.

Embrace Travel Delays and Stay Flexible

Travel problems are inevitable during the peak season, and I’ve come up with a few ways to deal with them. I’ve noticed that many travelers get hung up on issues like no rental vehicles, overbooked hotels, or flights. These affect entire trips, I get it, but the point of any vacation is to get away from the rigid structure of daily life.

So, my solution is to accept the issue and listen to the alternative. If I have to wait a few days or use public transportation, I embrace it and see it as an adventure rather than a disaster. I explore the place I’m in if I can’t get to my destination immediately. I accept the delay because I’m on vacation to relax.

To solve some of the more uncomfortable problems, I always have a backup. There are many establishments that offer 100% refunds within a week of cancellations, so I book those just-in-case accommodations as an emergency. The same goes for car rental. I also have travel insurance. I might not be that uncommon, but it works.

Download Offline Maps for Navigation

Download an offline map before arriving in Rome. Mobile signal slows to a crawl near popular sites like the Vatican and Trevi Fountain due to network congestion. Relying on live GPS often leads to delays, especially when trying to navigate small alleyways in Trastevere or Monti.

Marking key locations–your hotel, major landmarks, and metro stations–on an offline map prevents stress when connectivity drops. It also saves data, which is helpful for travelers using limited international plans. Having a backup map makes getting lost much less likely, even in Rome’s maze-like streets.

Avoid Taxis Near Tourist Attractions

Skip the taxis near major tourist attractions. Many drivers around Termini Station and the Colosseum refuse to use meters, charging unsuspecting visitors $30 for a ride that should cost $10. Rome’s official taxis are white with a visible license number, and metered fares start at $3.50.

Hailing a cab from a designated taxi rank or using a ride-hailing app ensures a fair price. If a driver insists on a flat fee, walk away and find another. Tourists frequently get overcharged on short trips, so knowing the approximate fare before hopping in prevents unnecessary arguments.

Explore Early and Embrace Side Streets

As a travel influencer and digital creator, my biggest piece of less obvious advice for visiting Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year is to explore early mornings and embrace side streets to avoid the overwhelming crowds.

With millions of extra visitors expected, even beyond religious sites, Rome’s usual hotspots–like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona–will be packed at almost all hours. However, the city has a completely different energy before 8 AM. If you can wake up early, you’ll experience iconic landmarks in near solitude. Imagine tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain with barely anyone around or walking through the Roman Forum just as the morning light hits the ruins–those quiet moments will make your trip unforgettable.

Another key tip: Don’t rely solely on Google Maps for dining. With peak season crowds, many popular restaurants near major attractions will be overrun with tourists, and quality can suffer. Instead, venture into side streets and look for small, family-run trattorias where locals are eating. A good rule of thumb: If the menu is handwritten or only in Italian, it’s a great sign.

Lastly, if you plan on using public transportation, prepare for delays and congestion. Rome’s buses and metro will be heavily impacted, so consider walking as much as possible–many of the city’s most stunning hidden gems, like quiet courtyards and historic alleyways, are best discovered on foot.

By adjusting your timing, avoiding tourist traps, and embracing local experiences, you’ll have a much more authentic and enjoyable trip, even during one of the busiest years in Rome’s history.

Use Hidden Passages to Avoid Crowds

One less obvious piece of advice for tourists visiting Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year is to explore Rome’s hidden passageways and alternative entrances to major sites to avoid the worst of the crowds.

For example, instead of entering St. Peter’s Basilica through the main security line in St. Peter’s Square, use the “secret” passage from the Sistine Chapel (accessible after visiting the Vatican Museums). This route, meant for tour groups but often unmonitored, bypasses long security lines.

Similarly, when visiting the Colosseum, book a “Belvedere” or “Underground” tour, which not only grants access to restricted areas but also allows entry through less crowded gates.

With millions of extra visitors expected for the Jubilee, these small tricks can save hours of waiting in lines and make for a much smoother experience!

Expect Delays and Stay Flexible

The most important thing you can do while visiting Rome during Jubilee is to expect delays and to stay flexible.

With all the extra people visiting, non-Catholic sites like the Colosseum are going to be extra busy. While queuing to get tickets is no longer a thing as you must have a pre-booked ticket, there are still lots of people and security lines can take time, making visits take longer than expected.

It is important to have a flexible mindset before you start. If things aren’t available, try something else. For example, if you can’t get a ticket for the complete Colosseum tour, choose just a shorter tour.

Instead of planning on visiting everything, choose what is most important to you and concentrate on that.

Planning is essential year-round in Rome and especially this year, and this summer. Book hotels well in advance of travel and make sure you know the dates tickets for the Vatican Museums and Colosseum will be available (2-3 months in advance).

Find Escape Spots Near Attractions

From my experience helping patients manage anxiety in overwhelming situations, I suggest picking one ‘escape’ spot near each major attraction – like the peaceful Giardino degli Aranci near the Colosseum – where you can retreat when the crowds become too intense. When I visited during the last Jubilee, having these quiet backup locations helped me maintain my composure and actually enjoy the experience rather than feeling overwhelmed by the massive crowds.

Enjoy Rome’s Nighttime Lighting

When planning a visit to Rome during the Jubilee year, consider embracing the city’s rich mix of outdoor and decorative lighting to truly appreciate Rome after the sun sets. From my experience with Brite Creations, lighting can transform spaces, enhancing your nighttime exploration of iconic structures like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Instead of enduring the daytime hustle, explore Rome’s neighborhoods that are beautifully illuminated at night, like Trastevere. This area becomes magical under the evening glow and offers a more intimate experience, akin to the customized and sensitive lighting designs we provide in our landscape projects—turning ordinary into memorable and cozy.

Take advantage of guided night tours or self-planned routes through these artistically lit neighborhoods. You’ll get an extended experience that highlights the city’s architecture in a different light, literally. It’s similar to how our event lighting can improve a property’s appeal—your Roman walkabout will feel more special, allowing for better photographic memories without the typical crowds.