The Jubilee, or Holy Year, began on Christmas Eve and continues throughout 2025. It reflects Rome’s deep cultural significance as the centre of the Catholic Church, marking a moment of religious reflection and celebration that occurs only once every 25 years. The tradition has Jewish origins and represents a time of rest for the world when the Pope absolves the sins of all those who make a pilgrimage to Rome. The city expects the arrival of at least 35 million pilgrims across the year, to participate in different themed jubilees taking place at different times. For example, the jubilee for young people will be held on the 28th of July 2025.
By choosing to travel outside of major Catholic holidays, you are likely to avoid the heaviest crowds... whilst still being able to participate in the small scale celebrations...
Visiting Rome in 2025 is a rare opportunity to experience the city at its best, with its landmarks recently restored and many events taking place celebrating the history and culture of the Catholic faith. However, the high numbers of pilgrims visiting the city will result in a much busier and potentially more expensive trip.
This is by no means a reason to discount a visit to Rome this year; instead, if you are a non-pilgrim tourist, by choosing to travel outside of major Catholic holidays (such as Christmas, Easter and Pentecost) you are likely to avoid the heaviest crowds and highest prices, whilst still being able to participate in the smaller scale celebrations. As usual, planning ahead will result in a smoother experience, whether you want to book entry to the busiest attractions (such as the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel) or secure a pilgrim’s card in order to participate in the main Jubilee events. If you do decide to visit Rome in this historic year, it is sure to be a trip to remember!