Rome at Easter time
Dec 19th, 2012, 03:50 AM
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Rome at Easter time
I arrive in Rome morning of Wed 27 th of
March and Friday 29th is Good Friday
Has anyone been to Rome at Easter
Does it really busy with lots of people
Be interested to know. Thanks guys
March and Friday 29th is Good Friday
Has anyone been to Rome at Easter
Does it really busy with lots of people
Be interested to know. Thanks guys
Dec 19th, 2012, 04:23 AM
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Yes, as the centre of Roman Catholicism, Rome is packed with pilgrims and visitors during Holy Week and Easter. There are big crowds everywhere, and churches will be particularly busy and you cannot visit during services, esp on Good Friday afternoon and evening for the day's liturgy, stations of the cross etc. Make sure you book your accommodation now - some places are already booked up. And get a reservation in for popular restaurants - some accept emails in English. Get a timed entry for the vatican Museums (closed on many days, e.g. Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Morning) and Borghese Gallery.
Dec 19th, 2012, 06:12 AM
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I've been in Rome at Eastertime and there were not big crowds everywhere. There were crowds at the Vatican, which is actually outside the city, across the river. There is plenty of accommodation in Rome at all times of the year. Book in advance, but wait until after January 1, because hotels are busy right now and your e-mail could get lost. I would certainly not book a restaurant in Rome this far in advance unless you want to eat at La Pergola or some other Michelin-starred place.
You always need a reservation for the Borghese Gallery, whether it is Easter or not. There is almost always a line for the Colosseum or Forum at any time of year, but if you look at a guidbook, you can find tips for avoiding a long wait.
If you plan any visits to churches, of course you need to see when they are open. Anything around the Vatican will be a zoo, so get reservations or tours as soon as practicable.
Otherwise Rome is a big rather sprawling city, with many places to visit. While most of the Catholic tourists are in the Vatican and the Churches, you can visit Rome's Jewish quarter, Trastevere, its shopping streets and other historic sights and museums like the Baths of Caracalla -- just loads of things to do and see.
Not only have I been in Rome at Easter, but I was once there when the Pope died. There were 4 million people trying to get into the Vatican. I had no problem going every place I wanted to go.
You always need a reservation for the Borghese Gallery, whether it is Easter or not. There is almost always a line for the Colosseum or Forum at any time of year, but if you look at a guidbook, you can find tips for avoiding a long wait.
If you plan any visits to churches, of course you need to see when they are open. Anything around the Vatican will be a zoo, so get reservations or tours as soon as practicable.
Otherwise Rome is a big rather sprawling city, with many places to visit. While most of the Catholic tourists are in the Vatican and the Churches, you can visit Rome's Jewish quarter, Trastevere, its shopping streets and other historic sights and museums like the Baths of Caracalla -- just loads of things to do and see.
Not only have I been in Rome at Easter, but I was once there when the Pope died. There were 4 million people trying to get into the Vatican. I had no problem going every place I wanted to go.
Dec 19th, 2012, 07:02 AM
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Packed, mobbed and for getting to and fro the Vatican assume everything will be at snail's pace. For major events the square in front of St Peter's will be totally full.
If you stick to other areas should not be SO bad - but will still be crowded, since all these people have to stay somewhere. (I hope you already have your lodging.)
(While Rome is a rather sprawling city almost all of the major sights are near the center in a fairly small area.)
If you stick to other areas should not be SO bad - but will still be crowded, since all these people have to stay somewhere. (I hope you already have your lodging.)
(While Rome is a rather sprawling city almost all of the major sights are near the center in a fairly small area.)
Dec 20th, 2012, 11:44 AM
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Rome is a very popular destination for student tours, especially at Easter (I was a chaperone on one a few years ago). It was very busy at the popular tourist spots and you need to be prepared to battle the crowds. Booking tours ahead of time would be advisable, as all the student tours prebook their tours to Vatican City and the Colosseum.
