Things to Do: Easter in Rome

Witness the beating, spiritual heart of the Italian capital with these fantastic things to do this Easter in Rome!

As a deeply Catholic city, it's no surprise that Easter is kind of a big deal in Rome. The city is transformed by blue skies, vibrant florals, religious processions and some of the most moving masses of the year, which makes it one of the best yet busiest times of the year to visit the Italian capital. Whether you're Catholic or not, the city welcomes all people to join in the festivities and here's a few things to do this Easter in Rome!

April, 14, Good Friday

Via Crucis at the Colosseum As one of the most memorable ceremonies of the Catholic holiday, Via Crucis honours Jesus Christ's struggle to carry his own crucifix to his eventual crucifixion through a procession re-enactment. Beginning at the Colosseum at 9:15pm, Pope Francis will start the tradition with an unforgettable mass open to the public before a crucifix is carried to thirteen different locations named the Stations of the Cross. As one of the most moving and sombre rituals of the holiday, it's a great insight into Catholicism for those unfamiliar with its rituals. Visitors hoping to visit the Colosseum for sightseeing purposes may be disappointed however, as the Colosseum's regular tourism services are limited.

Palm Sunday - Easter Sunday

Easter Mass at St Peter’s Basilica Throughout Easter, St Peter's Basilica runs regular masses open to the public and besides Christmas, they're the most subscribed events of the year. Visitors hoping to sit in on its masses are advised to book their free tickets a few months in advance if they want to sit in the cathedral, however people are welcome to sit in St Peter's Square to watch the live broadcast. Key Easter masses led by the Pope include the Celebration of Penitential Rites on March 17 to herald the start of Easter, a Good Friday mass at 5pm on April 14, a vigil on Easter Saturday (April 15) at 8:30pm to welcome new Catholics to the church and finally the grand Easter Sunday mass at 10:15am

April 17, Easter MondayPasquetta

This Easter Monday celebration is one where families come together and leave the bustling city behind for the seaside, countryside or find themselves a tranquil spot in Borghese Park for a picnic. If you're keen on joining in the tradition, Rome's most popular beach Ostia Lido is just a short distance from Piramide - the area's also a fantastic place to explore once you've finished with your feast with the stunning Ostia Antica ruins towering over the area.

April 17, Easter Monday

Pasquetta Fireworks If you're planning on staying in the main Roman drag, it's worth securing a spot on the banks of the River Tiber to catch the breathtaking fireworks display over Castel Sant'Angelo. While the exact time of the show is hard to pin down, it's worth asking tourist information or your hotel concierge for an idea of when the fireworks will start. With Castel Sant'Angelo's statue of Archangel Michael set against a sky of rainbow lights, this picturesque event is one worth breaking out your camera for. Flowers Rome embraces spring and all its blooms during spring, with hundreds of thousands of flowers and a flood of greenery bringing the capital to life. (Last year, over 30,000 tulips, hyacinths and daffodils were used in just one Easter Sunday display.) Even if you don't intend to join the Easter celebrations, the city is still at its most beautiful around this time with the Spanish Steps lined with lilies and rhododendrons and Aventine Hill's Rose Garden in full bloom.
Megan Hills
Rome Travel Expert

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The Ultimate Rome Bucket List: Top 50 things to do in the City

When in Rome, do as the Romans do with our top things to do in and around the city. Time to start planning your Rome Bucket List! The Eternal City is a beautiful place to visit, but what’s on your Rome bucket list? Check out our ultimate list of the top 50 things to do in Rome, courtesy of the team behind the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card. Roma. #italia A post shared by Tatiana Belisário (@tatibelisario) on May 25, 2017 at 6:09am PDT 1. The Colosseum is an ancient gladiatorial arena and one of the most recognised symbols of Rome. Head back in time and discover the history of this impressive building. 2. Drink an espresso (un caffè) or a caffè macchiato if you want some milk in it. Don’t order a latte though – you’ll just get milk! 3. Take a stroll through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum, which is also visible from the Capitoline Museums. 4. Soak up the atmosphere in one of the restaurants which line one of Rome’s most popular public spaces, Piazza Navona. #rome🇮🇹 #sanpietrobasilica A post shared by Vanessa (@vanessa.vanderput) on May 25, 2017 at 5:36am PDT 5. Spend some time at St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, home to the Sistine Chapel. 6. Cross the river and explore the hip and bohemian area of Trastevere. 7. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain which has a marble statue of Neptune at its centre. Visit early in the morning or late at night to avoid the tourists. 8. Wander the cobbled streets around the Colosseum and get lost in Centro Storico. 9. Shop in style at the beautiful Galleria Alberto Sordi with stained-glass skylights and mosaic floors. On the neighbouring streets, you’ll find plenty of designer boutiques. Самое главное - правильно мыслить и постоянно это осуществлять в деле, не поддаваться суете и сомнениям: Я выстрою и сделаю то, что другим не под силу, Я буду самым лучшим в мире мужчиной, Идя только вперед, несмотря ни на что, Мною движет настойчивость и редкая смелость, Целеустремленность и жажда к победам. Талант быть устойчивым и умелым, Подходя с решением к любым делам и проблемам. Реализовать все свои идеи, точно по плану, как черным по белому, За это сейчас хочу поблагодарить свою маму, До встречи на следующем жизненном раунде. Наступила ночь, но уже недалеко до финала. P.S Важно ценить своих родителей, ведь это они нам дали жизнь, и теперь все в наших руках. Если бы не моя мама, которая поддержала меня, я не уехал бы за границу получать образование и жизненный опыт. Если бы не одобрение отца, то не ушел бы с работы и не начал заниматься любимым делом. A post shared by Eugene (@eugenephotos) on May 23, 2017 at 3:00pm PDT 10. Marvel at the architecture of the Pantheon, the former temple and best-preserved monument of Imperial Rome. 11. Take a break from ancient and Baroque art, and indulge in some from the modern era. Locals say MAXXI, the Museum of 21st Century Art, is the best place to see modern and contemporary art in Rome. 12. Walk up Gianicolo at dusk for a spectacular panoramic view of Rome. If you’re there at midday, you’ll hear the cannon which has fired every day since the battle of Rome was won there! Read up on our favourite Instagram Spots in Rome for some of the city's best views. 13. Sample the delights of Roman cuisine. Although traditionally simple, the dishes are delicious. Try the fried artichoke starter and pig’s cheek pasta. Find out more in Our Guide to the Top Rome Foods you should try! Koskaan ei tiedä mitä avaimenreiästä näkyy.. 📷:@marielisahan #tb #tirkistelijätRoomassa #paaviastalkkaamassa #forbiddenyard #oispaolluparempiobjektiivi A post shared by Sami Rojo (@sami_rojo) on May 24, 2017 at 4:16pm PDT 14. Find the nondescript door to the Priory of the Knights of Malta on Aventine Hill, just past the orange grove. Look through its keyhole: locals love the perfect view of St Peter’s Basilica. 15. Visit the spectacular Capitoline Museums. Read our Guide to the 10 sculptures you can’t miss. 16. On the second Sunday of every month, explore the antique market on the River Tiber which starts just under the ancient Ponte Milvio Bridge. Soak up the local culture and wander around some of Rome's best street markets. 17. Hire a bike and ride through the Appia Antica Regional Park. Located along one of the oldest and important Roman roads, it’s brimming with ancient ruins. 18. Take a stroll through the city centre and look out onto Galleria Spada. You’ll be amazed by the magic of Borromini’s masterpiece. 19. Relax in the Villa Borghese Park, one of the largest parks in the city centre, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Pe ttutta Roma cuant’è llarga e stretta nun poterai trovà ccosa ppiú rrara. È una faccia de pietra che tt’impara chi ha ddetta la bbuscía, chi nnu l’ha ddetta..” (G.G.Belli) A post shared by Rosy&Giusy (@giusyrosy_) on May 12, 2017 at 10:55pm PDT 20. Legend has it the Bocca della Verità or the Mouth of Truth, outside the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, bites off the hand of anyone who is not telling the truth. Try it! Movie-lovers will recognise this city hotspot after seeing it in Audrey Hepburn's "Roman Holiday". 21. Fancy a cocktail with an Italian twist? Visit Barattolo and sample one of the famous tiramisù cocktails served in a jar. 22. For jazz music lovers, visit the Casa del Jazz (House of Jazz) and watch famous and lesser-known Italian and international jazz musicians. 23. There are more than 60 catacombs in Rome. Venture underground and join a guided tour and learn about the rites and customs of the early Church years. 24. Make time in the early evening for an aperitivo. Most bars offer some snacks to accompany your drink, check out some of our favourites around the city! What else? #rome #bestplace #villatorlonia #nowords #architecture #skyline #thebigbeauty A post shared by Giulia Zambon 🐾 (@giulia__zambon) on May 23, 2017 at 11:26am PDT 25. On the Rome bucket list of history-buffs, the underground bunker in which Mussolini and his family lived during the Second World War is hidden under Villa Torlonia. 26. For music concerts, exhibitions, plays and festivals, visit Rome’s greatest concert hall, the Auditorium Parco della Musica. 27. Bioparco, Rome’s Zoo, is home to a wide variety of animals. It’s great for kids of all ages. 28. Take a tip from locals and visit the Palazzo delle Esposizioni. It has some of the best exhibitions in the city and sometimes hosts cinema evenings. 29. Visit a traditional tavern (fraschetta) for good local wine and food that’s budget-friendly. Nel blu dipinto di bbbblu ☀️ A post shared by martina vivani (@livinginthegardenofevil) on May 24, 2017 at 2:45am PDT 30. Watch the world go by on Piazza del Popolo where there’s always something going on. 31. If you’re in Rome in the summer, take in the magic of the open-air theatre in the Villa Borghese Park . 32. Enjoy a relaxing break in the Terme di Trastevere This spa evokes the beauty rituals of ancient Rome and you can unwind in a bath of wine, citrus fruits and herbs, or donkey milk, just as Cleopatra did! 33. Want to escape the tourists? Visit the Abbazia delle Tre Fontane. The Trappist monks who live here recently began making and selling their own beer. 34. Check out the work by artists around the world displayed across the fronts of the buildings in the Tor Marancia district, as part of a regeneration project. Rim :) #roma #rome #rim #vatikan #vaticancity #basilicadisanpietro #stpeterschurch #stpeterscathedral #pontesantangelo #tiber #rivertiber #vatican #sky #italia #italy #europe A post shared by Dragan Gulic (@dragangulic) on May 24, 2017 at 11:27pm PDT 35. Stroll along the river banks or take a scenic cruise along the River Tiber which runs through the heart of Rome. 36. The little Borgo Pio neighbourhood just behind the Vatican is amazingly quiet. The streets in this traditional area are lined with trattorias and bars. Keep your eyes open for the small fountain in the middle of Piazza del Catalone. 37. In Rome for a romantic trip? Visit the romantic Roseto Comunale near the Circo Massimo at the foot of the Palatine Hill where over 1000 varieties of roses grow. 38. Love pop surrealism? The Dorothy Circus Gallery is for you! This was the first art gallery in Rome to specialise in the genre. 39. A secret top tip: the Centrale Montemartini displays classical sculptures in the middle of an old power plant. It’s a combination that works surprisingly well! Favorite gelato in Rome 🍦😋 A post shared by teresa (@teresaliao) on May 25, 2017 at 7:47am PDT 40. Visit the city’s best gelateria, Giolitti, which is near to the Pantheon. 41. Are you a film lover? Join a guided tour and wander around film sets and studios at Cinecittà. Or create your own tour with our Movie-Lovers' Guide to Rome. 42. Want to know what life was like in ancient Rome? Enrol in Gladiator School and you’ll see for yourself! 43. Take a Vespa Tour by night and recreate your own Roman holiday scene! 44. Apparently the best chocolate in Rome, the chocolate factory at SAID is nestled in the San Lorenzo district. Ochutnaj Rím - najlepší spôsob ako spoznať krajinu, mesto, kultúru, život je jednoznačne prostredníctvom jedla 😇 #musttry #niecoakopizza #baklazanvovnutri #parmezannavrchu A post shared by Eduarda Krázelová (@eda_lumturi) on May 16, 2017 at 2:28am PDT 45. Take a food tour with an expert local guide and titillate your tastebuds. Don't forget to sample some of the most delicious hand-held goodies with our guide to Rome's best Street Food! 46. A short 15-minute drive out of Rome, Monte Mario is Rome’s highest peak and offers stunning views of the city, particularly in the evening. 47. Indulge in a ballet or opera at the Teatro dell’Opera and follow it with a hearty bowl of pasta at one of the nearby restaurants. 48. The legendary tomb of Remus, the Pyramid of Cestius, is the only pyramid in Europe. 49. People-watch on the Spanish steps leading up from Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church. 50. Fanatical about pasta? Visit the National Pasta Museum on the Via Flaminia and be sure to check out our Guide to the Best Pasta Restaurants in Rome! Did we miss out something? What's on your Rome Bucket list? Let us know in the comments!
Megan Hills
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Celebrate the Roma Europa Festival this November

Rome is synonymous with ancient monuments, sculptures and exquisite art of the Empire; so for a city that’s steeped in such archaic cultural history, competing with any other form of cultural expression, let alone contemporary, is hard to imagine. Rivalling the art of its heyday, the contemporary scene has exploded in Rome and is celebrated with the annual Roma Europa Festival, which runs from 25th September to the 24th November this year. Displaying exhibitions ranging from digital to dance, theatre and photography, the festival promises new visions and innovative approaches to aesthetic expression. Set in the contemporary space of the Telecoms Italia factory, it couldn’t have a more apt location to help shape and structure the ideologies of the festival within its contemporary, glass structure. NB: don’t be put off by the residential street view – it’s what is inside that counts! Having teamed up with patrons and various ministries of culture within Europe, it is a heavily invested event within the contemporary art world and takes pride on its innovation and value as a creative crossroads. So much so that Wall Street Journal even ranked it as one of the top four best festivals in Europe (2006). Since its conception in 1986, the festival has attracted hoards of culture vultures from around the world; from veterans of artistic thought to new, young fresh minds. Now, heralded as one of Italy’s best festivals, it is a must-do for anyone looking to open their minds and challenge the boundaries of high, mass and popular culture while visiting the capital. Location: Ostiense area OPIFICIO TELECOM ITALIA Via dei Magazzini Generali 20/A 00154 Roma tel +39 06 45553000 / +39 06 45553050
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