Why 2025 Might Be a Good Year to Skip Italy

Italy, with its rich history, exquisite art, and unparalleled cuisine, typically finds itself at the top of everyone's travel wish list. But if you're planning your dream European getaway, you might want to think twice about visiting in 2025. As tempting as the allure of Italy always is, here are a few reasons why this may not be the ideal year to pack your bags for the Bel Paese (beautiful country).

The Vatican Museums: From Heavenly Art to Hellish Experience
Revered as one of the world’s most sublime art collections, the Vatican Museums are home to over 20,000 pieces on display of their 70,000-item collection. Michelangelo's spectacular Sistine Chapel ceiling, ancient Etruscan and Egyptian artifacts, and masterpieces from the Renaissance and Baroque periods make it a must-see for any art aficionado.
However, visiting these treasures has become a less-than-divine experience. The Vatican Museums are plagued by excessive crowding. This chaotic environment became even worse after covid, with regular guides opting out of conducting tours due to the unbearable conditions. If you manage to secure a ticket, your likely to encounter a stressful, crowded experience rather than the serene, cultural immersion you envisioned.

Ticket Scalping Nightmares
Adding fuel to the fire is the overwhelming hurdle of obtaining tickets. Scalpers equipped with bots snap up tickets the moment they become available, leaving genuine visitors empty-handed. Ticket availability for June and July 2024 were gone within minutes of going on sale, making it nearly impossible to secure entry unless you're willing to pay exorbitant prices on the secondary market—often double or more the official price.
Despite the Vatican's efforts to curb this by introducing nominative tickets and ID checks, the measures haven't been very successful, and the battle against these cyber scalpers continues to rage on.

The Jubilee of 2025: A Double-edged Sword
Enter the Jubilee Year of 2025—an event that promises spiritual renewal and pilgrimage for millions of Catholics from around the world. It will certainly be a spectacular year filled with religious ceremonies, cultural events, and the iconic opening of the Holy Doors in Rome's major basilicas.
But for the casual traveler, the Jubilee brings more crowd congestion. Rome is expected to welcome even greater numbers of visitors, all heading toward the Vatican and other religious sites. Accommodations will be booked to capacity, tickets and tours hard to come by, and the general hustle and bustle could prove overwhelm - even for seasoned travelers.
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Exploring Alternatives
While 2025 might feel like a year to skip Italy, this doesn’t mean your European adventure has to be put on hold. Consider exploring less crowded yet equally enriching destinations:

1. Capitoline Museums: Rome's hidden gem. Away from the Vatican's chaos, this museum offers a serene environment to appreciate its ancient art collection, housed in two captivating palaces designed by Michelangelo.
2. Other Italian Cities: Escape the hordes in Rome and discover the serene canals of Venice, the Renaissance splendor of Florence, or the culinary delights of Bologna.
3. Neighboring Countries: Expand your horizons with trips to Southern France, the Swiss Alps, or the vibrant cities of Spain.

Your Travel Advisor: Sunlit Travel
Planning a trip amidst such complexities requires expertise. Sunlit Travel ensures a seamless and enjoyable journey even in crowded and bustling times like the Jubilee Year. Specializing in multi-destination trips, we can curate a plan that lets you enjoy Europe without the stress.
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2025 promises to be an extraordinary yet exceptionally crowded year in Italy. Between the hectic experience at the Vatican Museums and the millions of pilgrims flocking to Rome for the Jubilee, reconsidering Italy as your destination might save you from a frenzied and potentially frustrating trip. Instead, opt for lesser-known wonders or alternative European adventures, keeping Sunlit Travel by your side to craft an exquisite, stress-free journey.

Originally published May 2024, updated January 2025