Easter in Rome 2024: the ultimate guide

Easter in Rome: what to do in and around Rome on Easter holidays, among religious traditions, open museums, unusual and fun parks and activities, and great food.

For over two thousand years, Rome has embraced us with its warmth and timeless beauty. Throughout the centuries, Easter has drawn crowds of tourists and pilgrims, poets and writers, the faithful and the curious to the Eternal City. It was the Christian feast par excellence, accompanied by rituals and customs partly handed down to the present day.

Today, the Easter festivities are one of the best times to explore Rome, get lost in its alleyways, stop to admire its monuments and discover unique perspectives.

Check here the programme of Roma Live events from 28 March to 1 April.
 

• LITURGICAL RITES AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF EASTER
• ART AND CULTURE - PASQUA NEI MUSEI
• MUSIC AND SHOWS ON EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY
• WALKS IN PARKS AND OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS ON EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY
• THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN ROME FOR EASTER HOLIDAYS
• EASTER ON THE TABLE
• EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY 2024: THE EDITORS' SUGGESTIONS
• HOW TO GET AROUND ROME ON EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY 2024

 

LITURGICAL RITES AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF EASTER

The Via Crucis at the Colosseum - 29 March
The first Via Crucis at the Colosseum was celebrated on Good Friday in 1750: still today, the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ, presided over by the Holy Father against the backdrop of Rome's symbolic monument, continues to be one of the most evocative and popular religious rites. To allow the Via Crucis to take place, on 29 March the archaeological areas of the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum), the Palatine Forum, the Roman Forum (including the Ceasar's Forum) and the Imperial Fora will be closed to the public from 12 noon.

Easter Vigil - 30 March
In the liturgy of the Church, the Easter Vigil is held after sunset on Holy Saturday and before dawn on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. In St Peter's Basilica, the Pontiff presides at the Vigil at 7.30 p.m. but in every church in the city, at different times, you can attend this solemn mass.

Easter Sunday Mass and Papal Blessing - 31 March
On 31 March, at 10 a.m., the Holy Father celebrates Easter Sunday Mass in the main square of the Vatican, followed at 12 noon by the 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing that closes the 2024 Holy Week.

For details on how to access the celebrations inside the Vatican, see the official website. 

Visiting the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome - between 28 and 30 March
The Giro delle Sette Chiese ("Tour of the Seven Churches") is the city's most famous pilgrimage. It dates back to the Middle Ages, but was revived by St Filippo Neri in 1572. One of the seasons when it is still traditionally practised today is between the evening of Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday. The circular route touches what were the main churches of the city in the 16th century: St Peter's Basilica, St Paul's Outside the Walls, Basilica of San Sebastiano (since the Jubilee of 2000, also replaced by the Shrine of the Madonna del Divino Amore), San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, San Lorenzo outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore.

ART AND CULTURE - PASQUA NEI MUSEI

Museums and archaeological sites

Prestigious collections, surprising archaeological areas, priceless treasures and a unique cultural heritage ranging from prehistory to modern and contemporary art:

• Rome's City Museums, extraordinarily open, await you on Easter (31 March) and Easter Monday (1 April).

Pasqua nei Musei 2024 - from 28 March to 1 April - Lots of surprises in the City Museums and archaeological areas of Roma Capitale with extraordinary openings, guided tours, workshops and free educational activities on the occasion of the Easter holidays that await you with their rich artistic and cultural heritage. In addition to visiting the permanent collections and current exhibitions, you can participate in tours, itineraries, workshops and educational activities, for all ages and interests, through which you can learn about the city and its history in an unusual and entertaining way.

For information on the programme, opening hours and access to the individual museums and archaeological sites, please consult the official website

• For openings, timetables and access to the individual state museums and archaeological sites, see the official websites. 

For the opening hours and access procedures of the individual museums and archaeological sites, please consult the official websites.

The Great exhibitions

Here is a selection of exhibitions and immersive experiences not to be missed:

• Giuseppe Primoli e il fascino dell'Oriente (Giuseppe Primoli and the Fascination of the East) - Napoleonic Museum - The exhibition is dedicated to Count Giuseppe Primoli's interest in Japanese art in particular and, more generally, of the entire Asian continent. On display are 14 kakemono - traditional Japanese paintings or calligraphies on silk, cotton or paper - belonging to him: a nucleus of great historical, artistic and documentary value.
• Reality Optional. Miaz Brothers con i maestri del XX secolo (Reality Optional. Miaz Brothers with the masters of the 20th century) - Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Roma Capitale - The exhibition project is dedicated to the mechanisms of perception of reality, featuring original works by the Miaz Brothers in dialogue with some of the museum's masterpieces. The creative language of the two brothers, Roberto and Renato, presents a completely new portrait style, in which the original subjects, recognisable in their main features, are depicted out of focus in around 60 works.
• UKIYOE. Il Mondo Fluttuante. Visioni dal Giappone (UKIYOE. The Floating World. Visions from Japan) - Museum of Rome - The exhibition illustrates the fascination of Japanese art from the Edo period, presenting a selection of 150 masterpieces created between the 17th and 19th centuries, including paintings, scrolls, fans and prints, and traditional objects such as kimonos and musical instruments.
• Fidia (Phidias) - Capitoline Museums, Villa Caffarelli - The first prestigious monographic exhibition dedicated to the legendary and emblematic Greek genius of classical art.
• Napoli Ottocento - Scuderie del Quirinale - A tribute to the significant role and lively cosmopolitan spirit of the Neapolitan city in the 19th century: 250 masterpieces by great Italian and international artists including William Turner, Thomas Jones, Thomas Fearnley, John Singer Sargent and Giuseppe De Nittis.
• The Colossal Statue of Constantine - Capitoline Museums Garden of Villa Caffarelli - The impressive reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine, 13 metres high, is one of the most representative works of late antique Roman sculpture and has been created on a scale of 1:1, thanks to the in-depth study of literary and epigraphic sources and the nine surviving fragments of the original grandiose sculpture - head, right arm, wrist, right hand, right knee, right shin, right foot, left foot - preserved in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori.
• Dacia. L’ultima frontiera della Romanità (Dacia. The Last Frontier of Romanity) - National Roman Museum Baths of Diocletian - This is the largest and most important exhibition of archaeological finds organised by Romania abroad in recent decades. It illustrates the historical and cultural development of this nation over a period of more than one thousand five hundred years, from the 8th century BC to the 8th century AD.
• Escher - Palazzo Bonaparte - The largest Escher exhibition ever held, an anthological display of around 300 works including the famous Hand with Reflecting Sphere (1935), Bond of Union (1956), Metamorphosis II (1939), Day and Night (1938), the Emblemata series and many others, together with numerous works never exhibited before.
• Van Gogh Experience - Next Museum - An immersive experience in the universe and masterpieces of the brilliant Dutch painter: the first major multimedia exhibition featuring famous works such as The Starry Night, The Sunflowers, Self-Portrait and Bedroom at Arles, reproduced with virtual reality, for a true journey through time, emotions, anxieties and all the places of the master of colour.

MUSIC AND SHOWS ON EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY

Jesus Christ Superstar - Teatro Sistina - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's enthralling musical in an unmissable celebratory edition in the original language: thirty years since the historic stage version signed by Massimo Romeo Piparo and fifty since the release of the iconic Rock Opera.

Easter at Santa Maria dell'Anima - 31 March 2024, 7.30 p.m. - Church of Santa Maria dell'Anima - During the solemn liturgy in Latin with readings and homily in German and Italian, the Cappella Musicale di Santa Maria dell'Anima, consisting of internationally renowned vocal and instrumental soloists conducted by Flavio Colusso, performs Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Spatzen-Messe K220 and Niccolò Jommelli's Victimae paschali laudes in modern premiere, in the transcription and elaboration by Fortunato Santini (1777-1861).

Festival di Pasqua - Founded in 1998 by the Italian director and stage designer Enrico Castiglione, the Easter Festival offers a rich calendar of concerts and sacred music events each year featuring world-famous choral and orchestral ensembles and artists. All Easter Festival concerts are free admission, subject to availability.

• Sunday, 31 March, Basilica of Santi Bonifacio e Alessio, 8 p.m. “Easter Concert”: sacred arias by Vivaldi, Pergolesi, Puccini, Verdi and Mascagni with soprano Elena Lo Forte and the Easter Festival Orchestra
• Monday, 1 April 1, Pantheon, 5:15 p.m. “Easter Concert”: with the Choir of the Pantheon Music Chapel under the direction of Michele Loda, the repertoire of Gregorian and polyphonic music is on the program, enriched with pieces including such as the famous “Te Deum” by Marc-Antonie Charpentier.

The Tempietto Concerts - Sala Baldini - An intimate and exciting atmosphere on the most famous notes of the classical repertoire immersed in the millenary history of Rome.

• Easter Concert - 31 March at 6.00 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. - At 5.15 p.m., a guided tour, reserved for Concert ticket holders, of the Historic Area of the Theatre of Marcellus.
• Easter Monday Concert - 1 April at 6.00 pm and 7.30 pm - At 5.15 pm, guided tour, reserved for ticket holders of the Concert in the Historic Area of the Theatre of Marcellus.

Space Opera - Planetarium - 31 March - An interplanetary journey with a 360° view, entirely based on the notes of Gustav Holst's suite "Op.32: The Planets".

La Notte Stellata - Planetarium - 31 March - With the planetarium's astronomers, you will review the stars, constellations and deep-sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies visible tonight in the darkness of the starry sky.

WALKS IN PARKS AND OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS ON EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY

A day at the park - Villa Borghese, Villa Doria Pamphilj, Villa Ada Savoia, Villa Torlonia, Villa Celimontana are just some of the wonderful places in which Rome's marvellous villas are set, buildings rich in history and charm for a regenerating stroll amidst the green of nature and the white of shining marble during the Easter holidays.

A day at the seaside

• The Sea of Rome - At Ostia you can experience the magic of the sea just a few kilometres from the centre of Rome: walk barefoot on the beach after a rich meal of fresh fish and good wine, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and breathe in the intense sensations that only the sea can transmit.
• Il Borghetto dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Village) - Discover the picturesque settlement where time seems to stand still: flavours and ancient traditions between the sea of Ostia and the lush Castelfusano pine forest.
• The Pineta di Castelfusano - Overlooking the wild coastal dunes of the Roman coastline, the Pineta di Castelfusano extends over about 15,900 hectares and features a great variety of natural environments including evergreen forests, river banks and mouths, dunes, wetlands, expanses of Mediterranean scrub, stretches of surprisingly beautiful Roman countryside and agricultural landscapes. The area preserves an exceptional historical-archaeological heritage that includes the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, the Imperial Ports of Claudius and Trajan, the Via Severiana, Pliny's Villa, the Castle of Julius II, the Renaissance Tor San Michele, attributed to Michelangelo, the medieval Torre Boacciana, the medieval castles of Castel Fusano (Chigi) and Ostia Antica, and the palaeontological sites of Castel di Guido and Malafede.
• Santa Severa and Pyrgi - A few kilometres from Rome, a magical place where you can spend a day of culture or relaxation by the sea, strolling through fields of wheat and striking beaches of black sand and blue water. A magical place dominated by the imposing castle, a strategic outpost on the sea with an enchanting village whose narrow streets still exude a medieval atmosphere with their festivals, noble courts and battles.

A day at the Castelli Romani - Located south-east of Rome, the Castelli Romani area, immersed in greenery and history, is the ideal place for a day trip out of town. Among the lakes and ancient volcanic craters, where emperors, pontiffs and ecclesiastical dignitaries had their luxurious residences built, overlook the 17 municipalities that offer unusual itineraries on foot or by bicycle to discover the architectural and natural beauties and the excellent food and wine that make the traditional Roman cuisine unique. Don't miss: the bread of Genzano and Lariano, the PDO wine of the area, the grapes of Colonna, the 'coppiette' of Ariccia, spicy strips of dried meat, and the 'pupazza' of Frascati, a shortbread biscuit flavoured with honey.

A day in Tivoli - Discovering the enchanting town framed by nature of extraordinary beauty. Tivoli is the ideal place for walks and excursions even during the holidays. The marvellous Villa Adriana, Villa d'Este and Villa Gregoriana were, at the time of the Grand Tour, favourite destinations of novelists, painters, poets and musicians who drew inspiration from their works of art, monuments and unspoilt landscapes.

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN ROME FOR EASTER HOLYDAYS

Walks in the city's beautiful gardens, exciting explorations in the city's museums or art venues, immersive experiences on your own or with the family: discover the many fun activities organised for you at Easter and Easter Monday.

Here are some selected suggestions from the events scheduled during the Easter holidays:

• Pasqua al Bioparco (Easter at the Bioparco) - 29, 30 and 31 March, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - The Bioparco of Rome awaits you for various thematic activities on the biodiversity of eggs, at stations spread across the 17 hectares of the park. In the "Uova da record" (record eggs) station, you will discover egg models of all sizes, from the large egg of an extinct bird, the elephant bird, to the tiny hummingbird egg, observe "camouflage" eggs of birds that lay nests on the ground or those that are shaped in such a way that they do not roll away, and participate in a fun quiz game. With "Non solo uccelli" (Not only birds), you will have fun associating egg models with the animals that laid them, to discover that not only birds deposit them. Participating in the activity "Animali a sorpresa" (Surprise animals), after solving some egg-themed riddles, you will discover the tricks nature uses to survive. 
• Egg Hunt at Luneur Park - Rome's Garden of Wonders awaits you to unearth thousands of tiny eggs hidden among the flowers and bushes! Departure at 12 noon and 4.30 p.m., at the Bruco Circus stage, to begin the search for eggs scattered around the park and find lots of surprises and prizes inside. Fun is guaranteed at 3 p.m. with the music and dancing of the fantastic Circus of Fools and the colourful Truccabimbi.
• Easter and Easter Monday at Cinecittà World - On 31 March and 1 April, two days of great festivities at Rome's Cinema and TV Park to experience Easter with shows and lots of fun all together as a family, including adrenalin-pumping attractions, events, relaxation and lots of tasty food!
• Il Fantastico Mondo del Fantastico (The Fantastic World) - On Sunday 31 and Monday 1 April, in the ancient Castle of Lunghezza, the theme park dedicated to the wonderful world of fantasy and imagination kicks off the new season and celebrates Easter and Easter Monday by inviting you on an exciting journey of discovery and rediscovery of legends, love, duels, and thrills.
• Jungle Eggsplorers at Magicland - On 31 March and 1 April, the park of magic awaits young explorers for JUNGLE EGGSPLORERS, an adventurous egg hunt, in which participants, using real detective skills, following clues and overcoming exciting challenges, will have to unearth all the eggs hidden around MagicLand.
• Easter and Easter Monday at Roma World - For the holidays, the Ancient Rome Nature Park awaits you for two days of festivities, events and fun amidst the cork forests and meadows of the Roman countryside, transforming itself into an even more magical place with exciting shows and moments of relaxation and taste.
• Pasqua Magica (Magical Easter) at Zoomarine - The amusement water park awaits you for a great Easter weekend with lots of novelties and fantastic events: the fast and famous hedgehog Sonic and his interactive playroom, the new Jurassic ZOORASSICO area with an interactive playground for children, a tree with a 16-metre slide, the Stecosaurus slide and the Tibetan bridge of the Tree Castel, Zoe, the company of Topo Gigio, the GIGIO BUS children's playground, the educational area dedicated to tortoises and the many delicacies of the new amazing food area.

​EASTER ON THE TABLE

As on every great occasion, the Easter table is set to the brim, a prelude to a gluttonous and abundant meal. Lots of sweet and savoury dishes, to be enjoyed by letting yourself be carried away by the flavours and aromas of Rome's gastronomic tradition made up of popular and authentic recipes, made with simple and easy-to-find products. After the fasting and moderation that characterised the Lenten period, traditional sweets, eggs, boiled and chocolate, and lamb meat, the Christian symbol of rebirth, arrive on our tables.

• The Easter breakfast - The absolute stars of the Easter breakfast are hard-boiled eggs, often decorated, to be eaten with the Roman coral, a dark red salami, the soft 'pizza sbattuta', a cake reminiscent of sponge cake, which goes well with the delicious chocolate eggs so loved by children.
• Easter lunch - After a hearty breakfast, one certainly cannot refuse a hearty lunch that puts on the table tasty dishes such as omelette with artichokes, the main vegetable of Roman cuisine, present in an unavoidable dish on the tables of the faithful of tradition: coratella with artichokes, made with the innards of the lamb. At the end of the meal, you cannot miss the sweet-symbol of Easter, the delicious colomba, covered with crunchy almonds, icing and sugar crystals.
• The Abbacchio a scottadito - One of the tastiest dishes of Roman cuisine, the Abbacchio a scottadito (grilled lamb) is the dish of the festivities and the spring season, according to the tradition of Rome and Latium; an unfailing dish on Roman tables, especially at Easter lunch, perfect when accompanied by an excellent red wine from the Castelli.
• Ricotta and sour cherry tart - Among the dishes linked to a strong family tradition, handed down orally over the centuries, the ricotta and sour cherry tart is a great classic of Romanesque-Jewish cuisine: a mouth-watering shortcrust pastry, with sour cherry jam and sambuca-flavoured ricotta cream.
• Ciambelline al vino - Of very ancient origin, ciambelline al vino are a typical preparation of the Castelli Romani: biscuits strongly linked to popular tradition, with homemade but intense flavours, made with the ingredients usually found in every home. Flour, olive oil, wine and sugar give life to a preparation with a heavenly taste and an inviting amber or brown colour, covered with sweet sugar crystals.
• Wine and drinking culture in Rome - The fil rouge that runs through the history of Rome's gastronomic tradition is, of course, wine, the protagonist of every table and extraordinary accompaniment, in its different declinations - white, red and rosé - to dishes and courses of all kinds.

EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY 2024: THE EDITORS' SUGGESTIONS

It is said that a city can be described through a single panorama, a colour, a perfume, and it is precisely those nuances, imperceptible and evanescent, that often turn into indelible memories. The magic of Rome, then, has been endlessly recounted in the words of poets and writers and wonderfully depicted in the works of great artists. Eternal and mysterious, Rome embraces you with its millennial charm and surprising modernity. There is no better time than the Easter holidays, laden with the colours and perfumes of spring, to fully immerse yourself in its vibrant mornings, warm sunsets and enchanted nights.

Here are our suggestions and visit tips for an unforgettable Easter:

1. Stroll through Rome's characteristic alleys and iconic squares to discover unprecedented perspectives, breathtaking views and hidden corners all to be experienced and told.
2. ​Open also on Easter Sunday, the historic Porta Portese Market is located in the characteristic Rione Trastevere and is the city's most famous and largest: a real Sunday ritual for Romans and one of the must-see stops if you are visiting Rome.
3. Small is beautiful, nay, wonderful. We propose you an itinerary to discover seven 'extra-small' architectural masterpieces. Decidedly smaller in size compared to the grandeur of the Pantheon or the Colosseum, but no less fascinating for that, they are works that shine in their own light and emanate infinite suggestions.
4. Visit the Casa delle Farfalle (Butterfly House), a magical and immersive place where you can have a unique and exciting experience in direct contact with some of the world's most beautiful exotic butterflies. The large tropical greenhouse is home to over thirty species of butterflies that flutter, lay eggs, feed and court each other in a magical dance.
5. Wandering around the ancient ruins of the city and wandering through its characteristic alleys is certainly an unforgettable experience. Rome, however, must also be admired from above: the city's exciting panoramic viewpoints offer you the unmissable opportunity to enjoy a splendid view and grasp all its magnificence from a privileged perspective, to play at spotting the most famous monuments, be moved by Roman sunsets, and embrace the entire historic centre and beyond in a single glance.
6. Enjoy the excellent food and wine specialities of Roman cuisine in the restaurants of the historic centre, in the characteristic trattorias and osterias of Rome's rioni, in the fraschette of the Castelli Romani or by the sea.
7. Experience the exciting Rome's nightlife. In Rome, the night comes on very late: after a classic aperitif in the trendy lounge bars scattered around the city, a hearty dinner in one of the many typical restaurants and a stroll through the splendid historical piazzas or around the millenary monuments, it is time to throw yourself into its movida. During the week, and especially at weekends and on holidays, the city is constantly animated by a lively nightlife, to suit all tastes and budgets. And, as the saying goes 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do', to end the night in the most traditional way, be sure to take a bite, at the crack of dawn, of a tasty croissant or a freshly baked cream doughnut!

HOW TO GET AROUND ROME ON EASTER AND EASTER MONDAY 2024

For all information on active mobility services during the Easter holidays, please visit: romamobilita.it