25 April to 1 May 2024 in Rome: experience the best of Rome and its wonderful surroundings during the long spring break. Here is our guide to museums & exhibitions, parks, unusual and fun activities and food suggestions.

Warmth and timeless beauty have been the hallmark of Rome for over two thousand years. Spring in the Eternal City is an unmissable experience – it’s one of the best times to explore the city, getting lost in its alleys and stopping to admire its monuments to discover unique colors and perspectives you can turn into unforgettable memories.

Check here the program of Roma Live events from 25 April to 1 May.

• PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS FOR 25 APRIL (ITALY’S LIBERATION DAY) AND ROME’S FESTA DELLA RESISTENZA
• ART AND CULTURE - MUSEUMS & MAIN EXHIBITIONS
• MUSIC, SHOWS AND SPORTING EVENTS
• ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
• WALKS IN THE PARKS AND OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS
• TRADITIONAL ROMAN SPRING RECIPES
• OUR TIPS: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STAY IN ROME FROM 25 APRIL TO 1 MAY
• HOW TO GET AROUND ROME FROM 25 APRIL TO 1 MAY

PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS FOR 25 APRIL (ITALY’S LIBERATION DAY) AND ROME’S FESTA DELLA RESISTENZA

In the spring of 1945 the joint actions of the Allied forces and the partisan groups gradually led to the liberation of whole Italy from the Nazi-Fascists army. At the end of the war, it was decided to celebrate Liberation Day on 25 April, as on that day, in 1945, the National Liberation Committee of Upper Italy called for a popular uprising in the territories that were still occupied. In Rome, the celebrations open with the deposition of a laurel wreath at the chapel of the Unknown Soldier by the President of the Republic and the highest offices of the state and with a tribute to the fallen of the Fosse Ardeatine. The historic parade organized by the ANPI - National Association of Partisans of Italy traditionally has Porta San Paolo as its fulcrum: here on 8 September 1943, soldiers and civilians tried to stop the German army that entered Via Ostiense fighting for two days. From 23 to 25 April, Roma Capitale celebrates the liberation of Italy with the Festa della Resistenza, three days of free events, with 80 lectures, meetings, shows, concerts, projections and exhibitions in various spaces in the city's Fifth and Seventh Municipalities, animated by historians, scholars, journalists and artists who will tell the public about one of the highest moments in Italian history. The complete program is available at culture.roma.it/festadellaresistenza.

ART AND CULTURE - MUSEUMS & MAIN EXHIBITIONS

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 are closed on Mondays and 1 May. Their rich collections will await you on 25 April to explore the greatness and many faces of Rome. For more information on the opening hours and access to the individual City Museums and archaeological sites, please consult the official website.
• Most State museums will be open on 25 April (with free access) and on 1 May. For more information on opening hours and access on 25 April, please check the official website of the Italian Ministry of Culture or individual museums and archaeological sites’ websites. For more information on opening hours and access on 1 May, please check the official website of the Italian Ministry of Culture or individual museums and archaeological sites’ websites.

Top exhibitions & more

Discover top art exhibitions and immersive experiences in Rome from 25 April to 1 May:

• Raphael, Titian, Rubens. Masterpieces from Galleria Borghese to Palazzo Barberini - Palazzo Barberini - An exceptional and unprecedented exhibition itinerary featuring fifty paintings by some of the greatest masters of art of all times, transferred from the Borghese Gallery to the south wing of the piano nobile of Palazzo Barberini, creating a historical, artistic and cultural dialogue between the two wonderful collections.
• 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.
• ​Briganti Eleganti. L’arte della moda maschile (Elegant Brigands.The Art of Men’s Fashion) - MAXXI museum - An imaginative journey traceable above all among the archetypes of men’s fashion embodied in the epic figure of the brigands, active, in particular, in post-Unification Southern Italy, with extraordinary costumes and an ad hoc set scenario.
• 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.
• Day for Night: New American Realism - Palazzo Barberini - Ispired by cinematographic technique used to film night scenes during the hours of light, the exhibition dedicated to realism and the representation of truth in contemporary American art displays over 150 works by artists in dialogue with the splendid masterpieces of the Palazzo Barberini.
• 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.
• Hilde in Italy. Art and life in the work of Hilde Lotz-Bauer - Museo di Roma in Trastevere - The photographic exhibition dedicated to the extraordinary and versatile German art photographer, forerunner of street photography, recounting the places, daily life, festive occasions and artistic heritage of Italy in the decade 1934-1943.
• 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.
• 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.
• Visit to the Bunker and Air Raid Shelters at Villa Torlonia - Villa Torlonia Museums - The new visit itinerary that, with an unprecedented multimedia set-up, once again opens the two underground structures to the public for an immersive and experiential visit presenting a piece of Rome’s history, evoking one of the city’s darkest and most dramatic pages. For all information, opening hours, how to visit and to purchase online, visit: museiincomuneroma.vivaticket.it.
• 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.
• Museum of Dreamers - PratiBus District - The immersive exhibition combining entertainment, creativity and technology, taking the public into a dreamlike universe, bringing them back to the culture of dreams. 

MUSIC, SHOWS AND SPORTING EVENTS

The azaleas of Spanish Steps - 86th edition - Spring is not spring in Rome without the 250 white and lilac azalea plants that decorate and color the 18th-century staircase of Trinità de’ Monti, giving it a triumphantly polychrome look and enhancing the theatricality of one of the most popular urban settings in the world. 

77th edition of the Liberation Grand Prix - 25 April - the traditional rendezvous with a historic international sporting event that involves hundreds of fans of all ages in a free ride through the monuments of ancient Rome: the Baths of Caracalla, Aurelian Walls, Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Circus Maximus and Colosseum.  

2024 Italian Taekwondo Championships - 26-28 April - The exciting competition organised by FITA - Federazione Italiana Taekwondo: the Italian elite will challenge each other on the tatami in a top-level competition.

Festival dell'Oriente – Thursday 25, Saturday 27, Sunday 28 April and Wednesday 1 May - The event that takes you on a journey of joy, music, food and wine, traditions and excellence from some of the world’s most fascinating countries of the Far East.

Italian Popular Festival. Songs and strings, bellows and brass. 10th edition - As part of the festival at the Museum of Musical Instruments, this year dedicated to female vocality, two unmissable concerts are scheduled: on Thursday 25 April 2024, at 5.30 p.m., great Arab music with the voice of Jordanian singer Macadi Nahhas, who presents the show Singing for humanity together with Persian musician Pejman Tadayon; on Tuesday 30 April, at 8.30 p.m., the performance entitled Amoreamaro by the new protagonist of popular music, the Apulian singer Maria Mazzotta. 

Concerto del Primo Maggio (May Day Concert) 2024 at the Circus Maximus - The traditional concert has been celebrating workers' rights since 1990, on the occasion of Workers' Day, focusing on social issues and current music. Exceptionally, this year, singers and bands will parade from early afternoon until late at night on the stage set up inside the striking Circus Maximus. 

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

Strolling in the city’s beautiful gardens, exploring city’s museums or art venues, enjoying immersive experiences on your own or with your family, and fantastic theatre performances: discover the many fun activities organised for you this spring week

Here are some ideas and suggestions for you and your kids from 25 April to 1 May: 

• ELECTROKIDS FESTIVAL - Until 28 April, the VR Arena spaces of the Casilino Sky Park host the first festival of digital art and video mapping dedicated to young people and families. Sixteen days to enjoy a unique experience among lights, sounds and spectacular images in the fantastic universe of new multimedia technologies, exploring virtual worlds, being inspired by interactive installations and incredible video mapping, and experimenting with your creativity.  Full programme on the official website. 
• Journey through time at Luneur Park - Rome’s garden of wonders awaits you with many shows and surprises. You can meet extraordinary characters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Cleopatra, the mischievous monkey Dexter and many others, and on 25 April and 1 May, special guests from the past: Dinosaurs. 
• Zoomarine - Many events are planned for the whole family at the large edutainment park: on 28 April, Lucilla, the sun fairy, and her new show full of dancing, music, and lots of smiles; on 1 May, lots of fun with Fantasy Show and Follie di Primavera, shows featuring jugglers, dancers, and stilt-walkers, and with Lampadino, Caramella, and Zampacorta, the characters from the popular Rai Yoyo cartoon, who will be present throughout the month with a fun and educational mini-show.
• The largest exhibition of Lego bricks - The Wow Side - Shopping Centre - The largest Lego® exhibition in Europe: 1,000 square metres of space dedicated to the world's most famous bricks with seven million pieces used to create unique constructions, many of which are interactive, including educational objects, life-size figures, historical and film characters, impressive buildings, inventions, nature and the world of art and music.
• Casa delle Farfalle - The Butterflies’ House - A magical and immersive experience in direct contact with some of the world's most beautiful exotic butterflies: in the large greenhouse, butterlies flutter, lay eggs, feed and court each other in a magical dance.  
• Casa delle Farfalle – un luogo magico e immersivo dove potete vivere un’esperienza unica ed emozionante a diretto contatto con alcune delle farfalle esotiche più belle del mondo, che svolazzano, depongono uova, si alimentano e si corteggiano in una danza magica.
• Planetarium of Rome - The fantastic shows for the whole family, to discover the secrets and beauty of the universe, admiring the Earth from afar, flying over planets, nebulae and galaxies, and reliving key events in space exploration and recent astronomy. Program on the official website.
• Color Hotel - The Wow Side – Shopping Centre - A surprising permanent interactive area with 11 different settings takes you on a journey of play, fantasy, discovery and emotions in a 4,000 square metre path dedicated to play and fun.

WALKS IN THE PARKS AND OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS

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 marbles in Spring days. 

Discover some of the exotic and romantic gardens in Rome

• The Botanical Garden of Rome - In the heart of the Rione Trastevere, a magical place away from the chaos where to enjoy the spectacle represented by the extraordinary variety of the plant world, among monumental trees, bamboos, palms, roses, greenhouses of orchids and succulent plants, ponds of water and marvellous gardens.  
• The Rose Garden - Located on the slopes of the Aventine Hill, the Rose Graden offers a unique sensory experience, thanks the scents and colors of over 1,200 roses from all over the world, and a stunning view that goes from the Circus Maximus to the Palatine Hill, the bell tower of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, the dome of the Synagogue and the Vittoriano, up to the Monte Mario observatory. 
• The Japanese Garden of the Japan Cultural Institute in Rome - An enchanting oriental garden, with a pond, a small waterfall, islets, rocks, a small bridge, stone lamps and beautiful Japanese and Mediterranean plants, hidden from outside view and suspended in time, where each element has its own precise function and gives life to a contemplative whole of incredible poetry and beauty.  
• Parco Centrale del Lago - Laghetto dell'EUR - A beautiful park full of Mediterranean trees, with the striking Japanese Promenade, adorned with Japanese cherry trees, and the Waterfall Garden, a true jewel of landscape architecture with jumps and jets of water, cliffs, natural stones and plants, in addition to the romantic 85,120 square meter wide artificial lake. 
• The Garden of Ninfa - The splendid oasis created by the Caetani family on the ruins of a medieval city at the foot of the Lepini mountains in the province of Latina where, among ancient ruins, streams and a small lake, you can admire more than 1,300 species of plants immersed in a fairytale atmosphere. Official openings at giardinodininfa.eu.

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.

TRADITIONAL ROMAN SPRING RECIPES

It is said that a city can also be described through views, colours, scents and, often, flavours, which remain imprinted in our memory. Discovering the true essence of Rome is also this: to immerse oneself in an unmissable journey tasting the typical dishes of traditional cuisine that, together with the extraordinary and genuine local ingredients, tell the story of the Eternal City and create a wonderful experience.

• Roman maritozzo - One of Rome’s best-loved sweets, is certainly the most mouth-watering way to start the day: soft and inviting, usually filled with fresh cream, the Roman Maritozzo is a tasty alternative for a quick lunch break, an exquisite snack or an after-dinner drink, thanks to its extraordinary sweet and savory combinations and gourmet recipes.
• Pizza, a Roman passion - A cornerstone of Capitoline gastronomy: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, ideal for a tasty, al fresco gourmet break or a convivial meal in a trattoria or pizzeria, including those of the Rione Trastevere and the Rione Testaccio. 
• Spaghetti with tellinas - It is impossible not to be tempted by this tasty recipe of traditional cuisine. An explosion of flavour starring the sweet and delicate Tellina from the Roman Littoral, to be enjoyed in one of the many restaurants along the Ostia beach, admiring the sea or the incomparable colours of the sunset, or in front of one of the many breathtaking views of the Capital. 
• Strawberries from Nemi - The sweet fruit ideal for a delicious breakfast or a fragrant end to a meal, which the Roman and Lazio countryside gives us in different varieties: from the Carchitti or Terracina favetta, with different sizes and flavours, to the Nemi strawberry, the Castelli Romani strawberry beloved by the Romans and sold on the capital's fruit stalls since ancient times.
• May Day broad beans and pecorino cheese - Two foods that make for a tasty, substantial and, above all, indispensable combination for your out-of-town excursion, your picnic in the countryside, or your table setting, during the May Day celebration, the so-called “Maggetto”. Enjoy them as the Romans do: shell the broad beans on a plate and cut the pecorino cheese into chunks or slivers, accompanying everything with a delicious glass of Castelli Romani wine.
• The Gricia - A much-loved recipe and one of the most appetising first courses on Capitoline tables, made with just three ingredients (Guanciale, pepper and Pecorino Romano DOP) to create a recipe that will make you lick your lips. 
• Wine drinking culture in Rome - The fil rouge that runs through the history of the Capitoline gastronomic tradition is of course wine, the protagonist of the table and extraordinary accompaniment, in its different declinations (white, red and rosé) for every recipe.

OUR TIPS: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STAY IN ROME FROM 25 APRIL TO 1 MAY

Magical, eternal and mysterious, the city envelops you with its thousand-year-old charm and surprising modernity. There is no better time than spring days, full of colours and scents, to fully immerse yourself in its crisp mornings, its pink-orange sunsets and its enchanted nights.

Discover 7 ideas to make the most of your stay in Rome from 25 April to 1 May:

1. Rome’s talking statues - An itinerary through the streets and squares of the Centro Storico to discover the “talking statues” with curious names: Marforio, Babuino (the Baboon), Facchino (the Porter), Abate Luigi (the Abbot Luigi), Madama Lucrezia and Pasquino. The statues date back to different ages and they were used in the past to express in an original way the Roman people criticism. Often, the statues exchanged biting banters among them, from one part of the city to another.
2. Rione XIII - Trastevere - Explore one of the city's most characteristic districts, beloved by Romans and tourists alike, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Rome's past, among alleys, churches and small squares, typical trattorias and taverns, craft shops and trendy clubs. 
3. Seven optical tricks in art: Rome and the magnificent deception in painting and architecture - Visit some of the most impressive and extraordinary sites in Rome where seven marvelous optical illusions of Rome are concealed. You will discover how beautiful it can sometimes be to be fooled by trompe-l’œil, fake architecture and perspective games, created by the great masters of art.  
4. A walk among the fountains - An itinerary that accompanies you in discovering the fountains you should not miss: monumental, bizarre, baroque, these small and large masterpieces shine in the most famous squares or reveal themselves in hidden corners of the city. 
5. Villa of Maxentius - The Villa of Maxentius complex stretches between the second and third mile of the Via Appia Antica and is one of the most striking archaeological areas in the Roman countryside. The Villa was one of the great building works undertaken by Maxentius during his short reign (306-312), which ended with the disastrous defeat at the Milvian Bridge that brought Constantine to the head of the Empire
6. Fellini's locations - An itinerary that accompanies you to the places in Rome immortalised in the great Italian director's most famous films, from the historical center to St. Peter's Square, from the evocative Baths of Caracalla to the Appia Antica, from the EUR district to the legendary Cinecittà Studios. 
7. Exploring the Janiculum Hill, the area that was the scene of the heroic events of the fighters for the Roman Republic in 1849 and that today is a splendid vantage point over the city's historic centre. On the Janiculum Hill you will discover numerous surprises: from the remarkable Tempietto del Bramante to the monuments to Giuseppe and Anita Garibaldi, the splendid Fontanone dell'Acqua Paola, the cannon that fires at noon sharp, and the small white stone lighthouse donated by the Italians of Argentina.

HOW TO GET AROUND ROME FROM 25 APRIL TO 1 MAY

For all information on mobility services and public transport, please see: romamobilita.it  and atac.roma.it