Is Rome Open?

[user1488826574]

Hi,

We're thinking of spending a few days in Rome & was wondering has anyone been recently?
We'd like to see all the usual hotspots & stay in a nice central hotel.
Has anyone been this Summer ? Is most places open ? Is it quieter than usual ?
Any advice & recommendations would be really appreciated!
Many Thanks

Yes, for now, all of Italy is open and has been since the end of May. Restaurants are generally letting fewer people in and taking temps as you enter and of course you have to fill in the trace info. But life is pretty much normal.

I haven't been, (thinking of going early Sept) so imagine it's still relatively busy but there won't be the crowds of Japanese tourists.

I saw some city centre hotel deals on Expedia and Booking.

Do bear in mind though that things are ever changing. Only this week a couple of regions put people coming in from Spain, Greece and Malta onto a 14 day quarantine as almost all of Italy's new cases are being traced to foreign holidays. Italy's cases are rising, though nothing like other countries. 300 new cases nationally last time I checked but these figures included 100 refugees arriving and testing positive.

I have UK friends arriving on 28th and we're hoping that the UK figures don't alarm the Italian govt!

I'd come sooner rather than later just in case!

Thanks for sharing your information.
We've booked flights now , possibly be the last bit of travelling we'll be doing for a while!
Don't suppose you can recommend any good hotels or air bnb 's accommodation?
Thanks again

Just got back from a week, it is an amazing and unique time to visit. You need to pre- book tourist attractions but no queues. The Sistine chapel without 300 other people was brilliant. A few thousand watching the pope on Sunday. The forum was great. August is when locals leave town but apparently less so this year.

Temp is checked for museums. 100% mask compliance

For restaurants you have to wear a mask to walk to the table but not at the table. No temp checks, some took mobile numbers but most didn’t. cv 19 rates are very low. Masks in shops, again 100% compliance. Some people wear them in the street, most wear them on their arms.

They are desperate for tourists and very welcoming. Eating out is cheap. Many hotels in the city are closed.

We stayed at the Crowne plaza in the suburbs edge a great family restaurant next door for about 6o a night (plus a per person per night 6 euro tax on check out at all hotels). Breakfast was 10 and the hotel restaurant was expensive and poor. There were some nice local restaurants. It has a pool and was busy with families.

We then went to the NH Rome centro which was in a nice area and walkable to all attractions. More expensive but included breakfast

Watching with interest as we are booked to go at the start of Sept. Going to plan and book the attractions - do we need to pre book restaurants do you think?

Thanks Polnm,

That's really really helpful !

That was my whole selling point to my other half, that Rome would be really quiet .
We've booked a great Air BnB now. We just need to book our sight seeing attractions now!

I'm slightly concerned about booking them in advance in case travel restrictions change .
But realise it is necessary .
What did you do? & who did you book through for The Colliseum & The Vatican City.
Also do you just turn up for Mass with the Pope on the Sunday or do you have to book?

You just turn up for the Sunday balcony wave. Think he might be on holiday though!

We are envisaging a tightening of restrictions over the next week or so- regions are getting antsy. It's mainly because of crowded beaches, nightspots in tourist areas getting crowded etc. I've heard more on the news about southern beach resorts than Rome though.

Plus the official summer season literally finishes after 15th August so I think things will quieten down even in those areas where there has been a bit too much movida.

@ScorpioSphinxInACalicoDress

You just turn up for the Sunday balcony wave. Think he might be on holiday though!

We are envisaging a tightening of restrictions over the next week or so- regions are getting antsy. It's mainly because of crowded beaches, nightspots in tourist areas getting crowded etc. I've heard more on the news about southern beach resorts than Rome though.

The Pope was there on the 9th August.

Just to say to check dress restrictions for at peters and Vatican museums-knees and shoulders need to be covered

As of today/tomorrow, masks to be worn outside from 6pm to 6am (if SD isn't possible, which is kind of being interpreted as everywhere) and nightclubs/discos are to close.

Hi,

Just to say , we're just back from a wonderful trip to Rome with our teenage daughters & it was probably one of the most enjoyable trips we've ever had!
We managed to see all the top attractions where there was no queuing or crowds , in-fact my husband took a picture of me on the Spanish Steps all by myself!
The Italians are strict with the rules , mask wearing , temp taking etc , which I think is really good & reassuring.
It's a great time to see this wonderful city right now !

Oh, it's good to read your update, OP.
I fly to Rome in three weeks, and I'm really looking forward to it.
Did you print off one of the self declaration forms to fill in before entering Italy? It looks a bit confusing to fill in ( legal- sounding!)
Did anyone actually ask to see it?

Hi,
Yes , we printed off the forms & filled them in but nobody asked for them or to see them at Rome airport. On the return the Uk form online was asked for at Gatwick .
A few handy tips, download the tour apps on your phone for most of the big sights, bring your own water bottles, there's fountains everywhere to fill up your water!
Bring a shawl, as you need to cover up your shoulders on entering nearly all Holy Sites.
We got the train from the airport into the main Station & it was on time , only 30 mins & €14 each way, Very refreshing!!

Enjoy your hols

Thank you, OP, it's really helpful to hear from someone who's travelled there so recently.
I just wanted to make sure that I do everything right, as it can be difficult to keep up with the rules these days!

Hello OP! I've namechanged but I'm here under an astrological name too
Glad you had such a lovely time!
I also picked up a British guest from the airport on Friday and her airline had not advised about the self-declaration form but she was able to do one there and then. @allaglow

Thank you, SeedsOfADream: very reassuring.
I'm fixing myself up with a smartphone ( only have an old dumbphone), otherwise I wouldn't be able to complete the online Locator form for returning to the UK; I understand that it can't be done earlier than 48 hours before travel home.
I know that I'm behind the times: just stuck in my ways and not good with technology.

Oh I much prefer printing things! So completely understand!