With visitors to Rome already reaching 30 million in 2023, up to 80 million could visit the Eternal City for a series of events and celebrations.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - October 29th, 2024 - Next year could see record numbers of visitors to Rome joining the celebrations for  the historic Catholic Jubilee. It’s one of the world’s oldest celebrations, tracing its history back to the year 1300. However, there are concerns the available accommodation will struggle to meet the number of anticipated visitors.

Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from Monasteries.com, says: ‘In 2023, 30 million people flocked to visit the Eternal City but that number is likely to be eclipsed next year. The last official Jubilee celebrations took place in the year 2000 (excluding 2015’s ‘Extraordinary Jubilee’ event) and nearly 80 million people visited during the year. The 2025 celebration is expected to be even bigger, with people making their way to Rome from all corners of the world.

‘Accommodation will be at a premium and traditional hotels are likely to be fully booked or considerably more expensive than normal. That’s why Monasteries.com has just released its essential online guide to where to stay in Rome for the 2025 Jubilee.

‘Vacant hotels and Italy’s traditional “pensiones” will be in extremely short supply in May and June. However, our new guide reveals there is another option. In keeping with next year’s events, visitors can stay in one of Rome’s many monasteries or convents.

‘They are sited across Rome, from the heart of the city to the peaceful suburbs. Many have breakfast and dining halls, communal spaces and rooftop terraces with stunning panoramic views. While some monasteries are more basic, many come fully equipped with modern amenities such as satellite TV and WiFi. All are far more budget-friendly than hotels or holiday lets.

‘The new online guide not only reveals why you should stay in a monastery in Rome during Jubilee 2025. It also explores the best monastery accommodation near Rome’s most important landmarks and suggests many ideas to add to your itinerary. 

 ‘It’s not hard to understand why next year is such an important one for Rome. With just a few breaks for events such as the Napoleonic Wars, the Jubilee has become one of the world’s oldest regular celebrations, eclipsing traditions such as the modern Olympic Games, which only began in the year 1900.

‘Held every 25 years, the 2025 Jubilee will have the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. It will kick off on 24 December this year with the symbolic Opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

‘Events will be held throughout 2025, starting with the Jubilee of the World of Communications, 24-26 January. All those working in the field of communication (journalists, media professionals, video makers etc) are invited. Among the events being staged will be a highly topical discussion of  "Journalism at the service of democracy".

‘That is followed on 8-9 February by the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel for all members of those organisations, together with their families. Events follow thick and fast after this.

‘The Jubilee calendar reaches a peak in May and June. Among the many special events planned will be a Jubilee of Children (24 May), Jubilee of Sport (14 June) and  Jubilee of Youth (28 July). Find out more by following the links in our online guide.

‘It's eternally difficult to find affordable accommodation in the Eternal City so our new guide could prove invaluable. Staying in a monastery also enables people, regardless of whether they are religious, to become part of a community. Common areas such as dining rooms offer ideal places to forge friendships and connections.

‘The guide reveals bargain accommodation at places such as Casa il Rosario. It’s a religious guest house run by the Dominican Sisters of Charity which is located in the historic centre of Rome, near the Termini station. This November, rooms cost from as little as £41.78 per night and, if you book now, the price is the same even for June next year, which marks the climax of Jubilee events. There are three monastery guest houses within a ten-minute walk of the Vatican that are offering accommodation and many others are sited near the basilicas that will be opened by the Pope for next year’s events.

‘As the guide reveals, accommodation in monasteries, convents and abbeys is still widely available next year in Rome. Some people may be surprised that they welcome everyone but, remember, they have offered sanctuary to pilgrims and travellers for centuries, with a vow of “hospitality” a feature for many religious orders. That means they are often more welcoming and friendly than an anonymous hotel.

‘To find out more about staying in Rome on a budget during the Jubilee, see the full online guide at: https://www.monasteries.com/en-GB/travelinspiration/where-to-stay-in-rome-for-jubilee-2025

###