During the month of June it might very hot and quite crowded in Rome.

Don’t get stuck in the heat and get exhausted and stressed on your Roman holidays. Plan your visits carefully and stay always up to date with latest news. Here are the latest news from Rome that might help you organize your trip.

Few things have changed in the last month regarding the Colosseum and Roman Forum. If you prefer getting around the archaeological site on your own, make sure you get your tickets in advance. The online reservations are sold out for most of the month. Therefore, the only solution is to get your own tickets at the entrance of the Roman Forum, at the Colosseum or at the gate of the Palatine Hill. Directly at the desk of these three sites, from now on, it won’t be possible to get tickets for more than 1 person (you can get the ticket only for your self). Only the licensed guides, that have a dedicated cash desk, can get more than one ticket and they will be assigned the first available entrance time to the Colosseum.

This means that this year it won’t be possible to enter the Colosseum at any time. You will be allowed to enter the Colosseum only at the time that will be assigned to you at the moment of the ticket purchase. Pointless to say “early bird…”

On the 2^nd of June is the Republic Day in Italy and Via dei Fori Imperiali that goes in the middle of the Ancient Rome ruins (from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum) will be completely closed to the traffic and pedestrians as there will be a military parade. The access to the Colosseum and Roman Forum on that day will be very difficult or almost impossible. Try to arrange your plans accordingly and avoid to schedule the visit to the Ancient Rome on the 2^nd of June.

On the 5^th and the 29^th of June the entrance to the Colosseum and Roman Forum will be free of charge. The security checks are sometimes very long, therefore plan your visit preferably early in the morning. Both sites open at 8.30am. You will still need to collect your free tickets at the cash desk.

The Belvedere section of the Colosseum will reopen in June and again the visitors will have the chance to purchase the tour or a special ticket to climb to the very top of the Colosseum.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica, June 2019

As usual, the opening hours of the Vatican Museums will be from 9am to 4pm. For pre-booked groups with accredited tour-operators the access is allowed from 8am.

The only closure of the Vatican Museums will be on the 29^th June, the St Paul’s and St Peter’s Day. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, as every year,  will be closed throughout the whole day.

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are closed on Sundays and only on the last Sunday of the month, as usual, the access to these sites will be free of charge. The opening hours on the “Free Sunday” is from 9am and 12.30pm.

The Pope’s Angelus is confirmed for every Sunday except for the 2^nd and the 16^th June. For the St Paul’s and St Peter’s Day the Angelus will take place also on the 29^th June. The Angelus is always at 12pm. It’s not required to book your tickets for this event.

The Pope’s Audience, taking place every Wednesday, is confirmed for the 5^th, the 12^th, the 19^th and the 26^th June. The tickets, that are free of charge, can be requested here

On Sunday 9^th  June, the Papal Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost will take place at 10am at the St Peter’s Basilica. On the 29th Papal Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul will start at 9.30am. If you would like to attend the events or a Mass inside the Basilica you must book your tickets here. They are also free of charge.

If you need any assistance to book your tickets for Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, in case you would like to book a tour of these sites, or you simply need to book your free tickets for the Papal’s Mass or Papal’s Audience, please contact us on info@citylightstours.com or via chat on our main page.

We will be glad to help you to organize your stress-free holiday in Rome.

Happy travels to everyone!