If you spend All Saints’ Day in Rome, it is useful to know about the opening times of museums, sights and shops in the Italian capital. All Saints’ Day, the 1st of November, is an important holiday in Rome which is why some monuments, shops and attractions might be closed. In this article you will also get ideas about what to do on All Saints’ Day in Rome.

All Saints’ Day Rome 2024: Tips and Information about All Saints’ Day in Rome

All Saints’ Days Rome 2024: Are museums and attractions open on All Saints’ Day in Rome?

Even though All Saints’ Day is a holiday in Rome, almost all museums and shops are open that day. This being said you can visit museums and attractions like the Colosseum, The Roman Forum or the Galleria Borghese even on the 1st  of November. Most museums and attractions remain closed one day during the week. If this day usually is a Tuesday, it is very likely that the museum or the attraction is also closed on All Saints’ Day.

Due to All Saints’ Day being a public holiday in Italy, Rome will be cramped with both tourists and Romans alike, since most offices remain closed on the 1st of November. Hence, you should expect long waiting lines at museums and attractions on All Saints’ Day in Rome. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance to avoid having to wait in line for hours.

One exception are the Vatican Museums which remain closed on All Saints’ Day. However, you can visit the museums the days preceding and following the 1st of November. If you want to save time, it’s best to book a guided tour for the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Only guided tours are allowed to go straight from the Vatican Museums to St. Peter’s Basilica and do not have to wait in line at the security checkpoint at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Public places and squares will of course be open on All Saints’ Day in Rome. All Saints’ Day is a very pleasant day in Rome, since many people go for a walk in the streets. You should follow their example and visit public places and sights like the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon or Piazza Navona.

All Saints’ Day Rome 2024: Visit St Peter’s Basilica on All Saints’ Day

Since All Saints’ Day is a religious holiday, Roman churches are the focus of attention on 1 November. Do not miss visiting St Peter’s Basilica. The Pope will be present to pray the Angelus on St Peters Square at noon on All Saints’ Day. Admission is free and you do not need a reservation.

Every year many faithful are expected for the Angelus prayer on St Peter’s Square which is why you should a large gathering of people and possible delays. St Peter’s Basilica is closed during the Angelus prayer. Before and after the prayer you can visit St Peter’s without problem.

Many Roman churches host a special mass on All Saints’ Day. Admission to Roman churches is almost always for free.

Opening hours of shops and restaurants

Most shops in the center of Rome are open on All Saints’ Day, meaning you can still go shopping on that day. The department store La Rinascente in Rome is open from 10 am to 10 pm, the Gallery Alberto Sorte is open for shopping from 8.30 am to 9 pm and the Euroma2 mall opens its doors from 9 am to 9 pm.

All Saints’ Day does not affect opening hours of cafés and restaurants in Rome. However, it can be very crowded in restaurants that day, so I advise you to reserve a table in advance.

A visit to the cemetery in Rome

On All Saints’ Day the Romans commemorate the dead and visit them on the cemetery. In Rome there is a huge monumental cemetery. It is called Verano and is located behind the Basilica San Clemente. The basilica is quite old and has an interesting clock tower. One hand can only be seen from the square in front of the basilica, the other from the cemetery only. The tram lines 3 and 19 take you to the tram station Verano, as well as the bus lines 71 and 492.

Most Rome visitors do not know about this cemetery but it is definitely worth a visit. There are huge burial grounds built into the landscape and spectacular buildings with family graves with many interesting and well-known names. As you walk through this graveyard, you can imagine how the ancient Romans buried their dead. Back then, the dead had to be buried in front of the city walls, but there was far too little space. This is how the catacombs in Rome, which can be found everywhere outside the city walls of Rome, were created. On Via Appia Antica you will find three catacombs, St. Calixtus, St. Sebastian and Domitilla, and below them the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella.

What to do on All Saints’ Day in Rome

On All Saints’ Day you should go for a walk inside the Roman villas. The largest one is Villa Pamphili above the Gianicolo. Villa Borghese is also worth a visit.

You can also take the local train at the station Piramide to go to Ostia near the sea to enjoy a fresh sea breeze and eat delicious fish. To get there you can use the same tickets that are required for travelling by public transport inside Rome. On the way to the sea you will pass Ostia Antica, a large ruins complex and former harbour in the Ancient Rome.

Weather conditions on All Saints’ Day in Rome

The weather on All Saints’ Day in Rome is usually quite pleasant. In Rome, it is usually still quite warm towards the end of October with temperatures around 20°C during the day. However, in the evening and at night it it might get chilly. Be prepared for rain showers during this period in Rome.