Italy Travel Guide 2025: Essential Tips for Jubilee Year Visitors Navigating Crowds, Security, and Cultural Experiences

Listeners planning to travel to Italy in August 2025 should be aware that Rome and other major cities are experiencing high visitor numbers due to the ongoing Jubilee of Youth, a major religious celebration continuing until January 2026. The UK’s Foreign Travel Advice notes that the city is particularly busy from July 28 to August 3 due to special Jubilee events, and heightened security measures are in place throughout the remainder of 2025. This includes a notable increase in police and military presence across major tourist sites. Italian authorities are strictly enforcing identification regulations, requiring travelers to carry their original passports at all times; copies will not be accepted and non-compliance could result in fines or other penalties. Travelers do not need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter Italy as of August 2025. Most visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the European Union can travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, passports must have at least three months’ validity beyond the intended departure date. Those entering or leaving the European Union will be subject to new biometric checks, including fingerprints and facial photographs. Health advisories include recommendations to consult healthcare professionals at least eight weeks before travel for advice about mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue, and chikungunya. The U.S. CDC reports that measles continues to be a risk when visiting Italy. Crime levels are generally low, but petty theft and pickpocketing are common in city centers and at crowded tourist attractions, especially in Rome, Milan, Pisa, and at cruise ports. Guidance from both the UK and U.S. governments urges visitors to remain vigilant, keep belongings secure at all times, and never leave food or drinks unattended due to incidents of drink spiking. Stronger measures around transport security are highlighted, particularly on trains to and fr