Italy extends hours at top attractions to combat summer heat

Italy is extending the opening hours of its most popular tourist attractions, including the Colosseum and Pantheon in Rome, and Sforza Castle in Milan, until the end of August. This initiative aims to allow visitors to explore these sites in more comfortable conditions, avoiding the peak heat of the day.

The Colosseum will now be open until 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, a significant extension from its previous 7:45 p.m. closing time. The Pantheon will remain open until 11 p.m. daily, except Thursdays, compared to its earlier 7 p.m. closure. Sforza Castle in Milan will stay open until 7:30 p.m., two hours later than usual. Cheaper tickets for the castle's museums are also being offered for evening visits.

Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli highlighted that evening visits offer a unique perspective, with fewer crowds and atmospheric lighting. These changes are a direct response to the ongoing heatwave affecting Italy, which has led to a red weather alert in 27 cities, including Rome and Milan. The alert signifies the highest level of health risk, with prolonged high temperatures posing a threat to the general population.

The decision was made in consultation with the tourism industry and guides. The move also aims to strategically distribute tourist traffic over time, potentially reducing overcrowding. This comes after a 56-year-old tour guide died from heatstroke at the Colosseum last August, prompting calls for adjustments to working hours during extreme heat.

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evening allows to see these monuments in a completely different light – less crowded, illuminated and often more atmospheric.