Rome’s Sacred Sites Thrive: Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica Set New Records in 2025- A Spiritual and Tourism Milestone

Published on December 17, 2025

The Holy Year 2025 is making a profound impact on Rome’s tourism sector, particularly at Vatican City’s world-renowned sites. According to a comprehensive report by Data Appeal Company, based on thousands of social mentions, reviews, and online interactions, the Jubilee Year is succeeding in its main goal: redistributing tourist flows and generating significant economic benefits for the region. While iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon continue to dominate, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica have seen remarkable growth in attention, aligning perfectly with the spiritual and tourism-driven objectives of the Holy Year.

The Jubilee Year has undeniably reshaped the way visitors experience Rome, creating a more balanced flow of tourists across the city. And as 2025 draws to a close, it’s clear that the Vatican’s holy monuments are among the biggest winners in this transformation.

St. Peter’s Basilica: The Biggest Winner of 2025

Among Rome’s top attractions, St. Peter’s Basilica has emerged as the standout performer. The basilica saw an extraordinary 93% increase in digital visits compared to previous years, with millions of pilgrims and tourists flocking to the site to witness the Jubilee’s spiritual offerings. This surge in online mentions, reviews, check-ins, and photos highlights the Basilica’s importance, not just as a religious symbol but as a key player in Rome’s tourism recovery.

In particular, visitors were drawn to the Holy Door during the Jubilee, combining their spiritual pilgrimage with a positive, engaging experience of the site. According to reports, the visitor satisfaction score reached an impressive 94.5/100, suggesting that these faithful travelers not only found profound spiritual meaning in the Basilica but also enjoyed a well-managed and welcoming environment.

Vatican Museums: Steady Growth and Rising Satisfaction

The Vatican Museums, home to the iconic Sistine Chapel and a trove of priceless art, also experienced significant growth during the Holy Year. The museums registered a 10% increase in digital visits, further solidifying the Vatican’s standing as one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions. The Vatican’s efforts to enhance crowd management and visitor satisfaction appear to be paying off, with the museums receiving a notable boost in their sentiment score — climbing by 2.4 points year-on-year to 89.7/100.

This growth reflects renewed interest in the Museums, spurred by the pilgrimage spirit of the Holy Year combined with effective operational improvements. The combination of spiritual reverence and high-quality visitor experiences has clearly resonated with tourists, confirming the Vatican Museums’ place as a central destination within Rome’s tourism landscape.

Shifting Rankings and More Balanced Tourism in Rome

The rise in digital engagement for Vatican attractions such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums has caused a shift in the rankings of Rome’s top tourist sites. Between January and October 2025, the Vatican’s key sites placed higher on the list of most-discussed attractions, securing fourth and fifth places respectively — a clear climb from previous years.

In total, Vatican City has seen a 33% increase in recorded reviews across its sites, with a staggering 60% rise in its popularity index. These results highlight the growing attention the Vatican’s spiritual sites are receiving, not just in person but through the online engagement of millions of digital visitors. Notably, peaks in online interaction corresponded with the liturgical calendar, especially around Easter and during the summer months, when religious and tourist traffic converged.

The Jubilee Year’s Economic Impact on Rome

Beyond just numbers, the Holy Year has had a profound economic impact on Rome. One of the key achievements of the Jubilee is its success in redistributing the flow of visitors. With many pilgrims flocking to Vatican City, there has been a noticeable shift in the areas benefiting from increased tourism. Neighborhoods like Prati, Borgo, and Aurelio have seen more business activity, as accommodation, restaurants, and shops in these areas have experienced greater foot traffic.

This shift has eased the pressure on already-saturated tourist hotspots like the Colosseum and Spanish Steps, providing a more balanced distribution of both visitors and economic benefits throughout Rome. Local businesses, including small hotels and guesthouses, have benefited from the increased number of tourists venturing into the Vatican area, mitigating the strain on Rome’s historic center while supporting sustainable tourism practices.

Looking Ahead: How the Jubilee Year Continues to Shape Rome’s Tourism Future

The success of the Holy Year in 2025 has laid the foundation for a more sustainable tourism model in Rome. As the Jubilee year approaches its end in January 2026, trends suggest that visitor numbers will continue to strengthen. The Vatican’s efforts to engage pilgrims and tourists alike, along with its strategic crowd management, point to a positive long-term shift in how visitors experience the Eternal City.

In the coming weeks, there is every indication that both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica will continue to attract a steady flow of tourists. This sustained attention will likely have lasting effects on the tourism landscape in Rome, contributing to both the preservation of the city’s Christian heritage and the growth of its global tourism appeal.

Conclusion: A Holy Year That Reshaped Rome’s Tourism Landscape

As we approach the conclusion of the Holy Year, one thing is clear: the Vatican’s sacred monuments, particularly St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, have seen extraordinary growth in both physical and digital visits, ushering in a new era for Rome’s tourism. Not only have these landmarks gained more attention and higher satisfaction levels, but the redistribution of visitor flows has also led to a more balanced and sustainable tourism model.

Rome’s tourism sector has flourished during the Holy Year, and the Jubilee’s impact will continue to resonate far beyond 2025, ensuring that the Eternal City remains one of the world’s most visited and revered destinations for both pilgrims and travelers.