Easter 2026 in Rome: museums open and 12 exhibitions to see

Easter 2026 in Rome: museums, special openings and what to see

Easter in 2026 falls on Sunday, April 5: many cultural sites in Rome offer free or reduced access on the holiday, and the city's civic museums will be open on Easter Monday as part of the municipal initiative. Below is a curated list of 12 exhibitions and displays to consider, with practical details to help plan your visit.

12 exhibitions not to miss

• Bernini and the Barberini — Palazzo Barberini, Via delle Quattro Fontane 13. Exhibition exploring the artistic and institutional relationship between Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Maffeo Barberini (later Pope Urban VIII), shedding light on the origins of Roman Baroque. Curated by Andrea Bacchi and Maurizia Cicconi; check the museum website for schedules.

• Treasures of the Pharaohs — Scuderie del Quirinale, Via XXIV Maggio 16. Egyptological display with more than 130 original artifacts from major Egyptian collections, organized in thematic sections; booking is advised for school groups and large parties.

• Flowers. Wonderful Nature — Chiostro del Bramante, Via della Pace. The latest chapter of a project on nature, presenting plant and animal forms across historical and contemporary works in collaboration with international partners.

• Impressionism and Beyond. Masterpieces from the Detroit Institute of Arts — Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Lungotevere in Augusta. About 52 works tracing the path from Impressionism to early twentieth-century avant-gardes (Courbet, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso and others). From March 27 some days feature extended opening hours until 20:30—online reservation recommended.

• From Vienna to Rome. Wonders of the Habsburgs — Museo del Corso / Palazzo Cipolla, Via del Corso 320. Over fifty works from the Kunsthistorisches Museum illustrating the cultural achievements of the Habsburg court, including pieces by Rubens and Van Dyck. Check opening times and ticket info (standard ticket around €18).

• Rome in the World — MAXXI, Via Guido Reni 4a. Exhibition examining the dialogue between urban identity and international perspectives; consult the MAXXI calendar for the latest schedules and events.

• Franco Battiato. Another Life — MAXXI, Via Guido Reni 4a. Multidisciplinary retrospective on Battiato's artistic and musical career, organized into thematic sections with immersive sound design (octagonal room with Dolby Atmos). Ticket approx. €10.

• Robert Doisneau — Museo del Genio, Lungotevere della Vittoria 31. Exhibition of more than 140 photographs spanning the French photographer's career; check the museum's weekly opening hours before visiting.

• Beyond the Pantheon — Basilica of Neptune area (near the Pantheon). A new visitor route opening adjacent spaces not usually accessible: information on access and schedules is available through the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo or relevant cultural bodies.

• Vasari and Rome — Musei Capitolini, Palazzo Caffarelli, Piazza del Campidoglio 1. Exhibition bringing together paintings, drawings and documents to trace Giorgio Vasari's Roman experiences and his dialogue with ancient and modern art. Open daily 9:30–19:30; free entry for Rome residents with MIC card.

• Museum of the Forma Urbis Romae — Celio, via Tempio della Pace / Celio area. Houses fragments of the monumental marble map of Rome (Forma Urbis Severiana); the Celio visit route places the fragments in their archaeological context. Check official museum portals for updates.

• Caravaggio and Matisse — Museum of the Infantry / Italian Army Museum, Piazza di S. Croce in Gerusalemme. Two temporary exhibitions accessible with a combined ticket during April and May holidays (Easter, April 25 and May 1): verify access rules and opening times on the museum website.

Practical tips: always confirm opening hours and whether advance booking is required, especially for high-demand exhibitions; consider skip-the-line options when available and check for discounts for residents, students and seniors.

For the most reliable information, consult the official pages of the individual museums before your visit, as schedules and access rules can change on public holidays.