Rome by night: Italy's capital tests a new tourism strategy

Facing record heatwaves and overcrowded historic sites, Rome is testing a new approach to tourism this summer: opening museums, parks, archaeological sites, monuments, villas and historic residences at night, according to France 24. The initiative is designed to offer visitors an alternative to the sweltering daytime hours and to manage the overwhelming crowds that have become a defining feature of the Italian capital.

The night openings, described by France 24 as a revolution in the city's tourism strategy, allow visitors to experience Rome's heritage in a cooler, quieter setting. The programme includes a range of sites, from major museums to smaller historic residences, and is being watched closely by other Italian cities grappling with similar pressures.

The strategy speaks to a broader challenge facing Italy's cultural heritage sector: how to balance preservation with accessibility in an era of mass tourism. For regions like Molise, which rely on heritage tourism to support fragile local economies, the experiment in Rome offers lessons in managing visitor flows and extending the tourism season.