Visit Rome by night: Italian capital tests new tourism strategy

This summer, Rome is testing a new way to visit the city: by opening its tourist sites at night. According to France 24, the initiative includes museums, parks, archaeological sites, monuments, villas, and historic residences, a revolution in how the capital manages its cultural heritage in the face of recent heatwaves and the big crowds that saturate historic sites during the day.

The move is a direct response to the twin pressures of climate change and overtourism, which have made daytime visits increasingly uncomfortable and unsustainable. By shifting some of the visitor flow to the cooler evening hours, Rome hopes to alleviate the strain on its most popular attractions while offering a different, perhaps more atmospheric, perspective on the city's ancient wonders.

For a country where tourism is a cornerstone of the economy, the experiment in Rome could have far-reaching implications. If successful, it may serve as a model for other Italian cities, including those in the south, that are grappling with similar challenges of heat and overcrowding.