Vatican City is the smallest country in the world in terms of area and population.

But that hasn't stopped an estimated 32 million visitors from arriving this year for the 2025 Jubilee, a year-long global celebration of Catholics.

Jubilee spokesperson Caterina Rigoni said the Jubilee is a time of pilgrimage, prayer, reflection and renewal of faith.

"The holiday is being celebrated across Rome with masses, processions and a variety of religious and cultural events in major cathedrals, with a special focus on the Vatican's role as the center of the Catholic faith," she told CNBC Travel.

The Italian government is offering Jubilee visas to travelers coming to Italy through tours organized by local churches.

The Jubilee Year begins on December 24, with Pope Francis opening the first of four "Holy Doors," a tradition that dates back to at least 1500. These doors were usually sealed with mortar and opened only during the Jubilee Years. Occurs every 25 years.

Passing through the gate means cleansing from sin and reconnecting with the faith, which is the main reason why pilgrims travel to Rome for the Jubilee Year.

Participants can also perform the pilgrimage during the Hajj. The "Seven Churches" route is a ritual that dates back to the 16th century and includes a 15.5-mile walk from Vatican City to the outskirts of Rome. At the same time, the "European Patron and Doctor of the Church" pilgrimage allows tourists to learn about female saints in Europe.

Several days of celebration are designated for specific groups. For example, February 8-9 is a festival commemorating the Armed Forces, while the Juvenile Jubilee of April 25-27 includes concerts in various squares in Rome.

Rigoni said Jubilee organizers expected the concerts to be well-attended. She advised attendees to plan all events in advance and check Jubilee's website and app for updates.

Brandon Shaw has lived and worked in Rome for 15 years and co-founded the tour guide company The Tour Guy in 2012. Collection of the Center of Rome.

Shaw recommends that travelers enjoy the best pizza in town at Panificio Bonci. For more formal dining, he recommends Il Sorpasso. Both are within walking distance of the Vatican.

“With no ancient ruins or any major monuments, Prati is often overlooked by tourists, but that’s what makes it such an ideal place to stay. It’s home to many locals and is home to many open-air wine bars, stylish cocktails Lounges and gourmet restaurants,” said Shaw, who now lives in Florida.

To enjoy Rome away from the jubilee crowds, Shaw recommends visiting the Catacombs, the underground cemeteries that contain the tombs of famous popes and martyrs.

He also recommends walking tours of the Appian Way (an ancient road that stretches from Rome to the "heel" of Italy) and the Aqueduct Park, which contains the remains of an ancient water system built during the Roman Empire.

For travelers looking to get out of Rome during the Jubilee, TV presenter and producer Kathy McCabe has no shortage of options.

McCabe said she is a big fan of Modena, a city about five hours north of Rome and home to Luciano Pavarotti and balsamic vinegar.

She said she met celebrity chef Massimo Bottura while filming two episodes of the PBS travel series "Italian Dreams." He runs the world-famous Osteria Francescana and the more casual Franceschetta58, which she says makes the best tortellini in the world.

"Modena is the Italy you longed for 20 or 30 years ago, and I hope it never changes. It's such a quaint city with few tourists or souvenir shops," said McCabe, who lives in Colorado.

McCabe also shot in Capua, about two hours south of Rome, near an ancient amphitheater second only in size to the Colosseum. Caserta, about 20 minutes from Capua, is another of McCabe's favorite places, home to a royal palace she calls "as good as Versailles."

For foodies, the northern cities of Bologna and Parma should be top of mind, McCabe said.

McCabe, who has visited Italy more than 90 times and aspires to one day live in Rome, said people who hate crowds should not give up on Rome in 2025.

"Rome is endless. Once you get beyond the big things to see, there are countless churches, museums, shops, restaurants and experiences," she said. "If you have the chance to go to Rome, you should go."