The Car Show of All Car Shows: Anantara Concorso Roma Returns in 2026

The past April, I was in Rome ready to witness the debut of what promised to be the city’s first great celebration of automotive elegance: the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma. Collectors had gathered from across the globe, Piazza della Repubblica shimmered with anticipation, and the marble halls of the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi were abuzz with conversations of Ferrari, Lancia, and Fiat.

But Rome, as it often does, reminded us that tradition is bigger than any one event. News of the Pope’s passing swept through the Eternal City, and with it came the respectful postponement of the concours. The city’s collective heart turned toward reflection.

And yet, standing there, I couldn’t help but feel that this pause was only a prelude. Rome doesn’t do things halfway. When she makes you wait, it’s because something grander is coming.

With new dates set, April 16–19, 2026, the Anantara Concorso Roma is returning, not diminished but magnified, promising a weekend where la dolce vita comes to life fulfilling the dreams of petrol-heads and collectors alike.

Living History at Palazzo Naiadi

The official host hotel, Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, is not just a place to stay, it’s part of Rome’s soul. Rising above the ancient ruins of the Diocletian Thermal Baths, the 19th-century marble palace curves around Piazza della Repubblica like an amphitheater. Its neoclassical portico greets you in pretty much the grandest way possible, welcoming each guest as if you are royalty.

When I walked through its marble corridors this Spring, I felt the layers of Roman history whisper—emperors once bathed here, centuries before collectors would gather to toast vintage Alfa Romeos on the rooftop terrace. This is a hotel worth checking out whether you will be attending the concorso or not.

Anantara Concorso Roma

The lineup for 2026 reads like a dream for any automotive enthusiast, a gallery of Italian artistry and engineering. The 1902 FIAT Type 12/16hp, one of the earliest survivors of Italy’s automotive dawn. A 1951 Cisitalia 202 SC Gran Sport Cabriolet, a rolling sculpture that helped shape post-war design. And perhaps most evocative of all, the 1963 Ferrari 275P, a car that embodies the golden age of Italian racing.

To see them not in a museum, but rather displayed in Villa Borghese’s Piazza Bucarest or rolling through Rome’s cobblestone streets, is to see Italian craftsmanship where it belongs, under the Italian sun, surrounded by centuries of architecture.

A Weekend of La Dolce Vita

This is no ordinary concours. It’s as much about the lifestyle as it is about the cars.

• Wednesday begins with private tours and curated shopping for early arrivals because in Rome, a tailor or a jeweler’s atelier can be just as iconic as a Ferrari’s silhouette.

• Thursday night brings a rooftop welcome reception at Palazzo Naiadi, where prosecco is sure to flow.

• Friday delivers pure theatre: the Giro d’Anantara, where owners take to the streets, engines echoing against ancient walls, before gathering for dinner at Casina Valadier in the gardens of Villa Borghese.

• Saturday is Judging Day, punctuated by a Champagne reception, elegant lunches, and a black-tie dinner at Palazzo Brancaccio.

• Sunday closes with awards, culminating in the announcement of Best of Show.

For those who want to immerse themselves, VVIP packages offer accommodations at Palazzo Naiadi, gourmet dining, and premier access to every gathering. Weekend passes with and without accommodations are available, while day passes start at just $110 USD, making it accessible for anyone eager to witness this new Roman tradition.