When is the best time to visit Rome? Here’s your season-by-season guide

Go for festive displays, fewer crowds, and indulgent Roman cuisine

Winter weather in Rome won’t compare to snowy conditions farther north, but you can still experience cold days in late-December through most of February. This is the best time to visit Rome if you enjoy a cooler trip—but what really makes it magical is the festive atmosphere. Thanks to the city’s rich Christian and Jewish heritage, you’ll find neighborhoods all over Rome honoring holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah in colorful ways. For example, you’ll find Piazza Barberini lit up for the eight days of Hanukkah and stunning nativity scenes displayed throughout the city.

Another wonderful thing about traveling to Rome during the offseason is that there are fewer crowds. Can you imagine discovering the secrets of the Trevi Fountain without having to jostle for space? This is why travelers love our Off-Season Italy: Rome, Naples & Florence tour; it highlights the best of Italy when crowds are thin so you can get better value from your visit.

Plus, while winters in Rome can be cooler and rainier, the conditions are ideal for tucking into some of the city’s most indulgent, stick-to-your-bones cuisine. Don’t miss local delicacies like trippa alla Romana and hearty servings of pasta carbonara.

Weather in Rome in December, January, and February

Average temperatures are between 39 F and 56 F.

December

In December, Rome comes alive with holiday celebrations. Because of Rome’s (and Italy’s) rich Catholic history, Christmastime is celebrated all over the city. Expect to find Christmas trees, twinkling lights, stunning nativity scenes, and lively markets (like the popular Piazza Navona Christmas Market). Our Rome itineraries, like our Grand Tour of Italy, include plenty of free time, which can be spent checking out the various events going on in the city, too. Follow a holy caravan on December 8 during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and attend a mass led by the pope himself on Christmas Eve.

You can even time your trip to coincide with New Year’s celebrations when you set out on our New Year’s Eve in Rome: Italy & Greece tour. Like many other cities, Rome shows off with a fabulous firework display. But, you know what other cities won’t have? The chance to welcome the new year with a mass led by the pope. How’s that for a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Vatican City?

January

The best thing about a Rome tour in January is that there will be far fewer visitors, so popular areas won’t be crowded. Expect shorter queues for the Eternal City’s most famous attractions. Whether you’re on our Rome: The City Experience tour or A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour, you’ll get so much more out of the Italian capital if you visit in January. (Thinking of visiting solo? Check out our solo traveler’s guide to Trastevere in Rome.)

Plus, January is the coldest month of the year in Rome, so it’s also the ideal time to tuck into traditionally hearty fare, including rich pastas like carbonara and cacio e pepe. Sample it all with a full-bodied glass of Italian vino.

February

February in the Italian capital is brisk and is also when you can anticipate the most rain, so packing strategically for your Rome tour will be very important. However, once you look past the potentially drizzly conditions, February can be the best time to visit Rome if you love museums. They’re indoors, which makes the weather irrelevant, and because of the low visitor turnout, iconic art institutions like the Sistine Chapel will be a lot more comfortable to explore.

Another great reason for a Rome tour in February is getting the chance to experience Carnival, an eight-day celebration filled with opulent parties and a grand parade along the Via del Corso. Find out how to enjoy the festivities like a local in our insider’s guide to Venice Carnival.

Go to see the Eternal City in bloom and soak up the local scene

For some travelers, March, April, and May are the best months to visit Rome. While we know there are countless reasons to travel to Rome in the spring, our favorite might just be seeing flowers open around the city. Spring is also the best time to go to Rome to experience the locals’ zest for life, so feel free to participate in rousing afternoon aperitivo or languorous weekend lunches over pizza and crisp white wines.

Weather in Rome in March, April, and May

Average temperatures are between 43 F and 75 F.

March

March stays relatively quiet in Rome, which means you can still enjoy the city’s cozy trattorias, impressive museums, and ancient architectural sites without masses of travelers. The exception: Easter. While springtime is technically shoulder season in Rome, meaning crowds won’t be as intense as they will be in the summer, Easter is a popular time. Whether it falls in March or April, Easter and the two weeks surrounding it draw thousands of visitors to Rome and Vatican City, where the pope leads an annual Easter mass. (Check out important things to know about visiting Vatican City.)

April

April is the best time to visit Rome, Italy, if you’re a flower lover. On our London & Rome tour (or the longer London, Paris & Rome tour), you get enough free time in the Eternal City for a leisurely stroll through these verdant pockets, whether that’s the rose garden near Circus Maximus or the fabled Villa Borghese Gardens. Even an iconic attraction like the Spanish Steps gets in on the action—in April, it’s cloaked in a blanket of azaleas.

May

Rome starts to get much busier in May, with renowned events and the beginning of peak travel season. It may not be summer yet, but May in Rome can feel as busy as it does in July or August. The weather will be perfect, which means everything you could want to do in Rome will be cast in a warm Mediterranean glow. If you ask us, there’s nothing better than ending a day of sightseeing with an outdoor aperitivo at a lively Roman trattoria.

What’s special about a Rome tour in May is that the city will be full of events so there’s a lot you can do during free time during our classic Rome: The City Experience tour. Maybe you’d like to watch the Italian Open or the Internazionali BNL d’Italia—a renowned tennis tournament where world-class athletes compete at the Foro Italico stadium.

Go slow down during extra-warm days and late-night alfresco meals

If you’re a fan of hot weather, the best time to visit Rome is summer. The city’s Mediterranean perch means balmy temps all season long. There’s no need to ask what the weather is like because the answer is always: hot. For many travelers, that alone makes June to August the best time of the year to visit Rome, when the sun is brightly shining and there’s nothing like being outside to soak it all in.

A summer trip to Rome is also the best time to experience the city’s late-night energy—Italians love a long dinner. Do as the Romans do and settle in on an outdoor patio for a later-than-usual reservation. Picture it: The sun has long set, the Rome weather has dipped to a more comfortable temperature, and you’re savoring a multi-course meal with your new travel buddies.

Weather in Rome in June, July, and August

Average temperatures are between 63 F and 89 F.

June

June marks the official start of peak-travel season in most of southern Europe, but especially in Rome. If you love the energy of a city full of people, then June is the best time to visit Rome on our Venice, Florence & Rome tour. You’ll see the best of the city on this itinerary, which includes guided visits to historic sites like the Roman Forum, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Colosseum. There’s also plenty of free time for you to carve out your own agenda, or to take one of the top day trips from Rome to nearby towns.

One of the most important Italian holidays also falls in June: Republic Day, or Festa della Repubblica. This is a national celebration commemorating the day Italy became a republic in 1946. (Be aware that many shops, restaurants, and attractions close in observance of this special day.)

July

July is usually when Rome experiences its highest temperatures so if you love super-warm weather, this is the months for you. What’s especially fantastic about taking a Rome tour in July is that there’s plenty to do both indoors and outdoors, so you can soak up the sun and then cool off inside an iconic site. If you’re on our Rome: The City Experience tour, you’ll get guided tours of all the classic attractions, from the Colosseum to the Vatican. This is also an itinerary that allows for a ton of flexibility because of all the free time, which you can use to attend all sorts of fun events, from open-air operas and a cinema festival in Trastevere to Rock in Roma, an annual outdoor music event that attracts thousands.

If you love shopping, July is the ideal time to plan your trip to Rome as many of the city’s shops—from designer stores to charming independent boutiques—will be hosting their summer sales.

August

Rome in August is hot, sunny, and humid. If you love exploring with non-stop sunlight on your face, the final weeks of summer will be the perfect time to schedule your Roman holiday—whether you’re on our best-selling London, Paris & Rome tour or our Grand Tour of Italy.

In August, may we suggest a day trip? There are countless bucket list destinations that are quick-and-easy trips from the Italian capital. (If you do choose to head outside the city, it might pay to learn several Italian phrases; you never know when they’ll come in handy in smaller towns!) Upon your return to Rome, the city will still be buzzing. Locals love a late-night dinner when the sun has set and high temperatures have dipped a bit. Joining them for a classic Italian supper is just one of the ways to experience Italy like a local.

Go to visit Rome’s ancient sights and whip up seasonal dishes

The weather in Rome during the fall is incredible for both indoor and outdoor exploration. It’s warm, but not excessively so. You can just as easily enjoy an afternoon in the museums as you can a day strolling around Rome’s top neighborhoods or learning about its ancient monuments. It can feel like anything is possible, and that’s why fall is one of the best times to visit Rome.

Fall is also a great season to take a Roman cooking class thanks to the bounty of seasonal ingredients like truffles and chestnuts. We even offer an optional Pasta-Making Class & Dinner excursion during the Rome portion of our A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour.

Weather in Rome in September, October, and November

Average temperatures are between 45 F and 81 F.

September

This month can feel like the very best time to go to Rome. The city will still be sunny and warm, but will also be entering the beginning of shoulder season. So, while it will be busy, it won’t be as crowded as peak summer-travel season. Our Grand Tour of Italy and A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour can be especially perfect this time of year.

In fact, we love a Rome tour in September because it can feel like the best time to do just about anything. You can visit a nearby beach town, stroll through city gardens, visit ancient sights, enjoy a day of shopping, and tuck into the best local food.

October

October in Rome is perfect for seeing the sights. If your ideal trip to Rome is all about discovering its history, then our Rome: The City Experience tour is made for you. Taking educational, guided tours of the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Roman Forum, and the Pantheon is made much better by the season’s mild-yet-sunny weather. Plus, the deeper we get into autumn, the thinner the crowds become. For both lovely weather and fewer crowds, take your Rome trip in October.

One of our favorite local events, Rome Art Week, is hosted in late-October, too. Enjoy six days of free, public activations and exhibitions, which are held at art institutions, event spaces, and hotels. (Ask a new friend to tag along with you during your free time on our Venice, Florence & Rome for Solo Travelers tour!)

November

November is a fantastic time to visit Rome because you can expect pleasant weather and very few crowds. Plus, the city is known for its heartier cuisine, so eating becomes an especially thrilling component of a November trip to Rome. The autumn harvest yields seasonal specialities like mushrooms, pumpkins, and chestnuts. You should also try the popular street food called suppli, which is a rice croquette that locals love to eat when the weather starts to cool down.

If you’re a food lover on our Off-Season Italy: Rome, Naples & Florence tour, you won’t want to miss the Food of Rome: Walking Tour of Trastevere excursion. It’ll guide you to the best pasta, pastries, and gelato in this historic Roman neighborhood.