Considered to be the ‘cradle of civilization,’ the city of Rome is one-of-a-kind in every way. Its historical center houses so much history, archaeology, art, and architecture—and that’s just within the city limits! So whether you’ve got a bucket list of tourist hotspots or prefer to get off the beaten path, you’ll find an endless list of activities for every season.
Here’s our guide for the best time to travel and explore it all based on weather, events, attractions, and more.
Table of Contents
- The Weather in Rome
- Rome’s Most Popular Annual Events
- The Best Tourist Attractions in Rome (And When to Visit Them)
- Rome Sporting Events That Make Tourists Go Wild
- Italian Public Holidays and Occasions
The Weather in Rome
With its Mediterranean climate, hot summers, and mild winters, Rome is lovely throughout the year. Nevertheless, its four classic seasons can help you pick the best time to visit for your future trip.
Spring (March to May)
Mild and pleasant temperatures make spring a fantastic time to visit Rome for sightseeing. It’s also the low season, meaning you’ll find some great travel deals. Expect highs of 59°F in March, 64°F in April, and 73°F in May.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is the hottest time of year, and the inner city can get scorching, with highs of 87°F or more. For slightly cooler weather, travel in June. As a bonus, you’ll save on travel, as June is cheaper than the peak months of July and August.
Fall (September to November)
Seasoned travelers will usually tell you that fall is the best time to visit Italy for laidback sightseeing and food and wine experiences. Expect highs of 80°F in September, 71°F in October, and 61°F in November. For the cheapest flights, November is the best month to travel.
Winter (December to February)
The low season can get chilly, but temperatures in Rome are still relatively mild. However, with ranging highs of 55°F and lows of 37°F, you won’t want to forget your winter layers.
Rome’s Most Popular Annual Events
Is it any surprise this historic capital continually boasts exciting parties and experiences? Here are some of the top local events and festivals to fully immerse yourself in.
Epiphany (January)
Held every year on January 6th, Epiphany marks the end of Christmas with parades throughout the country. If you’re staying in Rome, head to Vatican City to watch the processions of people decked out in medieval costumes.
Carnevale (February)
Taking place at the beginning of Lent, this annual event brings everyone together at Piazza del Popolo for choreographed horse shows, races, dancers, and costumed performers. Many activities are also geared toward entertaining children, making it ideal for your next family vacation.
Rome’s Birthday (April 21st)
Celebrate alongside locals to mark the city’s founding by Romulus in 753 BC. The city’s museums and historical attractions usually allow free entry on this day, and there are live musical performances at Piazza del Campidoglio. Come nightfall, don’t miss the fireworks display over the River Tiber.
Rome Summer Fest 2022
Running from June 6th to August 19th, Summer Fest is set to bring Italian and international stars to the stage at Auditorium Parco Della Musica. Headliners this year include Alt-J, Ben Harper, Cat Power, Lorde, Moderat, and Pixies. Performances start from €25 ($26 USD).
Rome Christmas Markets 2022
Head to Piazza Navona from early December to January and bring plenty of cash for the local stalls and street food! There’ll also be musicians, street artists, nativity scenes, and amusement rides for children.
The Best Tourist Attractions in Rome (And When to Visit Them)
Rome simply possesses too many amazing sights and attractions to name. No time to see them all? Here are the most popular ones to add to your itinerary.
Colosseum, Rome
This amphitheater is the largest of its kind and holds a place on every traveler’s bucket list. Admission starts from €21.50 ($23 USD), and booking is always advised if you want to skip the long queues.
Next Vacay Travel Tip: Visit during late fall/winter for the quietest time and fewest crowds.
Vatican City, Rome
No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to Vatican City. The Basilica offers free entry, but the Vatican Museum ranges from €8-17 ($9-18 USD) for general admission.
Next Vacay Travel Tip: It can get extremely crowded in the museum (especially the Sistine Chapel), so consider booking your trip in the low season.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is a free tourist site and a popular gathering place for many locals and tourists. Follow tradition and toss a coin over your shoulder into the fountain to guarantee a return trip to Rome!
Next Vacay Travel Tip: Visiting in high season? Beat the crowds and get there early or late at night.
The Pantheon
Discover this remarkable Roman temple which opens from 9 am to 7 pm daily. Reservations are required on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Tour guides are also available, starting from €20 ($21 USD).
Next Vacay Travel Tip: Visit in the afternoon on a clear summer’s day to see the sun streaming through the oculus of the Pantheon.
Pigneto
Get off the tourist track and head to the Pigneto area, Rome’s up-and-coming hipster neighborhood. Sample delicious food at low-key pizzerias, indulge in the best ice cream from artisan gelaterias, and rest your legs at the many aperitivo bars.
Next Vacay Travel Tip: The best time to visit Rome’s Pigneto neighborhood for nightlife is in the summer months, when balmy evening temperatures make it ideal for al fresco drinking.
Rome Sporting Events That Make Tourists Go Wild
Want to indulge in a bit of sport while vacationing in Rome? Here are the Italian sporting events that locals can’t get enough of.
Serie A Football
Italians are football-mad, and Serie A is the country’s premier football league. It’s due to start in August 2022 and last until late May 2023. Get tickets from Stadio Olimpico to watch Roma’s home games.
Italian Grand Prix
Every season, F1 events are held at the Monza Circuit, just 30 minutes from Milan. But Rome isn’t short of sports bars if you want to get into the racing spirit.
Italian Public Holidays and Occasions
If you want to know the quietest time to visit Rome, it’s best to travel in the low season. It’s also worth avoiding the busy Christmas and New Year holiday period, as many locals and tourists like to book their family vacations around this time. However, if you don’t mind some atmosphere, Christmas in Rome is spectacular, with fantastic markets and events across the city.
Many shops and businesses close during religious holidays like Easter, so you’ll need to factor this into your travel. Other bank holidays that could lead to shop closures and busy public transport include Liberation Day on April 25th, Labor Day on May 1st, Republic Day on June 2nd, Ferragosto on August 15th, All Saints Day On November 1st, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.
Avoid the crowds or jump right into the action with Next Vacay deals that take you to the skies faster than you can say ciao!
