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The best time to visit Rome

Cyclists in a very quiet Piazza di Spagna in Rome
Image: Gabriella Clare Marino / Unsplash
By Joanne Chong7 Apr 2022 3 minutes read

Rome is a stunning place to visit all year round, with plenty of things to see and do every season. Summertime (June to August) is Rome’s peak travel season, with the city brimming with festivals and activities. The Easter and Christmas holiday periods are also busy, with many traveling to Rome to join in the celebrations. Spring and fall from mid-March through mid-June, and September through October respectively, are Rome’s shoulder seasons, offering both great prices and pleasant weather.

Not sure when to visit? We’ve put together a guide to help you decide when to visit Rome for the best events, weather, and deals. Buon viaggio!

Rome peak season: June to August

From mid-June, things start to heat up in Rome and usually hits peak temperatures in the middle of July. The golden days of summer signal the peak season in Rome where visitors swell in from all around the world. Expect crowds as families and college students usually travel during the summer holidays.

Expect snaking queues at major tourist attractions, as well as higher prices and demand for accommodation and flights—so book your attraction tickets, flights and hotels as early as possible.

On the plus side, the longer daylight hours make summer nights in Rome a delight. You can visit a lot of Rome’s most famous piazzas and squares in the later hours of the day, and some of Rome’s main attractions like the Colosseum also offer night tours.

Rome in Summer

Lungo il Tevere (Along the Tiber) festival along the Tiber River
Image: Elizabeth Beard / Getty Images

One of the main highlights of the season is the summer festivals that take place across Rome. Head down to the banks of the Tiber River and join in the Lungo il Tevere festival where you’ll find pop-up stores, restaurants, live music, and carnival booths, that'll make your Roman summer an unforgettable one. Check out our guide on the best things you can do in summer in Rome.

Rome shoulder season: (mid-March to May; October to November)

Spring and fall are Rome’s shoulder seasons, bringing fewer tourists, shorter queues and waiting times, and lower travel costs. If you have flexibility in your travel dates, shoulder season gives you the best of both worlds—amazing weather and cheaper travels.

Spring in Rome

Villa Borghese in Rome at springtime
Image: Inna G / Tripadvisor

Springtime in Rome is one of the city’s most picturesque seasons. From March onwards, the days get longer and the temperature starts to rise. But what makes Rome special in spring are the spring blooms.

Visit one of Rome’s picturesque parks, like Villa Borghese or Villa Pamphili, for a picnic amongst the blooming flowers, or take a trip to the city’s stunning rose garden that is open to visitors between April and June.

March and April can also get quite busy, particularly when it's close to Easter and in Vatican City itself. Major tourist attractions will still be open but there might be changes to the operating hours in preparation for Easter activities.

Fall in Rome

Fall foliage along the river in Rome.
Image: Nika Benedictova / Unsplash

In the first half of fall (September to October), you will enjoy longer days, cool weather, and low rainfall. From the end of October onwards, you will start to feel a chill during the day so be sure to pack layers. November tends to be the wettest month as well, so have an umbrella or raincoat on standby.

Book yourself a tour of ancient Rome and snap great photos amongst the warm autumn hues. On rainy days, there’s nothing better than visiting a museum in Rome. Head to the Galleria Borghese for one of the most exquisite art collections in the world, or any of Rome’s free museums.

Rome low season: (late November to mid-December; mid-January to early March)

The low season in Rome runs from late November through to early March, with the exception of mid-December to mid-January, where the city sees huge crowds due to Christmas and New Year’s. Bring clothes for layering to prepare for both warm days and cold nights. As the weather can get wet, a good and trusty umbrella will come in handy.

If you want to avoid the crowds, winter is the best time to visit. Not to mention the low prices for hotels and flights. Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and other types of accommodations tend to lower their rates during this season—perfect for budget travelers.

Winter in Rome

Christmas tree in front of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City
Image: Henryk Sadura / Getty Images

Keep warm in winter by ducking into Rome’s many museums and galleries. Chiostro del Bramante and MACRO host a number of exhibitions during winter, ranging from archaeology, painting, and ancient sculptures, to contemporary art shows.

Shopaholics can also indulge in Rome’s winter sales in January and score great deals on classic Italian fashion brands and items.

During Rome’s Christmas season, you can meander through the streets of Rome as the city comes alive with twinkling Christmas lights. Revel in the holiday magic and check out the opulent Christmas decor in front of St. Peter’s Basilica before heading for a Christmas Eve mass at St Peter’s Square. Though tickets get sold out really quickly so you have to be fast.

Tours and experiences in Rome

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Joanne Chong
Self-diagnosed with the wanderlust gene, Joanne Chong loves going to new places, exploring unchartered territories, and immersing herself in the local culture. She also loves bread and a good cuppa—coffee flows through her veins and she eats her weight in bread.