The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Rome in Winter
Last Updated on 16th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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If you are thinking about visiting Rome in winter, you might be wondering whether low temperatures will let you do everything you’ve planned. You might not be able to indulge in as much gelato as you want, or might need to pack a small travel umbrella, but chilly days and cloudy skies won’t certainly distress your trip!
There are plenty of things to do and discover in Rome during the wintertime too, so keep reading this post about Italy’s capital in cold weather!
For more inspiration, be sure to read our guides on how to spend Sunday in Rome, how to spend 2 weeks in Italy, how to spend 3 days in Rome, and how to spend one day in Rome.
Rome during Winter
The cold season in Europe begins at the end of December, however, the last days of autumn can be really cold. If you’re traveling to Rome in late October or November, then this guide will still be super helpful.
Winter officially ends in March, but sometimes the last days of the month can be sunny and the temperatures start going up much before spring begins. During the coldest months (December through February), temperatures often stay above zero most of the day while early mornings and evenings can be much colder.
Remember though, that the days get shorter, so if you are planning to visit open-air ruins and archaeological sites, booking morning tours will be better to make the most of these kinds of visits.
Briefly speaking, Rome sees the lowest temperatures from late November until the end of February. It can be rainy and cloudy and there can occasionally be some snow, but not really a lot. Pack merino garments, layer, and add cozy socks and a good pair of waterproof boots to your suitcase and you’ll be just fine.
There is also one more advantage to traveling to Rome during winter, not everything is as crowded as it is in summer. Yes, the city still receives massive tourism all year round and mostly during the holidays, but you won’t have the crazy hordes of tourists that you’re bound to find in August!
The period going from mid-December until the 6th of January is when most family gatherings happen. But is it also a great time for Christmas shopping or to wander around some romantic Christmas markets. And after January has kicked in, you will be in a shopper’s paradise as the sale season begin.
Finally, February is a great month to explore the Carnival traditions. Although it’s not as big as it’s in Venice, you are certainly going to enjoy some of the local Carnival rituals!
What to Do in Rome in Winter
In the list below you will find some of my favorite Rome activities as well as the reason why I suggest picking that particular activity in winter.
Sometimes it might be to beat the crowds, other times to find shelter on a windy or rainy day, and some other times simply because they are traditional things to do in Rome that you don’t want to miss even if the weather is cold!
Visit the Vatican
Being the most visited site in Italy, the Vatican is always crowded, however, there are far fewer visitors during the colder months, especially after the festivities.
A few years ago, I visited the Vatican myself during January and the city was easy to navigate, waiting in line was minimum, and most museums and exhibitions are sheltered, so it was perfect to keep myself from freezing on the streets.
It’s a good idea to book an organised visit like this one to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel to learn more about the paintings and exhibitions that you come across. In winter, groups of tourists tend to be smaller and you might even get the guide all for yourself!
After the visit, stop for a rest and a cup of hot chocolate at a cafeteria along Via della Conciliazione after your visit, you will certainly enjoy the experience!
Attend a Cooking Class
Always wanted to learn how to make pizza and pasta? Then this might be the right chance! After all who wants to stand close to a wooden oven in the middle of summer? Rome has a variety of cooking classes to suit almost every taste.
Learning all the secrets about baking pizza can be a great indoor activity that you can take up in Rome one winter afternoon. Find out more details here.
You will spend some warm time in a kitchen away from the colder streets, interact with the locals, and get to take back home the best souvenir of all: a lesson on authentic Italian pizza. Plus, you get to eat it as well!
Explore the Colosseum
If you’ve been to other parts of Italy or even to Greece, you probably already know that visiting an open-air archaeological site under the summer sun in Europe can be an ordeal. It can get really hot as well as busy with tourists.
But if you choose to explore a popular site like the Colosseum in winter, the temperatures will be much more bearable and the site emptier, especially early in the morning. You might even be able to access it without waiting in line! This tour is great value for money as it also grants you access to the Forum and the Palatine Hill.
Beat the Crowds at Trevi Fountain
Nothing is as crowded as the Trevi Fountain in summer when literally everywhere is there to toss a coin! Winters are not as busy, especially in the evening. Therefore, if you want to snap the perfect selfie without a dozen of tourists next to you, plan the perfect evening in the area.
Go for a traditional dinner in a nearby trattoria, treat yourself to some pasta and a fanciful dish of tiramisù, and then head to the Fontana to make your wish in the middle of the night… it can be as romantic as the famous scene from La Dolce Vita!
Seek Refuge at a Museum
If the streets get too cold or it starts raining, then head to one of the many museums in the capital to spend some hours in a warmer atmosphere.
And yes, you could argue that the whole city is, in fact, an open-air museum, but there are several collections in Rome worth visiting. One of my favourite ones is exhibited in the Borghese Gallery (book a tour here), where you can admire the works of artists such as Caravaggio, Raffaello, Tiziano, and Bernini among others.
Besides, the villa where the museum is located is an exquisite example of architecture surrounded by gorgeous gardens that you don’t want to skip!
Visit Rome’s Most Famous Christmas Market
Although the city has a lot of different markets all year round where to shop for local products and souvenirs, Christmas markets can be a treat as well. They are joyful and colorful, and you get to taste some unique delicacies as well.
Rome’s most famous Christmas Market takes place in the gorgeous Piazza Navona, one of the most important ones in town, with its magnificent Four Rivers Fountains and dozens of cafés around the area.
And if the temperature is mild enough… or you’re simply in the mood despite the weather, enjoy a cone of Italian gelato at the piazza! In 2023, the Rome Christmas Market will take place from 30th November 2023 to the 5th January 2024.
Check Out Food Markets
As we just mentioned, there are many markets all around the town every month of the year, and even when they are not Christmas fairs, they can be a lot of fun too.
You can get a map of Rome and ask the locals which one they recommend, or you can take part in a food and wine tasting tour that also hits some of the best markets in Rome. The activity will be fun, and all the walking and bargaining will certainly keep your temperature up!
This tour of the Testaccio market and neighbourhood includes breakfast in an authentic bakery, with a cup of hot coffee but also food tasting along the morning and a delicious Roman lunch with wine.
Join a Wine Tasting Experience
A glass of good, Italian red wine will be certainly handy to warm you up and put you in the right mood. You could even visit some unique vineyards and enjoy different local labels afterward. Discover more on a vineyard and wine tasting tour like this one.
Joining a wine tasting tour can be great to learn everything about the excellent quality wine that Italy makes, but it can be a great way to spend a few hours out of the cold streets of Rome having fun and meeting other like-minded travellers too!
Go to the Movies
Yes, going to see a film in Rome is a good idea even if you don’t know the language! It can be not only warm but a very fun experience to spend a few hours eating popcorn and watching a good European film on the big screen!
My favorite cinema complex in Rome is quite in a central position, in Piazza Barberini and the good news about this place is that, unlike in other theaters, they also show pictures in their original language.
Indulge in Local Winter Food
Italy is a foodie’s paradise, I’m sure you’ve heard that a dozen times already. However, this is true especially during winter, a time when thick, heart sauces give extra flavour to already delicious meats and pasta dishes.
Choose an old-time trattoria mostly filled with locals rather than tourists. Once at the table, order the dish of the day. You will certainly enjoy a surprising, homemade delicacy such as a rich soup, carbonara pasta, or Rome’s most iconic winter dish, abbacchio, a delicious lamb stew, perfect on the coldest days of the year.
Go Shopping
Once the Christmas season is over, sales begin as early as the 6th of January. And in certain shops and areas of Rome, savings can be huge. If you’re wondering which are the best areas to go shopping in Rome, well it all depends on your shopping style.
Head to Via del Corso, quite a central, long avenue with a variety of national and international brands where you can find great end-of-season deals. For a more exclusive, designer experience, there’s more to fashion than Milan!
When in Rome, check out the luxury boutiques on Via dei Condotti, not far from Via del Corso, and reach up to the Spanish Steps. And if everything seems too pricey for your pocket, remember that window shopping and daydreaming are still free!
Finally, for more quirky boutiques and vintage shops, hit the streets of Quartiere Monti, one of the most unique districts in town. Rome also has a few old-time shopping malls, like Coin and La Rinascente, the latter tends to be a bit more expensive, but you can find excellent deals during the post-Christmas sales.
Take a Day Trip Out of Rome
There are dozens of day trips departing from Rome all year round and many of them can work perfectly well also in winter. Pick a nice sunny day and jump on a bus to visit Tivoli and the gorgeous Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana, with their sumptuous manicured gardens the experience will offer a great opportunity to bask under the winter sun and forget a bit about winter in Rome! Purchase your tickets here.
If you prefer a different experience, instead, pick a day trip that takes you further south on the Peninsula to enjoy more sun and higher temperatures. An organised tour of, Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast like this one is a great winter idea.
The whole area will be certainly less crowded than in summer and the weather most certainly better than in the capital… at least for a day!
Where to stay in Rome
Although Trastevere would certainly be the place of choice for a longer stay in the city, it might be better to choose a place in a neighborhood close to Termini Station if you need to catch an early flight (or train) the next day.
Termini is not the safest area in Rome, especially for solo travellers, however you will find good places to stay within reasonable walking distance. In fact, if your stay in Rome is a short one, it is a good idea to stay in a close-by location in order to reach the station either on foot or with a short bus or metro ride.
Seven: Located about 600 meters from the station, this hotel features a restaurant, allergy-free rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property while a typical Italian breakfast is served every morning. The hotel is close to the Spanish Steps, Piazza Barberini, and offers a paid airport shuttle service as well. Check prices and availability here.
Hotel Lirico: This is a simple but comfortable 3-star hotel in a good area of Rome, within easy reach from Termini Station. It is located just around the corner from Rome’s Opera House and offers rooms with free Wi-Fi while a continental breakfast is served in a bar nearby. Check prices and availability here.
Palladini Hostel Rome: Perfect for budget travellers, this hostel offers air-conditioned dormitories with free Wi-Fi and free internet terminals. The dormitories are women-only or mixed. Each unit has wardrobes and plenty of electric sockets. Check prices and availability here.
A final note
As you can see, there are tons of things you can do in Rome no matter the time of the year you visit, the city never sleeps and it certainly does not close for winter. Plan your vacation, pack enough warm clothes, and enjoy Rome as much as you can!
For more inspiration, be sure to check out our one day in Rome guide, the best quotes about Italy, and how to spend 2 weeks in Italy. Last but not least, here are our very best Italy tips to help you plan your trip!
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Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book. She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.
