What is the best time to visit Rome? Find out what to expect in each season and get ready for your trip to the Eternal City with our month by month travel guide to Rome.
Rome is wonderful all year round but your experience of the city is going to be very different if you visit in winter, summer or the so-called ‘shoulder seasons’.
Rome in winter is cold yet charming, in spring and autumn sparkly and dynamic and Rome in summer is hot and lazy and so the best time to visit depends very much on what you are hoping to do while in the city.
In general, the best times to visit Rome are the spring and autumn.
At this time the temperature in Rome is warm enough for you to enjoy a drink in a beautiful piazza but not yet so hot to interfere with sightseeing.
You can find here >>> my complete guide to Rome in spring and my complete guide to visiting Rome in the fall.
The worst time of all is maybe surprisingly the summer and especially in late July and August.
Summer is the time when locals leave the city and tourists arrive, meaning you have large areas of the city completely empty yet very long lines at all Rome main attractions!
In this article, I am going to share insider notes on what to expect in Rome at different times of the year.
I hope it is going to help you decide on the best time of the year to visit Rome for the type of experience you want.
Seasons and average temperatures in Rome
Rome has 4 seasons (the temperature range comes from Holiday Weather.com:
Winter (21 Dec- 20 March) has temperatures between 3/14C – 37/57F and overall is a cold time, a time that calls for jackets, scarves and umbrella. You can get an idea of what to expect with our winter packing list for Rome
Spring (21 March – 20 June) has temperatures between 6/19C – 42 – 66F/87F and is a pleasant yet often wet time. light jackets, closed shoes and umbrellas are a must. Our packing list for Rome in spring is here
Summer (21 June – 20 Sept) has temperatures between 17/31C – 62/88F which means Rome in summer is hot and sticky! Find our packing list for summer in Rome here
Autumn/Fall (20 Sept – 20 Dec) has temperatures between 7/27C – 44/80F and tends to be dry and sunny You can find our packing list for autumn in Rome here
All seasons have advantages and disadvantages and this means there no best season to go to Rome but rather, a spectrum of good times to visit the city!
The best time to go to Rome at a glance
The best times to visit Rome for sightseeing are the spring and the autumn: at this time, the temperatures are mild and while you may expect the occasional rainy day, you usually have sunny days and bright sky, perfect for photo lovers!
The best time to visit Rome for museums and food is the winter: winter in Rome is chillier than the temperatures on thermometers may lead you to believe and indoor spaces and Rome’s traditional earthy meals are your friends. Winter is also a great time for shopping since it is when the sales start.
The best time for nightlife is the summer: Rome in summer is a hot wasteland during the day but a wonderful dynamic place in the evening when outdoor festivals, concerts and events take over its many parks and public places.
The best time to visit Rome: month by month
A handy guide to the best time to visit Rome Italy, with month by month guides to Rome with weather, recommended things to do and packing tips.
The best time to visit Rome depends on the type of experience you are hoping for and your interests.
Visiting Rome in the winter months is perfect to indulge in Rome’s earthy food, visit Rome’s museums and shopping (January is the months of sales in Rome)
A trip to Rome in the spring is fantastic for sightseeing, enjoying Rome parks and gardens and for day trips.
You just need to be prepared for rain as spring can bring rian showers to Rome!
Rome in summer is hot but is fantastic if you enjoy evenings out.
Visiting Rome in the autumns is simply the best! Learn why in the guides below!
January – best month to visit Rome for shopping
All you need to know to plan a trip to Rome in January: weather, best things to do, festivities, packing list and more.
Find what makes January in Rome special and why this is the best time to visit Rome if you want to escape the crowds (and go shopping!)
Click here for our guide to Rome in January
February – best time to visit Rome for romantic atmospheres
Rome is a hugely romantic place and February is a fantastic month if you are thinking of visiting Rome as a couple or even come to the city to propose!
Even if romance is not what you are after, Rome in February is great for sightseeing and museum going,thanks to the mild weather and the start of spring.
Click here for our guide to Rome in February
March – a fantastic time for sightseeing in Rome
Click here for our guide to Rome in March
A complete guide to March in Rome: from weather to the best attractions, you will discover why we think March is one of the best months for visiting the Eternal City.
April – the best time to visit Rome for sightseeing and celebrate the birth of the city
Beautiful weather with occasional showers, bright days, mild temperatures make April a lovely month to Visit Rome albeit a rather busy one for tourism.
In this month guide, we share the best things to do in Rome in April and how to celebrate Rome’s birthday, which falls in this month!
Click here for our guide to Rome in April
May – the very best time to visit Rome
Click here for our guide to Rome in May
I got married in Rome in May so I guess it comes as no surprise that I recommend it as one of the best months to Visit Rome!
Before the summer heat starts, May offers a fantastic sightseeing experience.
June – fantastic time for sightseeing and outdoor dining in Rome
Click here for our guide to Rome in June
June is the beginning of summer and one of the best seasons to Visit Rome for sightseeing and outdoor dining
July – best time to relax in Rome’s outdoor pools
Click here for our guide to Rome in July
As summer starts in Rome and the heat starts getting intense, you need all the tips you can get to enjoy the Eternal City without melting in the sun.
While not the best time to visit Rome, with our tips about pools and things to do in Rome at night you can be sure you’ll make the very best of your time in Rome.
August – only a good time to Visit Rome if you don’t mind very hot climates
August is a tricky month for visiting Rome.
The city is hot at this time and Italian holidays may impact on your experience with closures and delays.
Click here for our guide to Rome in August
September – one of the best months to Visit Rome
September is one of the best months for visiting Rome.
The start of the month is still summer while temperatures start to gently drop as the end of the month gets closer.
This is one of the best times of the year to be in Rome for sightseeing.
Click here for our guide to Rome in September
October – one of the best times to Visit Rome
October is probably the best month of all to visit Rome.
Bright days, mild temperatures and harvest season mean Rome offers the very best in terms of sightseeing opportunities and food experience.
Click here for our guide to Rome in October
November – great time to Visit Rome for food lovers
Click here for our guide to Rome in November
November is the start of winter in Rome but a surprisingly good time to visit Rome. It is perfect for sightseeing and the fall harvest season means this is the best time to visit Rome for foodies.
December – best time to Visit Rome for festive feel
Click here for our guide to Rome in December
December is cold in Rome but it also brings lovely bright days.
This is among the best times to Visit Rome for sightseeing and for festive atmospheres (and shopping!)
Bonus! Click here for our guide to Rome at Christmas
Christmas in Rome starts on the 8th of December and lasts until the 6th of January. This is perfect time to visit if you don’t mind crowds and want to enjoy Rome’s beautiful decorations, museums and Christmas food!
I hope you found this overview useful and it helped you find information about the month you are considering for your trip to Rome. Safe travels!
Updated September 2021