See all about Rome climate and weather by month and plan your trip accordingly. We’ve listed all the information and tips to make sure your itinerary is incredible at any time of year.
What is the climate like in Rome?
The climate in the Italian capital is warm and temperate. Summer is short and very hot, while winter is long and rainy. Throughout this article, we’ve listed the characteristics of each season and what Rome’s climate is like in each of them.
In fact, the map below shows the climate and temperature throughout the year. The red line on the map, for example, is the maximum temperature and the blue line is the minimum temperature. Take a look:
- Important tip: Rome is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
1. Summer in Rome
June to August is high season in the city, because it’s vacation time. This also coincides with the intense heat, as these are the hottest months of the year there. So if you go there in one of these months, be prepared for hot days, high temperatures and strong sunshine.
- Temperatures: minimum of 19°C and maximum of 32°C.
What to pack for summer in Rome? It’s best to pack light, cool clothes, such as shorts and sleeveless shirts. It’s also worth taking a jacket to wear at night, as temperatures can drop a little.
It’s also important to stay hydrated and use plenty of sunscreen, especially when visiting the outdoor sights.
What to do in summer in Rome? To avoid huge queues under the intense sun, our tip is to go out early, wear sunscreen and a hat and enjoy the sights. In addition to the capital’s best-known attractions, we recommend that you visit the beaches close to the city. These are Ostia, Santa Marinella and Santa Severa.
The summer heat gives Rome’s evenings a very pleasant feel. So take the opportunity to visit the squares of the Italian capital, especially Piazza Navona, Piazza Spagna and Piazza della Rotonda, which are the best known and coolest.
They have beautiful, well-lit surroundings, artists playing live music and several restaurants nearby where you can dine al fresco.
Summer events in Rome:
- Summer Fair (held from late June to early August): takes place on the banks of the River Tevere and offers lots of handicrafts as well as gastronomic specialties.
- Free food, music and film festivals: this is the period when the city government sponsors some free festivals, as well as concerts at more affordable prices, so that locals and tourists can enjoy the best of the city.
Summer holidays in Rome
- 02/06: Republic Day
- 29/06: St. Peter and St. Paul
- 15/08: Assumption of Our Lady
2. Winter in Rome
December, January and February are the coldest months in Rome. Winter there is full of fog and frost, so it’s quite common to see small flakes of snow and water falling and leaving the places with different shades.
- Temperatures: minimum 3°C and maximum 15°C
What to pack for winter in Rome? The best thing to bring is warm clothing, such as pants and coats with a thicker fabric, or even winter clothes. You should also bring gloves, scarves, hats and shoes suitable for snow.
What to do in winter in Rome? It’s best to take advantage of Rome’s winter climate and visit some of the city’s museums indoors. Among the best are the Capitoline Museums, a complex made up of ancient palaces. They are located on the Capitoline Hill, next to a square redesigned by the great artist Michelangelo.
These museums recount the history and culture of Rome and are great places to learn more about the city and immerse yourself in time. Another incredible museum is the National Roman Museum. This is because it is one of the most famous and visited museums in Italy and has a vast and incredible collection.
The museum’s collection has grown so much that it now has extensions in other spaces, divided into four locations: the Baths of Diocletian, the Balbi Crypt, Palazzo Massimo and Palazzo Altemps.
Winter events in Rome:
- Christmas markets (December): at this time of year, Rome has typical Christmas markets and beautiful nativity scenes.
- Fireworks display and live music (December): this Roman New Year’s Eve celebration, also known as Capodanno, takes place on the last day of the year around the Colosseum.
- Feast of the Befana (January): this is the end of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Befana is the popular name given to Epiphany, which is a holiday throughout Italy. It is represented by the figure of a witch with her broom.
- Roman Carnival (February): brings events all over the city, including the horse show in Piazza del Popolo, which usually takes place on Carnival Saturday.
Winter holidays in Rome
- 25/12: Christmas
- 26/12: St. Stephen
- 01/01: New Year
- 06/01: Epiphany
3. Spring and fall in Rome
The months of March, April, May, September, October and November are very pleasant in the Italian capital, as the weather gets milder. This makes it one of the best times to travel to Rome and enjoy all the outdoor attractions.
- Temperatures: minimum 10°C and maximum 27°C.
What to pack for spring and fall in Rome? Spring and fall are seasons when temperatures change. It is therefore best to pack warm clothes and lighter clothing.
Evenings are generally cooler and in the fall it’s best to bring umbrellas or raincoats.
What to do in spring and fall in Rome? The Italian capital offers a number of mid-season excursions. One not to be missed is a visit to the Colosseum in Rome, one of the best-known tourist attractions in the world. To give you an idea, this attraction receives around 4 million visitors every year.
It was built in 72 AD and served as a stage for gladiators and ferocious animals to fight each other and entertain a large audience. To enjoy the seasonal flowers and still take in one of the main sights in Rome, a great option is to go to Villa Borghese.
This is a beautiful park with many attractions, as well as green areas, gardens, fountains and lakes. It is considered one of the largest urban parks in the city and has other attractions such as the Bioparco, a small zoo, and the Museo Carlo Bilotti, a modern art museum.
Spring events in Rome:
- Rome Marathon (March): this marathon has something special about it, as you can run in the middle of several of the Italian capital’s beautiful sights, such as the Colosseum.
- Settimana dei Beni Culturalli (April): this event lasts 9 days and is when various museums throughout the state offer free admission.
- Natale di Roma (April): takes place every April 21 to commemorate the anniversary of the city’s foundation. Various lively festivities take place.
- Primomaggio Concert (May): takes place on May 1st in Piazza San Giovanni. This event features national and international music concerts to celebrate Labor Day.
- BNL Internazionali D’Italia (May): tennis tournament in Rome.
- La Noitte dei Musei (May): some museums are open for free evening visits during this month.
Fall events in Rome:
- Vogue Fashion Night Out (September): during this month, several stores in Rome’s historic center and some concert halls host special events. There are fashion shows, live DJ shows, performances and much more.
Spring and fall holidays in Rome:
- 19/03: St. Joseph and Father’s Day
- First Sunday after the first full moon, usually in April: Easter
- Monday following Easter Sunday: Angel Monday
- 25/04: Freedom Day
- 01/05: Labor Day
- Second Sunday in May: Mother’s Day
- 01/11: All Saints’ Day
- 02/11: Day of the Faithful Departed
- 04/11: Italian National Unity Day
- 08/12: Immaculate Conception
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to Rome, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
What is the rainy season in Rome?
It’s worth noting that the rainy season in Rome takes place in the fall, between the months of October and November. Despite this, the average frequency of rainfall is between 8 and 10 days per month. Therefore, the possibility of rain may not affect your travel itinerary.
Below is a complete graph showing the rainfall in Rome month by month:
When is the best time to visit Rome?
Rome is amazing all year round, but spring is simply incredible there. This season takes place in Europe between April and June and has great weather, with milder temperatures. The days are usually sunny and, with the better weather, you’ll be able to take lots of walks outdoors.
- The climate and temperature in Italy vary from city to city: The climate in Italy is very varied and it’s important to note that the climate in Rome won’t necessarily be the same as in other cities in the country.
Save money on your trip to Rome:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Rome cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Rome tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Rome. You will find out the best area and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
