When to go to Rome, Italy, to enjoy this fantastic city? To know the best time to visit Rome, we will first look at the weather in Rome and its climate, the peak season, the prices, and the religious calendar. Here we go!
- When to go to Rome: temperatures, weather, climate 🌦
- Months to avoid 🗓
- Best time to visit Rome 🌟
1. When to go to Rome: temperatures, weather, climate.
Rome is generally warmer than most of Europe throughout the year. In addition, Rome is inland, and even if the coast is not far, there is usually less wind. The heat is then more difficult to bear.
1.1 Weather in Rome
Weather report. Like everywhere, average temperatures are on the rise. Here is a summary of the average daily temperatures in Rome by month.
Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
T°C | 12 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 12 |
Rain in Rome. Another element to choose when going to Rome is the rainfall. The rainiest months are October, November, and December. On the other hand, in July or August, there are almost no rainy days.
1.2 Climate
Avoid heat, preferably. July and August can be sweltering in Rome. Temperatures above 30 degrees are rarely agreeable if you spend the whole day outside. Visiting the Roman Forum or the Colosseum under a scorching sun can be dangerous. July and August are, therefore, not the best months to visit Rome, even if it hardly rains during these two months.
1.3 Best time to visit Rome according to the weather
The winter is relatively mild in Rome. It is pleasant to find some warmth during this time of year, especially since there are fewer tourists. But the best time to visit Rome with great weather is spring (April, May, June) and September.
2. Good to know before going to Rome Italy
What are the more touristy months for visiting Rome? When is the peak season?
- The peak season in Rome is May, July, and October. The city is crowded, and queues are almost everywhere.
- The low tourist season in Rome is in January, February, March, and December. Winter is the quietest moment to visit Rome.
2.1 Catholic religious calendar
To know when to go to Rome, we must also consider the religious calendar. The Vatican attracts a lot of pilgrims during certain times of the year.
Advice. Before deciding when to go to Rome, check the Catholic religious calendar. It substantially impacts the tourist affluence in Rome, and significant places of the Vatican will be closed.
See also our post about visiting the Vatican.
2.2 When to go to Rome according to the budget: best time to visit Rome
Accommodation. Accommodation prices in Rome follow the tourist influx closely. The months with the highest prices in Rome are generally the months with the highest demand, i.e., May, July, and October. Accommodation prices are lowest in winter and August. You can find here the best areas in Rome to stay.
Plane tickets. Airline ticket prices do not follow the same rule but instead follow significant holiday periods, weekends, and exceptional events. For example, going to Rome in summer by plane will be more expensive than in winter, and going there on weekdays is cheaper than on weekends. Thus, August is a costly month for plane tickets to Rome. Besides, the airport transfer is relatively simple, which is rather convenient.
Visits. Entrance fees to museums in Rome do not vary much depending on the season. On the other hand, the number of tourists can strongly influence the availability of guides. It is, therefore, better to book in advance.
3. Best time to visit Rome and tips for visiting
To avoid (if possible). We have been to Rome at very different times, but always with many tourists. It was hard once there. It is a city where you can’t miss major sites like the Colosseum. It’s not pleasant to wake up before 6 pm every day to access St. Peter’s Basilica or the Colosseum. It is better to avoid the most tourist months (May, July, and October). Same for significant religious periods if you want to visit the Vatican.
Best months to go to Rome? With all these factors, the best months are April and September, considering budget, weather, and tourist influx. The winter months aren’t so bad: yes, it can rain, but at least it’s not that cold, and accommodation prices are at their lowest, which saves a lot of money! Moreover, in winter, the days are longer compared to the cities further north. Watch out, however, for religious holidays to avoid crowds. Of course, if it snows (which happens extremely rarely), it is not ideal, but it can also give charm and be surprising.
The TOP 15 best things to do in Rome. Find in our blog post all our advice to prepare and make a wonderful trip to Rome with family or lovers: How to visit Rome.
The winter is the quietest time to visit Rome, Italy, except at the end of December. In summer, Rome is very touristy, even though the weather can be too hot. September or April are the best months to visit Rome.
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