When is the best time to visit Rome? April to June and late September to October: afternoons are between 19 to 28 °C (66 to 82 °F), rain is light and the days are long. July and August are very hot and very busy; winter is cool and wetter, but it is when museums and ancient sites are quietest.
Rome has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers, mild but damp winters, and an autumn when the rain is concentrated. The religious calendar also weighs heavily on crowds: Easter and the major celebrations at the Vatican fill the city. Here is how to choose your month, based on the official 1991–2020 climate normals.
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When to go to Rome at a glance
- Best times April to June, late September to October
- Best compromise May (22 °C (72 °F) in the afternoon, about 6 rainy days in the month)
- Hottest July–August, an average high above 31 °C (88 °F) and frequent heatwaves
- Wettest November (108 mm (4.3 in)) and December (98 mm (3.9 in))
- Fewest crowds January, February and November, outside holidays
- Plan ahead for Easter, the long weekends around April 25 and May 1, June 29 (feast of Saints Peter and Paul) and the Christmas period
When to go to Rome by priority
- Best weather: May, then late September and October: 22 to 27 °C (72 to 81 °F) in the afternoon
- Cheapest: November to February, outside the year-end holidays
- Fewest crowds: November to February outside holidays, and March if Easter falls in April
- Events: Holy Week and Easter, Natale di Roma on April 21, Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, Ferragosto in mid-August (shops and Vatican Museums closed)
Rome: the calendar at a glance
🔎 Month by month: Rome in February
✅ Best months: March, April, may, June, September, October
Climate in Rome month by month
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Rainy days | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.0 °C (54 °F) | 3.4 °C (38 °F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7 | Low | Low | Cool and damp, museums without the crowds ⚠️ |
| February | 13.0 °C (55 °F) | 3.4 °C (38 °F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 7 | Low | Low | Cool, good for a cultural city break ⚠️ |
| March | 15.8 °C (60 °F) | 5.9 °C (43 °F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 7 | Moderate | Moderate | Mild at the end of the month, still quiet ✅ |
| April | 18.8 °C (66 °F) | 8.6 °C (47 °F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7 | High (Easter, April 25) | Moderate to high | Pleasant spring, showers possible ✅ |
| May | 22.3 °C (72 °F) | 12.6 °C (55 °F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6 | High | High | The best month to visit ✅ |
| June | 28.1 °C (83 °F) | 16.7 °C (62 °F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 3 | High | High | Hot and dry, long evenings ✅ |
| July | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 19.3 °C (67 °F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 2 | Very high | Very high | Punishing heat at the ancient sites ⚠️ |
| August | 31.6 °C (89 °F) | 19.8 °C (68 °F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 2 | High, locals leave around the 15th | High | The hottest month, some shops closed ⚠️ |
| September | 26.7 °C (80 °F) | 16.0 °C (61 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6 | High | High | Heat easing, beautiful light ✅ |
| October | 22.2 °C (72 °F) | 12.4 °C (54 °F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 7 | Moderate | Moderate | Mild, but rain increasing ✅ |
| November | 16.9 °C (62 °F) | 8.5 °C (47 °F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 9 | Low | Low | The wettest month ⚠️ |
| December | 12.7 °C (55 °F) | 4.7 °C (40 °F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 9 | Moderate (holidays) | Moderate | Cool and damp, Christmas atmosphere ⚠️ |
The Ciampino station is located southeast of the city: in the historic center, the heat island effect often makes summer afternoons even more stifling. In July and August, visit the Colosseum and the Forum as soon as they open, and save the museums for the hottest hours.
Sunshine in Rome month by month
Rome gets about 2,700 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest days run from May to August (9 to 11 hours a day on average); from November to January, expect about 5 hours a day.
| Month | Sunshine hours (month) | Hours per day (average) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 156 | 5.0 |
| February | 172 | 6.1 |
| March | 203 | 6.6 |
| April | 221 | 7.4 |
| May | 276 | 8.9 |
| June | 299 | 10.0 |
| July | 338 | 10.9 |
| August | 320 | 10.3 |
| September | 238 | 7.9 |
| October | 201 | 6.5 |
| November | 153 | 5.1 |
| December | 147 | 4.7 |
The seasons in Rome: pros and cons
Spring (March to May): the ideal season, but not the quietest
Highs climb from 16 °C (61 °F) in March to 22 °C (72 °F) in May. Café terraces reopen, the gardens of the Villa Borghese and the Janiculum turn green, and you can walk all day without suffering from the heat. April remains changeable, with nearly 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, often in short showers.
- Pros: ideal temperatures for walking, long days, prices still moderate in March
- Cons: very heavy crowds at Easter and over the long weekends in late April and early May; Vatican and Colosseum tickets need to be booked early
- Our tip: May, avoiding long weekends, offers the best balance
Summer (June to August): heat and long evenings
June is still pleasant (28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon, very little rain). July and August average above 31 °C (88 °F) and often reach 35 °C (95 °F) during heatwaves. Outdoor visits become difficult between noon and 5 p.m., but the evenings are lively: concerts, open-air cinema, the terraces of Trastevere. Around August 15 (Ferragosto), many Romans leave: some restaurants and shops close, and the Vatican Museums are closed on August 14 and 15.
- Pros: near-guaranteed good weather, evenings outdoors
- Cons: heat, queues in full sun, high prices
- Who is it for? Travelers with no choice of dates: get up early and plan a break at the hotel in the afternoon
Autumn (September to November): the shoulder season
September keeps the summer heat (27 °C (81 °F)) and October stays mild (22 °C (72 °F)), with golden light late in the day. But this is also the rainy season: 88 mm (3.5 in) in October, 108 mm (4.3 in) in November, often in the form of short, intense thunderstorms.
- Pros: bearable heat, crowds thinning from mid-October, softer prices in November
- Cons: thunderstorms, shortening days
- Our tip: late September and the first half of October are among the best dates of the year
Winter (December to February): Rome without the crowds
Afternoons are 12 to 13 °C (54 to 55 °F) and nights 3 to 5 °C (37 to 41 °F); frost and snow are rare. It rains 7 to 9 days a month. This is the quietest season, outside the year-end holidays: short queues at the Vatican, a less crowded Colosseum, cheaper hotels.
- Pros: sites and museums easier to visit, low prices in January–February, nativity scenes and Christmas atmosphere
- Cons: short days, rain, chilly at open-air sites
- Who is it for? A cultural city break or a small budget
When to go to Rome by trip type
| Your trip | Best time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| First visit (Colosseum, Vatican, city center) | April–May, late September–October | Book tickets in advance |
| Museums without the crowds | January, February, November | Avoid the last Sunday of the month at the Vatican (free, packed) |
| Day trip to Tivoli (Villa Adriana) | April to June, September–October | Large site with little shade |
| Evenings and terraces | June, September | Trastevere and Monti are the liveliest |
| Small budget | November to February, outside holidays | Hotels are cheapest then |
| Family trip | April–May, late September–October | Avoid the heat of July–August |
| Religious festivals | Easter, Christmas | Very crowded city, book early |
Major events in Rome
| Date | Event | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| March or April (date varies) | Holy Week and Easter | Celebrations at the Vatican, heavy crowds |
| April 21 | Anniversary of the founding of Rome (Natale di Roma) | Program varies from year to year |
| April 25 and May 1 | Public holidays | Long weekends are very busy; Vatican Museums closed on May 1 |
| June 2 | Republic Day | Parade in the city center |
| June 29 | Saints Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome | Public holiday in Rome; Vatican Museums closed |
| August 14–15 | Ferragosto | Shops closed; Vatican Museums closed |
| December 8 | Immaculate Conception | Vatican Museums closed |
| December 25 and 26 | Christmas | Celebrations at the Vatican; Vatican Museums closed |
Rome month by month: what to expect
Rome in January: Cool (12 °C (54 °F) in the afternoon, 3 °C (37 °F) at night). The calm after the holidays, with prices at their lowest. Vatican Museums closed on January 1 and 6.
Rome in February: Similar to January, with lengthening days. A good month for a low-cost cultural weekend. This month is covered in detail on our Rome in February page, with temperatures, rain and crowds.
Rome in March: Spring settles in (16 °C (61 °F)). Moderate crowds, unless Easter falls in March.
Rome in April: Mild (19 °C (66 °F)) but still changeable. Easter and the long weekends around April 25 and May 1 draw the crowds: book early.
Rome in May: The best month: 22 °C (72 °F), about 6 rainy days, gardens in bloom. Avoid long weekends if possible.
Rome in June: Hot (28 °C (82 °F)) and dry, long evenings. June 29 is a public holiday in Rome.
Rome in July: The heart of summer: an average of 31 °C (88 °F), frequent heatwaves, 2 rainy days in the month. Sightsee very early in the morning.
Rome in August: The hottest month (31.6 °C (89 °F)). Around the 15th, the city empties of its residents and some shops close.
Rome in September: The heat eases (27 °C (81 °F)), the rains return toward the end of the month. A very good month.
Rome in October: Mild (22 °C (72 °F)) but wetter (88 mm (3.5 in)). Crowds thin after mid-October.
Rome in November: The wettest month (108 mm (4.3 in), 9 rainy days). Low prices, quiet museums.
Rome in December: Cool (13 °C (55 °F)) and damp. Nativity scenes in the churches, a Christmas market on Piazza Navona, heavy crowds around the holidays.
When to book your trip to Rome
For Easter, the spring long weekends, summer and Christmas, book your accommodation 2 to 4 months ahead. For the most popular sites, book your tickets as soon as your dates are fixed: the Vatican Museums sell timed-entry tickets on their official site, and the Colosseum also works with time slots. In the low season, a few weeks’ notice is generally enough. Rome is served by Fiumicino and Ciampino airports.
Planning your trip to Rome
- Entry requirements: rules depend on your nationality; see our guide to the entry requirements for Italy.
- Currency: the euro.
- Seasonal safety: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026), wildfires are a risk during the extended summer months and heavy rainfall is common in winter, which can cause local flooding. Check local alerts and weather forecasts.
To plan your sightseeing, see our Rome travel guide. To combine Rome with other regions, see when to go to Italy, when to go to Venice and our Italy travel guide. To compare with other destinations, see also our picks for where to go in May.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Rome?
May, followed by late September and October: 22 to 27 °C (72 to 81 °F) in the afternoon, little rain in May and long days. April and June are also good choices, avoiding Easter and the long weekends if you fear the crowds.
Is Rome too hot in summer?
July and August have an average high above 31 °C (88 °F), and heatwaves often exceed 35 °C (95 °F). Visits remain possible if you start early, take a break during the hot hours and book your morning slots.
What is the wettest month in Rome?
November, with 108 mm (4.3 in) and about 9 rainy days according to the 1991–2020 normals for Rome-Ciampino. October and December are also fairly wet.
When should you visit Rome to avoid the crowds?
From November to February, outside the year-end holidays, and in March if Easter falls in April. Queues at the Vatican and the Colosseum are then much shorter.
Is Rome pleasant in winter?
Yes for a cultural trip: afternoons are 12 to 13 °C (54 to 55 °F), nights rarely drop below 3 °C (37 °F), and the sites are quiet. Pack an umbrella: it rains 7 to 9 days a month.
What is the cheapest time to visit Rome?
From November to February, outside the year-end holidays: this is the low season, with the cheapest hotels. January and February are the quietest months.
How many hours of sunshine does Rome get in summer?
In July, about 11 hours a day on average (338 hours over the month), according to the 1991–2020 normals for Rome-Ciampino. It is the sunniest month of the year.
Are the Vatican Museums open every day?
No: they are open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday, except the last Sunday of the month (free admission, often very crowded). They also close on some public holidays, including June 29, August 14 and 15, and Christmas.
Our sources
- NOAA (data from the World Meteorological Organization): 1991–2020 normals for the Rome-Ciampino station, including sunshine (read via the English Wikipedia article « Rome », on October 5, 2026)
- Vatican Museums, official site: opening hours, 2026–2027 closures and prices, consulted on October 5, 2026
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Italy (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026, read on 26 October 2026): summer wildfires and winter flooding
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
