This guide covers the month of February. To compare it with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit Rome.
February is a good month for a cultural break in Rome, with reservations about the weather: it is around 13 °C (55 °F) in the afternoon and 3 °C (37 °F) at night, and it rains on 7 days of the month on average. In return, it is one of the quietest and cheapest months of the year: short queues at the Vatican and the Colosseum, and low hotel prices. The Colosseum, without the queues, is on the modern list of the seven wonders of the world, which our page presents one by one.
February is part of Rome’s low season, between the end-of-year holidays and spring. The weather is cool and changeable, but rarely cold: frost and snow are rare. Days lengthen noticeably through the month. It is a good time for a long weekend built around museums, churches and food, with a few walks in the centre between showers.
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Rome in February: key facts
- Verdict: ⚠️ with reservations, cool and sometimes rainy, but ideal for sightseeing without the crowds
- Temperatures: 13.0 °C (55 °F) in the afternoon, 3.4 °C (38 °F) at night (1991-2020 normals)
- Rain: 63 mm (2.5 in), about 7 rainy days in the month
- Sunshine: about 6 hours a day on average
- Crowds and prices: low, among the lowest of the year
- Time difference: in February, Rome (UTC+1) is 1 hour ahead of London (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of New York (EST, UTC-5)
What is the weather like in Rome in February?
According to the 1991-2020 normals for the Rome-Ciampino station, the average maximum temperature reaches 13 °C (55 °F) in February and the minimum 3.4 °C (38 °F). Mornings are cool, and sunny afternoons are pleasant for walking. It rains about one day in four, often as showers interspersed with sunny spells. Sunshine increases compared with January: about 172 hours over the month, or a little over 6 hours a day.
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.0 °C (54 °F) | 3.4 °C (38 °F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7 | 5.0 |
| February | 13.0 °C (55 °F) | 3.4 °C (38 °F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 7 | 6.1 |
| March | 15.8 °C (60 °F) | 5.9 °C (43 °F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 7 | 6.6 |
The Ciampino station is south-east of the city. In the historic centre temperatures are similar, slightly milder at night. The weather can vary greatly from year to year: a week of sunshine is possible, as is a run of grey days.
Things to do in Rome in February
February is made for museum and indoor Rome, with outdoor outings when the sun returns.
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel: queues are much shorter than in spring. They are closed on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month (free entry, often very busy), according to the official Vatican Museums site, checked on 5 October 2026.
- The Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine: best visited on a dry day; morning slots remain easier to get than in high season.
- Churches and basilicas: St Peter’s, Santa Maria Maggiore and St John Lateran, ideal in wet weather.
- The Borghese Gallery and the Capitoline Museums: large collections, easier to book out of season.
- Neighbourhoods on foot: Trastevere, Monti and the Ghetto, between showers.
- Seasonal food: artichokes, slow-cooked dishes, and trattorias less packed than in summer.
To avoid or put in perspective: long outdoor excursions (Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli, a large site with little shelter) are more pleasant from April to June, and evenings on a terrace are rare in February.
Events in February
February has no major fixed festival in Rome. Carnival falls in February in some years, depending on the date of Easter; the programme varies. The closing days of the Vatican Museums follow their official calendar: check it before you book. Valentine’s Day weekend also brings some couples.
Crowds and prices in February
This is low season: hotels charge some of the lowest prices of the year, along with January and November. Crowds pick up a little at the Valentine’s Day weekend, which attracts couples. A few weeks’ notice is usually enough for accommodation. For the Vatican and the Colosseum, still book your timed-entry tickets as soon as your dates are set. Add the tourist tax, charged per night, to your budget.
What to pack for Rome in February
- A coat or warm jacket for the evening (about 3 °C (37 °F) at night)
- A compact umbrella and closed shoes that can stand the rain: the cobblestones are slippery
- Layers (sweater, T-shirt) to go from the cool street to heated museums
- An outfit covering shoulders and knees for the basilicas and the Vatican
- Travel insurance with medical cover; UK travellers can also carry a valid GHIC or EHIC (see the UK FCDO advice, GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026)
If February does not suit you
January is also quiet and slightly cheaper, but cooler. March brings milder weather (16 °C (61 °F) in the afternoon) with crowds still moderate, unless Easter falls that month. To compare with other Italian cities, see the best time to visit Venice and the best time to visit Italy. If you want more sunshine in February, look at the best time to visit Malta, the best time to visit Lisbon or our selection where to go in February.
Planning your stay in Rome
For passports and other formalities for US and UK citizens, see the entry requirements for Italy in our country guide. Rome (UTC+1 in February) is 1 hour ahead of London (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of New York (EST, UTC-5), and you pay in euros. On safety, the UK FCDO says petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, is higher in city centres and at major tourist attractions (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026), and the U.S. State Department also reports that pickpocketing is common in congested areas and on public transport (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025). To choose your neighbourhood and sights, see our Rome travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cold in Rome in February?
It is cool rather than cold: around 13 °C (55 °F) in the afternoon and 3 °C (37 °F) at night according to the 1991-2020 normals for Rome-Ciampino. Frost and snow are rare.
Does it rain a lot in Rome in February?
It rains on about 7 days of the month, for an average total of 63 mm (2.5 in). It is often showers followed by sunny spells: bring an umbrella and plan some indoor visits.
Is it a good time to visit Rome?
Yes for a cultural trip: museums and sites are quiet and hotels are inexpensive. For mild weather and terraces, April-May and late September-October are more pleasant.
How many hours of sunshine are there in Rome in February?
About 172 hours over the month, or a little over 6 hours a day on average, according to the 1991-2020 normals for Rome-Ciampino.
Are the Vatican Museums open in February?
Yes, Monday to Saturday, and on the last Sunday of the month. Check for exceptional closing days on their official site before you book.
Is February cheaper than March in Rome?
Generally yes: February is part of the low season, while crowds and prices rise in March, especially if Easter falls that month.
Our sources
- NOAA (World Meteorological Organization data): 1991-2020 normals for the Rome-Ciampino station, including sunshine, taken from our best time to visit Rome page
- Vatican Museums, official site: opening hours and closing days, checked on 5 October 2026
- Safety and health information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Italy (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Italy country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025)
- Time rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.