Is February A Good Time To Go To Rome?

What’s the ideal time to visit Rome? Whether you’re a first-time Rome tourist or you’ve done visits there previously, the answer depends on what you’re planning to do on your forthcoming Italy tour. There are distinct rewards associated to visiting to Rome at different seasons of the year, so read on to find out which season will best suit your travel style.

What is the weather in Rome like in each season?

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Because to Rome’s Mediterranean position in Southern Italy, the city experiences chilly (usually wet) winters that gradually give way to sweltering summers. Summer in Rome is comparable to many places in Southern Europe, where high mid-day temperatures normally mean many stores close for a few hours after lunch.

Spring and fall provide warmer, drier weather. These are the months when the city is less crowded with tourism, too. In short: Anytime is the greatest time to visit to Rome. Here’s your beginner’s Travel Guide to the Eternal City.

Winter

The greatest time of year to visit Rome for holiday decorations, less crowds, and sumptuous Roman cuisine

Winter weather in Rome won’t compare to snowy conditions farther north, but you may still encounter chilly days in late December through most of February. This is the greatest time to visit Rome if you want a colder trip—but what actually makes it memorable is the city’s celebratory spirit. Thanks to the city’s strong Christian and Jewish traditions, you’ll find communities all across Rome embracing holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah in vibrant ways. during example, you’ll find Piazza Barberini lighted up during the eight days of Hanukkah and breathtaking nativity displays placed across the city.

Even if you don’t travel to Rome during the holidays, the nice thing about Rome during the off-season is that there are less crowds. Can you picture exploring the mysteries of the Trevi Fountain without having to struggle for space? While winters in Rome might be colder and rainier, their circumstances are excellent for eating into some of the city’s most sumptuous, stick-to-your-bones cuisine, from local delicacies like trippa alla Romana to hefty plates of pasta carbonara.

Months to experience winter in Rome:

December, January, and February

In December, Rome comes alive with Christmas celebrations

Because of Rome’s (and Italy’s) deep Catholic past, Christmastime is celebrated all across the city. Expect to encounter Christmas trees, dazzling lights, gorgeous nativity scenes, and busy markets (like the famed Piazza Navona Christmas Market) everywhere you walk. Our Rome itineraries, like our Grand Tour of Italy, contain lots of free time, which can be spent checking out the different events going on in the city, too. For example, on December 8, there’s the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It’s marked by a holy caravan, headed by the pope, from Vatican City to Piazza di Spagna. And, of course, on Christmas Eve night, you may attend mass lead by the pope himself.

Maybe you can even time your travel to land on the new year, and head off on our New Year’s Eve in Rome: Italy & Greece tour. Like many other cities, Rome shows off with a fantastic firework display. But you know what other cities won’t have? The chance to welcome the new year with a liturgy conducted by the pope. How’s that for a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Vatican City?

Read Also: Weather For Rome In February

In January, Rome will have fewer tourists

The nicest thing about a Rome trip in January is that there will be significantly less visitors that month than at any other time of the year. Popular places won’t be crowded, making January a terrific time for anybody to visit. (Thinking about visiting solo? Check out our lone traveler's guide to Trastevere in Rome.) Expect fewer lineups for the Eternal City’s most recognized tourism sites. So whether you’re on our Rome: The City Experience tour or the A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour, you’ll get so much more out of the Italian capital if you come in January.

And while January is the coldest month of the year in Rome, it’s also the best time of year to dip into the city’s typically robust gastronomy, from its thick stews to its generous pastas. And don’t forget to enjoy all of it with wonderful local wine—what’s a vacation to Italy without a glass or two of Prosecco or Chianti?

In February, come for the world-class museums and a distinctly Roman Carnival

The month of February is very cold and this is when you can anticipate to experience the maximum amount of rain thus packing intelligently for your Rome visit will be extremely key. But if you get past the potentially problematic weather, February might be the greatest time to visit Rome if you enjoy museums. They’re indoors, which renders the issue of weather irrelevant, and because of the low visitor turnout, major art institutions like the Sistine Chapel will be a lot more pleasant to examine.

Another wonderful incentive for a Rome visit in February is to enjoy Carnival, an eight-day extravaganza replete with sumptuous parties and a big procession along the Via del Corso. This is why visitors are love our brand-new Off-Season Italy: Rome, Naples & Florence trip; it showcases the finest of Italy during a time of year when crowds are low so you can get better value from your stay.

Weather in Rome in December, January, and February:

Average temperatures range between 39 F and 56 F.

What our tourists say about winter in Rome

“Our first trip to Rome surpassed our expectations,” said visitor Kelly, who visited the Eternal City during the holidays. “[It was] a memorable way to ring in the new year!”