When is the best time to visit Rome? Is it January? Check it out!
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Rome best time to visit 2025 is a common question among travelers planning their trip to the Eternal City. With its rich history, breathtaking architecture, and delicious cuisine, Rome is a destination that attracts millions of visitors every year. However, the best time to visit Rome depends on factors such as weather, crowd levels, budget, and special events.
This guide will help you determine when to visit Rome based on your travel preferences, whether you’re looking for pleasant weather, fewer tourists, or affordable prices.
let’s tart Hoe to Rome best time to visit 2025.
La Befana
Now that tourism has returned to Rome, many people are asking when the best time to visit is because the city has been packed since things reopened. It has been super, super busy here.
If you’re thinking of visiting in January, you might want to know that the first week of January is actually the high season. Why? Because, for Italians, the holiday season doesn’t finish until January 6th—La Befana, the Day of the Kings. So while the Christmas trees and lights are still up, people are out shopping, and it’s just a very festive time to be here. There’s a holdover from all the holiday visitors, making the first week of January really busy in Rome.
By the second week of January, things usually slow down quite a bit. In recent years, however, there has been almost no low season anymore. Even months that used to be considered low season—February, March, and November—have been getting busier because people are looking for times to visit Rome when it isn’t so crowded.
Revenge travel
The quietest time of year to visit Rome is probably from around the second week of January to just about the first week of February—and that’s about it.
February? Yes, February is winter. You might think it’s low season, and it’s probably quieter than spring, but In recent years, we’ve also seen an increase in visitors in February, although it is still a lower season than spring.
Okay, so this is the line to get into St. Peter’s Basilica. The security section is over there. In March, we start to see those big tour buses arriving in Rome, and that’s when we know the season is kicking off. Ellison and I used to run a boutique B&B, so we really had our finger on the pulse of when the tourist season was beginning. As I said, March is going to start getting more and more crowded, as more people look for times they think will be a little quieter.
If you’re looking for the most beautiful time of year to visit Rome, it’s definitely spring and fall—so April, May, even early June, and then again in late September and October. But because these are the most beautiful times to visit, they are also the peakest peak seasons.
Over the years, I’ve heard these arguments: “Wait, I thought summer would be peak season. Why are spring and fall considered high seasons? I thought summer would be a good time to come to Rome.”
And yes, if you think it’s a good time to come to Rome, so do a lot of other people. If you’re not tied to a school calendar and don’t have to travel to Rome in the summer, you’ll likely come in spring or fall—just like many others—because it’s so beautiful.
If you’re thinking that summer is, in fact, a high Summer actually isn’t a peak season—it’s so hot and sticky in Rome that it falls somewhere in the middle. However, in recent years, these distinctions have become increasingly blurred.
Spring and fall are the most beautiful times of year to visit Rome, but they are also super, super crowded. If summer isn’t quite a high season but is still uncomfortably hot and sticky, and winter is still somewhat crowded, when is the best time to visit Rome? In my opinion, there are two moments of the year when you can visit Rome and expect pretty nice weather without crazy crowds.
The very end of August
The first is the very end of August. August is usually a busy time in Rome because of families traveling—people with small kids, students, college students, teachers, etc.—so it’s generally a high-travel period. However, at the very end of August, many of those travelers start heading home. September is historically and notoriously one of the busiest times of year to visit Rome, but this rush typically kicks off around the first or second week of September. So, during the last week of August and the first week of September, you’ll actually find smaller crowds (believe it or not) and pretty nice weather.
By this time, the intense heat and humidity of July and early August start to fade, and the influx of fall travelers hasn’t yet arrived in full force. As a result, this period serves as a transitional moment—when summer travelers are leaving, and fall travelers haven’t quite arrived yet. Yet, the weather is starting to turn just a little bit, so that very last week of August and first week of September is a great time to visit Rome for good weather and slightly smaller crowds.
The other great time to visit Rome is another transitional moment—the end of November. I used to say that early November was a good time to visit Rome, but in recent years, more people have been coming in early November to escape the huge crowds of October.
Pantheon
Guys, we’re near the Pantheon—this is just a little glimpse of the kinds of crowds you can expect in Rome at the beginning of November. As a result, early to mid-November is actually fairly busy in Rome. However, the end of November is a transitional moment in terms of both weather and crowds. By then, fall visitors have left, and holiday travelers haven’t really started arriving yet. Also, while it’s getting colder and a little darker, November is still a fall month, so the weather is still pretty reasonable, and you should find smaller crowds.
Oh, no matter when you come, you’re going to have a wonderful time in Rome! So pack your bags and come on over.
Rome best time to visit | Weather Demand | Weather in Rome
1. Rome in Spring (March – May): The Perfect Balance
Best For: Pleasant weather, sightseeing, fewer crowds than summer
Average Temperature: 10°C – 22°C (50°F – 72°F)
Crowds: Moderate, but increasing towards May
Spring is one of the best times to visit Rome, as the city awakens from winter with mild temperatures, blooming flowers, and outdoor café culture. The weather is perfect for walking around ancient sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain, without the summer heat.
Pros of Visiting in Spring:
Comfortable weather for exploring on foot
Lower hotel prices compared to summer
Fewer crowds (except during Easter week)
Lush gardens & blooming flowers (visit the Orange Garden and Villa Borghese)
Cons of Visiting in Spring:
Easter crowds: Rome is a major Catholic city, and Easter brings huge crowds
Unpredictable rain showers: It can be sunny one moment and rainy the next
Key Events in Spring
- Easter (March/April): St. Peter’s Basilica hosts mass with the Pope—expect thousands of visitors
- Rome’s Birthday (April 21st): Fireworks, parades, and gladiator reenactments at the Colosseum
- Labor Day (May 1st): Free concerts in Piazza San Giovanni, but many businesses close
Final Verdict on Spring
March to May is ideal for travelers who want great weather, reasonable prices, and fewer crowds. If you don’t mind some Easter congestion, spring is a fantastic time to experience Rome.
2. Rome in Summer (June – August): Hot, Busy, and Lively
Best For: Festivals, nightlife, lively atmosphere
Average Temperature: 18°C – 32°C (64°F – 90°F)
Crowds: Very high, especially in July and August
Summer is Rome’s peak tourist season, drawing millions of visitors from around the world. While the city is alive with outdoor events, open-air dining, and concerts, the heat can be intense, and long lines at attractions like the Vatican Museums can be frustrating.
Pros of Visiting in Summer:
Lively atmosphere with street performances and outdoor festivals Longer daylight hours (sunset around 9 PM)
Many events and festivals (like summer music festivals)
Cons of Visiting in Summer:
High temperatures (walking all day in the heat is exhausting)
Massive crowds at tourist attractions
Expensive hotels due to peak season demand
Local businesses may close in August (Romans take their vacations in Ferragosto)
Key Events in Summer
- Estate Romana (June – September): A summer-long festival with outdoor cinema, concerts, and art events
- Festa dei Noantri (July): A historic festival in Trastevere with religious processions and street performances
- Ferragosto (August 15th): National holiday when many businesses shut down and locals escape to the coast
Final Verdict on Summer
If you love festivals, lively nightlife, and don’t mind the heat, summer is a great time. However, for comfortable sightseeing, it’s not ideal—expect crowds, long lines, and high prices.
3. Rome in Autumn (September – November): Best for Pleasant Weather & Fewer Crowds
Best For: Mild weather, fewer tourists, local festivals
Average Temperature: 12°C – 26°C (54°F – 79°F)
Crowds: Moderate to low
Autumn is another fantastic time to visit Rome. As temperatures drop from summer highs, the crowds begin to thin out, making it a comfortable season for exploring. You’ll still get plenty of sunshine in September and October, but by November, the weather becomes cooler and wetter.
Pros of Visiting in Autumn:
Warm temperatures without the summer heat
Lower hotel prices compared to peak season
Seasonal Italian food (truffle season, fresh wine, and chestnuts)
Cons of Visiting in Autumn:
More rain in November
Shorter daylight hours (sunset around 5 PM in late autumn)
Key Events in Autumn
- Notte Bianca (September): “White Night” festival with museums and shops open all night
- Roma Jazz Festival (November): Live jazz performances in iconic venues
- Sagra delle Castagne (October – November): Chestnut festival in nearby villages
Final Verdict on Autumn
For those who want to avoid crowds, enjoy mild weather, and experience Rome like a local, September to early November is a perfect time.
4. Rome in Winter (December – February): Best for Budget Travelers & Festive Vibes
Best For: Christmas markets, lower prices, peaceful sightseeing
Average Temperature: 4°C – 14°C (39°F – 57°F)
Crowds: Low (except during Christmas & New Year’s)
Winter in Rome is underrated—it’s the least crowded season, making it perfect for budget travelers. While you won’t get snow, temperatures can be chilly, especially in January. Christmas decorations, Nativity scenes, and holiday markets make Rome a magical place in December.
Pros of Visiting in Winter:
Lowest hotel prices and airfare deals
No long lines at major attractions
Beautiful Christmas atmosphere in December
Cons of Visiting in Winter:
Cooler temperatures and occasional rain
Short daylight hours
Some restaurants may close in January
Key Events in Winter
- Christmas Eve Mass (December 24th): St. Peter’s Basilica hosts midnight mass with the Pope
- New Year’s Eve (December 31st): Fireworks and celebrations in Piazza Venezia
- Carnevale (February): Masked parades and street performances
Final Verdict on Winter
If you want cheaper prices, fewer crowds, and a festive atmosphere, December is ideal. For quiet sightseeing, January and February are the best months.
For more tips for your trip, check out my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Rome. With this guide, you now know the Rome best time to visit based on weather, crowds, festivals, and budget. No matter when you go, Rome’s timeless beauty will leave you enchanted.
Thank you, and that wraps up Rome best time to visit 2025. Do you agree with the places we chose, or is there somewhere you visited that you feel should be on the list? leave us a comment.
You can find me on Instagram: @dreamytravelersofficial/.
