Best time to travel to Rome

One of the reasons why there are always things to see and do in Rome is because the city has a mild Mediterranean climate, which makes any time of the year a good time to visit the city. However, if you have the chance choose to visit Rome in spring or visit Rome in autumn as the temperatures are more pleasant.

However, when planning a trip to Rome you should take into account other factors such as tourist saturation or prices. Don't worry! In this post we analyze all these issues so you can get an idea of what awaits you in the Italian capital.

Spring and autumn are the best times to travel to Rome, as both are transitional seasons where it is not too hot and not too cold. The days have more daylight hours but the temperatures are mild, which is perfect for outdoor sightseeing and walking the streets of the city seeing its beautiful and ancient monuments.

Thus, if you have not yet chosen the time to travel to Rome, I recommend that you choose the months of April and May or September and October for having a mild climate. In addition, it is mid-season for tourism so you will find good deals on accommodation.

In any case, when planning your trip, it is always a good idea to check the average temperatures in Rome to choose the right clothes to pack in your suitcase; it never hurts to bring a warm garment in case it gets chilly in the spring or autumn evenings!

When winter comes to an end, the thermometers start to rise and the temperature is very pleasant. Although the nights of March are still cool in the early spring, the temperatures compensate in the middle of the day when they become milder.

As spring progresses, it gets warmer without being oppressive and there are also more daylight hours and, therefore, the days are longer.

Romans take the opportunity to take to the streets for a stroll, to have an aperitif on the terraces of Rome or to practice sports. It is a great time to walk through the parks of Rome as the vegetation is lush and full of beautiful colors. It is also a great time to visit the city's viewpoints and marvel at the best views of Rome.

During the spring there may be a rainy day but nothing that can't be fixed with an umbrella, these days are also charming and you will get some beautiful pictures!

Tourist crowds in spring

If what you want is to walk the streets of Rome sightseeing, this is a good time because although they are more crowded, they do not reach the levels of summer and to enter the main tourist attractions there is more calm.

In addition, in spring you can travel to Rome for less money. Except during Holy Week, when the city is crowded with pilgrims and prices go up a bit. If you do not travel to the city for religious reasons, it is best to avoid those dates to enjoy it with more tranquility.

In this other post I leave you all the information about what to see and what to do in Rome in spring.

At the beginning of autumn temperatures are still high in Rome as the sensation of suffocation lasts until well into October, with an average temperature of around 25ºC in the thermometers. However, the nights gradually become cooler, making it easier to fall asleep in the Italian capital.

Later on, the temperatures become milder as they do in spring and are very pleasant, so many Romans take advantage of the fact that the weather outside is still good during the day to play sports, have a drink on a terrace or stroll in Rome's parks. The city shines with a special light and watching the urban nature when the color of the leaves changes is one of the most romantic plans you can make in the Eternal City.

However, the days are getting shorter and it gets dark earlier, so you will have to plan some activities earlier, especially those that take place outdoors. In addition, during autumn it tends to rain more, especially in October and November, so you will need to include a raincoat in your luggage.

The autumn touristic flow in Rome

As in the spring, during the autumn there are fewer tourists in Rome compared to the summer. There are not as many tourists and hotel prices are lower, making it easier to find accommodation for less money.

In addition, the queues at tourist attractions such as the Colosseum or St. Peter's Basilica are shorter in autumn and it is quieter.

It is also a good time to travel to the city because there are a lot of events such as the Rome Film Festival or the Roma Jazz Festival as well as Italian festivities where you can participate such as All Saints' Day (November 1).

Here's everything you need to know about what to see and do in Rome in autumn.

During the summer, it gets hot in Rome- very hot! Thermometers can easily soar up to 35°C and when heat waves occur, temperatures can reach 40°C. If we add to this the humidity of the Tiber River, unless you tolerate the sensation of heat, walking through the streets of the city can be mission impossible.

For this reason I recommend you to be well prepared to combat the heat: plenty of fresh water, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Also, choose light and cool fabrics instead of dark or black clothes.

During the day the temperatures are high and sticky, but fortunately you will find many fountains scattered throughout the streets and squares of Rome where you can cool off and refill your water bottle. I also recommend you take advantage of the high temperatures to, for example, visit the best works of art in the Capitoline Museums to escape the heat. At night, the oppressive heat drops but sometimes it is still difficult to fall asleep so before going to bed, take a walk around the Trastevere neighborhood at night, one of the liveliest at this time of the year.

This time of year is dry and there are very few rainy days, so bad weather won't spoil your outdoor plans. The days are quite long and it doesn't get dark until after 9 PM, which is ideal for getting the most out of your sightseeing while tasting one of the best ice creams in Rome. It's the best time to go out and have fun!

The influx of tourists in summer

Summer is the quintessential holiday season so it's high season in Rome- the streets and main attractions are packed with tourists! There is more hustle and bustle around them and the lines at the entrance are longer.

Although it is hot, summer is a fabulous time to enjoy open-air concerts and markets, summer cinemas, riverside food stalls, a drink in the evening breeze and fireworks.

During the August Fair (August 15) it is customary to go out of town for the day, so there are fewer people and the streets are a little quieter for strolling.

As for the availability of hotels during this season is lower, so if you want to visit Rome in summer, my advice is to book your accommodation in advance to get better prices as these skyrocket.

Want more details? You have them in the post about what to see and what to do in Rome in summer.

When autumn comes to an end, the thermometers start to drop and it gets really cold (although during the day and in the sunshine, temperatures can be pleasant). This feeling of cold is even more pronounced due to the higher humidity produced by the abundant rainfall at this time of the year, with the coldest months in Rome being January and February.

In addition, the hours of sunshine are shorter and the days are shorter. With this weather you feel like spending less time outdoors and more time making plans indoors. Whether it's having some Italian sweets with hot chocolate in a café or visiting the monuments of Rome, since in this season there are fewer people at the entrance of the tourist attractions and you can explore them at your leisure.

The influx of tourists in winter

Due to the fact that during the winter it is quite cold and the days are shorter, many people are reluctant to travel but it is a good time to visit Rome as there is not as much tourism in the city as during the rest of the year and prices are much cheaper for both flights and hotels.

During the winter it is worth going out and spend a little cold to enjoy Christmas in Rome, its cribs and its beautiful markets of Christmas crafts and typical food installed in the most important squares. You can take advantage and buy a nice souvenir there! Or if your trip coincides with the end of the year, you can also go out to watch the wonderful fireworks display and see how the Romans celebrate the New Year.

On the other hand, February is one of the coldest months along with January, but you might want to check out the Roman Carnival, which is not as popular as the one in Venice, but it has its charm too!

If you want to know more, I recommend you to have a look at this article on what to see and do in Rome in winter.

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