Rome in winter is one of our best-kept secrets. Most of the season, you will enjoy the city like most visitors never get to: (almost) all to yourself.
But there are lots of great reasons to enjoy winter in the Eternal City. Find out why it can be one of the best times to visit Rome.
Everyone loves coming to Rome when it’s warm and sunny and glowing, and you can sit in piazza Navona or Campo di Fiori taste a prosecco and people-watch.
While that’s all lovely, Rome in winter is a real treat for those of us who live here, and for anyone visiting then. You can decide to visit things at the last minute and not worry about not getting in.
You can actually enjoy the Vatican Museums with the amazing Sistine Chapel without the crush of people.
You can even go sit down on one of the benches lining the walls. Yes, there are benches inside the Sistine Chapel, something you would not even notice in high season when you are in a swarm of other tourists.
Most of the year, you need to book the Galleria Borghese at least 7 days in advance (if not farther in advance during really peak season like April-July and September/November)
In winter, you can either book the same day or try going without a reservation (although I never recommend this because you just never know. I’d say to go ahead and pay the 2€ reservation fee and be sure even when it’s low season.)
Are you thinking, spring – fall offers the amzing light for the passionate photographers? You know, Daylight Saving Time and all that?
I have news for you.
The light in Rome in winter is magical! We get this burst of warm light in the afternoon, and then long, low shadows across the monuments and Rome sites, which can be gorgeous all on its own.
And here’s the bonus: There are some sites that close at 6 or 7pm. So from spring to fall, that means they close before sundown.
But in winter, it means the sun will set while you are at that site. What do I mean? Well, how about this view from the top of St. Peter’s Dome:
You can only get this view in Rome in winter, because the monuments stay open after the sun sets. This view of Saint Peter’s Square, taken from the dome, has a bonus Christmas tree to boot!
Yes, much of winter is low season in Rome.
The exceptions are over any holiday period or even long holiday weekend. For example, December 8 is a major Catholic holiday, the Immacolata (Immaculate Conception). If it falls near a weekend, Rome will be more crowded.
It can be cold, rainy and dreary in winter in Rome. Although not a common occurence,it can even snow some times (and on rare occasions, we’ve had temps so cold that our fountains froze!).
But in general Rome is blessed with a mild climate so even in the dead of winter, we often have lots of sunny days.
This is also a great time to visit some of Rome’s best underground sites, where you will be plenty warm.
The area of Prati near to Vatican is what i prefered pleanty of shops ,restaurants and of course the amazing “Trionfale “market also in this area you cand find many solutions of holidays home or apartments for everyone budget.
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