Best time to visit Rome

April to May and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

April to May and September to October

Spring and early autumn give mild weather and thinner crowds than summer; October is often named the top month.

“the best time to visit Rome in terms of weather and overall experience typically spans from April to June and from September to early November” walksinsiderome.com
“The shoulder season, from April to May and September to October, is one of the best times to travel to Rome.” autoeurope.com
“Spring and Fall are definitely the best time of the year to visit Rome with October being the best month!” romawonder.com

6 of the 10 travel guides we read name these months.

Rome month by month

Average high and low in Rome, and days with rain

January55°F / 38°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Coldest month, far fewer visitors and shorter queues at major sights.Epiphany and the Festa di Sant'Antonio fall early in the month; the Piazza Navona Christmas market runs to January 6.
February57°F / 38°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…The wettest stretch for one source; museums such as the Sistine Chapel are comfortable with low turnout.Carnival is an eight-day celebration with a parade along the Via del Corso.
March62°F / 42°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Weather swings between sun and downpour, and crowds are still light.The chill begins to lift as the city wakes from winter.Rome Marathon
Best timeApril68°F / 47°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Spring in full swing with mild temperatures, blooming flowers and azaleas on the Spanish Steps.Easter marks when tourist season starts to ramp up.Natale di Roma · Rome Rose Garden (Roseto Comunale)
Best timeMay77°F / 55°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Botanical gardens in bloom and nearly perfect weather, but crowds build as spring closes.The Rome rose garden opens for a limited time, and the Swiss Guard swearing-in is on May 6.
June85°F / 62°F · 3 rainy daysChecking fares…Festa della Repubblica on June 2 brings parades and events.Counted among the busiest months for Rome tourism.Festa della Repubblica
July91°F / 67°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…Peak season with heat above 100F in one account and crowds queuing at the Colosseum and Vatican.
August91°F / 67°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…Second half of August: many Romans leave, businesses keep limited hours, and the city hosts free events.Parking is easiest in the last two weeks of the month.
Best timeSeptember82°F / 61°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Heat recedes and the city feels local again, though early September can still be near 100F.Romans return from vacation and summer tourists leave, but the city is still busy.Romaeuropa Festival
Best timeOctober73°F / 54°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Romans call the month's fine weather Ottobrata Romana; it is warm by day, cool at night.Rome Film Festival and food festivals, with white truffles in season.Tourist traffic drops off, though one source says it is still high season; weather turns rainier at month end.
November63°F / 46°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…Rainiest month in Rome, with fewer visitors.All Saints Day on November 1 is a holiday with schools out.
December56°F / 40°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…Immaculate Conception on December 8; Christmas markets and decorations; wettest month per one source.Most rainy month per another source, with few tourists apart from the holidays.Epiphany in Rome and the Befana markets

Weather: Rome averages from ISPRA, Italy's national climate data (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Rome from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Rome

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Late June to late AugustPeak season with heat, long lines and big crowds.
July and AugustHighest prices for lodging, flights and attractions.
Christmas and New YearBrief spike in visitors during an otherwise slow winter.

Quietest

November to FebruaryLower prices, excluding Christmas and New Year, with some reduced hours.
Late November to mid-December and mid-January to early MarchThinner crowds and better rates.
November to FebruaryCheaper rates and shorter lines.

Watch for

July and AugustScorching heat makes outdoor sightseeing uncomfortable, and many hotels lack air conditioning.
Two weeks before Holy WeekRome and the Vatican teem with tourists.
November and DecemberRainy season in late autumn and winter.
WinterSome attractions have reduced hours or close for maintenance.

Questions people ask

Which is the best month to visit Rome?: One source names October the best month; others point to April through June and September to early November.
Is Rome too hot in July?: July and August can top 88F, with heat and humidity causing discomfort.
When to avoid Rome in 2026?: One source says the worst times are the peak of winter and the height of summer.
When to avoid Rome?: July and August bring the highest costs and crowds.

Best time to visit Rome

April to May and September to October

Rome month by month

Every date to Rome from your city

What's on in Rome

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Rome

April to May and September to October

Rome month by month

Every date to Rome from your city

What's on in Rome

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places