When Is The Worst Time To Visit Rome?
WORST Time To Visit Rome And The BEST Time To Visit Rome
Planning a trip to Italy? Let me help you avoid the worst time to visit Rome. As someone who has explored every corner of Rome and travelled a lot throughout Italy, I’ll cut straight to the chase:
August is typically the worst time to visit Rome.
The city is uncomfortably hot, incredibly crowded with tourists, and many local businesses close for their annual holiday (Ferragosto).
However, don’t let this discourage you.
Rome is a magnificent city that deserves to be on your travel bucket list. Here’s exactly when to avoid Rome, when to visit for the best experience, and how to make the most of your trip regardless of when you go.
You’ll also find recommendations for excellent hotels for different seasons and budgets.
Ready to discover the perfect timing for your Roman holiday?
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Best Time To Visit Rome And How To Decide
It may not be a big surprise to learn that the worst time to visit Rome is August, when it’s totally crazy with people and feels like an oven.
You should almost certainly avoid visiting during Christmas week, from December 23rd until New Year’s, as the city becomes overwhelmingly crowded with tourists and traffic, making it an impractical time to visit Rome.
August is also a month when thousands of cruisers visit Rome from the Civitavecchia cruise port, so the city feels really packed.
The best time to visit is actually the shoulder seasons.
I’m talking about April to May and September to October. It’s mind-boggling that 65 million people visit Italy every year, with many of them heading to Rome.
Visiting during shoulder season can help you avoid these crowds.
Thankfully, temperatures won’t be exhausting. There will be fewer people lining up for the main attractions, and the costs will be a little lower.
For example, if you visit in July or August, you can be waiting up to two hours to just get inside the colosseum. That’s a lot of wasted time in my opinion.
So after visiting Rome in November, I would love to make it back in the spring to see the difference.
Best Times to Visit Italy for Smaller Crowds
The best time to visit Italy, and particularly Rome, for smaller crowds is early spring and November.
While the city hosts a couple of major events in April, like the Rome Marathon and Natale di Roma, these draw large crowds that can make travelling around the city more challenging.
If you can plan your visit around these events, you’ll have an easier time exploring.
When we visited in November, it was fantastic. We barely had any rain, and the streets were totally breathable. It felt like we hit the jackpot.
You don’t want to be walking around Trastevere or Piazza Di Spagna in the rain!
However, you can have rainy days in the low season too, so don’t count on it; we were just lucky.
November and December are good options to consider, too.
While I mentioned before to avoid Christmas week and New Year’s, the rest of the month offers really good options for a few reasons.
It’s far less crowded than even the shoulder seasons, dining costs are cheaper, and you won’t be suffocated by heat.
Temperatures can reach 38 degrees Celsius in July and August.
Where To Stay In Rome Any Time Of The Year
There are several excellent places to stay in Rome.
Below are some highly recommended hotels to consider, all of which are centrally located.
Hotel Damaso ***
TB Place Roma ****
Campo de’ Fiori 34 ****
The Vista Rooms & Terrace ****
Rhinoceros *****
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
If you are asking what to do in Rome, there is plenty. However, Rome should be avoided during August.
During August, temperatures soar to uncomfortable levels, the streets overflow with tourists, and many shops and restaurants shut down as locals take their traditional summer break.
But should that really stop you from visiting Rome if it’s your only option? Absolutely not.
There are certain things you must not miss in Rome, regardless of the weather.
While it won’t be as comfortable, you can still explore the main attractions, enjoy great food, and, if you don’t mind the heat, make the most of the warm weather.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you find out how I made a great 3-day trip in the Eternal City.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
What Time Of Year Is Rome Least Crowded?
Rome is least crowded at the start of the year, particularly in January and February. You’ll have a completely different experience visiting than compared to August, which is the worst time to visit Rome. The biggest advantage is cost savings. You’ll get more for your money since there’s less competition during these winter months compared to the peak summer season, the worst time to visit Rome.
What Is The Off-Season In Rome, Italy?
Travel to Rome between November and February is considered the off-season. You’ll find fewer tourists throughout the city, giving you more time and space to explore at your leisure. I loved visiting Rome in November and would highly recommend it—especially considering that August is the worst time to visit Rome. Avoid August if you don’t enjoy large crowds and sweltering heat.
What Is The Rainiest Month In Rome?
November is the wettest month in Rome. However, when we spent three days in the Rome, we had little rain. When planning a trip in November, you need to expect rain since we got lucky. You can expect about 93mm of rain throughout the month. Don’t forget to bring suitable clothes. Check out this guide to spending two days in Rome.
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