When to Go to Rome

By Rick Steves

Rome's best travel months (also busiest and most expensive) are April, May, June, September, October, and early November. These months combine the convenience of peak season with pleasant weather.

The most grueling thing about travel in Rome is the summer heat in July and August, when temperatures can soar to the high 90s and pricier hotels discount their rooms. Air-conditioning is the norm in all but the cheapest hotels (though it's generally available only from June through September).

Spring and fall can be cool, and many hotels do not turn on their heat. Rome is fine in winter — cool and crisp with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Street life stays in swing all year, as restaurants set up heaters to warm outdoor tables, and nativity scenes grace churches through January. Off-season has none of the sweat and stress of the tourist season, but sights may have shorter hours, lunchtime breaks, and fewer activities. Confirm your sightseeing plans locally, especially when traveling off-season.