Rome is one of the cities where the weather will greatly affect the whole experience of your visit.

The Trevi Fountain looks different at 38°C in July. And Piazza Navona on a balmy October evening is quite different.

The good news?

Rome can be visited virtually all year round.

It's just that each season works a little differently.

Find cheap flights in low season

Rome by season

Here's what the weather looks like in the Italian capital during the year.

Spring (March to May)

For me, one of the best seasons.

Temperatures usually rise from 15°C in March to 25°C in May.

The city starts to live outdoors, parks turn green, restaurant gardens fill up.

And, most importantly, the heat is not as extreme as in summer.

But count on the fact that April and May in particular are already among the stronger tourist seasons.

Summer (June to August)

If you have a hard time with the heat, I would consider a different date.

Rome can be challenging in the summer.

It's not just the temperature. There is quite a bit of greenery in the historic center, and the most efficient way to get around Rome is on foot. So one gets tired of summer in Rome quickly.

On the other hand, evening Rome in summer has its charms. The light is long, the restaurant gardens are very lively and the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed.

However, extremes with temperatures over 38 °C often occur.

Autumn (September to November)

Second best season. And perhaps for many people the very best.

The heat gradually subsides, but the restaurant gardens are still open.

September and October are among my favourite European months ever. Rome has summer weather, but no temperature extremes.

Winter (December to February)

If you're expecting a Mediterranean summer even in January, you'll be a little disappointed.

Rome can be surprisingly cold in winter. But it's still considerably more pleasant than say London, Paris and I would compare the temperatures more to Barcelona.

The advantage of the winter months:

• fewer tourists
• cheaper hotels
• shorter queues

If you're planning to visit mainly museums, galleries and indoor sights, winter is the best time of year in my opinion: you have a better chance of getting good dates when buying tickets online.

• 👉 Where in Rome do I need to book a ticket in advance?

Also, hotel prices are by far the lowest in Rome during winter (especially late January and February)!

Book a hotel with an off-season discount

When does it rain the most in Rome?

It's not a city where one expects weeks of rain.

The rainiest tends to be:

• November
• October
• December

On the other hand, the least rainfall is in July.

Rain in Rome often comes in the form of intense showers rather than all-day drizzle.

But most importantly: Rome is a city with a large concentration of indoor monuments, museums, galleries, but also restaurants and bars.

So even rain won't spoil your holiday in Rome.

• 👉 My favorite restaurants in Rome

When is it the hottest in Rome?

Usually July and August.

Temperatures over 30°C are common. During heatwaves, even significantly more, and temperatures over 38 °C are no exception.

Personally, I prefer to travel to more northern destinations in the summer, where I am cold in the winter. So July and August are best for me, for example Oslo, Stockholm or Copenhagen.