Why choosing Rome for your winter holidays is a good idea

Experience Rome like the Romans do

Rome can be enjoyed in all seasons, with such a diverse range of attractions it’s simultaneously beautiful, stylish and modern – a city where ancient architecture and designer shops co-exist side by side.

From the spectacular ruins of the Roman Empire to hipster bars in Trastevere, the Italian capital is a fantastic place to visit in the low season.

Arguably, winter is the best time to visit the Eternal City. From fewer crowds to cheaper hostel prices, there are plenty of reasons to explore Rome from November to March.

Here are some tips about travelling to Rome in winter.

1. Fewer Crowds

Image by paweesit (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Instead of battling for the best views and queuing for hours to get into the Colosseum or St. Peter's Basilica, you’ll have the ruins and the Renaissance masterpieces all to yourself. Winter is the best time to visit the Vatican City, where you’ll see a lot more than during the summer months.

At certain times of day, there might not even be a queue for St. Peter’s Basilica! If you’re an early bird, then you may be the only one wandering around the Roman Forum on a weekday morning.

Fewer crowds mean fewer people on the streets too. If you want to take advantage of a quite empty Rome, for a stress-free arrival or departure and for any help you may need getting around, we suggest you to download the Prontopia app before your arrival. The app gives you access to in-person help from a Prontopia local whenever you need it, giving you time to take that selfie in front of the Colosseum without rush.

2. It’s cheaper

Image by hunkichunki (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Winter travel to Rome has always been budget friendly experience. Your flights are going to be much cheaper during the colder months of November or January/February.

Hostel prices is another area where you’ll make huge savings in Rome. Most hostels have excellent deals on when visitor numbers drop during the low season: Check out our cool hostels in Rome to find out how you can get amazing deals in the Eternal City.

3. Cool and dry climate

Image by Sorin Popovich (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Rome during the summer months is as hot as hell. Just getting on the metro for ten minutes is a humid and exhausting experience. Winter travellers don’t have this problem.

January is dry and cold (4°c low and 13°c high) and if you travel in October, then you’re likely to enjoy mellow highs of 22°c dropping to t-shirt weather 17°c in November.

Also, Rome receives precious little rain so outdoor sightseeing in the Colosseum and the Roman Forum are ideal whatever month you travel.

4. Live like the Romans do

Image by Ben Cremin (Flickr/Creative Commons)

With fewer crowds, you can visit San Lorenzo or Trastevere and drink craft beer and cocktails until the small hours. Romans socialise in traditional trattorias and osterias in their local neighbourhoods during the winter months.

As a winter traveller, you can enjoy Rome's warm hospitality and avoid tourists eating from bi-lingual menus in the city centre. Travelling to Rome off season makes perfect sense when you can live like the Romans do.

Indeed, this timeless city will bring you back again and again. With our affiliated hostels making Rome affordable whatever your budget, there's nothing stopping you going back in time this winter

*Header image by Alessandro Grussu (Flickr/Creative Commons)