Rome boasts a classic Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. Expect plenty of sunshine – about 2,500 hours a year – making it a city you can enjoy in almost any season. While summers can get quite toasty, spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the Eternal City’s treasures.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Rome’s Mediterranean climate means you’ll find four distinct seasons, each with its own personality. Summers (June to August) are hot and dry, with daytime highs regularly reaching 30–32°C and nights staying warm. July and August are the sunniest months, offering up to 11 hours of sunshine per day, but also the most intense heat and occasional humidity. Winters (December to February) are mild compared to northern Europe, with average highs around 12–14°C and lows dipping to 3–4°C. Snow is rare, though rain is more frequent, especially in November and December, the wettest months of the year.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spots for weather in Rome. Spring starts cool but quickly warms up, with May days often reaching 23–24°C and plenty of sun. Autumn brings comfortable temperatures – think 22°C in October, cooling to 13–17°C by November – and beautiful golden light. Rain increases in late autumn, but showers are usually brief. With around 2,600 hours of sunshine annually and gentle breezes averaging 10–16 km/h, Rome’s climate is generally pleasant, making outdoor exploration a joy for most of the year. The sea near Rome warms up for swimming from July to September, peaking at about 25°C.
| Average climate data for Rome, Italy | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 12 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 21 | 16 | 13 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 68 | 73 | 57 | 80 | 53 | 34 | 19 | 37 | 73 | 114 | 114 | 82 | 804 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 80 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
The best time to visit Rome is in late spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October). During these months, you’ll enjoy comfortable temperatures (18–25°C), plenty of sunshine, and fewer crowds than in peak summer. The city’s gardens are in bloom in spring, while autumn offers beautiful light and ideal conditions for sightseeing and outdoor dining.
July and August are the toughest months for sightseeing in Rome. Daytime temperatures often exceed 32°C, humidity can be high, and many locals leave the city for holidays, leading to some shop and restaurant closures. The heat makes long walks challenging, especially in the afternoons, so if you visit then, plan for early mornings and indoor activities during peak heat.
Rome has hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Spring and autumn are mild and sunny, while summer sees highs above 30°C and winter rarely drops below 3°C. Rain is most common in late autumn and winter.
Rain is most frequent from October to December, with November typically being the wettest month. Showers are usually brief, so packing an umbrella is a good idea, especially for autumn visits.
Snow in Rome is very rare. Winters are mild, with average lows of 3–4°C. If snow does fall, it’s usually light and melts quickly, so it’s unlikely to affect travel plans.
Rome enjoys about 2,600 hours of sunshine per year. The sunniest months are July and August, with up to 11 hours of sunshine daily, while December and January have the least, averaging 4–5 hours per day.
Bring layers for changing temperatures, a light rain jacket or umbrella for spring and autumn, sun protection for summer, and comfortable shoes for walking. In winter, add a warm jacket and waterproof shoes.
July and August can be very hot and humid, with highs above 32°C. Sightseeing is best done in the early morning or evening, and it’s important to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade or indoors.
The sea near Rome is warm enough for swimming from July to September, with temperatures peaking at around 25°C. June and early October can also be pleasant for a dip, depending on the weather.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (30.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (11.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (18.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (3.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 10 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (114.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (19.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 804.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (9.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (2.1 days). Over the whole year there are 79.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 6.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 9). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.9.
