Although originally displayed in the church, the nativity is now in the museum of Santa Maria Maggiore. Is December a good time to visit Rome ? Wondering what the weather's like, if it will be crowded, what's closed, what you can do? Here's a guide to the best time to visit Rome depending on how you want to spend your time in the city. Between Christmas markets and trees, Nativity scenes set up in all the local churches, and bright street lights and decorations starting from December 8th, December is a fantastic festive time to visit Rome. Granted, in Rome peak season (most of spring - summer - fall), it may not make a difference if you visit Rome mid-week or on the weekend. The Pantheon was temporarily closed to the public in December 2020. Italy celebrates the epiphany (January the 6th) with a very special character: La Befana. 11 destinos prximos a So Paulo para curtir o feriado de Corpus If you are planning on eating out, make sure you book in advance. Best Italy Road Trips From Rome ; Aug. 21, 2022 (updated on Mar. Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Christmas is a very special time in Vatican City.. During the weeks coming up to Christmas, the Vatican gears up to celebrate one of the most important recurrences of the Christian calendar and goes to all lengths to mark the occasion with religious ceremonies, decorations . This means many restaurants close on this occasion: book dinner in advance to make sure your establishment of choice is open and expect set menus rather than a-la-carte (this is not a rule but very common on festive days in Rome. Take the know-how of Italian cooking home with you by taking part in a hands-on cooking class! And to be fair, its not only foreign tourists that are doing the crowding: scores of students march on the capital in their organized school trips, swarming the most famous sites in the way that only disinterested teenagers can do (a universal condition). However, the city's status as the heart of a major world religion means that Rome does get crowded around Christmas time. The pope blessed the statue and kept it in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill. Many shops have extended hours from early November through the 6th of January, i.e. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll never have Rome all to yourself. Saint Peters square at the Vatican is one of the prettiest places to be during Christmas in Rome The Ultimate Planning Guide for 2023 By Elyssa Bernard December 14, 2022 Thinking of spending Easter in Rome? Every year we wait for news about theChristmas Market in Piazza Navona. ? All you need to know about visiting Rome at Christmas: practical travel guide to make the most of the holiday season in the Eternal City. Spring and fall from mid-March through mid-June, and September through October respectively, are Rome's shoulder . A relatively new phenomenon, started in 1982 during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, the tree is lit up in the afternoon sometime around December 8. Easter (including the week prior, Holy Week) can be one of the busiest times in Rome, although, in recent years I have noticed that the week just prior to Holy Week is even busier than Easter week. Finding that magical moment to visit Rome when the weather is lovely and when there are also not a lot of people is indeed hard to come by. Presumably this is when you could find smaller crowds in Rome. Until only a few years ago, lighting up streets, homes and buildings was a small part of the Christmas tradition in Italy. Additionally, there are concerts and festivals and all manner of delightful (and enormous) gatherings around the city, many of which are scheduled during the summer months. Panettone and pandoro are the most famous Christmas foods in Rome. This project started the Naples-style nativity, which still includes figures from everyday life. You will also meet other Rome lovers and experts, too. The Christmas Market and Fair in Piazza Navona in 2014, when a controversy and scandal caused the fair to reduce its proportions drastically. The answer to very nearly every question pertaining to the weather in Italy is wear a scarf or at the very least, have a scarf handy. Naples is famous for their Nativity Scenes. Copyright 2009-2023 by Elyssa Bernard, Romewise.com | All Rights Reserved. And as a Rome-lover, I agree, there is no bad time to visit Rome. 1 October - 31 March: 7 AM to 6:30 PM Summer: 1 April - 30 September: 7 am to 7 PM St. Peter's Basilica Mass Timings Weekdays: 7 AM: Holy Mass in the Choir Chapel 7:30 AM: Holy Mass at the Altar of San Giuseppe 8 AM: Holy Mass in the Choir Chapel 8.30 AM: Holy Mass in the Holy Sacrament Chapel 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM: SS. Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? And while the Colosseum may have been built for lions and gladiators, its no match for tour buses and Instagram. This does not mean its a bad time to come to Rome, especially if you dont have a choice. Tickets for the mass in the Vatican are free but limited and hard to get: the official booking site is here. Natchitoches, Louisiana. "I'd argue that the hidden best week of the entire year for cheap flights to Italy is Thanksgiving . The service takes place at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday 24th December. The tradition has stuck, however, and now every Christmas Tree that has graced the central roundabout of Piazza Venezia since 2017 is called Lo Spelacchiono matter how flourishing its foliage. A life-sized nativity is also set up but usually not unveiled until Christmas Eve. So is there a shoulder season in Rome and if so, when is it? The pope's annual Christmas day address is called Urbi et Orbe, which is Latin for to the city and to the world.Addressing the crowd in St. Peter's Square and around the globe through the media, the pope usually speaks in several languages and may use the opportunity to urge peace or address a current issue of concern. @2019-2023 - All Right Reserved. As of 2023, yes. Food plays an unsurprisingly crucial role in Italian Christmas traditions. The Spanish Steps at Christmastime. Personally I love it here then, the streets are quieter but things are stirring back to life and all the new fall fashions are out! Need to know! The 26th of December is an excellent time to sight-see. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Local restaurants may be closed on this day or offer set menus only. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy. Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission. Those in Piazza di Spagna (the same location as the Spanish Steps) and Piazza del Popolo are easy to add to your Rome itinerary as hosted in some of Romes most locations! Shops have prolonged opening hours during the Christmas weeks but do close early on December the 24th and often stay closed until the 27th. A quiet street in Trastevere in November. Thank you for supporting my site! We are committed to respecting your data. On Christmas eve, you can head to St Peters square and join the many visitors who follow the mass from the big screens in the square or, on Christmas day, you can participate in the mass held in the square at noon. Sometimes. There was one more time Keyes said could be the cheapest time to fly to Italy: Thanksgiving. Each year, a huge Christmas tree is erected in Saint Peter's Square. Amazon Prime Day 2023: What to buy and skip - NBC News But there are plenty of other ways to take advantage of the lack of crowds and mild weather. In Italy, there is no such thing. Families gather on Christmas eve and celebrate the occasion with glorious meals with, usually, a fish menu. There's no need to ask what the weather is like; the answer is always: hot. May 1 is a European holiday, called May Day. Colosseum Tour for families with kids by Grey Line: well-priced tour with a special eye for childrens needs and interests. In any case, expect crowds in Rome around Easter. Christmas is by far the best time of year to visit the attractions that are so busy during summer. You can find here >>> my guide to the best shopping in Rome. Consider also additional bookings such as Christmas eve dinner, Christmas lunch and dinner and New Years eve dinner (24th December, 25th December, 31st December). Among its attractions, visitors will be able to skate on the ice rink, meet Santa in his grotto, go shopping at the toy factory and enjoy plenty of tasty treats at the food stalls! But the most famous nativity scene is the life-size artwork in Saint Peters Square. We are living as Aussie Expats in London and just want to get out and see things. To get this, you must go to the Prefettura Office 4 to 5 days before the mass to collect your tickets. Visit my dedicated pages for all the winter months in Rome. . I am thinking of spending Christmas this year in Rome. But there are certain times of the year that are more interesting in terms of events and the weather. He then gives hisblessing to all those in the Square and people listening around the world. It could strike at any time, be it the crisp mornings in January (wear a scarf) or the overly air-conditioned restaurant in mid-August (wear a scarf). With the exceptions of Christmas and New Year's Eve, the colder months are as empty as they can be in a city like Venice - with school and work in full swing, tourist numbers are much lower than they are in June and July. For many people, weather is a huge factor in deciding when and where to travel, and Rome is no exception. Do all of your Christmas shopping in Rome! Find my guide to the Borghese Gallery here. Nativity displays are a classic Italian form of Christmas decorations, and 100 Presepi, with nativity scenes from all over Italy and other parts of the world, is an annual traditional display. Christmas is our favourite time of the year in Rome. I absolutely love Rome at Christmas time. If you are renting an apartment in Rome for the festivities, which I highly recommend, you can join this tradition. Read on! Want to share this page about Rome at Christmas on Pinterest? Finally, school is still out for many Italians and other Europeans, so Christmas vacations go through the Epiphany. Minutes until Christmas: 258728. Find out where the best ones are and how to get there and enjoy the Italian seaside! The Mass is celebrated in Saint Peters Basilica, partly because of its ceremonial significance and partly because of its capacity to accommodate more than 60,000 people. This exhibition does well to make sense of most of the mystery surrounding Domitians intriguing life and times and is well worth a visit. Visiting Rome at Christmas: Your Guide for 2022 - Carpe Diem Tours Some Rome restaurants close for New Years day, either for lunch or the entire day. It works for a 2.5 day visit as well. There are too many churches in Rome to mention them all but some I love are: Santa Prassede, wonderful ancient church with some of the best mosaics in Rome, Santa Maria della Vittoria, a baroque church with a stunning Extasis of St Therese by Bernini. Advance booking of accommodation and all attractions is a must. Masters would host banquets for their slaves, carnivalic celebrations would fill the streets, and the Romans would exchange small gifts a tradition that has since infused todays Christmas traditions. If you want to introduce your kids to this tradition, Rome is the perfect place to do it! This can bring 50,000 people or more to a central location like the Circo Massimo or Terme di Caracalla, which means even more buses and crowds on top of the buses and crowds that are already there. The best areas to enjoy the Christmas lights in Rome are the streets between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Venezia (Via del Corso, Via dei Coronoari), Trastevere and Piazza Navona. The weather in Rome is by and large very pleasant: it's a Mediterranean climate with sunny days and cooler nights that rarely get below freezing, and rainy periods that can hit from November to March or April. The store is known for European blown-glass ornaments, which are handmade in Italy, Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. He delivers his Christmas blessing at noon on Christmas Day. Take a half day Rome tour and see the lights! Thats why we rank in the top 2% of tour agencies in Rome! Consequently, every human who has to not only be outside but also function in some way as part of society is going to be perilously short on patience, from the taxi driver to the tour guide to the gelato shop owner who would really like to be anywhere else out of the heat. Eating out in Rome on Christmas eve and Christmas day is not always easy: many restaurants close on the 24th and the ones that are open tend to have a special Christmas menu with equally special price tags. Are you worried that a lot is closed? Items range from Christmas-y to not, and very small to quite large. Families start planning the Christmas gatherings typical of the seasons and tourists fill the place, their eyes and bellies filled with Romes most beautiful sites and warming Christmas Rome delicacies. Thousands of visitors flock to Saint Peter's Square when the pope celebrates midnight mass on Christmas Eve inside Saint Peter's Basilica (in the square, the mass is shown on large screens). Please come over to the private Romewise Facebook group and join in the conversation. Papal Audience Tickets - Everything you need to know | romewise Designed and Developed by PenciDesign, What to pack for visiting Rome at Christmas, Museums and attractions you can visit in Rome at Christmas + special closures, Top 10 Christmas things to do in Rome this year, Colosseum Tour for families with kids by Grey Line, guide how to visit the Vatican at Christmas, best places in Rome to admire Caravaggio paintings. Things to Do for Christmas in Rome - TripSavvy Some shops, hotels, and restaurants display small trees. What to shop for on Prime Day. *This product is produced in, and dispatched from the United States. Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? Best Times To Visit Rome. So here's the secret: If you want to come when it's "nice" weather but there are not as many people, these are the two best times to visit Rome: Late August is a great time to visit Rome. You can, and should, taste both and you will most likely like both however, there is a fun fact you should know. Should you not be able to secure on, you can also opt for an outdoor alternative. The eternal city is stunning in all seasons, but October has the upper hand. Information on whether the ice rink is open is unavailable. Picking a destination like Rome has a huge benefit: it's always a great time to visit Rome, no matter the month. The Vatican Museums will also be closed on January 6 (the Epiphany.). The best time to visit Rome is from Mid-March to June and also from Late-October to November. If you want your interactions to be more than transactions when you come to Italy, it helps to keep this in mind. Italians generally abstain from eating meat on Christmas Eve and feast on fish instead. The Best Things to do in Rome at Christmas, See the temporary exhibition at the Capitoline Museums, See the Nativity scene in St. Peters Square, Master Italian Cuisine through a Unique Cooking Class, Attending the Vaticans Christmas Eve Mass, Private Catacombs and Basilica San Clemente Underground Tour, Colosseum Arena Tour with Palatine Hill & Roman Forum, St Peter's Basilica, Popes Tombs, and Dome Climb, VIP Colosseum Tour with Underground Access. The grape harvest occurs each September and October. Many sites will be much less crowded than usual. There is a street I love to visit there, Via San Gregorio Armeno, where the artisans make the figures and figurines for nativity scenes around Italy and the world. But if that's the only time you can travel, do not let that stop you! As above, if it falls near a weekend, hotel rooms near major sights like the Trevi Fountain might be harder to come by. You can shop at the Christmas markets, visit a traditional nativity, and even go ice skating. 10 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in the US - Hotels.com Best of all, Romes winter climate is characterised by clear, sunny days and chilly, but never freezing nights (more on this later), making this the perfect time to visit. Perfect the art of authentic pasta and tiramis or try something different, blending heady cocktails and hand-rolled pasta on a Spritz & Spaghetti cooking class! Access restricted, recently reopened areas of the Colosseum. Where to Spend Christmas in Italy: Rome. So winter may not be the best time to visit Rome if having great weather is important to you. Summertime (June to August) is Rome's peak travel season, with the city brimming with festivals and activities. Find out everything you need to know about tickets, costs, location, timings, and dress code. Check out the best restaurants in Rome for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day . You do not need a thermal layer in Rome but scarves, gloves and a hat may come in handy. For a complete list of museums and exhibits open/closed during Rome at Christmas, visit the official Rome Tourist Information page. In a previous article, I talked about visiting Rome in December. So if you don't mind a bit of chill in the air, late November could be the best time to visit Rome for you! Due to the advent of so many low cost airlines that popped up around Europe in the last 20 years, Rome, like other European cities, gets filled up during weekends throughout the year. Here are our top recommendations for where to eat Christmas dinner in Rome: Most businesses close on Christmas Day so people can spend the day with their family. San Luigi dei Francesi, one of the best places in Rome to admire Caravaggio paintings for free. These figurines are just incredible, down to the tiniest detail . The Christmas holiday season in Rome starts on December 8, which is the holiday of the Immaculate Conception, or Immacolata. St. Peter's Basilica Opening Hours | Best Time to Visit You will often find me there, happy to answer your questions / comments! The city offers myriad ways to visit in style while saving money. Another special place to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve in Rome is at Santa Maria in Ara Coeli, above Campidoglio. $446 Cheap Flights to Rome in 2023 | Skyscanner Best Time to Visit Rome - Two key moments of the year. This is a day when local families are most likely at home so dont be surprised if you encounter mostly tourists in restaurants and cafes. Most shops and restaurants that close during August will have reopened by the last week of that month, so the city is starting to come back to life but it's not quite as crowded as September (high season begins in early-mid September.). Roman children write their Christmas letters to Santo Bambino. You can find nativity scenes (presepi, as theyre called in Italian) all around Rome at Christmas. Christmas in Sicily. Venture beneath the Eternal City and explore the depths of hidden Rome. The Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano, above the Roman Forum, displays one of the largest nativity scenes. When bells are rung at midnight, it signifies the start of Christmas. When is the best time to visit Rome. The figurines are (mostly) not made in Naples, but are made by Italian artisans from different parts of Italy, in particular Tuscany. And with so many people out and about, there is a pretty warm feeling in the air and it's easy to forget you are cold. It starts on TikTok. Romand and Italians in general are divided into what I can only call two opposing teams: team pandoro and team panettone. You must reserve tickets in advance to attend Christmas Eve Mass or any other papal audience event. (You can access this from the menu at the top.). Best Time to Visit Rome - Insider trip planning tips! | romewise Is January a good time to visit Rome? This one does not require tickets (but does get super busy). The day of the Epiphany in Rome is a day off and also the day that traditionally marks the end of the holidays: as the Italian saying goes Epifania, tutte le feste porta via (epiphany takes all the festivities away)! Saint Peter's Square is filled with beautiful spring flowers at Easter. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The Best Things to do in Rome in December 2023 Given you are not desperate for the summer heat to follow you on your trip, visiting Rome, Italy, during December is the perfect choice for you. | romewise, Rome Beaches - How to beat the heat in Rome | romewise, Rome Hotel Star Ratings - what they really mean | romewise. Is December a good time to visit Rome? Rome hotel star ratings are not what you might think! Should we do it? January and February are ideal times for museum lovers to wander without lines and for foodies to make every reservation theyd never get otherwise. Find out what are some of the best things to do in Rome during December! The Best Time to Visit Rome - TripSavvy Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. For New Year's Eve, there are fireworks and some concerts in the plazas around Rome. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Receive the latest Rome news, travel tips, insights and more + a free Rome eBook - Subscribe Today! Most would agree that the best time to visit Rome is September to November and April to May when the crowds are fewer, days are bright and sunny, and evenings are crisp and coolusually only requiring a light jacket. It's only normal that Christmas is a very busy time of the year in Rome. In general, the best times to visit Rome are the spring and autumn. Rome in winter is cold yet charming, in spring and autumn sparkly and dynamic and Rome in summer is hot and lazy and so the best time to visit depends very much on what you are hoping to do while in the city. This article was first published March 2021 and updated June 2023. And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too. The same happens for new years eve when restaurants tend to be booked for events or offer special festive menus. Is this a good idea? But there is always a small chance so if you can swing it, give it a try! Christmas Eve is celebrated on the 24th of December and Christmas Day on the 25th. But on the whole this is the most temperate time of year to explore the city, as its not too hot and never really too cold. Italy is an ideal time to visit Italy. November to February is the best time for budget travelers. Many of Romes museums and galleries close or operate reduced opening hours, public transport operates less regularly (especially in the evening), and most restaurants close. We are committed to respecting your data. So now that I've told you about all the things that are closed, you may be wondering what to do on Christmas Day in Rome. Some museums stay close on this day. My sister visited in December one year and told me how nice it was to sit on the benches along the sides of the Sistine Chapel and contemplate the ceiling. If you are looking for some seriously cute Christmas ornaments and decorations, check out the "Sempre Natale" store in Rome. Certainly just walking around the city center is a fun thing to do during the holidays in Rome. New Year's Eve, as well as New Year's Day, is celebrated whole-heartedly in Rome. The official sales season in Rome starts in January. In 2022, most museums and cultural sites will be open. Plan the perfect time for your trip to Rome with this seasonal guide Sol de Zuasnabar Brebbia / Getty Images. Except, maybe August; it's so hot that you can even fry eggs on the stones! Set off early to make sure youre not out after dark; this 2,000-year-old road isnt very well illuminated! During the festive period, the city is buzzing with activity. Sweet coal keeps several days so you can get it from a Rome Christmas market and take it out on the 6th of December and still find it intact. Youll always have rush hour on the metro or bus, and bustling throngs in and out of the major train stations. Rome in January - What to Expect + Planning Tips (2023) - Rome Actually The weather in mid- and late November can be iffy (it's our rainiest month), but it's still fairly mild temperature-wise, and there is still pretty good light during the day. This is a festive day. My name is Marta, I am a travel loving mama, born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe inspiring and unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome.