Best time to visit Rome
Rome is worth visiting all year round, but when you go determines whether you pay 100 or 380 euros for your flight, whether you queue for hours at the Colosseum or walk straight in, and whether you experience Ferragosto-Rome (half empty and sweltering) or the city at its very best. October is the clear winner. Updated 19 August 2026.
✈️ Plan your trip to Rome →Rome attracts over 15 million visitors a year, but crowds and prices are distributed extremely unevenly throughout the year. Want to see Rome at its finest without Colosseum queues and without paying a fortune? Choose October or May.
Want the absolute cheapest option with minimal crowds? Book in January. Also check out our full Rome travel guide with tips on the best neighbourhoods, must-see sights and day trips to Tivoli or the Castelli Romani.
By season: when should you visit Rome?
January and February
The cheapest months of the year: return tickets from the Netherlands from approximately 100 to 170 euros, hotels 40 to 50 per cent cheaper than in summer. Few tourists at the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums. Temperatures average 7 to 9 degrees Celsius, maximum 16 to 18 degrees. Ideal if you want to explore the museums quietly and don't need terrace weather.
April and May
Rome truly blooms: the Roseto Comunale on the Aventine Hill (free, May to June), the Giardino degli Aranci with its panoramic view, and a Mediterranean spring climate of 14 to 28 degrees.
Watch out for Easter: if pilgrims are in town, St Peter's Square is extremely crowded and hotel prices surge. Avoid Easter weekend itself; the weeks after are ideal. Natale di Roma on 21 April is a free celebration of the city's birthday.
June through August
Peak season and heat season simultaneously: July and August reach 35 to 37 degrees Celsius with high humidity. Ferragosto on 15 August is a national holiday when countless local shops and restaurants close while tourists fill the gaps.
Prices are 40 to 60 per cent higher than in low season. If you do go in summer: visit the Colosseum and Vatican Museums at opening time and swap afternoon hours for indoor activities.
September and October
October is the overall winner: 17 degrees average, 27 degrees maximum, 9 rainy days, 314 hours of sunshine and 30 to 40 per cent fewer tourists than the summer peak.
September is slightly warmer (still 32 degrees at the start of the month) and only quietens down significantly in the second half. Both months are 20 to 40 per cent cheaper than August. The Rome Film Festival and Ottobrate Romane (wine-country day trips) fall in October.
November and early December
November is one of the cheapest months: flights approximately 100 to 170 euros return, hotels heavily discounted. Downside: the most rainy days of the year (15) and an average of only 243 hours of sunshine. If you accept rain and prefer a bargain over dry weather, you'll find the Vatican Museums almost empty.
The RomaEuropa Festival (theatre, dance, music) runs into November. Early December brings festive Christmas lights throughout the city; the Christmas markets are smaller than in Amsterdam but wonderfully atmospheric. The second half of December is more expensive because of the Christmas holidays.
Flights from the Netherlands to Rome
From Eindhoven: Ryanair flies from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) to Rome Ciampino (CIA) in approximately 2 hours 25 minutes. Return prices start in the low season (January, November) at approximately 30 to 60 euros. Ciampino is 25 km south-east of the centre; a bus to Termini station costs approximately 5 to 7 euros.
From Schiphol: easyJet, KLM and ITA Airways fly direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Always compare both airports: sometimes Eindhoven via Ryanair is 30 to 50 per cent cheaper on the same date.
Events and reasons to visit
- Natale di Roma (21 April) The birthday of Rome, founded in 753 BC. Free events at the Circus Maximus: historical processions, chariot racing demonstrations and traditional games. A unique chance to see Rome's classical roots come alive.
- Roseto Comunale (May-June) The Rose Garden on the Aventine Hill has over 1,100 rose varieties and is free to enter during the blooming season (approximately early May to late June). Beautiful views over the Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum from the garden.
- Estate Romana (June-September) A large outdoor cultural programme: free and ticketed concerts, film and theatre at Villa Ada, Ostia Antica and the Auditorium Parco della Musica. Lungo il Tevere (a riverside food festival along the Tiber) forms part of this programme.
- Rome Film Festival (October, approximately 10 days) An international film festival, mid-tier after Venice and Cannes but with a more accessible atmosphere. Screenings at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. An extra reason to visit in October.
- Ottobrate Romane (October) Traditional autumn day trips to the Castelli Romani: Frascati, Castel Gandolfo and Nemi. Wine harvest, local cuisine and beautiful autumn landscapes just 25 to 40 km from the centre.
- Epiphany and Christmas lights (December-January) The Christmas lights along the Via del Corso and on Piazza Navona are magical. On 6 January (Epiphany/Befana) a traditional market is held on Piazza Navona. On 8 December the Pope traditionally crowns the statue of Mary on the Piazza di Spagna.
How much does a city break in Rome cost?
Rome is more expensive than other Italian cities, but very manageable with the right strategy. The biggest costs are flights and hotels.
- Flights from the Netherlands Return from Eindhoven-Rome Ciampino (Ryanair) or Schiphol-Fiumicino (KLM/easyJet): in low season (Jan-Feb, Nov) from about €80 to €120; in spring and autumn €120 to €200; in summer €180 to €320. Book 6 to 10 weeks in advance for the lowest fares.
- Hotel Mid-range hotels in the historic centre (3-star): €120 to €200 per night in high season, €70 to €110 in low season. Apartments via Airbnb tend to be 20 to 30 percent lower. Stay outside the Mura Aureliane (around Testaccio, Ostiense, Pigneto) for 30 to 40 percent less.
- Food and drink An espresso at the bar: €1 to €1.50 (seated at a table: €3 to €4). A pizza at a simple restaurant: €8 to €12. A full trattoria meal with wine: €25 to €40 per person. Tip: avoid restaurants right next to major sights; walk 2 streets away for half the price.
- Transport Metro and bus: €1.50 per journey (ticket valid 100 minutes including transfers). Day pass €7, weekly pass €24. Most sights in the centre are within walking distance. A taxi from Fiumicino to the centre: about €55 (fixed meter rate); from Ciampino: about €35.
- Attractions Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill: €16 (ticketmaster.it, must book in advance). Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel: €20. Castel Sant'Angelo: €15. Much is free: most piazzas, fountains, churches and parks.
Indicative budget for 3 days for 2 people: flights €250 + hotel €350 + food, transport and entry fees about €200 = approximately €800 per person. Can be considerably lower with early booking and staying outside the centre.
More Rome guides
Everything about Rome in one place:
Useful travel guides
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Rome
When is the best time to visit Rome?
October is the overall best month: averaging 17 degrees Celsius, maximum 27 degrees, only 9 rainy days, 30 to 40 per cent fewer tourists than the summer peak and lower hotel prices than in summer. May is the best spring month: averaging 18 degrees, maximum 28 degrees, blooming parks and 397 hours of sunshine. Both months offer an excellent balance between good weather, crowd levels and price.
When is Rome cheapest?
January is the cheapest month: return tickets from the Netherlands start at approximately 100 to 170 euros, hotels are 40 to 50 per cent cheaper than at the summer peak. November is also cheap (approximately 100 to 170 euros return) but has the most rainy days of the year: 15. Those who want to combine low prices with acceptable weather should choose October: return fares of 130 to 220 euros, with far better weather.
Can I fly direct from Eindhoven to Rome?
Yes. Ryanair flies from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) to Rome Ciampino (CIA) in approximately 2 hours 25 minutes. From Schiphol (AMS), easyJet, KLM and ITA Airways fly direct to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Flight times are comparable, but Ciampino is 25 km south-east of the centre versus 32 km for Fiumicino.
When is Rome most crowded?
August is by far the worst month: extreme heat (35 to 37 degrees Celsius), high humidity and Ferragosto on 15 August when countless local restaurants and shops close. July is almost as crowded and hot. Easter weekend is also extremely busy because of pilgrims and the papal Mass in St Peter's Square. Book well in advance for any of these periods or avoid them altogether.
How do I avoid the queues at the Colosseum in Rome?
Always book tickets online in advance via ticketmaster.it or the official site coopculture.it. Choose an early morning time slot (9:00 or 9:30) or late afternoon (16:00) for the shortest wait times. Without a reservation you can wait 2 to 3 hours. Always combine the Colosseum with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (included in the same ticket).
Is Rome suitable as a 3-day city break?
Yes, 3 days is an excellent duration for a first visit. Day 1: Vatican (Vatican Museums, St Peter's Basilica). Day 2: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, then Trastevere and Piazza Navona. Day 3: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese and Pincio. Don't plan too much in a day: the heat and walking (Rome has many hills) can quickly become overwhelming.