Rome has four distinct seasons: a hot summer, pleasant spring and autumn months and cold, albeit not freezing winters.
Spring and Autumn are the most pleasant times to visit Rome but summer and winter also see a high number of tourists flocking to the Eternal City.
To visit Rome with kids, there is really no bad time to visit Rome, except the height of the summer.
In August in particular the temperatures are unbearably hot and humid and many services shut down for the local summer break making Rome sightseeing tiring and frustrating.
Before travelling to Rome, check official travel rules and regulations that may affect your trip.
SPRING IN ROME
Rome is a delight in spring.
Rome is a leafy city and this time of the year sees flowers starting to appear in its many parks and along its tree-lined streets, painting the town yellow and pink with mimosa and plum blossoms.
Rome in spring sees mild temperatures and a relatively low number of rainy days: the temperatures rise steadily between March and the end of May when summer starts making an appearance.
If school and work allow, we highly recommend you visit Rome in May – it’s a delight!
SUMMER IN ROME
Summer in Rome is hot and humid.
June is still a pleasant time to visit Rome: hot but not overly so, this is the time for al fresco dining and picnics in Rome parks. It is also the last time to visit the Forum and Colosseum before full on summer temperatures hit the city.
July is hot and busy in Rome: sightseeing is still possible but especially with young kids it is advisable to avoid being out during the hottest hours of the day. The city, at this time, comes to life mostly in the evening with many music festivals and outdoor events.
August in Rome is to be avoided. Very hot and very humid, this is the time of the year when locals escape the city. Many businesses and attractions have shorter opening hours and local life is put on hold, meaning the city loses most of its charm despite prices being at a premium.
AUTUMN IN ROME
Autumn is a lovely time to visit Rome. September is still very much a summer month in the Italian capital and you can enjoy great weather up until mid-October.
The weather starts to turn colder in November.
The crowds are still significant at this time of the year but city life is in full swing, meaning you are able to get a glimpse of local life and enjoy some of Rome’s restaurants without excessive queuing.
Autumn is our favourite time to visit Rome and one of the best for kids.
WINTER IN ROME
Winters in Rome are cold. The city experiences milder temperatures than many others in Europe but it is very humid and this means you feel much colder than the temperature reported on the thermometer seems to suggest.
A good winter jacket, sensible shoes and an umbrella are a must and babies and toddlers should be wrapped up accordingly.
Winter is low tourism season in Rome with the exception of the weeks around Christmas and New Year: this time is very popular with international tourists and Rome accommodation is at a premium.
If you plan to visit Rome during the holidays, check this local guide to Rome at Christmas.
Want to learn more about how to tackle Rome with kids? Check out our City Travel with Kids podcast where we interviewed local mum Marta for all her very best Rome travel tips
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