The Absolute Worst Time To Visit Rome

Do you want to know the absolute worst time to visit Rome?

And what to do if you’ve already booked your trip during one of these times to still enjoy your vacation in the Eternal City?

We’ll reveal the worst days, months, and times to visit Rome and how to make the best of your trip.

Table of Contents

Why July And August Are The Worst Times To Visit Rome

Rome can become unbearably hot in July and August, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F (32°C).

The humidity and heat make it uncomfortable to be outside, especially from late morning until afternoon.

Since many top sights of Rome are best explored on foot, particularly during a Rome self-guided walking tour, you’ll spend a lot of time under the scorching sun.

While Rome does have a metro system, not all attractions are conveniently connected. The same applies to trams and other public transport.

If walking in the heat sounds unbearable, consider booking a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket to explore the main attractions, including the Colosseum, comfortably.

BOOK A HOP-ON HOP-OFF TICKET

How To Deal With Rome’s Hot Season

Tips for visiting in July or August:

Focus on indoor activities during the hot hours: Escape the heat by visiting Rome’s iconic indoor attractions.

Spend your day in Vatican City at the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and its dome alone takes about 3 hours.

In the afternoon, you can visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, which will also take at least 3 hours.

This way, you’ll spend almost the entire day in cool spaces. Plus, skip-the-line tickets for the attractions in Vatican City minimize your wait in the heat.

> > TICKETS FOR VATICAN ATTRACTIONS
Take breaks during outdoor sightseeing: Unlike the Vatican, attractions like the Colosseum and Roman Forum are outdoors.

Afterward, plan a break at a café and order a coffee like an Italian, or visit a restaurant, or the nearby Capitoline Museums to cool off.
Visit smaller churches and museums: If the Vatican is too crowded, consider visiting less-known churches like Santa Maria Sopra Minerva or San Clemente.

There are many churches across Rome where you can cool down and enjoy some peace away from the crowds.
Go underground: Did you know there’s an underground city beneath the Trevi Fountain?

This hidden place in Rome takes you through ancient aqueducts and structures, offering a cool retreat from the heat. You can book a guided tour here.

View of an underground area with crystal clear water and ancient walls. — Underground tour in Rome to the City of Water.

⭐ Travel Tip: Are you in Rome for a short time? Check out this detailed 1 day Rome itinerary or 2-day itinerary for Rome to make the most of your visit.

Why Certain Weekdays Are Not Ideal For Visiting Rome’s Attractions

Some days aren’t great for sightseeing, but if you’re staying longer, you can easily adjust your plans.

Check out our 3 days in Rome itinerary, which is perfect for avoiding peak times.

Be aware that some major attractions are closed on specific days:

St. Peter’s Basilica is often difficult to access on Wednesday mornings due to papal audiences. However, you can book a ticket online if you wish to attend this special possibility.
The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month.

Why Italian Holidays Are A Bad Time To Visit Rome

August is one of the busiest vacation periods in Italy, especially around Ferragosto (August 15).

While the city may be less crowded with locals, it is flooded with tourists, leading to higher flight and hotel prices.

⭐️ Don't miss our essential guide for visiting Rome for the first time, and where to stay in Rome.

Ferragosto and Its Impact on Rome

During Ferragosto, Rome becomes particularly crowded as tourists and pilgrims flock to one of the most visited cities in Italy, while many locals are on vacation.

This results in higher prices for flights, hotels, and restaurants.

Why Christmas and Easter Are Among the Worst Times to Visit Rome

Another peak time to avoid is Christmas and Easter, especially Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

The Vatican becomes the center of religious celebrations, attracting thousands of Christian pilgrims and visitors.

Events like the Christmas Eve Mass and Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Square are grand but extremely crowded.

Rome during Christmas can be magical, but it’s also incredibly crowded.

Between Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25), thousands of tourists and Christian pilgrims flood the city, especially around the Vatican.

Hotel prices rise, and you’ll need to book your accommodation and major attraction tickets well in advance.

Many visitors come specifically to attend religious events, making it difficult to find accommodation near the Vatican or city center.

Alternative Attractions During Christmas and Easter

To avoid the crowds at St. Peter’s Basilica, visit smaller but equally impressive churches. Rome has many hidden gems offering peaceful alternatives.

Vatican Events: Crowds and Price Spikes

View from the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. — View from the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

⭐️ The dome at St. Peter's Basilica offers one of the best views of Rome from above. To enjoy this view, book your tickets for the viewpoint well in advance.

When a major Vatican event, such as a papal audience, canonization, or other religious celebration like the Jubilee Year, takes place, Rome sees an increase in visitors.

Events like Christmas, Easter, and other significant religious holidays attract Christian pilgrims from around the world, making the city busier and more expensive.

What to Do If You’re Visiting During a Vatican Event

Plan your Vatican visit strategically: book skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to avoid waiting in long queues.

Opt for less crowded places, such as Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches in Rome, famous for its beautiful mosaics.

Final Thoughts About When Is The Worst Time To Visit Rome

The worst times to visit Rome include July and August, major Italian holidays, and significant Vatican events like Easter and Christmas.

These periods bring extreme heat, large crowds, and higher prices.

Also, keep in mind the closure days for key attractions: the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays (except for the last Sunday of the month), and St. Peter’s Basilica is difficult to access on Wednesday mornings due to papal audiences.

With careful planning and focusing on indoor attractions or less-known spots, you can still enjoy Rome’s beauty and history, even during its busiest times.

With the right approach, even the worst time to visit Rome can turn into the best experience!

Check out our Rome travel guide to plan the perfect trip to the Eternal City. If you want to see more of Italy, read our Rome and Naples itinerary, and check out our Italy itineraries.

Also, don’t forget to download our travel checklist for Italy to plan your dream trip to Italy: