Here are the best activities and ideas for Rome in the rain, allowing you to have a great time in Italy even during a rainy day.
Top 5 Activities For Rome In The Rain
1. Trevi Fountain and Underground Tour of the City of Water
2. Cooking Class (Ravioli, Fettuccine, and Tiramisu)
3. Galleria Borghese Museum
4. Visiting Rome’s Magnificent Churches
5. Additional Ideas: Shopping, Dining, Museums, and a Bonus Tip!
Best Activities And Ideas For Rome On A Rainy Day
When it rains in Rome, it pours.
We experienced a rainy day in Rome during our visit to the Vatican, including St. Peter’s Basilica with its dome, and the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel.
Both are good choices for rainy days as they’re mostly indoors.
However, standing in the pouring rain while queuing for St. Peter’s Basilica was less enjoyable. It felt like the worst time to visit Rome and the Vatican.
If you know in advance that it’s going to rain and you’re looking for Rome bucket list activities, here are some ideas and indoor activities for Rome:
1. Underground Tour At The Trevi Fountain
This is one of our Rome insider tips and one of the hidden gems in Rome.
The underground tour of the City of Water, located beneath the Trevi Fountain area, lasts 40 minutes.
Before descending, you’ll learn interesting facts and stories about the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi).
During the guided tour, you’ll discover ancient ruins and the still-functioning Roman Empire water systems.
2. Cooking Class In Rome
A cooking class is always a great alternative to sightseeing on bad weather days.
In Rome, there are several options for participating in cooking classes.
You can cook Fettuccine, Ravioli, and Tiramisu following Italian recipes, make pasta and mix cocktails like Aperol Spritz, or stick to the classic pizza-making.
3. Galleria Borghese Museum
The Galleria Borghese is located near Piazza del Popolo in the Villa Borghese gardens.
Here, you can admire masterpieces by Bernini, Titian, Canova, and Caravaggio in the magnificent villa.
⭐️ Check out our Italy travel planning checklist:
4. Visiting Churches In Rome
It’s amazing how many churches there are in Rome.
You’ll come across large and small churches at almost every corner.
These are as lavishly decorated as hardly anywhere else in the world.
During our self-guided walking tour of Rome, we randomly entered various churches.
This is a good idea on a rainy day to escape the wet weather for a while.
5. Additional Ideas For Rainy Days In Rome
- Shopping in the streets around the Spanish Steps
- Visit the Mercato Centrale next to Roma Termini train station or Eataly in Ostiense
- Visit the Capitoline Museums
- Visit a bar and order a coffee like an Italian
Bonus Tip: Check the weather in the surrounding area. If the weather forecast is better near Rome, you could consider a day trip from Rome.
What Not To Do During Bad Weather In Rome
Less recommended activities during rainy days are attractions where you’re primarily outdoors, such as:
- Visiting the Colosseum
- Exploring the Roman Forum
- Visiting the viewpoints in Rome
Conclusion For What To Do In Rome When It Rains
Are you currently in Rome and it’s raining, or have you already planned your trip to Rome and the weather forecast predicts rain?
No problem. Book your tickets now for these rain-tested activities and attractions. Experience for yourself that you can have fun in Rome even in bad weather.
Here are the links for the activities and places in Rome once again:
Trevi Fountain and Underground Tour of the City of Water
Cooking Class (Ravioli, Fettuccine, and Tiramisu) | Pasta Making and Cocktails | Pizza Baking Course
Galleria Borghese Museum | Capitoline Museums
You can find more Rome travel tips for first-time visitors here: Rome
