Rome in December

Not sure where to go for the end of the year? Why not plan a trip to Rome? The Italian capital has a lot to offer, especially during the holiday season. Discover (or rediscover) the city in a new light with the events you can't miss in Rome this December!

December marks the beginning of winter in Rome. Temperatures can drop significantly but remain very manageable. On average, it is around 10°C to 15°C with lows reaching 5°C. The city won't be as sunny as it is during summer, but you will avoid the tourist crowds of high season

Regarding rainfall, you should stay dry for most of the month with about 6 rainy days throughout December ☔️ Make sure to bring some warm clothing, but overall you can stroll around the city without worrying too much about the weather.

The month of December is part of the low tourist season for visiting Rome. You can explore most of the must-see sites without too much difficulty!

However, it's worth noting that the holiday festivities attract many visitors to the city each year. If you absolutely want to avoid the crowds, aim for the beginning of the month and avoid traveling around Christmas and New Year's.

To make your visits easier, you can get a Rome pass that will save you money by skipping the lines! The Go City Explorer Pass allows you to book activities of your choice at discounted prices. The pass offers a choice between 2 and 7 activities from about fifty of the city's top sites! Prices range from €89 to €219 depending on the number of activities selected.

December is a busy month for events in Rome with Christmas and New Year's festivities. Discover all the activities to do during your stay ⬇️

Of course, visiting Rome requires seeing the most iconic sites like the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain All sites are accessible during December. If you're unsure which landmarks to see in Rome, I recommend stopping by St. Peter's Square to admire the Basilica, visiting the Roman Forum as well as the Vatican and the famous Sistine Chapel.

In any case, don't forget to book your tickets in advance so you don't waste time in lines!

If it's too cold to walk around the city, know that Rome has many museums worth visiting. Explore the Vatican Museums to learn more about its history or visit the Capitoline Museum, the Borghese Gallery, or the National Roman Museum!

To make your visits easier, you can get a Rome pass that will save you money by skipping the lines! The Go City Explorer Pass allows you to book activities of your choice at discounted prices. The pass offers a choice between 2 and 7 activities from about fifty of the city's top sites! Prices range from €89 to €219 depending on the number of activities selected.

Each year, Rome welcomes the holiday season with many activities such as Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and the exhibition of traditional nativity scenes. You can also simply stroll through the city's streets admiring the decorations and Christmas window displays

Discover the city from a different angle by visiting the Christmas markets in Rome. You'll find many stalls of handmade products or local gastronomy... It's the perfect place to find a little souvenir to take back from your trip!

The most beautiful Christmas markets can be found at Piazza Navona or Piazza di Spagna, but other smaller markets are scattered throughout the streets of the city. Temporary ice skating rinks are also set up each year, like the one at the Auditorium Parco della Musica or the one at Piazza Re di Roma ⛸️

In December, Rome adorns itself with beautiful Christmas decorations. You can admire them in all the city's streets or in shop windows. Of course, magnificent trees are also set up at important spots around the city You can see Christmas trees at Piazza Venezia, in front of the Colosseum, or in St. Peter's Square in front of the Basilica.

To enjoy the magical atmosphere even more, you can also attend a Christmas concert. You can listen to opera tunes and sing your favorite Christmas songs for €34 per person!

With its many churches, the city of Rome sets up very famous nativity scenes every year. To admire the most beautiful installations, I recommend visiting the most well-known churches and squares such as Piazza Navona or St. Peter's Square, but the smaller churches also display smaller scenes! An international exhibition on nativity scenes is also organized at the Vatican.

If you're heading to Rome in December, you can also take the opportunity to celebrate New Year's in the capital! The main attraction on New Year's Day is to watch the fireworks from the Palatine Hill, just behind the Colosseum.

To party in Rome, head to the Circus Maximus esplanade and Piazza del Poppolo to attend the Festa di Roma. The city organizes a massive celebration each year with free concerts and entertainment to ring in the New Year, with festivities lasting 24 hours! Of course, you can also celebrate in various Roman clubs

For a more upscale New Year's celebration, a gala concert is organized each year at the Opera House at the end of the year. Other concerts are also held around the city, like this New Year's opera concert. Listen to famous opera tunes performed by talented musicians for €35 per person

If you're looking for where to stay in Rome in December, there are many diverse accommodation options available. You should budget around €100 to €250 per night depending on the establishment for a night in the capital during the holiday season. To make your search easier, here are some places where you can stay during your visit.

The Relais Aquarium offers comfortable rooms starting at €100 per night. Located just steps from the train station, the property is ideal if you're arriving by train. You'll be staying in a quiet neighborhood full of restaurants and shops. The historic center is also easily accessible on foot within a 20-minute walk.

If you want to stay in the historic center, I recommend the Hotel City Palazzi dei Cardinali. Located 200 meters from the Trevi Fountain, you can easily reach all the city's monuments on foot. You'll be staying in a historic building close to the Spagna metro station and numerous shops and restaurants. Room prices in December range from €125 to €462 per night.

If you're coming to Rome to enjoy the Christmas markets, I recommend the Holidays Suites Navona located right across from the square of the same name, which hosts one of the most beautiful markets in the city. The rest of the historic center is easily accessible on foot. Rooms start at €130 per night in December.

I hope this article has helped you prepare for your visit to Rome in December If you're still not sure when to go to Rome, I also have an article about Rome in November that might interest you!