Rome in December

By Robert Heaney
Saint Peter's Basilica and Ponte Sant Angelo by night

Renowned home to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, few destinations match up to the genuine traditional festivity of Rome in December. Alongside its usual selection of historical wonders and culinary delights, the Italian capital truly comes to life throughout the holiday season, its streets adorned with all manner of Christmas décor and brimming with a jovial atmosphere.

Visiting Rome in December

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Average Temperature: 39 - 59°F • Average Rainfall: 9 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 3 hours/day

As is the case for many European destinations throughout the festive period, Rome in December sees a slight uptick in tourism rates from its usual low-season numbers. While its largely evergreen attractions mean that Rome is never truly quiet, you can certainly expect busier streets and slightly more crowded venues than in November or January.

Temperatures in December tend to vary significantly, ranging from mild and comfortable to only a little above freezing. Though you’re likely to get a good few sunshine hours on most days, there’s also a good chance of at least a day of rain each week. If you’re looking to explore some of Rome’s many open-air attractions, prepare to wrap up warm if need be and be sure to pack an umbrella!

Things to do in December

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There are arguably few places better for observing the holiday season than the beating heart of Roman Catholicism. Both Rome and the Vatican pour their souls into honoring the festive period, with impressive Christmas displays housed on St. Peter’s Square and Piazza San Pietro alongside expertly-crafted nativity scenes at 100 Prespi and the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano.

Nothing reflects the festive period in Europe quite like a Christmas market, replete with all manner of charming gifts and winter treats. Though still a relatively novel concept in Italy, many of the country’s best mercatini di natale take place in Milan, Florence and Bolzano in the north, making for a great festive day trip from the capital. There’s also a smattering of delightful markets throughout Rome itself, the most notable of which can be found on Piazza Navona.

If you find yourself in Rome over Christmas itself, you could be in for a real treat. Catholic churches around the world honor Christmas Eve by holding mass at midnight, and St. Peter’s Basilica is no exception; only this time, the Pope delivers mass himself. Reach out ahead of time, and there’s a chance you might be granted one of a small few free tickets to this very special midnight mass.

While you’d have to be extremely lucky to see Rome in the snow, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the seasonal chill. For a limited time throughout the festive period, the Auditorium Parco della Musica and the Ice Space Village offer excellent ice-skating rinks for those with the right balance or determination to enjoy, both of which open early in December.

Events in December

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Should you happen to be exploring Rome on 8 December to find the streets buzzing with processions and lined with locals in prayer, you’re witnessing the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Held to honor the conception of the Virgin Mary, this festival marks the beginning of the holiday season in Italy.

The festival is marked by a couple of key events, the most important being the Pope’s Angelus Prayer on St. Peter’s Square, followed by his procession from the Vatican to the Piazza di Spagna. Another key tradition is the inauguration of St. Peter’s Square, during which many locals and visitors alike gather to see the unveiling of the Vatican’s annual nativity scene and Christmas tree..

Note that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, or Immacolata, is a public holiday throughout Italy and is of great importance to many Romans. As such, many museums, attractions and services are likely to be closed for the day, including the Vatican Museums. However, most major stores and supermarkets in the center will remain open, along with a handful of restaurants, cafés and bars.

Hanukkah

Although Rome is known for being a predominantly Catholic city, it’s also home to a very substantial Jewish population. So substantial, in fact, that Piazza Barberini hosts an impressive annual event to honor the celebration. A 20-foot tall menorah is erected in the square, drawing in huge crowds as one of its candles are lit every evening of the festival.

Whether you’re religious or not, this daily event is a great way to join in on some seasonal festivity. The lighting of the candles typically takes place at 4 PM on the Sabbath and the final day, and at 6 PM every other evening. Each evening is usually also accompanied by a night of partying and dancing, making for a truly joyful way to spend a winter’s evening in Rome.

New Year’s Eve

Though Christmas may be little more than a recent memory by this point, the festivities are still far from over. On the contrary, just about all of Rome veritably ignites with New Year’s Eve celebrations, making it one of the very best places in Europe to party away the twilight hours of the year.

Many Italians traditionally spend the evening at home or among friends over cenone, or ‘a really big dinner’. Also known as the Festa di San Silvestro, many restaurants throughout Rome offer the meal as a set menu, often consisting in some degree of spiced sausages and lentils. These set menus will often come at a fixed price and may be accompanied by Prosecco and traditional cakes such as panettone or pandoro.

One of the main epicenters of New Year’s Eve celebrations is along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, linking the Colosseum to the Piazza Venezia. Commencing with a late-evening concert, thousands of largely tipsy revelers flock to the area to attempt a collective harmony of Auld Lang Syne as a stupendous display of crackling fireworks bathes the Colosseum in a rainbow-strobing glow.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Getting Around Rome

You've likely heard it said that all roads lead to Rome, but how do you get around once you're there? Home to some of Europe's most impressive historical landmarks as well as one of the seven wonders of the world, it's no wonder that visitors flock to Rome from around the globe to explore all that the city has to offer. While much of the city center is fairly compact and its top attractions relatively easily accessible on foot, there’s a number of other options to help you get where you want to be much quicker. Below are details for all major means of getting around Rome to help keep your trip running smoothly. Metro Rome’s metro system leaves something to be desired when compared to many of the larger and more extensive transport networks in Europe, but it’s faster than most overground transportation. While comprising only three lines, the metro mostly services key parts of the city center, including the majority of its top attractions. Line A (orange) runs diagonally from the northwest to southeast and is most useful for visiting Vatican City, Piazza di Spagna, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It also stops at Roma Termini railway station, from which you can take a bus or train to both Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, as well as to many other major cities in Italy. Line B (blue) runs from the northeast to the south, passing close by the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. As with Line A, this line also intersects Roma Termini railway station. Line C (green) primarily connects the city center to the northern suburbs. For the most part, you’re unlikely to need to use this line unless you’re staying to the north of the city center. Urban Railway Rome’s urban trains, or Ferrovie Urbane, serve to complement the metro system and run under the same organization. Three lines extend the existing metro service to connect the city center to Lido, Viterbo and Giardinetti respectively. Operating Times Metro: Mon – Thu: 5:30AM – 11:30PMFri – Sat: 5:30AM – 1:30AMSun: 5:30AM – 11:30PM Urban Railway: Viterbo Line: 5:30AM – 10:30PMGiardinetti Line: 5:30AM – 10:30PMLido Line: 5:30AM – 11:30PM Exact service times will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as metro routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found at all metro stations. Information regarding the metro network can also be found on the official service website. Bus In stark contrast to the metro, the Rome bus network is incredibly extensive – sometimes overwhelmingly so. Over 350 lines comprise Rome’s public bus transport system, offering virtually around-the-clock services throughout the city. Servicing over 8,000 stops, the bus network provides the most precise and widespread mode of public transport in Rome. The network isn’t without its faults, though. Given the nature of buses and the often extremely busy metropolis that is Rome, services can often be delayed by traffic and the buses themselves can get fairly crowded during peak times. Even so, as long as you aren’t in any major rush and can bear the sometimes cramped conditions, Rome’s buses are your best bet for getting where you want to go. The network comprises four types of buses, identified by the letter beside their service number. Urban (U) lines make up the majority of services within and without the city center. Express (X) lines typically service the outskirts of the city and offer a quicker turnaround on long journeys. Exact (E) buses serve to connect the city center with the surrounding neighborhoods. Night (N) buses operate in the early hours before the other lines begin their service. Operating Times Day Buses (U/X/E): 5:30AM – 12:00AMNight Buses (N): 12:00AM – 6:00AM Exact schedules will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as bus routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found on each bus stop. Information regarding the entire bus network can be found on the official service website or via its Apple and Android apps. Big Bus Entirely unaffiliated with Rome’s primary bus network, a Big Bus tour is one of the best ways to get between some of the city’s top attractions. The tour passes by the likes of the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, accompanied by optional pre-recorded commentary in nine different languages offering local insights for each important location. You can choose a ticket covering one, two or three days, allowing you to explore the city center at your own pace. Depending on your personal itinerary, this could potentially be all the transport you need during your trip. Visitors can hop on and off at their leisure or sit tight for a whirlwind tour of some of the capital’s best touristic offerings. Operating Times Termini Station: 9:00AM – 5:19PMPiazza Barberini: 10:19AM – 6:42PM Operating times may vary from time to time. Be sure to consult the Big Bus Website or Apple and Android apps for more up-to-date information. Trams Although more extensive than the metro service, operating a total of six lines, Rome’s trams aren’t usually of much use to tourists. Very few routes offer a viable means of getting between tourism hubs, but may still be useful if they stop close enough to your accommodation. Among the six available services, Line 8 between Torre Argentina and Trastevere is likely the only potentially useful one to most visitors. Operating Times Daily: 5:30AM – 12:00AM Exact schedules will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as tram routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found at each tram stop. Information regarding the tram network can be found on the official service website. Taxis As with most destinations, taxis offer one of the most convenient means of getting around Rome. Officially licensed taxis are all white with a rooftop taxi sign and Roma Capitale printed on the front doors along with the taxi’s license number. While you can hail a passing taxi, it’s often cheapest to wait by a taxi rank. You can also call for a taxi directly, though this will typically be more expensive. Rome’s taxi drivers unfortunately have somewhat of a tarnished reputation for overcharging both tourists and locals alike, so it’s useful to have an idea of what you should be paying. Above all, you should always choose to pay a metered fare rather than an arranged price, except for airport and train station transfers which should always be the same price. Taxi Rates Min. Rate Mon – Sat: € 3.00Min. Rate Sun: € 4.50Min. Rate Night: € 6.50Journey Rate: € 1.10 – 1.60/km To/From Fiumicino Airport: € 48.00To/From Ciampino Airport: € 30.00To/From Termini Station: € 8.00 – 15.00 Telephone Reservations Radio Taxi: 06-3570Pronto Taxi: 06-6645Taxi Roma: 06-5551Taxi Tevere: 06-4994 Note that when ordering a taxi by phone, the meter will be turned on immediately from wherever the driver receives the call. You’ll be charged for the driver’s initial journey to your location on top of the rate for your own journey, as well as a € 3.00 reservation charge. Scooter While driving a car around Rome isn’t typically recommended, scooters and motorcycles offer one of the quickest ways for capable drivers to get around the city. Aside from being better for navigating the busy streets of the Italian capital, they’re also much more convenient to park and can be rented from various locations around the center. Most of the city’s historic center is closed to unauthorized traffic between 6:30AM and 6:00PM on weekdays, as well as between 11:00PM and 3:00AM on Friday and from 2:00PM to 6:00PM on Saturday. A number of Limited Traffic Zones also operate in various parts of the city. Be sure to consult official information surrounding these zones for permit and access details. Average rental prices can range anywhere from € 30 to € 350 per day depending on the size, specs and classification of the vehicle. Most rentals will also require a rather hefty security deposit of several hundred euros. Among the most popular and reliable scooter rental operators are Eco Move Rent, Roma Rent Scooter and BigaBike.
Robert Heaney
Things to do in Rome for a Birthday
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Things to do in Rome for a Birthday

Having some birthday celebrations in Rome? Look no further than our exciting guide on what to do and what to see on the big day! Buon compleanno!
Dom Bewley
The Trevi Fountain in Rome, illuminated at dusk
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5 Days in Rome

Packed to bursting with more household-name attractions than you could shake a very large scepter at, Rome is one big open-air museum. Think the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Baths of Caracalla, the Circus Maximus and St Peter’s Basilica. And that’s just for starters. There are also lush green parks to relax in, hills to climb for sigh-inducing city views and, of course, all the authentic wood-fired pizza and creamy gelato you can eat. Spend five days in Rome and you’ll just about scratch the surface of this endlessly fascinating city, experiencing just enough of its atmospheric cobbled lanes, charming piazzas and ancient monuments to whet the appetite for a second visit. The sheer number of things to see and do around the city is staggering, making it difficult to know where to even start. Fear not though: our suggested 5-day Rome itinerary is here to help guide and inspire you. Day 1: Ancient Rome Bucket List Bonanza There’s no point beating about the bush: you came to Rome to snap a selfie in front of the Colosseum. Everything else is just gravy, right? So let’s dive straight in with a day one itinerary that takes in not just one, but four of Ancient Rome’s biggest hitters. First stop on your self-guided walking tour is – you’ll be pleased to hear – the Colosseum. Grab that much-anticipated snap then step inside to experience the largest and best-preserved ancient amphitheater ever built. It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to imagine the roar of the crowd baying for gladiator blood in one of the deadly battles that were staged here on an almost daily basis nearly 2,000 years ago. Suitably roused, it’s onwards to the Roman Forum, the city’s ruined former heart, which contained markets, temples, brothels and more, then up Palatine Hill where, legend has it, Rome’s mythical twin founders Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf. Wildflowers grow among the ancient ruins atop this verdant oasis and there are excellent views of the Forum and Aventine Hill from one side, and the Circus Maximus, Colosseum and Capitoline Hill from the other. Not ready to throw in the towel just yet? Continue your walk to the ancient Baths of Caracalla, a spa complex that would have accommodated up to 1,300 bathers at a time back in the day. If you still have energy after that, you’re not a million miles from Aventine Hill, atop which stars of the show include the legendary Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) and a keyhole through which you can view the dome of St Peter’s Basilica framed by perfectly manicured cypress trees. After all that, your first large glass of chilled pinot grigio will be richly deserved. Pro-tip: Go City’s Rome Explorer Pass includes an audio tour that covers part of this itinerary, taking in the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill. Day 2: Villa Borghese Footsore and hungover, you’ll be looking for something a little less taxing on day two of your 5-day Rome itinerary. Step forward Villa Borghese, Rome’s great green lung, packed with beautiful villas, gardens and monuments. Grab a picnic from the morning market on Campo dei Fiori – some salami, pecorino and fresh focaccia ought to fit the bill – and find a shady spot among the park’s towering plane and pine trees to stretch out, savor your lunch and enjoy some blissful Rome relaxation. Afterwards, pop by the Galleria Borghese, home of landmark works by Italian masters, including Raphael’s Deposition, Caravaggio’s Saint Jerome, and Bernini’s dramatic Apollo and Daphne sculpture in smooth Carrara marble. There’s also a temple, a slew of grand villas, several fountains and gardens, a lake and a puppet theater to explore in and around the park. The ever-popular Spanish Steps are tantalizingly close by, too, should you wish to tick off another of the city’s top attractions before returning to your hotel. Day 3: Trastevere For the third of your five days in Rome, head for the laidback Trastevere neighborhood. Just downriver from the Vatican, it feels a long way from the honking car horns of the city center, with oodles of atmospheric alleys, pretty piazzas and Instagrammable ocher-colored houses with painted shutters, vines that wrap around wrought-iron balconies and window boxes that burst with joyful blooms. Take time to visit the duo of stunning churches here. One of Rome’s oldest, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere has sections that date from the 4th Century, as well as a Romanesque 12th-century bell tower and incredible mosaics by artist Pietro Cavallini. Cavallini’s masterpiece, a huge fresco depicting the Last Judgment, can be seen at the nearby Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, alongside several other fine medieval artworks. Climb Janiculum Hill for sweeping views along the Tiber to the dome of St Peter’s Basilica and beyond, find your inner zen in the Japanese garden at the Botanical Gardens, and take in a little more art at the Palazzo Corsini where the collection includes fine pieces by Caravaggio, van Dyck, Rubens and more. Reward yourself with an authentic artisan gelato – flavors in these parts range from traditional stracciatella to a somewhat more challenging artichoke sorbet – and stick around for evening, when Trastevere’s piazzas burst into life as locals come together for fine wine, delicious local craft ales and the best thin and crispy pizza this side of Naples. Day 4: Vatican City and Castel Sant’Angelo There aren’t many cities you can visit where you get two countries for the price of one, but this is one of them, and a visit to the Vatican City should be considered an essential part of any 5-day Rome itinerary worth its salt. You’ve spent the last three days snapping St Peter’s Basilica from various other vantage points around the city. Now’s your chance to get inside and see Michelangelo’s iconic dome up close, with its biblical scenes by Botticelli, Perugino and Michelangelo himself. The basilica also contains dozens of other works of fine art and sculpture, including Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini's vast bronze Baldacchino, as well as relics such as St Peter’s chair and tomb. And of course no visit to Rome would be complete without visiting the planet’s most famous fresco on the planet. You can get a combi ticket for access to the Sistine Chapel as well as several other Vatican museums, including impressive collections of classical sculpture, modern art and more. Sure, there’s a lot to take in here, but if you arrived early enough it’s worth making time to pop over to Castel Sant’Angelo for a quick mooch around. This imposing cylindrical fortress was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a family mausoleum 2,000 years ago. It’s now a fantastic museum chock-full of frescoes, sculptures, paintings and military weaponry, all topped off with far-reaching views across the Eternal City from the lofty castle terrace. Day 5: A Spot of Souvenir Shopping Now’s the time to mop up any of those must-see attractions that you just didn’t have time to visit. Whaddya mean you haven’t thrown a coin into the Trevi Fountain yet? Or enjoyed the uniquely mesmerizing experience of watching rain cascade through the Pantheon’s oculus during a downpour? Make time to grab some gifts for loved ones and a few souvenirs for yourself. We’re talking fruity Lazio region wines and olive oils, tangy pecorino cheeses and – naturally – armfuls of Colosseum keyrings, Forum fridge magnets, Vatican votives and Trevi Fountain t-shirts. Finish up with an atmospheric evening stroll through baroque Piazza Navona, pausing for a romantic selfie at Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), before settling in at one of the local trattoria for wood-fired pizza and a few local craft ales. Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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