Rome in January

By Robert Heaney
Published: July 18, 2024
Vatican City viewed from above

One of Europe’s most popular destinations for its wealth of ancient historical sites, vibrant culture and world-class cuisine, Rome is genuinely a destination for all. While you can certainly enjoy the vast majority of the city’s highlights year-round, there’s a great deal to be said for the sheer freedom granted by a winter’s trip to Rome in January.

Rome in January

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Average Temperature: 37 - 55°F • Average Rainfall: 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 4 hours/day

With the main festivities of the holiday season and New Year’s Eve now little more than a recent memory, Rome tends to return to its usual low-season tourism rates. While the largely evergreen nature of the capital’s famous attractions means that you’ll never be far from other tourists, January nevertheless stands as one of the quietest periods to visit.

For some, a winter trip makes for the ideal Rome experience. Fewer crowds mean admission to the city’s top sights should be much easier and seats at some of its more sought-after cafés, bars and restaurants should be more abundant and attainable. As the cherry on top, most airlines and hotels also operate low-season rates, often making for quite the substantial discount on their peak-time prices.

As is the case for much of winter in Rome, temperatures throughout January flirt between cold and pleasantly mild, making it a little trickier to plan out more weather-dependent activities. One thing that’s almost guaranteed, however, is at least one day of rainfall per week, so it’s wise to pack for both the cooler weather and the chance of rain.

Things to do in January

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Among the locations to benefit most from the smaller low-season crowds of January, the Vatican Museums and St. Paul’s Basilica may top them all. Aside from a few religious events throughout the month and the usual Sunday masses, this serves as one of the most serene periods for the Vatican, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to explore the renowned site at its most authentic.

Equally ideal to explore during the quiet season for those with the stomach for them are the narrow and macabre passages of the Roman Catacombs. Over sixty of these subterranean passages stretch hundreds of miles beneath the city, lined with the hundreds of eerie Roman skeletons buried between the second and fifth centuries.

January also offers one of the best opportunities to snap a much sought-after photo of the likes of Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona in their prime. Without quite the same intense crowds you’d expect from a visit in summer, these beautiful landmarks offer a peaceful space to take a break from the bustling streets of the Italian capital. Be sure to visit early in the morning if you truly want to experience these sights at their quietest.

Typically beginning the first weekend after New Year’s Day, January marks the start of Italy’s annual winter sales. Throughout Rome, retailers big and small take this chance to offer a large portion of their inventory at often quite impressive discounts, sometimes as high as 70%. Most sales continue as long as stocks last, sometimes running through to the end of February. If you’re looking for an excuse to grab a souvenir or two from your trip, there’s no better time to bag a real bargain.

What's On in January

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Feast of the Epiphany

Throughout Italy, January 6 is a day full of festivity. Marking the day that the Three Kings were said to have arrived at the baby Jesus’ crib, the Epiphany sees Rome erupt in celebration. Revelers gather in many popular squares and parks throughout the city in a marvelous spectacle of dancing, live music, masquerades, fairground rides and family activities.

A common character of the Epiphany is La Befana, a witch-like figure adored by children across Italy for her Santa Claus-esque status as official gift bringer of the festival. Many children will hang stockings by windows or fireplaces and leave offerings of wine and cake for La Befana, in hopes of receiving candies and other treats in return.

The Viva la Befana procession is core to the festival, making its way through the city’s historical streets complete with Magi riding camels, ancient Roman chariots and various other historical characters. Many locals will join the parade in all manner of medieval costumes, carrying symbolic gifts for the Pope as the caravan makes its way to its final destination in St. Peter’s Square.

Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate

Another religious festival that offers quite a spectacle indeed takes place on January 17 with the ‘Blessing of the Animals’ as part of the Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate. Held in honor of Saint Anthony the Abbot, Italian patron saint of butchers and domestic animals, one of the festival’s central traditions sees many pet owners and farmers bring their animals to receive an annual blessing from a cardinal.

Alongside this ritual of blessings, the festival is also celebrated with processions of dancers and performers, live music and impressive bonfires. Fire serves as a central symbol of the festival, in reference to a legend in which the saint stole the devil’s fire and gifted it to humans.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Statue of Caesar and a rainbow in Rome
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Things to do in Rome for Pride Day

Rome has more layers than a prize-winning onion. It’s a city where deeply held religious beliefs (*cough* the Vatican *cough*) can live side by side with a thriving LGBTQ+ community, and an annual Pride celebration that turns the ancient, timeworn streets into rainbow-colored rivers of love, joy and inclusion. There’s stacks to do across Roma Pride weekend and indeed through the rest of the hot Italian summer. So, without further ado, here are some of the best things to do in Rome for Pride Day and beyond. Roma Pride Parade While not as fulsomely flamboyant as Pride parades in more progressive Italian cities like Milan, Rome’s June party still packs a punch. The parade has been running here since 1994, drawing thousands of revelers keen to catch a glimpse of the ostentatious floats, outlandish costumes and fabulous drag queens as they weave their colorful way south from the Piazza della Repubblica to the ancient Roman Baths of Caracalla, passing such little-known Rome attractions as the Colosseum and Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica along the way. The parade usually takes place on a Saturday in mid-June, kicking off in the afternoon, around 3PM.  Roma Pride: Art and Culture The Pride Croisette is a festival of art and culture that runs for the two weeks up to and including Pride Day, promising music, comedy, debates and more drag acts that you can shake a pink feather boa at. The Pride festival culminates on Saturday night with a huge ticketed event: Rock Me Pride brings together dozens of acts – from rock stars to drag queens – at the Capannelle Racecourse. Get info and listings for the Pride Croisette and Rock Me Pride party on the official Roma Pride website here. Gay Street The clue’s in the name here. Ok ok, so the real name of this LGBTQ+ enclave opposite the Colosseum is ‘Via di San Giovanni in Laterano’, but just try asking for directions to that after a couple of aperol spritzes. There’s a party going on along this lively cobbled lane year-round, but things hit a high on Pride weekend when crowds of colorful punters make a beeline for the bars here after the parade, filling the street with laughter, song and often incredible garb as the festivities continue well into the night. Rome’s LGBTQ+ Nightlife Rome isn’t exactly heaving with LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs outside of Gay Street. But those that have established themselves will certainly be running special events and Pride-themed parties on the Saturday night after the parade. Try the 101 Club near Rome’s Termini Station. Or hit up its near neighbor, the smoky basement bar that is Company Roma (note: you’ll need to purchase a membership card at the entrance for this one). Over in the Pigneto district, the Malo Glitter Bar is your place for cool cocktails and craft beers, with a side order of cabaret, drag shows, comedy and other live entertainment on its small stage. Gay Village The party doesn’t stop just because Pride proper is over. No sir! Gay Village is a summer-long shindig and the largest LGBTQ+ festival in Italy, running between June and September in the Parco del Ninfeo south of the city center. For 15 weeks, the historic park is transformed, becoming a vast outdoor entertainment complex complete with bars, dance floors, an outdoor cinema, open-air gym and more. Expect a great big joyous love-in with theater, fun competitions, art shows and – on weekends – the biggest, most hedonistic LGBTQ+ party in town. The park is free to enter Sunday-Wednesday but there’s a fee Thursday-Saturday. Some events in the park – generally those involving the biggest international DJs and performers – are also ticketed. But what price an unforgettable summer of love? The Baths of Caracalla… and Beyond When in Rome, do as the Romans do… and head for the thermal baths. Hit up the Insta-perfect Baths of Caracalla for a taster: this ancient complex features beautifully-preserved floor mosaics, soaring honey-stone arches, and a tepidarium, and would have accommodated some 1,500 bathers in its 3rd-Century heyday. Having boned up on your Roman bathing history, try the real thing at some of the city’s top gay saunas and bathhouses for men only; Adam, Apollion and Illumined are among the most popular. LGBTQ-Friendly Neighborhoods in Rome Clinging to opposite sides of the Tiber, just south of the Centro Storico, the hip ‘hoods of Trastevere and Ostiense are among some of the most welcoming and inclusive in Rome. Trastevere’s café-lined piazzas and cute ocher-colored houses are manna for Insta addicts, while Ostiense has a cooler, more industrial vibe. Both are chock-full of trendy young bars, trattorias and gelaterias, as well as some of the finest contemporary galleries and street art in town. Hit up Tridente in the center for high-end Italian fashion boutiques and the chance to make a wish at the Trevi Fountain, or make for the tiny fairytale enclave of Quartiere Coppedè, with its ornate fountains, Florentine towers, baroque palazzi and swoonsome Moorish arches.  Read our guide to Rome’s best neighborhoods here. Best of the Rest: Rome’s Top Attractions So you’re in Rome for Pride and to sample the best of the Eternal City’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. But don’t let that stop you from also checking out Rome’s many, many attractions. You could save up to 50% on a wide variety of tours, activities and attractions with a Go Rome pass. We’re talking some of the biggest and best bucket-listers in town, including… Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican and Michelangelo’s extraordinary Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. An audio-guided tour of Ancient Rome’s big three: the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The immersive Leonardo da Vinci Experience, featuring faithful reproductions of the maestro’s paintings and inventions. Pizza and wine-tasting experiences by the Colosseum. Cocktails by the Spanish Steps. A sweet-lover’s dream-come-true: an epic gelato, espresso and tiramisu tour. … and many many more! Find out more and get your Rome attractions pass here.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Dome of St. Peter's Basilica over the Rome skyline
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2 Days in Rome

One of Europe’s most popular city break destinations, the eternal city of Rome houses some of the continent’s most sought-after sights and attractions. As such, it can often seem overwhelming to try to fit everything in if you find yourself with only a short amount of time to explore it all. Fret not, though, as we’ve put together this brief guide to some of the city’s most lauded attractions to help you decide how best to spend your time. With this guide, we’ve gathered a selection of popular attractions that you should easily be able to cover with 2 days in Rome, alongside average visit times to help you draw up your ideal itinerary. Top Attractions Colosseum Renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum is easily one of the most globally-recognized icons. Once the site of many battles, re-enactments and theater performances in ancient Rome, this impressive venue serves as the world’s largest standing amphitheater. Average Visit: 1 hour Pantheon Another iconic UNESCO site, the Pantheon stands remarkably intact as both a former Roman temple and later Catholic church. Although famous for its pillared entrance and domed interior, the site’s main draw is the open oculus in the ceiling, permitting all natural light and weather into the vast space below. Visit on a rainy day for a true spectacle! Average Visit: 20 minutes Trevi Fountain If you come across any front-page photos of Rome, chances are many of them include this iconic fountain. Built upon one of Rome’s oldest water sources, at the end of the Aqua Virgo Aqueduct, the elegant sculpture work of this fountain has undergone various transformations and reconstructions over the years to become the popular tourist hotspot we know today. As the local legend says, throw in a coin if you hope to return to Rome, or two if you hope to find love. Average Visit: 10 minutes Spanish Steps Alongside the Trevi fountain, this famous stairway joining Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti is most popularly photographed with the emblematic Trinita dei Monti Church looming at the top and the quirky Fontana della Barcaccia at the foot. Built between 1723 and 1726, the site now stands as one of the most popular photo ops in Rome, making it a particularly busy destination the later into the day you choose to visit. Average Visit: 10 minutes Roman Ruins Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Atop the most central of Rome’s seven hills sit the oldest ruins in the city. Considered the cradle of all Roman civilization, Palatine Hill is replete with ancient history, with an added flair of mystique given its fabled reputation as the site of the Lupercal cave of ancient Roman myth. Once the center of many important social, political and religious activities in Rome, the Roman Forum was originally the site of a number of impressive and important administrative buildings. Located at the foot of Palatine Hill, visitors can stroll among the remaining ruins and columns, now mere whispers of their former glory in an era long since passed. Average Visit: 2 – 4 hours Pyramid of Cestius Though somewhat of a lesser known monument, the Pyramid of Cestius is nevertheless very much worth a visit if you can fit it into your route. Resting place to the once priest and magistrate Gaius Cestius and his family from the 1st century BC, the understated site is a prime example of Egyptian influence in ancient Rome ahead of the Empire’s conquest of Egypt. Average Visit: 30 minutes Rome Catacombs Certainly not quite so mainstream as many of Rome’s most popular attractions, the Rome Catacombs are worth a visit for those with a penchant for the macabre. Over sixty subterranean passages stretch out for miles beneath the busy city streets, lined with the many skeletal remains of those who once walked them long ago. Though somewhat unsettling, these tunnels offer a unique insight into a more hidden side to the eternal city’s ancient history. Average Visit: 1 hour Vatican City St. Peter’s Square Think of the Vatican as a whole, and it’s likely that the first image in your mind is the impressive vista of its vast courtyard. Named after the apostle St. Peter, believed by Catholics to have been the very first Pope, the square stands as a stunning example of Italian Baroque architecture and serves as the site of several annual religious events. Average Visit: 20 minutes Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Founded during the early Sixteenth Century by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums are home to one of the world’s greatest collections of art and historical artifacts. Comprising roughly four miles of exhibits housing everything from Egyptian mummies to Old Masters paintings, the museum’s impressively lavish halls intersect with the Apostolic Palace, the official residence to the Pope himself. Tucked away within the halls of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel houses perhaps the world’s best-known Catholic works of art. Though impressive enough in its vaulted, Renaissance-style architecture, the true jewels of the chapel’s crown are the renowned frescoes adorning the chapel’s ceiling, painted over the course of five years by the legendary Italian artist, Michelangelo. Average Visit: 2 – 3 hours St. Peter’s Basilica Among the many outstanding churches and religious sites spread throughout Rome, none quite match up to the glory of St. Peter’s Basilica. Consecrated in 1626 after 120 years of construction, the basilica’s cavernous interior houses three of Italy’s most lauded masterpieces – Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture, his imposing dome, and Bernini’s baldachin standing over the high altar, itself placed atop St. Peter’s grave. Average Visit: 2 – 3 hours Getting Around To make the most of your two days in Rome, you’ll want to be able to fit as much as possible into your itinerary. Although most of the city’s top sights and venues are easily accessible on foot and within relative walking distance of one another, you may find yourself looking for quicker and more convenient means of getting around. Fortunately, Rome has a fairly extensive transport system covering much of the city. The fastest options are naturally the metro and tram services, but with only a small few serviced lines running through the city center, they aren’t always of much use to most tourists. Buses, on the other hand, operate a much more convenient alternative, with over 350 lines servicing over 8,000 stops throughout the city center and wider suburbs. However, most public transport in Rome tends to get rather busy at the best of times, let alone over the weekend. For somewhat of a more convenient, comfortable and entertaining means of getting around, a Big Bus Rome tour runs a main route passing by most of the capital’s top attractions, along with a hop-on, hop-off policy and optional audio commentary in several major languages
Robert Heaney
View over the Rome skyline
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Things to do in Rome

Home to some of the world's most renowned cultural and historical sites, a visit to Rome is guaranteed not to leave you empty handed. Whether you're keen to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Romans or discover some of the impeccable craftsmanship of some of the city's top attractions, there's simply no shortage of fantastic things to do in Rome. Do as the Romans Did Ancient home to one of history’s most famous and influential empires, Rome is simply brimming with renowned historical sites and cultural hotspots. Taking pride of place, the iconic Roman Colosseum stands as the world’s largest standing amphitheater and boasts a deserved place among the seven wonders of the world. Once the epicenter of entertainment in ancient Rome, hosting all manner of battles, reenactments and plays, the site is now one of the most recognizable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A similar reflection on the daily lives and pastimes of ancient Romans is the Pantheon. Rebuilt from the ashes of a former Roman temple during the second century, the site would continue to serve as a place of worship for many centuries to come, eventually transforming into a Catholic church. Another compelling UNESCO site, the Pantheon is most notable for its towering pillars and the open oculus in its ceiling, permitting both natural light and all weather into its domed hall. More pertinent whispers of the civilization long since passed exist among the ruins of the Roman Forum, now mere vague outlines of a formerly glorious and major administrative district for the city. Originally a marketplace, the site began to grow as the center of many important social, political and religious activities. Some of the city’s most impressive buildings and monuments stood here, still reflected in the imposing columns and architecture of the remaining ruins. As far as ruins go, there are none more pertinent in Rome than those built right at the beginning. Most central of Rome’s famous seven hills, Palatine Hill is widely considered to have been the cradle of Roman civilization. Credited in Roman mythology as the location of the fabled Lupercal cave in which the city’s supposed founding twins, Romulus and Remus, were raised by a she-wolf. Steeped in rich history and mysticism, Palatine Hill is home to the oldest ruins to be found throughout Rome. Somewhat lesser known but still rather remarkable are the remnants of Egyptian influence in Rome, most obvious of which being the impressive Pyramid of Cestius, resting place to priest and magistrate Gaius Cestius and his family from the 1st century BC. Also worth seeing are the Flaminian Obelisk and Obelisk of Montecitorio on Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Monte Citorio, respectively. Discover Vatican City One of the greatest draws of Rome is its role as the surrounding home to the beating heart of Roman Catholicism and the world’s smallest official country, Vatican City. At its core, the Vatican attracts huge crowds of devout Catholics for its hugely significant role as the permanent residence of the Pope. Though its grounds are accessible year-round, the micro-country is often the center of many major religious events to take place in Rome. Around the likes of Christmas and Easter, the Pope himself delivers special masses and sermons open to all, though given their popularity, you’ll want to apply for a free ticket with the Vatican directly. While naturally very popular as a pilgrimage for devout followers, the city is also home to a wealth of astonishing architecture and expert artwork. St Peter’s Basilica, somewhat of a distant beacon for Rome as a whole, stands as one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance architecture, iconic in its arching dome and the impressive temple-style pillars at its entrance. Perhaps most famous of all, however, is the incredible craftsmanship of the Sistine Chapel. While not quite so lauded for its exterior as the St. Peter’s Basilica, the chapel is known the world over for its spectacular vaulted ceiling, adorned with various famous frescoes by the legendary Italian artist, Michelangelo, including his most famous fresco, The Creation of Adam. Explore the City All roads may indeed lead to Rome, but it’s getting around once you’re there that might leave you stumped. Though the eternal city has a host of capable public transport systems for getting you seamlessly across town, there are some alternatives that can make your trip just that little bit more exciting. If you’d like a whirlwind tour of some of Rome’s top landmarks and attractions with the option to hop on and off at your leisure, then a Big Bus Rome pass could be ideal for you. Operating a primary route passing by the likes of the Colosseum and Castel Sant’Angelo, tours also offer optional audio commentary in several major languages, brimming with cultural and historical insights into many of the capital’s most popular sights. If you’d like to truly live like an Italian, nothing beats swerving through Rome’s ancient streets on your own rental scooter. Besides being particularly well-suited to navigating some of the city’s narrower streets, they’re also typically very convenient to park and can be rented from vendors throughout the city. 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. Take a Break Should you find yourself keen to get away from the bustle of Rome’s often busy streets, the city happens to be home to a number of serene, open spaces perfect for an Italian-style picnic or a leisurely stroll amid the city’s often idyllic Mediterranean weather. Most central of Rome’s parks are the 100-plus-acre wooded glades and grassy banks of Villa Borghese, perfect for escaping most of the traffic of the capital. Not wanting to be a one-trick pony, though, the space is also home to an arena used for equestrian events and an impressive art-house cinema, complete with three projection halls, exhibition spaces and an outdoor cinema during ideal weather. For some of the most impressive views overlooking the stunning city skyline, few spots can be considered quite as romantic as Pincio Hill. Though somewhat of a climb from Piazza del Popolo, you’ll find the effort to be more than worth it for the unique glimpse it will afford you over the likes of St. Peter’s and the Gianicolo Hill. Rome’s Botanical Garden easily offers the city’s most impressive collection of flora from around the world. Dating back to the 17th Century, the garden comprises roughly 30 acres of exotic plant-life, from the serenity of the Japanese Garden to the humid tropical greenhouse and the splendidly colorful Rose Garden.
Robert Heaney

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