Rome in November

By Robert Heaney
Statues lining the halls of the Vatican Museum

Considered by some to be one of the best periods in which to visit the eternal city, November sees Rome in one of its quietest states. With a couple major cultural events taking place throughout the month, combined with likely some of the year’s smallest queues and crowds at most major attractions, a trip to Rome in November is tough to beat.

Visiting Rome in November

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Average Temperature: 46 - 64°F • Average Rainfall: 8 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 4 hours/day

Ahead of the incoming surge in holiday-season visitors, Rome in November typically tends to experience a rare moment of serenity. Though the Italian capital can never truly be considered quiet, this is one of the few periods in which you may just get to see the city’s top attractions without excessive crowds.

Alongside fairly straightforward admission to the likes of the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, visiting in this period should also come with the added benefit of low-season airfare, hotel rates and prices in some venues, often at quite a substantial discount on summertime rates.

With winter just around the corner, Rome’s weather continues to dip, with temperatures typically ranging between cool and pleasantly mild for much of November. For the most part, you’ll want to pack warm clothes and assume that you’ll be in for at least one day of rainfall per week.

Things to do in November

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A staple of just about any trip to the eternal city should be to explore the city’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Taking pride of place is the Colosseum, the world’s largest-standing ancient amphitheater, followed close behind by the Pantheon, a former Roman temple, each of which offer visitors a unique insight into the daily lives and pastimes of a civilization long since passed.

Rome’s historical trail continues through the Roman Forum, where iconic ruins now stand as mere whispers of the city’s once major administrative district. Following the trail to its origin will place you atop Palatine Hill, the cradle of Roman civilization and home to the city’s most ancient ruins.

Equally remarkable but comparatively underrated are the likes of the 120-foot tall Pyramid of Cestius, resting place of priest and magistrate Gaius Cestius and his family from the 1st century BC. The site is a prime example of Egyptian influence in Rome in the wake of the empire’s conquest of Egypt in 30 BC, alongside landmarks such as the Flaminian Obelisk and Obelisk of Montecitorio on Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Monte Citorio, respectively.

Aside from its world-class historical sites, Rome is incredibly well regarded for its many photogenic open spaces. Topping the list are naturally the expert craftsmanship of the Trevi Fountain and the impressive Spanish Steps bridging between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. Those looking for the best photo ops should be sure to catch these spots early in the day, ahead of most of the crowds.

Another key player in the Rome package is Vatican City, the beating heart of Roman Catholicism and the permanent residence of the Pope. Aside from its huge religious value, the site is also famous for being the smallest country in the world, and remains incredibly popular for its wealth of lauded cultural offerings such as the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and the vast collection of the Vatican Museums.

For somewhat of an alternative means of exploring Rome in November, a Big Bus tour offers a quicker and more rewarding way to get between attractions, enabling customers to hop on and off more or less at their leisure with stops near most popular sites. Optional audio commentary is provided at no extra cost, offering greater insights into Rome’s famous streets and monuments in a variety of major languages.

Those with an eye for the macabre may know of the more hidden underbelly to the Italian capital. Just below the bustling city streets, the Rome Catacombs stretch for miles, lined with hundreds of centuries-old Roman skeletons. Though most of the passages are closed to the public, a small number are accessible to visitors.

Should you find yourself with a day or two spare, you might want to take the time to discover more of Italy’s prime culture, cuisine and historical sites. The likes of Naples, Florence and Pompeii stand just a short train ride from Rome, each of which make for a fantastic day trip away from the capital.

What’s On in November

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All Saints’ Day

November 1 marks an important day for many Romans, held in honor of all Catholic saints collectively. The day takes on somewhat of a more somber character, with many families traditionally spending the day visiting the graves and resting places of loved ones.

As a public holiday, you should expect a number of services, stores and restaurants to remain closed for the day, though many museums – excluding the Vatican Museums – should be operating regular hours.

Romaeuropa Festival

One of Rome’s most anticipated cultural events to take place each year, Romaeuropa brings together hundreds of artists across a wide range of disciplines and from a variety of countries to help put together an impressive program of dance, music, theater, circus and digital arts performances.

Over the course of several months, Rome becomes the true cultural epicenter of Italy, with artists both established and upcoming sharing their multidisciplinary talents and passions for thousands to enjoy. Performances tend to range from classical compositions to cutting-edge technological displays, covering just about the whole spectrum of the modern performing arts.

Don’t miss your chance to save with Go City

Fewer tourists, nice weather, and the whole city of Rome to explore... What more do you need? Maybe a way to save on admissions to Rome's main attractions? Go City can help you with that: in addition to the discounts it provides, the list of experiences and attractions included in the Explorer Pass will help you put together an itinerary for your trip.
Fai un buon viaggio!

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Best Time to Visit Rome

Home to some of the most iconic monuments, attractions and historical sites both in Europe and the world as a whole, Rome is consistently one of the continent’s most popular destinations for its unique blend of culture, history, climate and cuisine. Though many of the eternal city’s top sights are very much evergreen, making for a fairly dependable trip no matter the time of year, the exact period in which you choose to visit comes with its own unique set of characteristics. Between varying weather, seasonal events and changing tourism rates, each quarter of the year offers something slightly different. Naturally, there can be no definitive best period to visit Rome, and the benefits of one season easily match up against those of another. As such, we’ve summarized the best of each season to help give you more insight into their individual characteristics, which we hope will help you figure out the best time to visit Rome according to your own preferences. Winter (December – February) Average Temperature: 37 - 59°F • Average Rainfall: 6 - 9 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 3 - 5 hours/day For the most part, winter in Rome typically stands among the quietest periods for the city. In the absence of the glorious summertime weather and the waves of family-oriented holidaymakers, the Italian capital falls into somewhat of a relaxed lull throughout winter. Though Rome can never truly be considered quiet at any given time, owing to its largely evergreen attractions and lauded reputation for city breaks, this is by far its most serene period of the year. Most attractions and venues, while still somewhat busy, are likely to be much more smooth to visit, without nearly as many crowds as the busier months. There is, of course, a brief caveat in this trend, namely the holiday season. Proud home to the beating heart of Roman Catholicism, Vatican City, many visitors and devotees alike flock to the eternal city throughout December to revel in its impressive array of cultural and religious events. Between the city’s comparatively quiet nature and the thrilling bustle of the holiday season, many consider winter to be the best time to visit Rome. By visiting off-season, you’ll also often benefit from some of the lowest airfare and hotel prices of the year, sometimes at quite a hefty discount on peak-season rates. Things to do in Winter Should you find yourself in Rome during the holiday season, you’ll find the city awash with delightful installations and festive events. Naturally, the Vatican tends to be the epicenter of it all, adorned with festive displays to complement the famous mass headed by the Pope himself. Throughout Rome itself, you’ll also find a smattering of delightful European Christmas markets, alongside temporary ice rinks at the Auditorium Parco della Musica and the Ice Space Village. For the rest of winter, you may want to take advantage of the smaller throughput of tourists to enjoy some of the city’s top attractions and landmarks at their quietest. Of course, the likes of the Colosseum and Vatican City will inevitably top the list, but you’ll see some of the greatest differences around the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, usually packed with visitors and therefore tricky to capture just right. What’s On in Winter The winter season in Rome is largely dominated by religious events. Aside from those taking place throughout the holiday season, there’s also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, an impressive Hanukkah celebration, the parade of the Three Kings for the Epiphany and the oddly animal-oriented Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate. That being said, the few non-religious events to take place throughout the season also happen to be some of the country’s biggest of the year. New Year’s Eve is celebrated in a big way in Rome, with impressive light shows and street parties taking place throughout the night. In February, the centuries-old Carnevale erupts in a city-wide party held over several days ahead of the traditional coming of Lent. Spring (March – June) Average Temperature: 43 - 84°F • Average Rainfall: 4 - 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 7 - 9 hours/day Springtime launches Rome into its early-year shoulder season, with average tourism rates resting somewhere between the quiet of winter and the bustle of summer. For the most part, though you can expect plenty of crowds, most attractions and venues should be smoothly accessible for much of the season. Even better, this period still tends to offer somewhat discounted rates on airfare and hotel prices. The weather differs quite drastically throughout spring, depending on when exactly you choose to visit. Temperatures tend to flirt between rather cool and very pleasantly warm, getting warmer and more consistent the closer to summer you get. With a relatively good chance of rain throughout the season, you’d be best advised packing an umbrella just in case, as well as some warmer clothing options. Things to do in Spring This period is best spent balancing the middling tourist scene in spring with those slightly lesser-visited attractions to get the maximum possible experience. The ruins of Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, for example stand as mere whispers of their former glory, offering some brief but mesmerizing insights into the lifestyles and daily practices of everyday folk in a civilization now long since passed. For somewhat of a whirlwind tour of Rome’s top attractions and a more convenient means of getting around, a Big Bus Rome tour offers just that and more. The tour operates a central route passing by most of the city’s most popular sights, as well as a hop-on, hop-off service and optional audio-commentary in several major languages. What’s On in Spring Embracing the true spirit of spring, Rome puts on a variety of major events and celebrations committed to the themes of rebirth, growth and fertility. Though Easter naturally takes the cake, with an official mass held at the Vatican, there’s also the Festa della Primavera, or Spring Festival, which sees much of the city adorned with blooms of fiery roses and azaleas. Also popular is the Romanesco Artichoke Festival, held in the neighboring coastal town of Ladispoli. Spring also happens to be littered with holidays and festivities, such as Republic Day, marked by a major military parade through the streets of the capital, and the Birthday of Rome, characterized by another procession led by historical re-enactors dressed in clothing from various historical periods. Summer (July – September) Average Temperature: 61 - 90°F • Average Rainfall: 3 - 6 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 8 - 11 hours/day Summer in Rome is easily the most popular and busy period for tourism. Throughout the season, visitors can expect to queue and book sufficiently in advance for their choice of attractions and venues. Given the higher demand, the likes of airfare and accommodation prices also tend to peak around this time. Though the eternal city has much appeal across the board, one of the defining factors in the summertime rush is its idyllic Mediterranean climate. For most of the season, temperatures remain consistently warm and pleasant, with near-constant sunshine to add to the package. Between the fantastic weather and thrilling bustle of summer, it’s no surprise that the majority of visitors consider this the best time to visit Rome. Things to do in Summer As mentioned earlier, many of Rome’s top attractions can get particularly busy around summer. Though that shouldn’t deter you from exploring some of the continent’s most iconic landmarks and historical sites, you’ll want to plan accordingly to avoid any potential disappointment. Aside from exploring some of the capital’s poster-boy attractions, summertime couldn’t be better for taking some time to enjoy some of Rome’s serene parks and open spaces. Topping the list are the central glades of Villa Borghese, the romantic skyline views atop Pincio Hill and the impressive diversity of international flora houses within the seventeenth-century Botanical Garden. What’s On in Summer Rome’s peak tourism season just so happens to coincide with some of its biggest and most hotly anticipated events. Many events, such as the Isola del Cinema film festival, the Rock in Roma music festival and the Lungo il Tevere exhibition space running along the banks of the Tiber stick around for most of summer, meaning you can usually enjoy your pick of the litter no matter when exactly you choose to visit. Many of these events also turn Rome into even more of a cultural hotspot than usual, such as the Concerti del Tempietto theater series held within the ancient Marcello Theater. Toward the end of the season, the Romaeuropa festival brings together international artists across various disciplines to offer a series of stellar dance, music, theater circus and digital arts performances. Fall (October – November) Average Temperature: 46 - 73°F • Average Rainfall: 8 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 4 - 6 hours/day Fall marks the late-year shoulder season for Rome, characterized once again by tourist traffic somewhere between that of summer and winter. In much the same way as throughout spring, you can be fairly sure of comparatively lower rates on airfare and hotel prices. Much of the fall in Rome offers exactly what you’d expect of the season, with typically cool to mild temperatures dominating much of the month, paired with dwindling daylight hours and sunshine. With at least one day of rainfall likely each week, you’d be best off making sure to pack an umbrella and a waterproof jacket alongside some relatively warm clothing. Things to do in Fall As mentioned earlier, the shoulder seasons in Rome are the best times to explore some of the city’s lesser-visited attractions. Unbeknownst to some, the eternal city has its very own Egyptian-style pyramid, the Pyramid of Cestius, alongside the similarly Egyptian-inspired Flaminian Obelisk and Obelisk of Montecitorio located on Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Monte Citorio, respectively. With the spooky season falling slap-bang in the middle of fall, you may find yourself looking to get into the spirit of Halloween. Many major tourist venues and restaurants throughout Rome offer their own themed parties, but for some truly authentic macabre chills, the likes of the Rome Catacombs and the Capuchin Crypt certainly aren’t for the faint of heart. What's On in Fall Rome truly becomes the national epicenter of cultural events throughout fall. While also continuing to carry the torch of the Romaeuropa festival, the city also hosts the Rome Art Week to showcase hundreds of international artists across various disciplines, alongside the October Rome Film Fest in celebration of all things cinema. Save on attractions in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with the Go City Exporer Pass. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Robert Heaney
Woman taking photographs in a picturesque square in Trastevere, Rome
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Week in Rome

Planning to spend a week in Rome? Well, lucky you! Many visitors to the Eternal City make the error of booking just two or three days here, then end up rushing around, frantically trying to tick off as many bucket-list attractions as possible. The best way to experience this sometimes chaotic city is sloooowly, pausing for Italian espresso and cannoli when the mood takes you and lingering at attractions like the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica long enough to get a real feel for the place, rather than just a few hurried photographs. There’s so much to see and do in Rome. Seven days feels just about right to enjoy a relaxed sightseeing break and to really fall in love with the place. Do bear in mind though that time spent queueing at the more popular attractions will add up. So decide on your must-sees, book skip the line tickets where possible and be inspired by our suggested itinerary for a week in Rome. Day 1: Ancient Rome Good news! Many of the most sought-after attractions in Rome are within fairly easy walking distance of each other. It’s perfectly possible, for example, to experience the well-preserved ancient ruins of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in a single day. Start at the Colosseum, where a tour of the interior really brings this vast amphitheater to life. Close your eyes and imagine the roar of the crowd baying for thieves and swindlers to be thrown to the lions 2,000 years ago. Wander the avenues of the Roman Forum, taking in huge arches, ruined temples, great columns and spooky headless statues before heading up Palatine Hill. It’s here, among the colorful wildflowers, hilltop ruins and sweeping views of the ancient city, that Romulus and Remus, Rome’s mythical founders, are said to have been raised by a she-wolf. If you've got enough gas left in the tank after all that, spend your first evening in town getting to know atmospheric Piazza Navona, with its beautifully illuminated Bernini fountain, theatrical street entertainers and fairytale churches and palazzos. Day 2: Villa Borghese and a Few Bucket List Biggies This one is a little hectic, and you may wish to skip one or two of the attractions on the list and return to them on a less packed day. Start your morning with a visit to the Pantheon, one of Rome’s best-preserved Ancient Roman structures, with its fine portico featuring 12 grand Corinthian columns, checkerboard marble floors and impressive concrete dome complete with oculus, a central opening that allows sunlight (and indeed rain) to pour inside. It’s less than half a mile from here to the Trevi Fountain. And can you truly say you’ve visited Rome before you’ve jostled your way through the crowds to toss in your coin? Another half mile takes you to the foot of the Spanish Steps. Steel yourself for the 135-step climb to the top, where the majestic Trinità dei Monti church with its elaborate decorative features and pair of 17th-century anamorphic frescoes are your well-deserved reward. Spend the afternoon exploring Villa Borghese’s sumptuous formal gardens and exquisite villas, and pay a visit to the Galleria Borghese, where landmark works include Caravaggio’s Saint Jerome, Raphael’s Deposition, and Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne sculpture. Or, you know, just grab a smooth, creamy gelato and sit on the lawns people-watching for a few hours. Day 3: Trastevere A week in Rome most definitely merits at least one day spent exploring the medieval cobbled lanes, atmospheric alleyways and pretty piazzas of Trastevere, a laidback neighborhood just downriver from the Vatican. Here’s where to find beautiful churches, ocher-colored houses draped in vines and brightly blooming window boxes, and some of the finest pizza this side of Naples – wafer-thin, crispy crusted, wood-fired and fresh from the oven. A walk up Janiculum Hill reveals sweeping city panoramas, as well as plenty of Instagrammable attractions, including an imposing statue of Garibaldi on horseback, a monumental 17th-century fountain with marble carvings of eagles and dragons, and a sprawling botanical garden. Day 4: Museums and More If ancient artifacts are your thang, you’ve come to the right place. The Capitoline Museums atop Capitoline Hill are reached via a long and graceful Michelangelo-designed staircase, and the climb is well worth it for the multiple museums containing classical statues, medieval bronzes, Roman pottery and a veritable treasure trove of paintings and sculptures from the likes of Caravaggio, Rubens, Titian and van Dyck. Highlights here (and, believe us, there are many!) include the famous statue of the Dying Gaul and the symbolic Capitoline Wolf, a large bronze piece depicting the mythical Romulus and Remus being suckled by the she-wolf who raised them. Afterwards, wander downriver to take your chances with the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) – a forbidding medieval marble mask that invites you to place your hand inside its mouth, at peril of having it bitten clean off if you've ever told a lie. Then, hopefully with both hands intact, make your way to Aventine Hill for one of the coolest views in town: the dome of St Peter’s Basilica framed by an avenue of perfectly manicured cypress trees, seen through the keyhole of an otherwise fairly unassuming door. Magical. Day 5: The Appian Way A walk on the Appian Way is an absolute must when spending a whole week in Rome. Seemingly frozen in time, much of this ancient Roman road remains unaltered since Julius Caesar marched his armies along it 2,000 years ago. The fine cobbled avenue stretches around 40 miles south of the city (significantly shorter than in its heyday when it went all the way to Brindisi!). Beyond the soaring pines that flank the road are fields and fields containing dozens of ancient monuments to explore. We’re talking catacombs, mausoleums, temples, Roman baths and stacks more. Take a bike to cover more ground and make a real day out of it – a market-sourced picnic of salamis and cheeses will be the icing on the cake. Day 6: The Vatican Museums It should go without saying that the Vatican should be on your Rome itinerary and it’s worth setting a whole day aside for, just in case you become transfixed by the beauty of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling for, like, three hours (not entirely unheard of, but also not recommended unless you want to take home a neck brace as a souvenir of your visit). Other highlights of the Vatican’s complex of museums include Raphael’s unfinished Transfiguration, an ancient marble statue depicting Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents, and a gallery of fine 16th and 17th-century tapestries. Make sure to take a close look at the ceiling in this one: though apparently sculpted in relief, it is in fact completely flat. That’s down to 18th-century painters whose skill at painting light and shadow meant they were able to create an utterly convincing 3D illusion. Day 7: Souvenir Shopping Whaddya mean you haven’t bought any souvenirs to take home yet? Better get yourself down to the weekend Campagna Amico market by the Circus Maximus. This is the place for the best local produce, with everything sold here grown, reared, pressed, baked or brewed within a 100-kilometer radius. Pick up fruity Lazio wines, moreish extra virgin olive oils and fine cured meats to gift to friends and relatives, then head to Rome’s main tourist drags for the lovably naff novelty nick-nacks you so desperately need in your life: Colosseum keyrings, Trevi Fountain snow globes and plastic Pope Francis figurines for the win. 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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