Spring and autumn – these are the most popular seasons for a trip to rome. In winter it is not really empty in the eternal city, however, from november to easter there are significantly fewer tourists between the hot spots of the city on the road. Which also has to do with the unstable weather conditions. In january you can expect everything in the eternal city:
From masses of rain and hail to bright sunshine and pleasant temperatures. While the weather in january may be somewhat of an uncertainty, let me assure you that a rome trip in the first month of the year also offers some pluses:
These 5 points speak for a trip to rome in january:
1. Less crowds in front of the colosseum and st. Peter's basilica
Rome's streets and alleys are never really empty. No matter what time of year. Whereas the volume of tourists is at a comfortable level in january compared to spring and autumn. It tends to be individual travelers from italy who are out and about in rome. The infinitely many, everything clogging and hectic spreading bus groups stay away from the eternal city, at least during the week. So if you want to visit the most popular sights in relative peace, you are in good hands in rome in january.
Tips, information and opening hours for visiting the colosseum, st. Peter's basilica & co. You get in this blog article.
I've put together a walking tour of rome for you that passes by 18 hot spots.
2. The befana is coming and christmas is still here
On 6. January is the month of the befana in rome. La befana, a witch who, like the magi, followed the star of bethlehem. In contrast to the three gentlemen, the befana disappeared and never arrived in bethlehem. Since then she is looking for the jesus child and brings italian children on the 6. January gifts and sweets. In modern everyday life, this means that in italy the supermarkets – instead of around st. Nicholas – overflow with sweets at the beginning of january. Traditionally, on 6. January a historical procession from castel sant'angelo to st. Peter's basilica takes place. As a rhinelander this event always reminds me a bit of carnival. Foot groups stride down via di conceliazione in dazzling costumes and chapels perform.
If you come to rome in early january, most of the christmas trees will still be in the city. So did the always magnificent tree in front of st. Peter's basilica. Particularly worth seeing in 2018/2019 is the christmas crib in st. Peter's square. It originates from jesolo near venice and is formed from sand.
3. Super-saldi – the lure for fashion lovers
From the beginning of january to mid-february, the winter sales run in rome. Label fetishists get their money's worth around the spanish steps. Fashionista in search of an individual piece are in good hands in the alleys and boutiques of the monti district. For those of you who still need hip and comfortable shoes for the rome trip over bumpy cobblestones, I recommend a visit to the holypopstore. The cool sneaker store is located near piazza del popolo. In short, if you like fashion and shopping, a trip to rome in january is definitely worth it.
4. Warm and dry museums – for weather emergencies
Rome is a sensational open-air museum! In bright sunshine and 25 degrees in the shade, it is much more fun to wander through the alleys between st. Peter's basilica and the colosseum than to spend time in a museum. Thereby the indoor culture offer in rome is extremely worth seeing. So grimy weather and cool temperatures in january are a perfect time to explore rome's museum scene. Here I have some inspirations for you:
5. Clear view from the most beautiful panoramic terraces
The cold wind that sometimes blows over rome in january has also something good in itself. It sweeps away the smog bells over rome and there are clear views of the eternal city's sea of rooftops. In these weather conditions, it is also worth climbing one of the roman hills. Even if it is not one of the official and famous 7. Like the gianicolo, from which you have a breathtaking view of rome and the snow-capped mountain peaks in the background. How to get to the gianicolo and what other elevations you should climb in rome can be read here: