The beginning of December in Rome is traditionally a low season. Tourists are relatively few, and among those who visit the capital of Italy during this period, school trips prevail and those who like to save on accommodation and flights. Toward the end of the month, the situation is changing rapidly. On Christmas Eve, Rome is experiencing a true pilgrimage of tourists arriving from all over the world to take part in the celebrations in the Vatican.
The Mediterranean climate of the Italian capital is characterized by mild and rainy winters.
Weather in Rome in December
The weather in Rome in December is very capricious - today the sun can shine brightly, warming the air to + 15C, and tomorrow or after a few days the north wind will blow, bringing with it cooling and precipitation. Despite the temperature drop, there are almost no frosts in Rome, and rare snowfalls almost immediately turn into puddles.
The weather in Rome in December is very moody
Traveling to Rome in December can be pleasant and comfortable if properly equipped for walking. To do this, you need a warm sweater, a hat and a thick, windproof jacket. When packing your suitcase, it makes sense to pack an umbrella, rubber boots, and, oddly enough, sunglasses.
- The average daily temperature in Rome in December + 12C
- The average night temperature in Rome in December + 6C
- Number of rainy days - 10
Pilgrims from all over the world come to Rome for Christmas
Cultural program
The main event of December in Rome is, of course, Christmas, and the beginning of preparations for it coincides with the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8). On this day, Roman firemen lay flowers at the statue of the Madonna, located in front of the palace of Spain, and a huge wreath is hung on her hand, which will remain there throughout the year.
The main solemn event of the holiday is the procession, marching from the Vatican to Piazza di Spagna and led by the Pope himself.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Traditionally, on the day of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas markets begin to work. The main fair of the country opens on Navona Square and becomes crowded from shopping malls with New Year's toys. Masterfully made nativity scenes (scenes with the participation of the baby Christ) can be viewed and purchased at Piazza del Popolo.
Christmas in Rome is celebrated from December 24 to 25 and gathers many pilgrims from all over the world. The culmination of the event is the midnight Christmas Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. On December 25 at noon, the pontiff blesses the gathered flock and the whole world, uttering the traditional message of Urbi et Orbi.
You can see and purchase Christmas nativity scenes in Rome
The end of December is marked in Rome by preparations for the New Year. These days a special atmosphere envelops the capital of Italy: New Year's garlands adorn spruces, windows and shop windows, the streets are filled with people, and the main squares of the Italian capital turn into open-air concert venues.
When preparing to celebrate the New Year in Rome, it should be borne in mind that in Italy it does not have any special established traditions. Residents of the city can spend the night on December 31 with their families, in a restaurant with friends or in the central squares, where musical performances are held at this time, and after midnight the sky is lit up with fountains of fireworks.
What else to do in Rome in December
In turns to the main attractions and you will not say that in the beginning December in Rome few tourists. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Vatican are always full of people who want to get inside.
Also, places with daily restrictions on the number of visitors are in traditional demand among tourists. These include, for example, the Borghese Gallery. It is much easier to get to the rest of the museums in the first half of the month than at the peak of the season, which occurs in Rome in late spring and early autumn.
Queues to the sights of Rome are even in December
To avoid the lines at the entrance, tickets to the main attractions of Rome can be purchased online. You can do this using the links below, and the process itself will take several minutes. This is much easier and healthier than standing in line in front of the Sistine Chapel exactly during an unexpected December rain.
Before booking your tickets, it’s important to remember that the 25th and 26th December in Rome They have the status of national holidays, and therefore state institutions, which include museums, during this period, as a rule, do not work.
Another popular way of spending leisure time among tourists is a rich excursion program. To help sort out the incredible abundance, BlogoItaliano, together with a guide to Rome, even composed an impromptu TOP 5 of the most popular excursions in Rome. In the same place - in the article - the possibilities are told how to sign up for any of them. If you are planning a visit to Rome for the second half of the month, then it is better to sign up for excursions in advance, since the tourist infrastructure of the city works these days with a special load.
Finally, if time and budget allow, you can make a one-day “trip” to Florence or Naples (and Pompeii). Particularly popular are trips to Florence, which is only 1.5 hours away by short trip. The cradle of the Renaissance is in incredible demand among tourists year-round, and the Rome-Florence route is considered one of the busiest in Europe. In Florence, there is also the most popular museum in Italy - the Uffizi Gallery.
Christmas markets in Rome start operating on December 8
As is the case with the most famous sights, it makes sense to book tickets for the Rome-Florence train in advance. Especially on a visit on Christmas Eve, when a real full house begins at the train stations - already loaded with tourists. You can buy tickets for the Rome-Florence train on the popular tourist portal Omio former GoEuro - the procedure takes only a few minutes.
BlogoItaliano wrote in more detail about all the ways to get to Florence in this article, and for those who want to stay in the city, the best selection of hotels with a map, photographs of interiors, guest reviews and the possibility of instant booking is here.
Rome in December. Summary
Due to weather conditions, December in Rome is less suitable for exploring the city than other months. Nevertheless, since Rome is located in the southern latitudes, the first month of winter here more likely resembles the fall of central Russia. The only difference is that the abundance of evergreen vegetation drives away the autumn blues and allows you to better tune into the spirit of the upcoming holidays.
It is better to devote good days to sightseeing, and to spend bad weather in museums, galleries, at exhibitions, without forgetting to learn in practice about the features of national cuisine.
The end of December is marked in Rome by preparations for the New Year
In December, a series of Christmas holidays begins. On Christmas night, thousands of believers gather in the Vatican for a solemn service, and the New Year is celebrated with noisy festivities in squares interrupted by the launch of firecrackers and fireworks.
Start December in Rome considered a low season. There are almost no tourists by Roman standards at this time, but towards the end of the month the flow of guests starts to increase again, which leads to a significant jump in prices for air tickets and hotels in the second half of the month. Shopping enthusiasts need to note that the time has not yet come for winter sales in Italy. They will traditionally begin only in early January.
