Rome is a city that for a large part of the year basks in the Italian sunshine with blistering temperatures through parts of spring and all through summer. As a result, a winter visit has the potential to be special.
Not only will you avoid some of the crowds you’d associate with the peak holiday season, but you’ll also get to see a side of Rome that few do. On a walking tour of Rome in winter, you can expect everything from festive attractions to quieter streets.
Experience the Vatican City Without the Crowds
The Vatican City is a special place to many, and as such, both locals of Rome and tourists flock here throughout the year (not to mention the residents of the Vatican City themselves, though small in number).
However, during the winter, you have a rare opportunity to explore and experience the Vatican City without jostling for space and fighting to take photographs.
Imagine a slow stroll through the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica, whereby you can take all the time you need to soak up the incredible artwork and architecture and get the shots you want without waiting for your chance.
For some, this would be reason enough to visit The Eternal City during the winter, as it’s not often you get the chance to spend time in such a special place without being surrounded by a crowd.
Take Shelter From the Cold and Soak up the Culture
While most people visiting Rome make sure to visit the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and attractions like the Roman Forum in warmer weather, the winter provides an opportunity to explore Rome’s indoor culture.
This time of year offers the perfect opportunity to visit the Teatro Dell’Opera, for example, where you can watch world-class performances in a 19th-century setting. Or, perhaps you prefer to browse art galleries, in which case you’ll find plenty to enjoy at the Galleria Borghese or the Palazzo Barberini.
Plus, you won’t have to endure long lines at many of these galleries and indoor entertainment venues, so you can fit a lot in even on a brief trip.
Enjoy the Festive Scenes in Rome
If you go to Rome from late November onwards, you can enjoy the festivities around the city. Head to Piazza Navona where you’ll find a sprawling Christmas market where artisans sell their handcrafted wares and you can sample local delicacies that are enjoyed exclusively during this festive period.
St. Peter’s Square is another great stop on a winter stroll around the city as it typically boasts a large Christmas tree as well as a life-sized nativity scene.
Embrace Winter Culinary Traditions
Whenever you visit a city during the winter months, you’ll likely gain insight into how the diet changes to accommodate the drop in temperature.
In many Mediterranean cities, this means swapping out the light and refreshing salads and pasta dishes for warm comfort foods like soups and stews.
In Rome, it’s typical to find various seasonal specialties at this time of year including specially prepared artichokes, pasta alla gricia, and hearty soups like stracciatella. It’s also a particularly good time of year to order pasta in Italy, as fresh truffles and wild mushrooms are in season adding a richness and comforting flavor to the dish.
Shop Til you Drop on Via Del Corso
The Via Del Corso is a main street in Rome that runs right through the heart of the historic center, and is home to some of the city’s best shops.
What is often a busy thoroughfare during the peak tourist seasons, the Via Del Corso is a much different prospect in the winter months. As the longest shopping street in the city, it’s exactly where you want to be if you want to escape the cold and shop for festive gifts to bring home to your friends and family.
Winter Fun in Rome
While it might seem like a good idea to experience Rome in all its sunny glory, there’s an argument that winter offers better value for an urban escape.
You can catch the main attractions with fewer crowds than usual, experience the many indoor arts and entertainment venues in the city, and still enjoy fine dining with comforting pasta dishes and more.
