Rome

The 10 Best Things About Winter in Rome

Rome is one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Even when it's cold outside, it's a wonderful time to visit. Here are 10 of my favorite things about winter in Rome.

Jenny Geyser

01 Mar 2025 • 4 min read

A view of the Tiber River on a cold winter day.

Ahhhh Rome. My most favorite city in the world. It's absolutely magnificent for so many reasons.

Born and raised in Southern California, I’ve never really experienced seasons. To me, cold weather is anything below 70 degrees, and if you want to go to the beach or do anything outside, it has to be at least 75!

Rome is known to have a mild, Mediterranean climate, so I thought it would be similar to Los Angeles.

Brrrr…it’s not.

It’s much colder here in the winter! I’ve been told it’s because of the humidity. The dampness in the air makes it feel much, much more cold. 🥶

However, with that being said, I’ve loved experiencing a cooler winter, and I think it’s one of the best times to be in Rome!

These are my 10 favorite things about winter in Rome:

Less tourists. The streets aren't as busy and you can walk more freely without it feeling like a human traffic jam! It also feels more authentic with more locals around. Even in the historic center you see the Italians truly enjoying their city!
Shorter lines. Less waiting for restaurants or museums, and it's the perfect time to visit any touristy attractions you would avoid in the high season.
You can walk for hours and feel really comfortable. It may be chilly at first, but with a sweater, jacket and scarf you’ll warm up quickly. It’s so much better than dripping in sweat after 10 minutes of walking in the heat of the summer through packed streets.
Amazing inside art and attractions! When it’s cold, cloudy or raining the perfect place to be is one of the many incredible museums in this city. There are so many art exhibits it’s hard to keep up, not to mention the many churches that are also full of works of art.
Beautiful wine bars and cozy trattorias. Having some delicious hot pasta in a warm restaurant with friends is the best way to spend a cold afternoon or evening. Rome was just listed as having the best food in the world. There are countless places to eat. Romans don't rush their meals. When the weather is cloudy and drizzly just linger a little longer over some delicious food, wine and conversation.
You can still eat outside, though! It may be winter, but most places have outdoor heaters so you can still enjoy the piazzas and rooftops for al fresco aperitivo and meals. Some restaurants even offer blankets to warm you up!
Walks through the many parks of Rome. The sun is often shining and it’s beautiful to enjoy the fresh crisp air and nature with magical views of the city. Borghese Gardens will always be my favorite. From Piazza del Popolo, take the stairs up to the park. This will get your heart pumping and warm your body up! Then take in the gorgeous view and stroll around the park. You can even rent a row boat on the picturesque lake!
Roasted chestnuts! Taking a passeggiata (leisurely walk) and grabbing some hot chestnuts feels like something out of a holiday fairytale! And did you know that chestnuts are full of nutrients? They're a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber!
Theatre and live music! Just like its many museums, Rome is home to the opera, ballet, plays and musicals! There are shows and events in Italian, and also in English. I went to see the Italian version of the play King Lear (Re Lear in Italiano) at Teatro Argentina, a beautiful old theatre in the center. I, however, underestimated my ability to understand Shakespeare in Italian, but it was a stunning location to watch a play 😄
Take a class! Painting, ceramics, language, art history. There are so many of these offered in Rome. One of my favorites is Vineyarts which is the most fun evening of painting, wine and pizza! You leave the class with your own little masterpiece!

As you can see, visiting Rome in January, February or March is an incredible time to experience this magical city!

Then, you can return in the summer for the beach towns! Join my Puglia seaside yoga retreat this July for a truly relaxing and self-nourishing trip! Read all about it here.

For questions or comments about coming to Rome in the winter, or anytime of year, just respond to this email.

Sending a warm hug from Roma!

Con tanto amore,

Jenny