December in Rome averages highs of 14 °C (57 °F) and lows of 5 °C (41 °F), with about 8 rainy days and 9 h 08 min of daylight.
December weather in Rome at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Rome?
Tough month: cold and some rain. December is usually low season in Rome: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Tue 8 Dec: Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione) public holiday
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day (Natale) public holiday
- Sat 26 Dec: St. Stephen's Day (Santo Stefano) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Rome in December
December's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Colosseum and Roman Forum — book the combined ticket outdoors
- Pantheon and Piazza Navona — walkable in one morning outdoors
- Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps — best before 8am outdoors
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel — go early or late indoors
- St Peter's Basilica — climb the dome indoors
- Borghese Gallery and gardens — timed tickets, worth it indoors
Where to stay: Centro Storico near Piazza Navona; Trastevere for evenings; Monti for value close to the Colosseum.
What to pack for Rome in December
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 5 °C (41 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 8 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Rome costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €60–150 | €180–380 |
Excluding flights. December is usually low season in Rome: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples | 14° / 7° | 8 | Mixed weather |
| Florence | 12° / 3° | 10 | Tough month |
| Venice | 9° / 2° | 5 | Tough month |
Plan your Rome trip
- Romantic Weekend in Rome: 2-Day Plan for Couples (2026)
- Is Rome Expensive? Real Costs and a 2026 Budget Guide
- 3 Days in Rome — A First-Timer's Itinerary (Hour by Hour, With Costs)
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Rome?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 14 °C (57 °F) and about 8 rainy days. December is usually low season in Rome: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are April, May, June, September, October.
How warm is Rome in December?
Average highs are 14 °C (57 °F) and lows 5 °C (41 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Rome in December?
Expect about 8 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 94 mm in total. It is the 4th wettest month of the year in Rome.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.