There’s no such thing as a bad time of year to visit Rome. Whichever season you choose, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a fascinating, fun and food-filled time in the Italian capital. But, having said that, each of the seasons does bring its own totally unique character to this enchanting destination, and it’s well worth thinking about what your priorities are before you decide when you’ll be visiting.
Spring is usually an excellent time of year to experience any destination for the first time – and Rome is no exception. But what makes Rome in particular so appealing in Spring? Read on for the answers.
The Spring Weather in Rome is Hard to Beat
It’s probably the most obvious benefit of a springtime visit to Rome, but it’s big enough that it’s worth mentioning: the weather in spring is just beautiful. In March, the city is just emerging from winter, with the chill in the air during the daytime being replaced by a fresh breeze. By late May, average high temperatures climb into the mid-70s Fahrenheit (or mid-20s Celsius). Perfect!
Of course, the summer weather is wonderful too, but you’re going to have to be prepared to sweat quite a bit during the heat of the day if you come at this time of year; that’s not the case in spring.
Rome Is at Its Most Colorful in Spring
With the spring sunshine comes new life in many different forms. In Rome, that means flowers – and lots of them. Historic buildings and ancient ruins will take on a whole new appearance as their beauty is highlighted by pops of color in the form of poppies, wisteria, azaleas, and more. This is arguably the best time of year to visit Rome’s sprawling, iconic park, the Villa Borghese, and is almost certainly the best time of year to see the Roseto Comunale. This vibrant rose garden is located on Aventine Hill and is only open between April and June.
You’ll Get All the Perks of Shoulder Season
Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world – as you’ll quickly realize if you visit in the peak summer months, when flight and accommodation prices climb, rooms book up in the blink of an eye and the lines in front of famous attractions like the Vatican and the Colosseum can stretch on and on. Despite these potential complications, a summer visit to Rome is a lovely thing; but it can’t compete with a spring visit when it comes to practicality. Spring is the shoulder season, and the crowds – both on the streets and in hotels – will be noticeably smaller.
At any time of the year, a skip-the-line ticket is a great way of seeing well-known sights without the stress. Check out one of our skip-the-line Vatican tours or skip-the-line Colosseum tours.
The Spring Cuisine in Rome Is a Must-Try
Italian food is known for its reliance on locally sourced, sun-ripened ingredients all year round. In spring, however, the fresh flavors of Italian produce really come into their own. Treats that are generally only available at this time of year include fave e pecorino (fava beans and pecorino cheese) and puntarella (a type of chicory shoot eaten with anchovies). The standout star of Rome’s springtime kitchen, however, has to be the artichoke. Keep things simple with olive oil, garlic and seasoning to let the flavor shine through, or head to the Jewish Quarter to try them deep-fried. Whichever way they’re prepared, they’re never anything less than irresistible.
Rome’s Spring Festivals are Delightful
Winter sees Rome dressed in its Christmas best, with twinkling lights and nativity scenes bringing the city alive. But the festival spirit is every bit as strong in the spring. This is when the city celebrates two of its most important annual events, both in April.
The Natale di Roma is the celebration of Rome’s founding, and the spectacle of the celebrations has to be seen to be believed. Expect elaborate re-enactments of historic events, complete with faithful period costumes; lively parades (again including period costumes); and novelty events like gladiatorial battles. There’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing the streets of Rome filled with centurions. And of course, there are fireworks – lots of fireworks.
The other headline spring festival is Easter. This is obviously a very significant time of the year for Catholics, and whether or not you’re a believer yourself, it’s an amazing opportunity to see the Pope. Each year, he leads the Way of the Cross parade on Good Friday, and also holds Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
You can find out more about seeing the Pope at our Meet the Pope page.
For more inspiration for your spring trip to Rome, why not take a look at our full range of Rome tours?