Italy, Europe

Rome in February

Still quiet and cheap. Carnival season brings frappe pastries to every bakery window.

Quiet valueCool, highs near 57F (14C), some rain

Colosseum, Rome — RomePhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA 2.5

The straight answer

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Rome. Still quiet and cheap. Carnival season brings frappe pastries to every bakery window.

Weather: Cool, highs near 57F (14C), some rain
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What February is like in Rome

February is still quiet, cool, and cheap. Highs sit near 57F (14C), with some rainy days mixed in with crisp, clear ones. Crowds stay thin and hotel prices stay low. Carnival season brings frappe, the crisp fried pastries dusted in sugar, to every bakery window. Days are getting longer, so you have more light for walking than in January.

It suits couples, food lovers, and travelers who care more about short lines than sunshine. Families on a February school break get an easy, uncrowded city. If warm weather and outdoor dining matter most, hold out for late April or May.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Rome this month.

Carnival pastries everywhere

Frappe and castagnole, little fried dough balls, show up in bakeries all month. Grab a bag with your morning espresso.

Short lines at the Colosseum

February is one of the few months you can book the Colosseum a few days out and still get a good time slot.

The Borghese without the rush

Timed tickets at the Borghese Gallery are much easier to get now than in spring. The Bernini sculptures are worth the whole trip.

What to pack for February

A warm layer and a rain jacket
Waterproof shoes with good grip for slick stone streets
A small umbrella that fits in a day bag
Gloves for early mornings at the fountains

Our timing tip

Pick a clear day for the outdoor ruins and save rainy days for the Vatican and the Borghese, so check the forecast each night and swap plans.

Book Rome for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Rome
Opens a hotel search for Rome in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Rome
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Rome
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Rome for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Rome

Full guide

Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine

One combined ticket, best booked weeks ahead in season. Enter at opening or book an evening slot in summer; the Forum has almost no shade.

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Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Closed Sundays (except a free final-Sunday opening with huge lines). Book the earliest slot and walk directly to the Sistine Chapel first.

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St Peter's Basilica

Free entry but airport-style security; the line is shortest before 8am. Papal events on Wednesdays and Sundays reshape the square.

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The Pantheon

The best-preserved ancient building on Earth. Now a modest timed-entry ticket; go early or near closing for the light through the oculus.

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Trastevere at dinner

Cross the river for the classic Roman evening. Book the well-known trattorias; walk-ins work on the side streets.

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Borghese Gallery

Strict timed entry with capped visitors, which keeps it civilized even in May. Reserve well ahead; Berninis alone justify the trip.

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Beat the crowds

Book the Vatican Museums' first entry, skip the audio-guide shuffle, and go straight to the Sistine Chapel, then work backward through the collections against the flow.
Do the Colosseum at opening and the Forum in late afternoon; midday is the worst of both heat and tour groups.
The famous fountains and piazzas cost nothing and close never: see them before 8am, then spend the crowded midday hours inside booked, timed-entry sights.
In summer, flip your day Roman-style: sights at dawn, long lunch and rest, back out at 6pm. Evening openings at the Colosseum and Vatican are the season's best-kept tickets.

Know before you go

August around Ferragosto (August 15): many family-run trattorias and small shops close for two to four weeks. Major monuments, the Vatican Museums, and big restaurants stay open. Check any specific restaurant before building a night around it.
The Vatican Museums close on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month, which is free and ferociously crowded. St Peter's stays open daily but closes to visitors during papal events.
Papal audiences (typically Wednesday mornings) and Sunday Angelus reshape St Peter's Square; visit the basilica on other mornings for the calmest access.
Fixed holidays to plan around: January 1 and 6, April 25, May 1, June 2 (Republic Day), June 29, August 15, November 1, and December 8, 25, and 26. Museums vary between closed and holiday hours on each.