Italy, Europe

Rome in November

Rome's wettest stretch, but lines vanish and trattorias feel local again. Pack a real rain layer.

Quiet valueCool, highs near 62F (17C), the rainiest month

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

The straight answer

November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Rome. Rome's wettest stretch, but lines vanish and trattorias feel local again. Pack a real rain layer.

Weather: Cool, highs near 62F (17C), the rainiest month
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What November is like in Rome

November is Rome's wettest month, with highs near 62F (17C) and a good chance of rain on any given day. In exchange, lines vanish, hotel prices drop, and neighborhood trattorias feel local again. Everything stays open, with slightly shorter hours at the outdoor sites. Days are short, so start early to make the most of the light.

It suits budget travelers, museum lovers, and repeat visitors who want a calmer city. It is less ideal for anyone set on long outdoor days. If sunshine matters, go in October; if you want low prices with drier days, January is a better bet.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Rome this month.

Rainy-day museum time

November is perfect for long indoor days at the Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery, with short lines and room to linger.

Local trattoria season

Tourists thin out, and the trattorias in Monti and Testaccio fill with Romans. It is the most local the city feels all year.

Low prices before the holidays

Hotels are cheap until the Christmas season starts in December, so it is a good time for a longer stay.

What to pack for November

A real waterproof rain jacket
Waterproof shoes with good grip
A warm sweater for evenings
A sturdy compact umbrella

Our timing tip

Plan your Forum and Colosseum visit for the first clear morning of your trip, and keep museum tickets flexible for the rainy days.

Book Rome for November.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Rome
Opens a hotel search for Rome in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
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 November. 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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

Trastevere at dinner

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

Tickets and tours →

Borghese Gallery

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

Tickets and tours →

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.

Rome in November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Rome?

November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Rome. Rome's wettest stretch, but lines vanish and trattorias feel local again. Pack a real rain layer.

What is the weather like in Rome in November?

Cool, highs near 62F (17C), the rainiest month.

Is Rome crowded in November?

November is one of the quieter months in Rome; most sights can be done without long waits.