Rome's climate in winter is quite mild, and there is excitement everywhere in the lead-up to Christmas.

Here's our take on the winter climate in Rome, Italy, and suggestions for

things to do in Rome to celebrate Christmas in Italy.

When is Winter?  

From mid November until April.

Temperature in Winter : 

Rome's climate in winter is still relatively mild; the temperature rarely falls below freezing and snow is virtually unheard of - it fell in 2010 after an

absence of twenty-one years!  

January tends to be the coldest month with temperatures averaging from 1°C (34°F)

to a high of 12°C (54°F).

What about rain? 

The weather in Rome, Italy, in winter may be reasonably mild, but it can be very wet.  The wettest months are November and December, right through until March, when icy winds are also a feature.  

The River Tiber has a history of flooding during the winter months, although

the city itself is rarely affected as the high embankment walls built in the

1870s contain the rise in water level.

So what's good about Rome's climate in Winter?

Skies can often be bright blue, and the air is really fresh.  There are

very few tourists about at this time of year and as long as you wrap up well,

it can be an excellent time to see the sights without having to share them with

big crowds, during our Winter Guided Tours.   

It's a bit chilly to sit outside but many cafes and restaurants have now invested

in outdoor patio heaters which extend the 'al fresco' season into winter.

And what's not good?

Rome's climate in the winter months can be wet and quite cold.  Make sure

your hotel has central heating and take a warm outer coat, gloves and a scarf

to wear.  

Some attractions can be closed during the winter months for refurbishment and

others will have the outside obscured by scaffolding.  Your hotel should

be able to give you details.

Any special things to do in Rome in the Winter?

Christmas in Italy can be a very special experience.  If you're lucky enough to be in Rome in December, don't miss the enormous Christmas tree and the larger than life-sized nativity scene in St Peter's

Square. 

On Christmas Eve, the Pope celebrates midnight mass on St Peter's Square and on

Christmas Day he gives his famous "urbi et orbi" blessing from the

balcony above St Peter's Basilica. Pilgrims and Roman citizens alike flock to

hear it.

Try to brave the cold and wet of Rome's climate in winter to see some of the

amazing life-sized nativity cribs, known as 'Presepe' ('Presepi' in

the plural) to be found in unlikely places : in front of Termini staton, on the

second level of the Spanish Steps, on the Capitoline Hill.

At Piazza Navona during December, as well as its own life-size crib, there's a

famous Italian Christmas market at which you can buy models for your very own 'Presepe' -

not just the usual figures, but sometimes highly elaborate moving models such

as working windmills and watermills, fishermen, bakers and even pizza

ovens!  

Don't miss this market - it's a brilliant atmosphere and a definite part of an

Italian Christmas in Rome.

Roman 'Presepi' aren't just images of the stable but of entire villages, towns,

and sometimes regions.  Some are of dubious artistic quality, others are

extremely old and valuable, but almost all their settings are beautiful. 

Kids love them!

If you're in Rome any time from the end of November until early January, have a

look at the display of cribs in the Piazza del Popolo. There are over two

hundred scenes, some of them dating back as far as the sixteenth century and,

whatever your beliefs, worth seeing for their artistry.

So, if you're looking for things to do in your free time in December, call

in to any local church you come across because by the week before Christmas

virtually all will have a crib worth looking at. You'll find the oldest at the

church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Traditionally, Romans will do this on December 26th - join the crowds and enjoy

the atmosphere.  

And if you visit them before Christmas Day, don't worry if there's no figure of

the baby in these scenes - he's not usually added until the midnight mass on

Christmas Eve.