Rome · Italy
December
Christmas in Rome is genuinely beautiful — festive markets, nativity scenes, and reasonable prices.
Strong option
#9 of 12 months
There are better months for Rome — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
11.7°C
Low
4.8°C
Rain
93mm
Sun
4.4hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Rome
Weather
Average
Value
Very good
Crowds
Good
Events
Very good
Atmosphere
Very good
What you gain in December
- ↑Piazza Navona Christmas market: one of Italy's most atmospheric — not overly commercialised
- ↑Nativity scenes (presepi) in every church: a deeply Catholic Christmas tradition
- ↑Prices moderate until Christmas week, then spike for New Year
What you sacrifice
- ↓Christmas week drives significant price spikes
- ↓Cold (4°C nights) and frequently wet — pack properly
- ↓New Year's Eve in Piazza del Popolo: spectacular but extremely crowded
How December compares to April (best month)
| Factor | December | April ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 4 | 8 |
| Value | 7 | 7 |
| Crowds | 6 | 6 |
December in other destinations
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Rome, not across destinations. Methodology →