Best Time to Visit Rome

When is the best time to visit Rome? Rome. The eternal city, the capital of Italy, and the treasure of our hearts. Rome, Italy is one of the number one travel destinations in all of Europe. There is a great reason for this. Being in Rome takes you out of your world and transports you to the past. Standing in Rome, you believe that time travel is possible. Rome puts the history of the world right in front of you. Where most destinations focus on telling the story of a time past through museums, Rome puts you right in the spot where it happened and allows you to see the footprints before you. 

Even more than history, time travel, and living in a story, Rome is a beautiful city. It mixes the old world and the new world perfectly. While the ancient buildings tower over, modern art, advancements, and cultures take over the cobblestone roads. The city of Rome is glowing like the shining sun. Most importantly every day it opens its arms to travelers looking to learn about the wonders of the world. It is an obvious top spot for anyone looking to travel to Italy, or anywhere at all.

What isn’t obvious though, is the right time to go. Though there is never really a wrong time to visit, there is a best time. This time will allow you to live life with the Romans and see the world the way they do every day. Just last year I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Rome during this time and I can confidently say it was life changing. The best time to visit Rome is in Spring and here’s why. 

Weather

One of the main reasons spring is the best time to visit Rome is because of the weather. Weather plays a big role in your enjoyment of any country and any city in the world. Many people schedule their dream trips on random occasions when they have the day off and then find themselves miserable because they didn’t pick the right season. Many have to remember that the weather where you are is not the weather in other places of the world. Especially if there is a large ocean between your home and your travel destination. 

Specifically with Rome, traveling during the right weather is so important, it will determine the type of trip you have. Though Rome is beautiful year-round, the spring warms the city and brings it back to life. Anywhere north of Rome stays quite cold during the spring, same goes for many spots in that region of Europe. In many places in the states, it is either too cold or too hot in the spring. The spring weather in Rome is perfect. From March to May temperatures stay between 60 and 70. Perfect to get around with a light jacket and not too hot that you are sweating and uncomfortable. 

Then because of this weather, the people are out and about. I always say the best way to experience a new place is to live with the locals and experience how they live. That mindset isn’t just me though. They literally say “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” It would be impossible to follow the local crowd in the winter when they are all huddled in their houses and even harder in the summer the streets are crowded with tourists and the locals are home resting. In the spring, the people of Rome are excited that the cold winter is open and you’ll find them lively as they leave their houses, bike through the city, and enjoy their beautiful city. 

Find the perfect tours and experiences for the spring time in Rome here.

Fresh Foods/springtime specials and ingredients

Spring is the best time to visit Rome because of the Food. If you are reading this article from the United States, know that we know nothing of fresh food. Most of our food is processed, canned, fried, and frozen. Most of our fruits and vegetables are modified and somehow growing off-season. We have not truly lived when it comes to fresh food and seasonal ingredients. The best way to escape this lack of living would be to experience a place where the food comes and can only be served during the season for it. I always believe that if one plans to travel somewhere with such iconic food, they should go when it is freshly picked and tastiest.

During spring in Rome, you’ll find dishes served with fresh green fava beans and delicious artichokes. We all love a good artichoke dip or fried artichokes on a platter. If you come any time later than May, you will find no trace of any artichoke anywhere. Only in spring can you enjoy the delicious taste and know that it was freshly harvested and brought straight to you. It makes a pleasant experience and you will be able to taste the difference in the freshness. 

If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, you’ll find the Roman fragolina, a delicious little strawberry picked in the morning and served for your breakfast. You’ll find the freshest, perfectly sweet, and tart lemons on every restaurant table. Also to satisfy your sweet tooth are seasonal cherries packed with flavor and mixed into gelato. 

Spring Florals

Spring is also the best time to visit Rome because of the Blooming flowers, fruits on display, and the overall beauty. Sure you can come in the fall and find dried shrubs and plain green bushes, but in the spring, the world of Rome is magical. As spring brings bright colorful flowers to the rest of the world, so does spring Rome. What makes it different in Rome is the contrast between the colors of stone buildings and bright-colored flowers. Spring in Rome colors the cities and lets you see the world so much brighter as if seeing things through the eyes of a child. 

You can make an effort to spend time outside during your trip. As you explore the famous gardens of Vatican City or Aventine Hill, you’ll find large bushes full of bright roses and violets sitting beside stones. Even more special, as you take a tour bus through the city, you’ll find the streets lined with fresh oranges. The smell of citrus fills the air as you coast around and bask in the beauty of little oranges in front of tan stone buildings. Look towards the sky at the beautiful sunset rising over the city and watch the yellow daffodils blow into the street. 

I can continue to go on, but only seeing it in person can capture the feeling. The sight of Rome in the spring is beautiful. No other season will give you the same energy. Though each season has its perks, Spring is the only time you’ll find blooming flowers and fresh citrus coloring and enhancing the city’s aura.

Festivities

Lastly, the best time to visit Rome is spring because of the festivities. In the States, most of our most celebrated festivities are in the fall winter, and maybe one or two in the summer. As we want to follow the locals or Rome and celebrate the way they do, you’ll want to make your way to Rome during the spring to enjoy the most of their celebrations. 

During spring Rome celebrates the birth of Rome. On April 21st, you can find dozens of tourists and locals gathered for a large festival. In this festival, parades of people dressed in old Roman attire walk the streets and teach the history of Rome and how the city came to be. Seeing it in person is a wonderful experience. Not only is it fun and free, it is also incredibly educational. As I said in my first section, Rome transports you back in time and allows you to walk in the footsteps of the past. Well on the day of the birth of Rome, instead of walking in the footsteps you can walk with the footsteps of the past and be a part of it. 

Also, springtime in Rome means Easter. Rome takes Easter seriously, as the Vatican City is located inside of it. Easter celebrations take place for around a week in late March and early April. During this time hundreds gather around to hear the pope give the “Urbi et Orbi” speech on Easter Sunday. Then, on May 1st in Rome is their Labor Day. On this day, again, you’ll find large parades of locals celebrating in the streets. You can enjoy lively music, dancing, and cultural performances. Along with the beauty of flowers, you’ll see that everything is decorated with ribbons celebrating renewal and the beauty of spring. 

Enjoy Spring in Rome

All in all, there are so many reasons the best time to visit Rome is spring. Spring can tailor to the likes of every traveler. As the ice melts and the cold breeze stays north, Spring in Rome brings warmth. With that warmth comes life in the form of vibrant flowers, fresh food, and energetic locals. Enjoy spring in Rome and you’ll see the world for what it is, beautiful, ancient, and a wonder to experience. 

Have you already visited Rome? Are you looking for more destinations to visit during the spring? Here is my list of the best European travel destinations for the spring. Enjoy!