January in Rome is low season. It is the ideal time for museum visits, for cheap shopping and for delicious winter specialties.
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January in Rome
January is one of the few months when the life of Romans takes place mainly indoors. Romans like to meet in a bar for an extensive exchange of views and enjoy delicious winter Roman gastronomy in a cozy restaurant.
For visitors to the city, it is also mainly about visiting museums and churches. In January, there is no crowding and pushing. Take your time and enjoy the cultural treasures of Rome and the Vatican at your leisure.
To really get to know the city, choose accommodation in the center between the Colosseum and Piazza del Popolo. Public transport is then rarely needed, possibly for the trip to the Vatican or to the outer districts of the city. You can find out how to find an affordable room and which areas are best in our information on Hotels in Rome.
How cold it is
According to statistics, the maximum temperatures in Rome in January are 13° C / 55° F, the minimum temperatures 3° C / 37° F. Frost is rare. January is the coldest month in Rome.
In January it can rain occasionally. For the most part, the rain does not last long and you can wait in a church or bar until it passes.
Climate data January
| Tmax Ø | 11°C/51.8°F |
| Tmin Ø | 4°C/39.2°F |
| Sunshine hours Ø | 3.7 |
| Days with rain Ø | 8 |
Source: www.wetter.com
Most rarely, there are years when there is prolonged drizzle in January. So it is quite advisable to follow the weather forecast and then adjust accordingly.
It is memorable when there is snow or frost in Rome. That only happens once in three or four years. This particular spectacle then goes through all the newspapers.
Since you spend a lot of time outdoors in Rome, you will need warm clothing and rain protection. Comfortable shoes are also important in Rome, as you will be walking a lot and the sidewalks are often bumpy.
What’s on
The winter sales begin at the end of the Christmas season on January 6th. Whether luxury brands or inexpensive goods, you will find the latest fashion at greatly reduced prices.
There are fewer visitors to Rome in January because it’s pretty cold.
If you would like to visit the museums in Rome and the Vatican, January is one of the best months for you. You are almost alone in the museums and benefit from shopping in the winter sales.
Winter Sales Shopping
Italian fashion is known worldwide and everyone will envy you for your purchases. From January 6th you can find interesting bargains in the winter sales.
The luxury brands can be found around Via dei Condotti, which leads from the Spanish Steps to Via del Corso. Along Via del Corso you will find shops in all price ranges.
Welcome to Rome Multimediashow
In the center of Rome, between the Vatican and Piazza Navona, a 30-minute multidimensional film show and an exhibition with interactive models await you.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 203 
Bus 46, 62, 64, 916 C.so Vittorio Emanuele / Navona
A special consumption temple is the department store La Rinascente in via del Tritone. In the basement you can visit the ancient aqueduct which supplies water to the Trevi Fountain and the fountains in Piazza Navona. On the roof terrace you have a wonderful view over the city.
Also in the side streets around Piazza Navona and around Campo de ‘Fiori there are many nice little shops and boutiques.
Other shopping streets are Via Cola di Rienzo and Via Appia. The Via Marconi and the Via Tuscolana as well as the newly built shopping centers are too far away from the center for most tourists. Read about shopping in Rome.
Opening hours in January
St. Peter’s Basilica
Basilica 7 am – 6:30 pm – dome 8 am – 5 pm – treasure 9 am – 5:15 pm
More information about St. Peter’s Basilica>
Vatican Museums
Monday – Saturday 8 – 17 Closing 19, January 2 – 5 8 – 18 Closing 20, Closed Sundays and January 1 and 6. Free admission on Sunday 28 9 – 12:30 closing 14:00.
Details on the Vatican Museums>
City museums and national museums
In Rome, some of the museums belong to the municipality and some to the state. Almost all museums are closed on 1 January.
The city’s museums include the Capitoline Museums, Trajan’s Markets, Imperial Forums and numerous other museums. National museums include the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Borghese Gallery and many more. For the full list of museums, opening times and tickets, see our Rome Museums page.
Free entry
Free admission to all national museums and the museums of the Municipality of Rome on January 7.
Exhibitions Rome January
Events
Papal audiences and masses in January
General audiences of the Holy Father take place on Wednesdays at 9 am.
The Pope’s Angelus prayer takes place on Sundays and on January 6th at noon in St. Peter’s Square.
Papal masses are on January 1st and 6th.
Traffic-calmed Sunday
January 14, Traffic-calmed Sunday – driving ban for private vehicles with combustion engines in the city center
7:30 am – 12:30 pm, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Concerts
Rome has a lively music scene. Many pubs and music venues offer live music, especially on weekends. Classical music can be found in many churches and palaces.
Rome’s Music Park
A jewel is the Parco della Musica, built by the internationally known architect Renzo Piano, in northern Rome on Via Flaminia. See all events here. Events and tickets
Tram 2
There are several auditoriums and an open-air stage in the Parco della Musica. There are performances in all styles.
Some events are also organized together with the Casa del Jazz. Events and Tickets Casa del Jazz
Bus 160, 671, 714, 792
Amusement parks
In Rome and the surrounding area there are a few parks that offer a welcome change. However, in winter they are mostly only open on weekends and public holidays. The parks are decorated for Christmas and the children can get to know Santa Claus.
Luneur
The Luneur Park offers many rides. It is located in the south of the city in the EUR district on Via Cristoforo Colombo. The opening times in winter are irregular, mostly Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in summer daily until midnight. On the Luneur website you can see the calendar with the opening days. Bus connections are lines 30, 170, 714 and 791, Colombo / Agricoltura stop. From there it is 750m to the entrance on Via delle Tre Fontane 100.
Cinecittà World
Cinecittà World is a theme park with numerous rides. It is located next to the outlet center Castel Romano on Via Pontina between Rome and Pomezia. The park is open 11 – 18 until January 8.
The park can be reached by car or by regional buses. There is a shuttle bus to the adjacent outlet center from Termini station. Cinecittà World tickets
About Roman cuisine in winter, shopping and excursions read Winter in Rome.
