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 coldest months in Rome. Romans enjoy the delicious winter Roman cuisine in a cozy restaurant.
For tourists, this is the ideal time to visit museums and churches, as there are no crowds and shoving like in the high season. Take your time and enjoy the cultural treasures of Rome and the Vatican at your leisure.
Accommodation is reasonably priced. Treat yourself to the best location between the Colosseum and Piazza del Popolo. You can then reach almost all the sights on foot. You can find tips on inexpensive accommodation in our information on Hotels in Rome.
How cold it is
January is the coldest month in Rome. The Romans dress as if they were setting off on a North Pole expedition. Compared to northern Europe, however, the temperatures are very mild. Frost is rare.
It can rain occasionally in January. The rain usually doesn’t last long and you can wait in a church or bar until the rain has passed.
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
So pack a rain cape or umbrella.
It is memorable when in Rome is snow or frost. This only happens once every three or four years. This special spectacle is then reported in all the newspapers.
Comfortable shoes are also important in Rome, as you will be walking a lot and the sidewalks are often bumpy.
What’s on?
The end of the Christmas season marks the start of the winter sales. Take the opportunity to go shopping in Rome. Whether you’re looking for luxury brands or affordable goods, you’ll find the latest fashion at greatly reduced prices.
The museums offer numerous exhibitions and the music scene offers a wide range of classical concerts, musicals and operas.
Shopping in the winter sales
Italian fashion is known all over the world and you will be the envy of everyone for your purchases. From January 5, 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 the Via del Corso you will find stores 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 7-19.10 – dome 7.30-17 – treasure 7.30-18.30
More information about St. Peter’s Basilica>
Colosseum
9-15.30 closing 16.30
Open on January 1, free admission on Sunday, January 7
Details about the Colosseum>
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. Many museums are open on January 1st. You can find more details in our article on New Year in Rome.
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
As part of the Capodarte town festival, the museums of the municipality of Rome are open from 11 a.m. on January 1 and admission is free. 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
January
No Events
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.
