7 Best Things to Do This Winter in Rome

Rome is a stunningly beautiful city to explore at all times of year, and wintertime is no exception. The best things to do this winter in Rome include street fairs, nativity scenes, and family-friendly festivities. The city is especially lovely this time of the year, there may not be snow-filled streets on most years, but you’ll enjoy the crisp winter sunlight illuminating its many historical landmarks.

Check out this guide to Rome’s numerous winter attractions and start planning a year-end vacation in Italy’s gorgeous capital city.

Rome Hotels

1. Piazza Navona Christmas Market

Christmas cheer in Rome’s ancient square

Good for: Couples, Families, Shoppers

With its cafes, bars, and stunning architecture, Piazza Navona attracts crowds all year round, but at Christmas time, it’s one of Rome’s liveliest locations. Stalls and street vendors fill the ancient square that dates back to the 1st century AD. There are crafts, toys, and gift ideas galore, as well as Christmas tree decorations and seasonal red poinsettias (an iconic Christmas plant).

For any little ones in your group, a traditional carousel lights up the square. Parents can snack on seasonal fare like roast chestnuts, nougat, and gingerbread, while children queue to visit Santa in his grotto. Read more

Location: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Explore Piazza Navona Hotels

2. Ice Skating and Walking

Cool winter sunshine for ice skating and a stroll

Good for: Families, Photo

It rarely snows in Rome, and even in winter you’re likely to see many sunny days. The air temperature is cool and crisp, however, so wrap up with a scarf and gloves, bring your sunglasses, and head for the ice-skating rink outside Castel Sant’Angelo. There’s no better fun, especially if traveling with kids, than whizzing around the ice, surrounded by the beautiful city architecture.

From here, a short walk in the winter sunshine takes you along a maze of quaint, cobbled backstreets to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, with its glittering 12th-century mosaics and iconic Roman columns.

Location: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

3. Roman Nativity Scenes

The historic artistry of nativity scenes

Good for: History, Photo

The beautifully crafted nativity scenes you’ll see around Rome during the Christmas season are known as “presepi”, an art form that reached its height in the 16th century. The Christmas cribs appear in churches all over Rome, each detailed scene watched over by angels, lit up with fairy lights, and complete with straw, lambs, and asses.

If you’d like to see more, visit the “100 Presepi” exhibition at the Sala del Bramante cultural center on Piazza del Popolo, with its collection of beautiful nativity scenes brought together from all across Italy.

Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

4. Saint Peter’s Basilica

A vast Christmas tree at an iconic church

Good for: History, Photo

Rome’s Christmas celebrations focus on St Peter’s Basilica, where a vast, twinkling Christmas tree and impressive, life-size nativity scene welcome visitors in the center of St Peter’s Square.

The enormous basilica (designed by iconic architects including Michelangelo) is perfumed with the scent of incense on Christmas Eve as worshippers gather to watch the Pope preside over midnight Mass. The next day, join pilgrims from around the world filling St Peter’s Square to hear the Pope give his Christmas Day message.

Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

5. Il Pagliaccio

Festive fare at this high-end restaurant

Good for: Couples, Families, Food

Rome’s locals celebrate Christmas with a festive dinner on Christmas Eve, and fish rather than turkey is the menu’s hero. Book a table at Il Pagliaccio, in the historic Via dei Banchi Vecchi region, to make merry at Christmas with top quality food and high-end service.

You can choose from the seasonal tasting menu or a la carte menu. You’ll find delicious fish and seafood in many dishes across the menu, which is often served with spaghetti or ravioli. You’re also likely to encounter a regional Christmas specialty, capitone, which is baked, fried, stewed, or roasted eel.

Location: Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 129/a, 00186 Rome RM, Italy

Open: Tuesday–Friday from 7.30 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 12.30 pm to 2 pm and 7.30 pm to 10 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Phone: +39 06 6880 9595

6. Piazza del Popolo

Awe-inspiring New Year’s Eve fireworks

Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife

Capodanno, or New Year’s Eve, is a special highlight during winter holidays in Rome. Hotels and restaurants host fixed-price dinners, with spiced pork sausage the traditional specialty and sparkling prosecco the celebratory drink.

Festive crowds make their way to the vast, oval-shaped square, Piazza del Popolo, which is dominated by Rome’s oldest obelisk. Locals release firecrackers and the midnight sky lights up with an impressive fireworks display choreographed to a musical soundtrack. Get here early, during daylight, to explore the square’s numerous historic and architectural monuments.

Location: Piazza del Popolo, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

7. Carnevale in Rome

Carnival celebrations with a focus on children

Good for: Families, Food, Shoppers

In February you can almost feel a hint of spring in the air when Carnevale comes to a climax in Rome. This historical celebration has a particular focus on children’s entertainment, so families will find a great amount to enjoy.

Buy special sugar-dusted pastries from stalls across Rome, and admire revelers in colorful costumes and masks. The Piazza Navona fair stays open all night on the weekend before Ash Wednesday, when a traditional character called Befana distributes sweets and presents to children.

Location: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.