I have never traveled to Rome in the "colder" months and have two questions for those who have or who live there:
The weather charts show the middle of February is usually cool weather but not cold. True?
How bad are the crowds in February? I know Rome is always crowded but there is crowded and there is SUMMER CROWDED.
The only times I've been to Rome have been when I was either going to die from the heat or the crowds. Never again.
If October is any guide, I was there the last week of the month on my Best of Italy tour in 17 Days and the crowds were quite manageable. I was trying to avoid the heat and summer crowding by going in October on this tour. The temperatures were in the 60 - 70 degree range, very pleasant and I would expect light crowds in February but the temperature I don't know since I have not been there then. Expectations would be in the coolish range but I don't know how cold. I am going back March 24 for RS 7 Days tour of Rome.
Certain places are always crowded like the Borghese Gallery. Several of our tour mates went to the Vatican and St. Peter's in our free time and reported that it was quite packed.
Enjoy!
Judy B
Define "cold". When I lived in Miami and moved to Roma, February was cold for me, but I live in Toledo OH now, so...
A mid-weight coat will do, layering is key,
Very few tourists, most are in Venezia for carnevale.
I have been to Rome several times in February, towards the end of the month. The weather each time was cool, I recall it being in the 50's during the day, cold if cloudy and raining, pleasant if Sunny. I wore a fleece jacket under a leather jacket, sometimes leaving the fleece jacket off, so layers are a good strategy.
Crowds are still there, but shallower. still lines, but not as long; Piazzas busy, but not shoulder to shoulder; easy to get a seat at restaurants, buses have open seats.
Overall, it is a great time to go to Rome, I will however probably try maybe later March the next time, few more foods coming into season, weather a few degrees warmer, just avoid the holy days.
And Paul, that is my raison d'etre for being an off-season tourist--all the wonderful things that you mention. We will be at a Rome apartment for six nights at the end of February, and the only restaurant reservation I'll have to make--actually already done--is because we arrive on a Sunday, and most are closed on that day, so with a little jet lag I wanted something for sure within walking distance.
But other than that, it's like you say. People, but not so many. Small lines. Maybe a seat on a bus occasionally. I'll revel in it.
The weather is a comparative thing. Coming from Chicago, where there's still usually a glacier at the end of February, highs of 50 and lows of 40 will be a pleasure with no snow or ice. I'll have a Columbia fleece and an ultralight down jacket, the kind that when not in use folds into its own pocket to the size of a softball. Used it last year and was snug but not too warm when the sun came out. Hat & gloves too just in case.
You can go to wunderground.com to see actual day-by-day temperatures going back more years than you'll care to look at. I find that kind of data more useful than the monthly averages offered on Wikipedia, which shows that the average low is under 40F.
On Wunderground you can enter a date, then when the initial data appears, select the "Monthly" tab. Scroll down to find the temperature graph, which shows the variation over the course of the month (not just a single temp per day).
We loved our time in Rome in winter! It was delightful to be out in moderate temps with no crowds at all. Your biggest hazard will be overheating in museums with your coats on, but many have coat checks and lockers. Still reserving the Borghese is advised, ditto the Vatican. The Palazzo delle Esposizioni often has great exhibitions in off-season that are worth seeing, BTW.
