When is the best time of year to visit Rome? There are a lot of good things to be said about taking trips to Rome in the off-season. From October to May, you’ll have fewer crowds to contend with at the most popular sites, and you’ll enjoy more temperate weather when you’re out exploring. Just make sure you avoid Easter week in the spring, when you may find many attractions and restaurants closed for the holiday.

Summer is the busiest time of year, and when most travelers will be taking trips to Rome, Italy. The upside is that you’ll enjoy plenty of long, sunny days to explore the city—and hot weather is the perfect excuse for taking an extra gelato break (or two).

For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you can’t beat our Rome vacation packages that visit the city for New Year’s Eve. It’s an excellent time to soak in the sights and celebrate among locals.

If you’re planning a trip to Rome, it’s probably because you’ve already got the Colosseum and Roman Forum on your “must-see” list. On our Rome tours, you’ll be able to skip the lines at these top attractions—which means you’ll have more time for sightseeing and learning about your surroundings.

All our Rome guided tours are led by a local expert who’ll help bring ancient history to life. You’ll also enjoy free time to explore the city on your own, or you can add excursions to uncover more of your destination. On our Rome tours, you’ll find excursions to the Vatican and St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Catacombs, and even a cooking class. All of our Rome guided tours make it easy to see the best of the city, with local experts leading the way.

Roman food includes well-known Italian classics (we mean pizza), but while you’re there you may want to keep your eye out for meals that are distinctly Romana*. Pastas like *cacio e pepe, spaghetti tossed with pepper and pecorino cheese, and amatriciana, a spicy tomato sauce with guanciale, are two famous dishes that hail right from Rome.

On Rome tours in the off-season, you might find fried artichokes—a classic dish made by popular by Rome’s Jewish residents. Speaking of fried food, there’s also supplí, a rice ball that’s similar to Sicilian arancini.

No matter what, you’re sure to find something delicious to eat in Rome. With our Rome vacation packages, you’ll enjoy included meals that highlight the cuisine of the region. Plus, you can rely on your Tour Director—a local expert!—to point you toward the city’s best restaurants in your free time.

Even in the winter, the weather in Rome is fairly temperate. So, no matter when you travel, it’s a safe bet to say you can leave the heavy coat at home. You will want to pack light layers so that you’re comfortable for cooler mornings or evenings, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes is a must. All our guided tours to Rome involve some walking on cobblestone streets and unpaved ground, so you’ll want something you can wear for light activity. In the summer, you may want extra sun protection as days can get especially hot and humid.

Once you’ve booked one of our Rome vacation packages, you’ll receive a more detailed packing list that’s tailored to your trip! You can also download our Tour Companion App to take all the info you need to know on the go.