Thinking of planning a trip to Rome in February? After staying in Rome for all of February 2026 I think it’s the perfect time to visit the Eternal City, especially if you’re traveling for a week or longer.
Since February is low season you can expect lower airfare and accommodation costs and fewer crowds.
But visiting Rome in late winter is not the best time for everyone. If you prefer hot weather, then I think you will find Rome is too cold in February, but keep reading to decide for yourself.
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Pros vs Cons Visiting Rome During February
Of course there are always pros and cons to everything, so here are some points to consider before booking a trip to Rome in February.
Pros of Rome in February
- Lower costs for accommodations
- Fewer tourists at attractions, especially early mornings
- Easier to get tickets to events and reservations at restaurants
- Airfare is generally cheaper for February flights
- Less chance of sunburn and no chance of sizzling hot weather
In fact, the warmest day on record for February in Rome is 22 C (71 Fahrenheit) on February 27, 2019.
Cons of Rome in February
- Cooler weather with a chance of rain
- Shorter daylight hours (sunrise around 7 am and sunset around 5:30 pm)
- Some sites have reduced opening hours
- Need to pack extra clothing (jacket, scarf, etc) for colder weather
- Lots of trees without foliage make it less picturesque than spring, summer, autumn
For me the positives definitely outweigh the negatives for visiting Rome in February since I prefer cooler weather, fewer crowds, and my budget loves the cheaper accommodations and lower airfare prices.
If you hate cold weather, then Rome in February is not a good option; instead, I recommend booking something towards late April or early May. But remember that prices go up with the temperatures, and you can expect to pay at least double (or triple) for accommodation in summer months compared to February.
Learn more about the best time to visit Italy depending on your interests and weather preferences.
Me at the Castel Sant’ Angelo rooftop with a view of St Peter’s Basilica
The Weather in Rome in February
- Average daytime highs: 14 C (57 Fahrenheit)
- Average overnight lows: 6 C (43 Fahrenheit)
- Average number of days with some rain: 13
Does it snow in Rome? The last snowfall in Rome was February 26, 2018. It rarely snows in Rome.
In February Rome weather can be unpredictable, so it’s beneficial if you can travel last minute when the forecast shows sunny days ahead.
Or if you’re in Rome for a week or more and have more flexibility with your schedule, you can do indoor stuff on colder days and spend sunny days outdoors.
Rome is near the coast; therefore, the weather is more difficult to predict. In February you can expect some windy and rainy days and variable weather throughout the day.
I spent the month of February 2026 in Rome, and there were lots of beautiful sunny days, especially during the last two weeks of the month. The first two weeks there were a couple of days with mostly rain but lots of days with a mix of sun, wind, and some rain. The sun made an appearance almost every day of the month.
I recommend bringing layers to wear on the colder days and bringing a small backpack or a bag to stash your jacket or vest if you don’t need it later in the day.
Although February is late winter in Rome, it feels much more like spring. The daffodils, daisies, and cherry plum trees are blooming, the grass is green, and it feels good to be outdoors.
February feels like spring in Rome with lots of flowers blooming already
Sunny days in February are best for visiting sites like the Colosseum
Things to Do in Rome in February
All the top attractions like the Colosseum, Forum, and Pantheon are still busy in February, although less busy on rainy days, and you’ll see far fewer crowds than in high season.
I think it’s always a good idea to keep a list of both indoor and outdoor things to do so that you can survey your options depending on the weather and your mood.
Keep in mind that some of the attractions need to be booked several days or weeks in advance (for instance, the Borghese Gallery) and you won’t necessarily know what the weather will be like.
However, in mid-February I was able to book a ticket for the Colosseum (full experience Arena + first and second floors, Forum, Palatine) only 3 days in advance. That’s not possible during high season in Rome.
Outdoor things to do in Rome
- Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon (best on sunny days)
- Victor Emmanuel II Monument
- Villa Borghese
- Piazza del Popolo
- Villa Celimontana and Celio Archeological Park
- Aqueducts
- Appia Antica (The Appian Way)
Rome in February is as beautiful as ever but with fewer crowds
In February dining al fresco in Rome is still common, as seen here at Tonnarello in Trastavere
Indoor things to do in Rome
- Capitoline Museums
- Borghese Gallery (reserve tickets several weeks in advance)
- Take a Cooking Class
- Museum of Rome in Trastevere
- Leonardo Da Vinchi Museum
- National Museum
- Case Romane del Celio (dress warm; it’s underground)
- Churches (there are over 900 in Rome)
- Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica
- Catacombs Tour
On colder days in February visit Rome’s magnificent museums
The churches in Rome are extraordinary on rainy or sunny days in February
Packing for a February Trip to Rome
Rather than packing a lot of bulky cold-weather clothing, I recommend packing a variety of clothing that you can layer in order to keep warm.
I found that on cooler days I was comfortable wearing a long-sleeve top, lightweight down vest, waterproof/windproof jacket, scarf, and my toque (knit cap).
On the warmest days I was wearing short-sleeve tops and jeans in the sun but also brought my leather jacket to wear in the shade, where it felt quite a bit cooler.
Here’s my list of clothing essentials that I packed for my Rome February trip and would bring again.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Wool socks
- Windbreaker/Waterproof jacket
- Scarf or buff
- Hat for colder days
- Small umbrella (some lodgings provide umbrellas, so check with yours)
- Long-sleeve and short-sleeve tops
- Long pants, jeans, or dress slacks
- Winter jacket
- Down vest or polar fleece vest
- Merino wool top and leggings for cold days outdoors
For footwear, bring your most comfortable shoes that won’t get ruined in wet weather. You’ll want something with a good grip on the sole; running shoes are a good option. I wore my trail running shoes because they’re lightweight and have Vibram grip soles.
Things I Packed But Didn’t Wear
My merino wool leggings and long-sleeve top didn’t get worn, but I would probably pack them again just in case of colder weather.
I brought my ultralight packable down jacket but never wore it. Instead, on sunny days I wore my leather jacket; on colder days I wore my waterproof rain jacket over my lightweight down vest and a long-sleeve top. Still, I would pack the ultralight down jacket again since it fits easily into the outside pocket of my carry-on roller bag.
Gloves are nice to have, and I packed a pair but didn’t wear them at all during February in Rome.
I enjoyed walking a portion of the Appian Way on a sunny Sunday afternoon
Final Thoughts
Now you have a good idea of what to expect when visiting Rome in February, including the pros and cons, weather conditions, what to wear, and things to do (both indoors and outdoors). Choosing February to visit Rome is an excellent idea for budget-conscious travelers and those who like to avoid hot weather and the crowds of peak season.
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