01Weather
Rome weather in January
Afternoons in January average 12.8 °C (55 °F) and nights cool to 4.4 °C (40 °F). The month brings about 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with December it is 1.2 °C cooler; February is 2.0 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 16 °C / 61 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 9 °C / 48 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 32 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 3.4 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 31 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 20.0 °C / -4.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:37 | 16:49 | 9.2 h |
| 15 January | 07:35 | 17:03 | 9.5 h |
| 31 January | 07:23 | 17:23 | 10.0 h |
Daylight grows by about 48 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Rome).
03Crowds
How busy Rome is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- Epiphany on 6 January ends the holiday season
- winter sales
- museums at their emptiest
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Rome in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Epiphany (La Befana) market | to 6 January, Piazza Navona | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Rome in January
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is cool, often sunny between rainy spells, and the quietest month at the Vatican and Colosseum once Epiphany on 6 January ends the holiday season with the Befana market in Piazza Navona. The winter sales start that same week. Hotel rates are at their lowest, and you can see the Sistine Chapel without being pushed along. Afternoons average 12 °C, nights around 4 °C, and frost is rare in the centre.
Rain falls on about nine days, usually in a few wet spells rather than steady drizzle. Daylight runs from about half past seven to five. The first Sunday of the month brings free entry to state museums and the Forum, with queues to match; the Vatican's free last Sunday is on the 25th or thereabouts. Many restaurants close for annual holidays in the second half of January. For a mild-winter museum trip at minimum cost, it is the best month, closely followed by February.
09Compare
Rome month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13 °C | 4 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 15 °C | 6 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 20 °C | 9 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 13 °C | 5 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 30 °C | 18 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 33 °C | 21 °C | 2 | – | busy | Good |
| August | 32 °C | 21 °C | 2 | – | moderate | Good |
| September | 28 °C | 17 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 23 °C | 13 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 9 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Excellent |
| December | 14 °C | 6 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Rome.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Venice in January | 8 °C | 5 |
| Budapest in January | 4 °C | 10 |
| Barcelona in January | 15 °C | 4 |
| Prague in January | 4 °C | 10 |
| Paris in January | 7 °C | 13 |
| Amsterdam in January | 7 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Rome in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Rome?
January is a good month to visit Rome. Daytime highs average 13 °C (55 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Rome in January?
Expect cool days around 13 °C (55 °F) and nights near 4 °C (40 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 16 °C, and one in ten stays below 9 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Rome in January?
January brings about 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by Rome standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 31 percent.
What should I wear in Rome in January?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Rome crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: Epiphany on 6 January ends the holiday season; winter sales; museums at their emptiest.
What time does it get dark in Rome in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 17:03 and rises at 07:35, giving 9.5 hours of daylight.