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Rome in October
Photo: Ziegler

Rome · Best time to visit · October

Rome in October

Mild and fairly dry, busy at the main sights, about 11 hours of daylight. Weather, crowds and what to expect · updated 2026-11-01

Excellent time to visit
23°C / 73 °F
Average high
13°C / 56 °F
Average low
6days
Rain ≥ 1 mm
11.1h
Daylight · sunset 18:29
Excellent. October has soft golden light, afternoons around 22 °C and the Rome Film Fest at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in the second half.

01Weather

Rome weather in October

Afternoons in October average 23.0 °C (73 °F) and nights cool to 13.3 °C (56 °F). The month brings about 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain spread over roughly 6 days. Compared with September it is 4.5 °C cooler; November is 5.4 °C cooler again.

8°13°18°23°24°14°23°13°22°13°1102031
Average high and low in early, mid and late October (ERA5 daily data)

What the averages hide

In a typical OctoberValueWhat it means
Warm afternoons (90th percentile)26 °C / 79 °Fone day in ten is at least this warm
Cool afternoons (10th percentile)20 °C / 67 °Fone day in ten stays below this
Cold nights (10th percentile)9 °C / 48 °Fone night in ten is colder than this
Days above 30 °C (86 °F)0.3per month, average 2016–2025
Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F)0.0frost mornings per month
Chance of rain on any given day19 %at least 1 mm
Hottest / coldest October day 2016–202531.9 °C / 6.0 °Cextremes in the ten-year record
-5°0°5°10°15°20°25°30°35°40°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average daily high and low by month (°C)

02Daylight

Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day

DateSunriseSunsetDaylight
1 October07:0718:5211.8 h
15 October07:2218:2911.1 h
31 October06:4117:0510.4 h

Daylight shrinks by about 84 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Rome), including the clock change on the last Sunday of October.

03Crowds

How busy Rome is in October

busy  The main sights are busy in October. What drives it:

  • Rome Film Fest
  • mild, golden light
  • autumn rains begin

04Public holidays

Public holidays in October 2027

DateHoliday
4 Oct 2027St. Francis of Assisi's Day

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 October

Every year in October

EventWhenType
Rome Film Festmid to late October, Auditorium Parco della Musicaculture

07Packing

What to pack for Rome in October

  • layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
  • comfortable walking shoes
  • a compact umbrella for occasional showers

08Editor's notes

What the numbers don't tell you

October has soft golden light, afternoons around 22 °C and the Rome Film Fest at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in the second half. Rain returns, about eight days, usually in short heavy bursts that flood the cobbles for an hour. It is among the busiest autumn months, with prices close to spring levels, but the evenings are comfortable and the Forum is pleasant all day. The clocks go back on the last Sunday.

The Vatican Museums' queues are long throughout the month; afternoon slots are easier. The Romaeuropa performing-arts festival runs through the autumn. All Saints' Day on 1 November closes state museums the next day, so the final weekend is busy. Hotel rates fall in the last week as the Film Fest ends. For the same light with far fewer people and lower rates, November follows, at the price of more rain.

09Compare

Rome month by month

MonthHighLowRain daysSun hCrowdsVerdict
January13 °C4 °C10–quietGood
February15 °C6 °C9–quietGood
March16 °C7 °C8–moderateGood
April20 °C9 °C7–very busyGood
May24 °C13 °C5–busyExcellent
June30 °C18 °C4–busyExcellent
July33 °C21 °C2–busyGood
August32 °C21 °C2–moderateGood
September28 °C17 °C6–busyExcellent
October23 °C13 °C6–busyExcellent
November18 °C9 °C9–quietExcellent
December14 °C6 °C10–moderateGood

Not sure about October? See the best time to visit Rome.

10Elsewhere

October in nearby cities

11FAQ

Rome in October: your questions

Is October a good time to visit Rome?

October is one of the best months to visit Rome. Daytime highs average 23 °C (73 °F), rain falls on about 6 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.

What is the weather like in Rome in October?

Expect mild days around 23 °C (73 °F) and nights near 13 °C (56 °F). One October in ten brings afternoons above 26 °C, and one in ten stays below 20 °C.

Does it rain a lot in Rome in October?

October brings about 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain over roughly 6 days, which is fairly dry by Rome standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 19 percent.

What should I wear in Rome in October?

Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.

Is Rome crowded in October?

The main sights are busy in October. Main drivers: Rome Film Fest; mild, golden light; autumn rains begin.

What time does it get dark in Rome in October?

Around the middle of October the sun sets at about 18:29 and rises at 07:22, giving 11.1 hours of daylight.