There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Rome each year.
The main ones are listed below.
For all Italians, the 6th of January is the day when the benevolent white witch Befana, who predates Santa Claus in Italy, arrives on her broomstick with presents and candy for all children who have been good during the year. In Rome, Piazza Navona is converted into a huge playground for the occasion.
Week leading to Easter : Holy Week (Settimana Santa) (national holiday)In Rome, Holy Week begins with various religious events one week before Easter and culminates on Easter Sunday with a large mass in Saint Peter's Square.
April 25 : Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) (national holiday)Each year, this holiday commemorates the end of World War II in Italy. It is an opportunity for celebrations and parades throughout the city.
May 1 : Labour Day (Festa del lavoro) (national holiday)This holiday celebrates Labour Day throughout Italy, with various art groups setting up events in the city's historic centre: shows, workshops, street theatre…
June 2 : Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica Italiana) (national holiday)Commemorates the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Celebrations include a military parade on Via dei Fori Imperiali, after which the marvellous gardens of the Palazzo del Quirinale, the residence of the Italian president, are opened to the public.
August 15 : Assumption Day (Assunzione della Beata Vergine Maria) (national holiday)On this day, processions celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and popular dances take place all over Rome.
November 1 : All Saints Day (Ognissanti) (national holiday)All Saints Day is celebrated throughout Italy with various religious events, especially in the Churches of Rome.
November 4 : National Unity Day (Giorno dell'Unità Nazionale) (national holiday)On this day of official commemorations, Italy celebrates its Unity by the Kings of the House of Savoy, as well as the end of World War I. This national holiday pays tribute to the armed forces with various military parades.
December 25 : Christmas (Natale) (national holiday) December 26 : Saint Stephen's Day (Santo Stephano) (national holiday)This Italian holiday commemorates the birth of Saint Stephen. Traditionally, this day is dedicated to family time, with large and festive meals taking place.
| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3/37 | 12/54 | 70/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 3/37 | 13/55 | 70/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 5/41 | 15/59 | 57/2.2 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 8/46 | 18/64 | 79/3.1 | Good period to go
|
| May | 12/54 | 13/55 | 59/2.3 | Good period to go
|
| June | 16/61 | 28/82 | 31/1.2 | Good period to go
|
| July | 19/66 | 31/88 | 22/0.9 | Good period to go
|
| August | 19/66 | 31/88 | 29/1.1 | Good period to go
|
| September | 16/61 | 27/81 | 67/2.6 | Good period to go
|
| October | 12/54 | 22/72 | 98/3.9 | Good period to go
|
| November | 8/46 | 16/61 | 112/4.4 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 4/39 | 12/54 | 99/3.9 | Not the best period to go |
The Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is located about 32 kilometres (20 miles) southwest of the city centre and is easily accessible by train, car, taxi, and bus using the A91 motorway.
It is recommended to use public transport to get around the city. Although the city's underground rail system only has three lines, its bus, tram and light rail networks over excellent coverage.
Buses run frequently throughout the day and some lines also operate in the evening (one bus every half hour). Tickets may be purchased at kiosks, newsstands and from the self-service machines within the Rome Metro system. They cost EUR 1.50 and are valid for 75 minutes on any mode of transport, but including only one trip on the Metro. For further information, please visit the https://www.atac.roma.it/?lingua=ENG website.
The Rome Metro (called Metropolitana by Italians) has three lines: A, B and C. Line A, with 27 stations, runs from Battistini in the west of the city to Anagnina in the south-east, passing close to many of Rome's popular tourist sights. It is crossed by Line B, with 26 stations, including Colosseo (Colosseum), connecting Laurentina in the south to Rebibbia in the north. Line C has 22 stations, all of which opened in 2014 and 2015, with two additional ones currently under construction. However, this line does not pass through Rome's historic centre and is therefore of little interest for tourists. Roma 24 Ore tickets allow you to use unlimited transportation for 24 hours after first use (EUR 7). 48-hour and 72-hour versions are also available (EUR 12.50 and EUR 18 respectively). For further information, please visit the https://www.atac.roma.it/?lingua=ENG website.
Rome has six tram lines, all running very frequently during the day, which should therefore not be neglected as a mode of transport. Rome's trams use the same tickets as the Metro and buses.
It is easy to find taxis at Roma Termini station, near the city's main squares and at the major tourist attractions and landmarks. The base fare is EUR 3.00, with an additional EUR 1.10 per kilometre (0.6 miles) for short trips. The base fare is higher from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on Sunday, with extras for luggage and airport-bound rides.
Although traffic in Rome is very often chaotic, bicycles are an excellent way to get around the city. There are many bike rental shops and the city counts about 80 km of bike paths. On Sundays, parts of the city centre are closed to traffic, which allows you safe rides along the Imperial fora. The Lungotevere is another pleasant itinerary, along the Tiber river, as it provides different access routes.
Rome is a city built on a human scale and is very pleasant to visit on foot.
Upon your arrival in Rome, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Rome Tourist Office (Ufficio del Turismo di Roma)Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
At various locations throughout the city, Rome's tourist board operates these kiosks where you can obtain information and recommendations for your visit to the city and its surrounding area. Listed below are the main addresses for the PITs in Rome:
The official website of Italy's national tourist board (Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo, ENIT) provides a wealth of information on Rome: http://www.italia.it/en/home.html
The currency used in Italy is the Euro (EUR).
USD 1 = EUR 0.82
EUR 1 = USD 1.22
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Rome counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Rome. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
Tap water is safe to drink in Rome.
For a stay of less than three months, travellers from the Schengen area, as well as those from the countries of the European Union not included in the area, need only be in possession of a national identity card or a passport valid for the duration of their stay in order to enter Italy.
As a general rule, all other travellers are subject to visa requirements, although citizens of some countries may enter Italy for a short stay of up to 90 days without a visa.
For further information, visit the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Rome, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Italian phrases that will make your stay in Rome a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Buongiorno
Good evening: Buonasera
Goodbye: Arrivederci
Yes: Si
No: No
No, thank you: No, grazie
Thank you very much: Grazie mille
Please: Per favore
I don't understand: Non capisco
Could you repeat?: Può ripetere ?
What time is it?: Che ora è ? / Che ora sono ?
Sorry: Mi scusi (formal)
Excuse me: Scusatemi (plural)
Airport: Aeroporto
Train station: Stazione
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Hotel / Albergho
Hospital: Ospedale
Bank: Banca
Telephone: Telefono
I'm (…): Sono (…).
I'm looking for (…): Sto cercando (…).
How much is (…)?: Quanto costa ?
Do you have (…)?: Ha (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Dove si trova (…) ? / Dove posso trovare (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Dove si compra (…) ? / Dove posso comprare (…) ?
I'd like (…): Vorrei (…).
Tipping
In Rome like everywhere in Italy, a service charge (servizio) is usually included in the bill at restaurants. If the service is exceptional, you can certainly leave a few extra euros. Some restaurants also apply a cover charge (pane e coperto, literally "bread and cutlery"), which is not considered as a gratuity. You should therefore make sure beforehand that tip and cover charge are included in the bill!
