Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Rome. From March to May, the Eternal City awakens with blooming gardens, seasonal dishes, outdoor performances, and golden evenings. It’s the perfect season to slow down, explore on foot, and experience la dolce vita — especially around the Spanish Steps, Via Margutta, and Piazza del Popolo.

Rome in Spring: A City in Bloom

There is no season more evocative in Rome than spring. Wisteria spills over historic façades, markets overflow with fresh produce, and evenings stretch longer under soft golden light. The city invites you to slow down, wander, and savor life — exactly as Romans do.

Here is how to experience Rome at its most radiant.

What to Eat in Rome in Spring

Spring announces itself first on the plate. Roman cuisine follows the seasons closely, and this is one of its most generous moments.

• Carciofi alla Romana
  Tender artichokes braised with garlic, mint, and olive oil — best enjoyed in the Jewish Ghetto or at Da Mariolino, just steps from the Spanish Steps.
• Vignarola (April only)
  A rustic Roman stew of fava beans, peas, artichokes, and pancetta — fleeting, humble, and deeply seasonal.
• Paccheri with prawns and spring artichokes
  A lighter, elegant take on Roman pasta that captures the freshness of the season.
• Fragoline di Nemi
  Tiny wild strawberries from the volcanic hills south of Rome, often served with vanilla gelato at EMME Restaurant.

What to Do in Rome in Spring

Spring is made for walking, gardens, and culture in the open air.

• Villa Borghese in Bloom
  Spend a morning among blossoming trees in Villa Borghese, then step inside the Galleria Borghese to admire Bernini’s sculptures and Caravaggio’s paintings.
• Azaleas at the Spanish Steps
  Every April, thousands of azaleas cascade down the Spanish Steps during Rome’s Festa di Primavera — a fleeting but unforgettable sight.
• Open House Roma
  This annual spring event opens the doors to hundreds of normally inaccessible buildings, from modernist villas to historic palazzi, offering a rare look inside Rome’s architectural layers.

What to See in Rome in Spring

As temperatures soften, Rome’s cultural calendar moves outdoors.

• Opera at the Baths of Caracalla
  Experience a performance beneath the stars at the ancient Baths of Caracalla — one of the most atmospheric venues in Europe.
• Natale di Roma — April 21
  Celebrate Rome’s legendary founding with historical reenactments and parades at the Circo Massimo.
• Wisteria Walks
  Stroll beneath cascading purple blossoms on Via Margutta or in the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci), where spring perfumes the air.

Concierge Tip: Spring Evenings in Rome

There is something quintessentially Roman about sipping a Negroni or a glass of Franciacorta as the sky turns amber. For a local favorite, arrive at the rooftop of Babuino 181 just before sunset.

Our concierge can also arrange private access to homes and architectural landmarks during Open House Roma, as well as tailored spring itineraries across the city.