It’s the most magical season of the year… the city becomes less crowded and the crisp air fuses with the soft lights to create a unique festive atmosphere. Cafés, holiday lights, warm meals, and festive magic create the perfect stage for winter in Rome.
What to Eat
Winter in Rome is a season for comfort and depth. Try Coda alla Vaccinara, the Roman-style oxtail stew slowly simmered with tomato, celery, and cloves—served at traditional trattorias in Trastevere. Crisp and bitter puntarella greens, dressed with anchovy vinaigrette, are available only a few weeks - order them at our restaurant near the Spanish Steps, Da Mariolino. Sweeten things up with artisanal panettone from Regoli or Roscioli, especially the pistachio-filled versions. At Emme, our garden restaurant, warm up with Medaglione di Agnello—braised lamb shank in bell pepper cream, served with red chard.
What to Do
Browse Christmas markets in Piazza Navona for handmade gifts, mulled wine, and whimsical carousels. Glide across the ice rink at Castel Sant’Angelo, the fortress aglow with twinkle lights. For the faithful (or the simply curious), Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica is transcendent. On January 6th, celebrate the Epiphany with parades and costumed revelers at the Befana market.
What to See
Rome’s churches are filled with elaborate nativity scenes. Don’t miss the life-sized display in St. Peter’s Square, or the handmade crèche in Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill. For a more intimate encounter, step into Sant’Eustachio near Piazza Navona. Quiet piazzas like Piazza Mattei or Piazza dei Mercanti glow under lantern light.
Concierge Tip
We can secure a private visit to the Vatican Museums after-hours, or front-row seats at an Epiphany concert in a candlelit basilica.
Other Stories
Seasonal EventsSpring
There’s no season more evocative in the Eternal City than spring. As the chill of winter lifts, Rome reveals itself anew, wisteria spills over ancient walls, café terraces buzz gently with laughter, and golden afternoons stretch longer with each passing day.
Summer in Rome is pure theatre—long golden evenings along the Tiber, rooftop aperitivi with panoramic views, and live music echoing through ancient amphitheaters. Think Riverside revelry, rooftop aperitivi, and sultry evenings...
What to Eat
Summer is a season of abundance in Rome. Sample porchetta, the herb-stuffed roasted pork with a crispy skin, from the Campo de’ Fiori market, or try it served elegantly at Roscioli. Order grilled eggplant, tomatoes, and sweet peppersdressed in olive oil at traditional trattorias or grab them fresh at Testaccio Market. Cool off with fruit - Rome's summer jewels include figs, white peaches, and Sicilian watermelon. Look for peach-stuffed brioche at Pasticceria Boccione in the Ghetto.
What to Do
Every summer, the Tiber’s banks light up with Lungo il Tevere, a long promenade filled with bars, artisan stalls, and music stages. Outdoor venues like Rome Summer Fest at the Auditorium and Rock in Roma bring internationally known acts to Rome’s sultry evenings. In July, the Feast of Noantri animates Trastevere with parades, processions, and fireworks one of the most atmospheric celebrations of Roman identity.
What to See
Enjoy classical and pop concerts in ancient settings such as Circus Maximus or the courtyard of Castel Sant’Angelo, which often hosts nighttime performances. On Ferragosto (August 15), join Romans in celebrating with fireworks, outdoor feasts, and late-night walks—many museums and churches remain open. In the golden hours before sunset, stroll through the Forum or Piazza Venezia, where summer shadows and stone glow in perfect harmony.
Concierge Tip
We’ll arrange a VIP-access early morning tour of the Vatican or an afternoon visit to the shaded and air-conditioned Domus Aurea. Let us reserve gelato tastings across Trastevere or Prati—including cult favorites like Otaleg and Neve di Latte.
Autumn is Rome at its most poetic. The air cools, the light softens, and the city’s flavors deepen. Cultural life returns in full force, while parks and gardens burst into rich color. Indulge in truffles, take long garden walks, and savor the golden light.
What to Eat
Autumn in Rome brings rich and soulful flavors. Begin with tagliolini al tartufo, butter-laced pasta with freshly shaved black truffle—served with elegance at Antico Arco on the Janiculum. Savor tortelli di zucca (pumpkin ravioli) with sage butter and toasted amaretti at seasonal menus throughout Testaccio and Monti. Try guancia di manzo (braised beef cheek) with bitter broccoletti at Emme, or visit Forno Campo de’ Fiori for a slice of castagnaccio—chestnut cake with raisins, pine nuts, and rosemary.
What to Do
Autumn is perfect for cultural immersion. The Rome Jazz Festival returns in November with performances at Auditorium Parco della Musica and Casa del Jazz. Rent an e-bike and follow the Appian Way’s historic path as it weaves through vineyards and aqueducts. On weekends, sample olive oils, cheeses, and wine at the Campagna Amica Market near the Circus Maximus.
What to See
From mid-October to early November, explore the Rose Garden on the Aventine Hill in rare second bloom. Wander the romantic avenues of Villa Doria Pamphili and end your day watching the skyline turn copper from the Gianicolo Terrace. Churches are quieter now—step into Santa Maria in Trastevere or San Clemente for time travel in three dimensions.
Concierge Tip
We’re happy to plan a truffle hunting day trip in the countryside or a seasonal wine-pairing dinner in a private apartment terrace. Autumn is also ideal for art lovers—ask us for gallery previews and VIP Vernissage invites.
As the days grow longer and Rome shakes off the last traces of winter, the city becomes a theatre of beauty and inspiration. Its palaces, galleries, and piazzas open like petals in the sun, inviting travelers to stroll slowly, look closely, and let themselves be touched by what they see. Whether you're drawn to the quiet radiance of a painting or the joy of discovering a hidden courtyard during an open house visit, springtime in Rome brings culture to life with grace and warmth. Below, a curated guide to what’s unfolding across the Eternal City during your stay. Caravaggio 2025 – Palazzo Barberini (Until 6 July 2025) A rare and powerful encounter with one of Rome’s most beloved sons. In the heart of Palazzo Barberini, twenty-four canvases—some of them long-lost, others world-famous—come together to reveal Caravaggio’s darkness and brilliance. From the recently rediscovered Ecce Homo to the iconic Cardsharps, this exhibition is more than a retrospective—it’s a meditation on light, violence, and humanity. Munch: The Inner Scream – Palazzo Bonaparte (Until 2 June 2025) Edvard Munch arrives in Rome with a haunting collection of over 100 works from the Munch Museum in Oslo. Within the elegant rooms of Palazzo Bonaparte, visitors encounter not only The Scream in its lithographic version, but also quieter pieces that speak of love, loneliness, and memory. A deep and emotional exhibition that lingers long after you leave. Chromotherapy – Villa Medici (Until 9 June 2025) In the gardens and salons of the French Academy, color becomes a language of healing. Chromotherapy is an invitation to reflect on the way hues affect our moods and inner states. Works by contemporary photographers and visual artists are presented alongside site-specific installations in one of Rome’s most quietly magical spaces. Richard Avedon: Italian Days – Gagosian (Until 30 June 2025) In a sharp yet sensual collection of portraits and moments, the great Richard Avedon captures post-war Italy with unmatched clarity. The exhibition focuses on his travels through Rome, Naples, and Florence, offering glimpses of fashion shoots, film stars, and fleeting street scenes. Hosted in the Gagosian gallery on Via Francesco Crispi, this is a love letter to the elegance of another era. Frida Kahlo: A Photographic Life – Museo Storico della Fanteria (Until 20 July 2025) This quiet, moving exhibition traces Frida Kahlo’s life through the camera lenses of those who knew her. Intimate portraits, snapshots, and handwritten notes sketch the story of a woman whose image became legend. It’s less about myth, more about presence—the way she looked at the world, and how it looked back. Global Baroque – Museo di Roma, Palazzo Braschi (Until 13 July 2025) Step into the Rome of the 1600s, when the city wasn’t just shaping art history—it was looking out at the world. This exhibition weaves together paintings, sculptures, and rare documents to show how the Baroque was both intensely Roman and quietly international. Rome’s Birthday – Natale di Roma (21 April 2025) Each spring, Rome throws herself a birthday. Not the kind with cake and candles, but one with centurions marching in full regalia across the cobblestones and spectators leaning over the railings at Circo Massimo, half in awe, half in disbelief. On this day, the city remembers her founding myth—Romulus, the she-wolf, and that ancient moment when time itself seemed to begin. You don’t need to attend a parade to feel it. The air shifts. The stones remember. Festa della Liberazione (25 April 2025) Flags flutter quietly from balconies, and music rises from unexpected corners. You may stumble upon a brass band in a piazza or catch sight of schoolchildren laying flowers beneath commemorative plaques. The city doesn’t shout this holiday; it sings it gently. A day of memory and gratitude, when the past feels present and freedom is not taken for granted. Open House Roma (24 May – 1 June 2025) Palazzi, private homes, and little-known architectural gems welcome curious visitors for guided visits and conversations. From Fascist-era modernism to medieval towers, Open House is a chance to explore the layers of Rome through its walls, windows, and rooftops. Notte dei Musei – Night of the Museums (Date to be announced) One night a year, Rome’s museums stay open after dark. Entry is symbolic—just one euro—and the atmosphere is unforgettable. With candlelit galleries, open-air concerts, and nocturnal strolls through palaces and ruins, Notte dei Musei is a chance to see the city in a different light. Internazionali BNL d’Italia – Foro Italico (7–18 May 2025) In May, tennis returns to Rome in its most Roman form, played between statues and pines. At the Foro Italico, the matches unfold with precision. But the atmosphere is the real star of the show and pure theater: long shadows, murmuring crowds, the occasional breeze stirring through the cypress. It’s a tournament, yes, but also a ritual, a real Roman ritual. Wherever your interests lie, quiet contemplation, historical celebration, or the thrill of the game, Rome this spring offers something for every kind of traveler. Not just something to see, but something to remember.
Rome is one of the most important art cities in the world and for centuries has been welcoming artists to adorn its walls, ceilings, churches and palaces.
