Visiting Rome in January offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the Eternal City without crowds, but it requires careful preparation when it comes to clothing.
This is a month with damp and cold weather, so you'll need warm, comfortable, and rain-appropriate clothing. In this guide you'll discover exactly what to wear, how to look stylish like the locals, and how to follow the dress code when visiting religious and historical sites like the Vatican and Colosseum.
So, January is a good month to visit Rome, because of the fewer tourists and peaceful atmosphere.
However, January is also one of the coldest months of the year in the Eternal City, so it's important to dress appropriately so you can enjoy Rome's most beautiful piazzas and archaeological sites while staying comfortable. Warm winter coats and jackets, scarves, and hats are essential, and you'll also want to bring an umbrella.
Rome often gets rain in winter, and although snow is rare (see below), in January the Eternal City has temperatures that'll make you wonder if snowflakes might appear.
Yes, it gets that cold!
Besides the weather, your January packing list for Rome should also account for the Christmas holidays, which take place during the first week of the month.
In Rome and Italy as a whole, the Christmas season continues until January 6th, when Epiphany is celebrated. This may not significantly impact your clothing choices.
However, if you're planning to join the festivities, go out for a fancy dinner, or attend a Christmas concert, dressing for the occasion will be important.
Last but not least, you'll want your winter Rome packing list to include items suitable for visiting the Vatican. Access to St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel depends on following a strict dress code, so we'll talk about that toward the end of this article.
How Cold Is It in Rome in January?
Rome gets surprisingly cold in January. Although Rome's location means temperatures almost never drop below freezing, the humidity can make even a not-so-cold day feel bone-chilling.
Especially in the late afternoon and evening, the cold can easily creep into your bones and put an abrupt end to your pleasant walk.
High temperatures in Rome in January - 12°C/54°F
Low temperatures in Rome in January - 4°C/39°F
Number of rainy days - 7 days
To stay warm in Rome in January, you'll need a proper winter coat or jacket, a winter wool sweater, thick socks, and waterproof shoes. However, you don't need extras like thermal underwear or insulated boots.
Should I Bring Snow-Appropriate Clothing?
Snow in Rome is rare. We can count on one hand the times it's snowed in Rome over the past decade, and in most of those cases the snow was little more than a light dusting that disappeared within a few hours.
However, when Rome does get snow, it usually happens in January or early February, so it makes sense to check the forecast if you're traveling to Rome during the coldest months of the year.
My best advice for packing for snow is: don't. Unless you know from reliable weather forecast sources that Rome will get heavy snow, you can save space in your suitcase and leave the snow boots at home.
Under normal conditions, even if snow does fall, it won't be enough to require special gear, and you'll be fine with winter boots and a good coat.
If possible, I highly recommend choosing ones with rubber soles: they'll be great in the unlikely event of snow and can be fantastic everyday shoes regardless of whether it's rainy or sunny.
What to Wear in Rome in January: Essential Clothing
When packing for Rome in January, I recommend bringing:
- Underwear and socks (thermal ones aren't necessary)
- Tights if you're wearing skirts/dresses
- Long-sleeved tops
- Short-sleeved tops for layering
- Warm vest
- Warm sweater - merino wool is probably sufficient if you're used to cold weather. Otherwise I recommend thicker/warmer sweaters
- Short-sleeved wool blouses - these are common for women, worn over long-sleeved tops
- Winter jacket, ideally waterproof - parkas are common in Rome; for a more elegant look you can choose a wool coat, black/camel and red work well this season
- Knee-length skirt/dress - appropriate for the Vatican and visiting churches in Rome
- Jeans/long pants
- Button-down shirts for men
- Sleepwear (pajamas, nightgown: cotton or similar is fine, doesn't need to be fleece, but not summer pajamas either)
- Blazer for men (for smart casual during the day or for dinner)
- Appropriate winter jacket, rain-resistant
- Scarf
- Winter gloves and hat
Style Tips
The best type of clothing for Rome to feel comfortable, stylish, and fit in is business casual. This basically includes well-fitted pants (denim is fine, though most common among younger people), wool tops, accessories, and a good coat.
A popular look for women in Rome in January that can be comfortable and stylish for travel is pairing pants with a long-sleeved top and a short-sleeved sweater on top. This is a popular look year-round and looks great if you add a statement necklace.
Italian women love necklaces: paired with a simple black top, they can transform an ordinary top into evening wear, which greatly simplifies your Rome packing list!
Heeled shoes are difficult on Rome's cobblestones, so you don't need to pack them.
The best shoes for Rome in winter are ankle boots or platform boots: they're very comfortable but also stylish, and are versatile enough to be your only pair of shoes if luggage space is limited.
Style tip for men: Men in Rome love blazers for dressier occasions, often worn over quality denim (younger men only), chinos, or similar pants.
Unless you're going to a high-end restaurant, you usually don't need a tie in Rome.
A good knit sweater, shirt, and nice accessories will be comfortable and perfect for most places and will make you feel appropriately dressed in most situations.
For fancier places though, a button-down shirt, tie, and blazer are best, as they'll help you pass the dress code that's often required on these occasions.
Style tip for women: Italian women love scarves! In January you want your scarf to be beautiful but also protect you from the elements: large wool scarves are popular among Italian women.
Men also wear scarves: darker colors are popular, like burgundy. When deciding what to pack for Rome in January, this is a must-have item!
Outerwear: The Best Coats and Jackets for Rome in January
January in Rome is quite cold, so I recommend bringing a proper winter coat. Leather jackets and puffy mid-season coats will probably leave you freezing: I recommend choosing a proper winter coat with a water-resistant outer layer.
Parkas are common in Rome, as are warm jackets like Canada Goose, Columbia, Barbour, or Patagonia (or non-branded alternatives that mimic these styles).
Style-wise, longer jackets in dark colors will help you blend in with the locals.
Very sporty items are popular among younger people, while those over 40 tend to choose more elegant and understated looks.
For dressier occasions, wool coats are appropriate for both men and women, but watch out for rain: in Rome when it rains, it pours!
The Best Shoes for Rome in January
You don't want to fill your luggage with too many pairs of shoes; however, January in Rome can be rainy, so it's essential to have dry shoes you can change into if your main pair needs time to dry.
Specifically, I recommend packing:
- One pair of good, broken-in walking shoes, like sneakers or ankle boots
- A second pair of shoes in case the first gets wet
- A third pair of evening shoes, like ballet flats, for going out at night
- For men, I recommend stylish sneakers or Camper-style walking shoes for touring
- A second pair of dress shoes for evenings out
- I also recommend bringing "indoor" shoes for the hotel.
Good to know! For men, one pair of Camper-style shoes may be enough to take you from day to night, depending on the exact style you choose. For women, foldable ballet flats can be an easy addition to your Rome packing list because they pair easily with evening outfits.
What to Pack for January in Rome: Essentials, Tech
- Travel documents (passport, visa if needed)
- Vaccination certificate / negative test result
- Travel insurance
- Basic medications and prescriptions (translated or with the generic active ingredient name - brand names in Italy are usually different from abroad)
- Copy of all reservations/tours
- Crossbody bag
- Wallet with cash and cards
- Reusable water bottle
- Your phone and charger
- Travel adapter for Italy
- Portable charger/power bank
- Camera if different from your phone + extra memory cards
- Italian phrasebook
- Umbrella
The Best Bags and Luggage for Traveling to Rome in January
The best travel bags for Rome are spacious enough to store your bulkier winter clothes and shoes, yet light and sturdy enough that you can move easily through airports and, if you're walking, over uneven cobblestone streets.
As for purses and day bags, the best type of day bag to carry in Rome is a crossbody bag. Choose one that's not so large it weighs down your shoulders, but big enough to hold your essentials, including phone and water bottle.
Accessories and nice-to-haves
Accessories are the easiest way to dress up or down your outfit and feel comfortable, even when you only have one suitcase of clothes.
The best accessories I recommend for Rome are:
- Sunglasses - January can still be very bright, especially in the morning.
- Necklaces - for elevating outfits: Italian women love necklaces!
- Earrings - also popular among Italian women
- Scarf - for warmth and for looks
- Eye mask for the plane
- Travel pillow for the plane
Technology and electronics to pack for Rome
- Phone
- Charger
- Adapter for Italy
- Headphones for the plane, if you use them
- Portable battery
- Camera if different from phone
- Backup memory card for camera
- Laptop/tablet if using
Toiletries
I love keeping all my toiletries in a travel toiletry bag that I can hang in the hotel bathroom.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
- Body wash/soap (I recommend solid soap for travel)
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Tweezers
- Comb and brush
- Face and body moisturizers
- Sunscreen, especially if you have very fair skin
- Lip balm
- Feminine hygiene products
- Perfume/body spray
- Makeup
- Shaving cream, razors and accessories
- Hair ties
What to Pack for Rome in January with Kids
Rome can be cold and wet in January, so I recommend dressing warmly, especially babies and toddlers who aren't walking yet, who may not be able to warm up by running around.
My must-haves for January in Rome are:
- Baby carrier
- Stroller, ready for cobblestone streets
- Rain cover for stroller (some good options are here)
- Snowsuit/warm pants and jacket
- Blanket
- Shoes suitable for rainy days
- Well-stocked diaper bag
- Baby sleepwear
- Baby daytime outfit
- Hat
- Sippy cup - good to know! Rome has many fountains with delicious tap water
- Pacifier
- Travel-ready toys (stacking cups, sticker books, magic boards, etc.)
- Stuffed toy/teddy bear
What to Wear to Visit the Vatican in January
The Vatican has a strict dress code that applies year-round and requires modest clothing. The dress code applies to St. Peter's Basilica, but also to the Vatican Museum.
Dressing for the Vatican in January isn't difficult though, since the season is on your side! To make sure you'll be admitted, choose long pants or a below-the-knee skirt with tights.
Avoid low necklines and any clothing that could be considered offensive - this can include see-through and revealing items, but also sweaters with certain slogans, etc.
Visible tattoos can also be a reason to be turned away if the message they send could be considered inappropriate by the Church.
What to Wear to Visit the Colosseum and Ancient Rome in January
The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are outdoor attractions and can get very cold in winter. To stay warm and comfortable, I recommend wearing a good coat, scarf, and good walking shoes with good traction for the uneven terrain in this area. Avoid high heels.
In case of rain, a waterproof jacket is essential, and a small umbrella can also be useful. While a large umbrella may be tempting, don't do it as it poses a security risk: choose a small travel umbrella instead.
There's no dress code for the Colosseum: comfort comes first here!
To get the best price on Colosseum tickets, check out our Colosseum Tour Tickets page.
I hope this packing list has been helpful and has helped you figure out what to wear in Rome in January. Happy Rome trip planning!