In short: On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about traveling to Rome in November – from what to expect from the weather, to what to pack and what to do in Italy’s capital during autumn.
November in Rome is a special month. It’s almost the only time of year when Rome doesn’t have massive tourist crowds, which means you’ll see the city in its most authentic form.
Locals are working, lines are shorter, and prices are slightly lower, which means you might even manage to extend your stay in Rome by a few extra days!
However, the low tourist season often means the weather isn’t at its best, and indeed, Rome in November begins preparing for winter.
As the month progresses toward its end, daylight hours decrease, temperatures drop, and there are rainy days that can make sightseeing less than pleasant.
Nevertheless, November in Rome can be a wonderful travel idea, and in this article I’m sharing what you can do in the city to make this time even more special.
What’s the Weather Like in Rome During November?
Is Rome cold in November? Is Rome hot in November? Neither!
November is mid-autumn in Rome with temperatures that can only be described as moderate on the warm-cold spectrum.
The average temperature in Rome during November is 13°C (55°F) with minimum temperatures of 8°C (46°F) and maximum temperatures of 18°C (64°F).
Typically during November in Rome there are around 8 rainy days, although the number varies from year to year. Generally speaking, it’s important to be prepared for wet weather.
Setting aside official weather data, November in Rome feels mild, with an occasional hint of coolness in the air.
What to Wear in Rome During November
The key to dressing in Rome during autumn is having several outer layers to adapt to changing conditions. During the day you’ll probably manage with a light mid-season jacket, but early morning and evening can be cold, and depending on what climate you’re used to, you may need to wear scarves.
If you’re traveling to Rome in November, it’s important to bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes with closed toes and water resistance. I recommend bringing two pairs in case one gets wet and doesn’t dry overnight. Sneakers and ankle boots are appropriate for this season
- Socks
- Long pants
- Short-sleeved tops
- Long-sleeved tops
- Cardigan/light wool sweater
- Light jacket/light down jacket
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Small umbrella
>>> You can read my complete, detailed packing list for Rome in November here <<<
November in Rome: What You Need to Know
November 1st is a national holiday in Rome and this affects the opening hours of museums and local businesses.
This isn’t a day when everything closes, but you’ll need to check whether the attraction you want to visit on this day has different hours because of the holiday.
In 2021, on this day specifically, Roman museums that are usually closed open their doors.
This can be a wonderful opportunity to visit some of Rome’s great museums, but check reservation and entry requirements.
The best way to do this is to check the websites of the respective attractions, as they’re most likely to have reliable information.
In this guide we include official sources and tickets when possible.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Rome During November?
November in Rome is a suitable time for sightseeing, but the changeable weather will require a combination of visiting outdoor and indoor attractions.
1. Visit a free museum. Municipal museums in Rome offer free access on the first Sunday of every month, and this happens during the first Sunday of November as well.
The free admission initiative applies to several museums and attractions in the capital and includes major sites, among them the Colosseum, Forum, and National Roman Museum, which has several locations and hosts some of the most beautiful collections of ancient art you can find in Rome and worldwide.
2. Visit the Colosseum. If the day is sunny, visiting the Colosseum during November can be a wonderful idea.
Since there are fewer tourists in Rome during November, the likelihood of finding a ticket for visiting the Vatican at a convenient time (the Colosseum has a timed entry system) is higher. But that’s not all – once you enter, the experience will be much more pleasant due to the lack of crowds.
I have a complete guide to the best Colosseum tickets, but in short, the ones I recommend are:
1. Budget option:This is the most economical option since tickets are sold from the official Colosseum website (no middleman). They sell out quickly due to their good price, but know that if you can’t use them for any reason, the money you paid for the tickets won’t be refunded. Book these Colosseum tickets only after you’re certain of your plans.
2. Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine entrance tickets (recommended): sold by GetYourGuide. These tickets offer good value for money while having a good cancellation policy.
Important! Reservation is mandatory at all times, even on the first Sunday of the month when the ticket price is free.
If you’re visiting the Colosseum at the end of November, dress warmly as it can get cold, especially if you go early morning or late afternoon/evening.
>>> All my tips for visiting the Colosseum can be found here <<<
The Colosseum ticket includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. I highly recommend visiting them if you have a mild day, but know that Palatine Hill can get very cold.
I personally would visit this part of ancient Rome during the first half of the month and would go later in the season only if the weather is pleasant.
3. Enjoy the Forum of Augustus at night. During the first week of November, Rome’s weather is often nice. If this is the case for you, I highly recommend making the most of it by attending the show called “Journey Through the Forum.”
This is a show held in the Forum of Augustus that uses lights and visual effects to bring the Forum of Augustus area back to life and show what it once was.
Upon entry you receive a device with headphones, sit down, and simply enjoy watching the place regain its former glory before your eyes while listening to a narrator who tells you the history of the place and the people who lived there. This is a special evening that I highly recommend history lovers not miss.
>>> Find more information here <<<
4. Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums can be visited year-round, but they’re always full of tourists, so really think twice before going during busy tourist season.
That’s why November is such a suitable month for visiting the Vatican: you can actually see the Sistine Chapel without feeling like a sardine in a can!
Except for November 1st (All Saints’ Day, a religious holiday), this is usually the time of year with the fewest people.
Make sure you get tickets in advance, as there’s no day when they don’t work!
What to See in Rome During November
1. Explore the major piazzas and “hidden” ones. During this time of year, all of Rome’s main squares can be visited comfortably.
If you’re in Rome for the first time, I highly recommend visiting some of the most famous Roman piazzas, such as Piazza Navona, Piazza del Pantheon, Campo de’ Fiori, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps, which are free to visit and can easily be added to your walking route in Rome.
If you have a bit more time or if you’ve already been to Rome and prefer to visit slightly lesser-known areas of the city, then I recommend also going to Piazza Mattei and Piazza Mincio.
These are small squares compared to the major Roman ones, but they embody the spirit of the city to the same degree.
During November, local life in Rome is in full swing, so as soon as you leave the most popular areas, you’ll see and feel the living, breathing heart of the city.
2. Go to church. You don’t need to be religious to visit Rome’s churches. Some of them contain such priceless works of art that you can visit them like museums (please always treat the spiritual nature of the place with respect and dress appropriately).
Depending on what you like, you can seek out Caravaggio’s works in San Luigi dei Francesi, admire Michelangelo’s mastery in Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, see relics from the chains that held Saint Peter captive, or marvel at works by Bernini and Borromini in Santa Maria della Vittoria or Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza – and these are just some of the most famous!
You’ll see many churches just walking around Rome. I recommend peeking into all of them, but if you want a starting point, I recommend checking out this article about the most beautiful churches in Rome.
3. Visit the Borghese Gallery. The Borghese Gallery is one of the most beautiful art galleries in the world. It houses masterpieces by artists and sculptors of the caliber of Botticelli, Bernini, and Canova, and it’s a true feast for the eyes.
Every room is elegantly decorated to achieve maximum visual impact from the artworks, and the gardens visible from the windows add to the magic of the place.
The gallery is stunning and absolutely worth visiting, but tickets sell out quickly and advance reservation is mandatory.
My favorite way to enjoy this incredible museum is to go in the afternoon and then finish my visit with a walk through Villa Borghese gardens and stop at the Pincio terrace to see Rome at sunset.
The gallery and terrace are at opposite ends of the garden, but the walk is easy and the views are impressive. Official tickets can be found here.
4. Visit Nero’s Domus Aurea. If you love history, you’ll want to visit the Domus Aurea – the once lavishly decorated palace that Emperor Nero built as his imperial residence in Rome.
The Domus Aurea has been described as the “Versailles of Ancient Rome,” but this isn’t a polished palace you can visit now, but rather an underground site that you can only visit with a guide (read why in my review of the Domus Aurea tour here).
Visiting the Domus Aurea is unique and worth the ticket price: the guided tour introduces you to what was once the most extravagant palace Rome had ever seen and shows not only what remains of its beautiful decoration but also sheds light on the work of archaeologists who brought this place back to life.
A must-see in Rome (and a great place to escape from rain!).
5. Warm up in a Roman enoteca (wine bar). Rome may evoke images of aperitivo in the piazza, but during November that’s unlikely to happen.
In Rome during November, what you really want to do is warm up in a cozy place, and this happens nowhere better than in a local enoteca – Roman wine bars.
Enoteche in Rome come in all shapes and sizes and are usually small establishments with small tables, dark wood décor, and warming food. There are many I love, but if you need recommendations, my favorite three are Cul de Sac (near Piazza Navona), 313 (Via Cavour), and La Ciambella (near the Pantheon).
All of them offer incredible food and wine, and the last place is quite romantic too.
6. Warm up with delicious hot chocolate. Hot chocolate lovers will be pleased to learn that you can escape November rain in a chocolate paradise: the Chocolate Factory in San Lorenzo in Rome. Welcoming, historic, and everything there is so delicious!
7. Visit Rome’s catacombs. Visiting Roman catacombs won’t warm you up (quite the opposite!), but it will protect you from rain and provide one of the most unique experiences you can have in Rome.
The catacombs are underground early Christian burial sites that form a complex network of underground tunnels extending beneath the modern city.
They’re accessible only for guided tours and are fantastic in terms of beauty and historical significance.
The most famous catacombs in Rome are the catacombs of San Callisto on the ancient Via Appia, the nearby catacombs of San Sebastiano, and those of Priscilla near Villa Ada.
You can find tickets and see what the tour includes here.
8. Explore mosaics. Rome is home to stunning mosaics that decorate the interiors of churches, ancient homes, and museums.
If you love this very special art form, seeking them out is a fantastic way to spend a day: you can find the best places to view mosaics in Rome here.
9. Visit the Baths of Diocletian. The Baths of Diocletian are the largest thermal bath complex in the ancient world and are a pleasure to visit.
Located right next to Termini Station in Rome, in the very center of the city, the baths have both outdoor and indoor areas that are easy to enjoy in any weather conditions, even on wet November days!
Inside you can admire what was once the swimming area of the baths, beautiful ancient halls, two stunning Renaissance courtyards, and an interesting epigraphic museum.
In addition, it’s worth seeing the beautiful church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, part of the ancient bath converted into a church by Michelangelo!
>>> You can read my review of our visit to the Baths of Diocletian here <<<
10. Go to opera or concerts. Rome has a good opera and ballet program that’s in full swing during this season.
Music lovers should also check out the program at Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome’s beautiful concert hall.
11. Culinary tour in Testaccio or Trastevere. Rome’s delicious food pairs exceptionally well with the changing season. This is a wonderful time of year to take a food tour and taste everything!
Two of the most preferred food neighborhoods in Rome are Trastevere and Testaccio, and city food tours usually focus on one or the other.
>>> All my favorite food finds and tips can be found in my foodie guide to Rome <<<
Trastevere is located near the center and is a very popular neighborhood with both locals and tourists for its nightlife on weekends. It has both traditional establishments and more modern ones and features quite a diverse mix of people – from local students to foreigners of all ages.
Testaccio has a more local feel (Trastevere was discovered by tourists quite some time ago), is known for its wonderful market, and while it may be less beautiful than Trastevere, it has a lot of character that I think makes it worth discovering.
Here are the food tours worth considering:
- Rome Street Food Tour with Local Guide and Local Food Tastings
- Evening Trastevere Tour with Local Food Tastings
- Rome Espresso, Gelato and Tiramisu Tour – ideal for this pleasant season!
Traditional seasonal food in Rome includes:
- Carbonara: warming and delicious, perfect for the slightly cooler weather during this season
- Amatriciana: a warming and tasty pasta dish from the Rome region
- Cacio e Pepe: simple but delicious pasta for cheese lovers
- Trippa: a warming dish for the adventurous
- Supplì: fried rice balls with molten mozzarella center, a delicious Roman appetizer
- Mushrooms: while not typically Roman, now is the time to order delicious mushroom risotto or tagliatelle with mushrooms
- Pumpkin risotto: again not the most traditional Roman dish, but offered during November due to seasonal ingredients
- Tiramisu: always a good dessert
- And if you want gelato? You still can. Gelato is offered year-round and you won’t stand out if you order some!
12. Visit an exhibition. Rome always has many exhibitions running year-round, and November, especially later in the second half of the month when weather gets cooler, is a wonderful time to visit them in local museums.
November in Rome with Kids – What to Do and Where to Go
November isn’t ideal for visiting Rome with children. Lower temperatures and rain will likely deprive them of valuable outdoor time, and the city isn’t overly equipped with indoor entertainment options.
However, there are some kid-friendly things to do in Rome during November, even if the weather decides not to cooperate.
>>> Also see our family guide to Rome and our complete list of things to do in Rome with children <<<
- Take a pizza-making class. A fun, practical activity that will keep you indoors, entertain you, and feed you well. On a cold winter day we participated in such a class with our children and it was great fun: it occupied us for one morning, provided us with wonderful food, and we still use the technique we learned to make pizza at home every Friday! Fun family time and a useful skill! You can find information and book the same experience here.
- Go to Explora. Explora is Rome’s children’s museum and is a wonderful place to explore with kids. During November this is an extremely convenient place you should know about for rainy days or anytime the weather doesn’t seem suitable for extended hours in the park. The museum has an area for children under 3, but there are also many activities for school-age children. The museum spans 2 floors and has several role-playing areas (kitchen, supermarket, etc.), interactive science installations, and even a great simulator that puts your child in the driver’s seat of the Freccia Rossa, Italy’s high-speed train!
- Sign up for a mosaic class. In a great class we attended with my daughter, we were taught how to make mosaics. The lesson was held in a mosaic laboratory and led by a local master who told us the history of mosaics and showed us step by step how to make our own: it’s a stimulating, fun lesson in a beautiful and extremely creative environment, one of my favorite family experiences in Rome! You can read all about our experience here.
- Visit a kid-friendly museum. While Rome has only one museum designed exclusively for children, Italy’s capital also has several art museums that are suitable for kids. You can find a selection of those we like most as a family here, but the ones I like most are:
1. Centrale Montemartini – a beautiful museum located in an old power plant, with beautiful mosaics and ancient statues (cool for kids because of the unusual machines that serve as backdrops for the artifacts).
2. Leonardo’s Machines Museum – a fantastic place with reconstructions of Leonardo’s creations, many of which children can touch and experiment with. - Visit the “Welcome to Rome” exhibition. This is a small permanent exhibition with 3D light reconstruction of some of Rome’s famous attractions and a beautiful short film about the city’s history (suitable for elementary school-age children)
- Domus Aurea, Catacombs, Colosseum, and Pantheon – all of these are easy to visit with children and are good options for rainy days.
Where to Stay in Rome
Rome has hotels for every tourist, regardless of budget. Below you’ll find links to hotels near the most famous attractions in Italy’s capital. Why these specific hotels? Because your time in Rome is limited and you don’t want to spend it traveling just because you’re staying far from the Pantheon or Spanish Steps.
- Hotels with Michelin-Starred Restaurants
- Boutique Hotels
- Hotels in the Historic Center
- Small Luxury Hotels
- Hotels Near Termini Station
- Hotels Near Aventine Hill
- Hotels Near Via del Corso
- Hotels Near the Pantheon
- Hotels Near the Colosseum
- Hotels Near Via Veneto
- Private Villas in Rome
- Hotels Near Fiumicino Airport
- Hotels with Swimming Pools
- Hotels Near the Spanish Steps
- Hotels Near the Vatican
- Hotels in Trastevere
- Hotels Near Campo de’ Fiori
- Hotels Near Piazza Navona
- Hotels Near the Trevi Fountain
I hope you’ve enjoyed this overview of things to do and places to visit in Rome during November.