Rome in November is Rome in the off-season. More than half of the fall has already passed, the days are shorter and the temperature has dropped significantly. Sometimes it rains, and sometimes you can catch a few summer-like warm and sunny days. Christmas holidays and sales are still far away, and the city lives in anticipation of future fun.
But what is good about traveling to Rome in November is that there are fewer tourists in the Eternal City. The sights are relatively free from the crowds that besiege them, especially if you are not lazy and go to meet Rome at dawn, when the light streams clear crystal streams, and the air is clean and fresh.
At this time, you can take really good photos without other people’s heads and selfie sticks. This is the best time for excursions, trips to museums, theaters and gastronomic immersion in the life of the Italian capital. You can’t eat much in the summer heat, but in the fall, when it’s cooler, you’ll awaken your appetite and desire to try a variety of hearty Roman dishes.
And what is especially nice – airfares to Rome are usually cheaper in November. Hotel prices are also somewhat lower compared to the high season. In general, if you want to see the Eternal City without fuss and hurry, so that at times it belongs only to you, there is nothing better than coming in November.
Table of Contents:
1. What’s the Weather in Rome in November?
2. How to Dress in Rome in November?
3. Holidays in Rome in November
4. What to Do in Rome in November?
1. What’s the Weather in Rome in November?
The summer heat has long since subsided, and the weather in November here is reminiscent of late September in countries with cooler climates.
- Average daily temperature in Rome in November: +13°C/ 55°F
- Maximum daytime temperature in Rome in November: +18 °C/64°F
- Minimum daytime temperature in Rome in November: + 8°C/46°F
- Towards the end of the month the average temperature drops to + 10°C/50°F
November in Rome is not too cold and the temperature is quite comfortable. There are cool and rainy days, but also warm enough to bring you back to the carefree days of Indian Summer.
You can’t predict whether it will rain during your visit, but you should be prepared for the vagaries of the weather and bring an umbrella or raincoat, or choose to visit a museum instead of walking outdoors.
Snow falls in Rome once every few years, but never in November (if such a miracle suddenly happens, it’s in January-February, and then the city seems to die out).
The days are getting shorter and it’s getting darker faster, which means you’ll have a little less time to sightsee in the daylight. On the night between Saturday and the last Sunday in October (the 27th in 2024), Europe switches to winter time, so clocks in Rome and throughout Italy are set back an hour.
2. How to Dress in Rome in November?
T-shirts and shorts may be useful in the first half of the month, but be prepared for temperature changes during the day and possible rain. Don’t forget to bring jeans, long sleeved sweaters and jackets – by the middle of the month the thermometer will drop to +7°C/45°F, although by the end of November it will warm up again to +12°C/54°F.
The following handy trick (from the Romans themselves) is perfect for November: wear your clothes in layers so that in case of hotter weather you can take off the extra thing or insulate yourself if it gets cooler. Bring a hat and a scarf or shawl – it’s better to be comfortable than freezing in the wind. A beautiful stylish hat made of dense material and a spectacular scarf will add a special charm to your Roman photos.
It is important to bring comfortable, waterproof shoes if you are planning long walks in Rome. Paving stones slippery from rain can be unsafe, and your trip can be ruined by getting your feet wet and catching a cold in thin-soled ballet flats.
3. Holidays in Rome in November
November 1 – All Saints’ Day
On November 1, Italy celebrates All Saints’ Day (Festa di Ognissanti, or Tutti i Santi), one of the most important holidays in the Catholic calendar. All Saints’ Day is a public holiday and an official day off. This means that many museums, stores and restaurants may be closed, which does not apply, however, to establishments in tourist areas. The Pope serves Holy Mass at Rome’s Campo Verano Cemetery, and Romans celebrate the holiday with their families and go to Mass at a nearby church. On November 1, the Vatican Museums are not open, but the Colosseum is open.
Where to celebrate All Saints’ Day in Rome:
Go to… a cemetery. It’s an opportunity to better understand Roman life, as paradoxical as it may sound for a place where one finds eternal rest. Roman cemeteries are monumental and more like parks, decorated with elegant, albeit sad sculptures. One such cemetery is Campo Verano (Cimitero del Verano), where the pope celebrates mass on All Saints’ Day. The cemetery is divided into sections: the Jewish cemetery, the Catholic cemetery and the cemetery for victims of the First World War.
Another cemetery that is considered one of the most beautiful in the world is the Roman Non-Catholic Cemetery (Cimitero acattolico di Romà), located in the Testaccio neighborhood, near the pyramid of Gaius Cestius (burial mausoleum of 12 BC). Many famous foreigners are buried in this cemetery. Among them are about 1000 natives of Russia: painter Karl Brullov, symbolist poet Vyacheslav Ivanov, publicist Evgeny Vagin, academician Emiliy Lents and others.
- Explore the origins of the feast in the Vatican. The history of the feast dates back to the mid-8th century, when Pope Gregory III consecrated one of the chapels of St. Peter’s Basilica in honor of all the saints on November 1.
On November 1, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are closed, but St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are open to pilgrims and regular visitors alike.We also recommend taking our quest “Angels and Demons. Secrets of the Vatican” to immerse yourself in the history of the smallest state on Earth, full of mysteries and riddles, and unravel the tangle of secrets that have accompanied the Roman Catholic Church for centuries.
November 2 – Day of Remembrance of All the Deceased
November 2 is the Day of Remembrance of All the Deceased (La commemorazioni dei defunti). On this day, Romans bring flowers to graves and remember their deceased relatives. This day is not officially a day off, but some stores and cafes may also be closed.
Explore the origins of the feast in the Vatican. The history of the feast dates back to the mid-8th century, when Pope Gregory III consecrated one of the chapels of St. Peter’s Basilica in honor of all the saints on November 1. On November 1, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are closed, but St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are open to pilgrims and regular visitors alike. We also recommend taking our quest “Angels and Demons. Secrets of the Vatican” to immerse yourself in the history of the smallest state on Earth, full of mysteries and riddles, and unravel the tangle of secrets that have accompanied the Roman Catholic Church for centuries.
November 4 is National Unity and Armed Forces Day in Italy
November 4 is National Unity and Armed Forces Day (Giorno dell’Unità Nazionale e Festa delle Forze Armate) in Italy. It has been celebrated since 1919 to commemorate Italy’s victory on the side of the Entente against the Fourth Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and the Bulgarian Empire in World War I.
It was signed in the Armistice of the First World War. The armistice signed at Villa Giusti (near Padua) ended the war between Italy and Austria-Hungary on the Italian front. The armistice was signed on November 3, 1918 and came into effect 24 hours later.
In fact, thanks to choosing the right side in World War I (Italy had previously been a member of the Triple Alliance of Germany and Austria-Hungary), Italy completed the Risorgimento (the movement to unify Italy after centuries of foreign domination) with the annexation of Trento and Trieste.
This holiday is a tribute to all those who have fallen for their country. On this day, the highest Italian government officials lay wreaths at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) and visit the memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I in Fogliano-Redipuglia. On this day, the Italian Armed Forces parade and military bands perform in major Italian cities.
November 22 – Feast of St. Cecilia of Rome
November 22 is the Feast of St. Cecilia of Rome (Santa Cecilia). Celebrations in honor of this saint are held in the ancient church of V century Santa Cecilia in Trastevere (Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 22).
The church was built on the site where, according to legend, was the house of the Roman patrician’s daughter Cecilia and her husband Valerian, who were martyred under Alexander the North.
Caecilia is honored in Catholicism as the patron saint of church music, and her feast is certainly a beautiful musical celebration.
4. What to Do in Rome in November?
If you’re visiting at the beginning of the month, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Rome’s museums for free on the first Sunday of the month, which in 2024 falls on November 3. And if your visit is scheduled for the end of November – the Vatican Museums, on the free last Sunday of November 24, 2024. November is a magical month when even on the free days the museums are not so crowded with tourists.
Listen to Jazz at Roma Jazz Festival 2024
All jazz lovers who visited Rome in November 2023 were able to combine sightseeing with a trip to the jazz festival. The Roma Jazz Festival 2023 took place in the Eternal City from November 2 to 26. The main venues of the event were Auditorium Parco della Musica and Casa del Jazz.
As of now, specific dates for the Roma Jazz Festival in 2024 have not been announced. For the most accurate and up-to-date details for the 2024 edition, it’s best to check the official website of the Roma Jazz Festival at https://romajazzfestival.it/.
Visit RomaEuropa Festival
From September 6 to November 19, 2023, Rome hosted the 38th edition of the RomaEuropa Festival. The festival brings together events in the fields of contemporary dance, theater, digital art, film and music. Artists, musicians, artists and photographers from all over the world take part. You can see the program for 2024 on the official website of the festival at https://romaeuropa.net/en/programme/.
Taste the Traditional Local Cuisine
Go to one of Rome’s non-touristy trattorias, definitely in the Trastevere or Testaccio neighborhoods, and try some classic Roman cuisine. Since November is artichoke season, we recommend the Roman artichoke stew (carciofi alla romana) or the Jewish fried artichokes (alla giudia).
Visit a Local Food Market
Enjoy the splendor and richness of the bright colors of autumn by visiting a regular food market where seasonal vegetables are sold. Our recommendation: the market in the Testaccio neighborhood near Rome’s MACRO Museum of Modern Art (via Beniamino Franklin, open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 to 15:30).
