When to go · Vatican City
Vatican City, month by month
The best months for Vatican City: May, Sep, Oct.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodShortest queues of the year; Epiphany Mass on 6 Jan.Rome: cool · Vatican: 13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain daysRome: cool · Vatican: 55 °F (13 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryGoodQuiet; 11 Feb Lateran Treaty anniversary.Rome: cool · Vatican: 14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain daysRome: cool · Vatican: 57 °F (14 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchGoodEaster may fall late in the month — check; spring school groups start.Rome: fine · Vatican: 16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain daysRome: fine · Vatican: 61 °F (16 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilMixedHoly Week and Easter: huge crowds, closures and papal liturgies.Rome: best weather · Vatican: 19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain daysRome: best weather · Vatican: 66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- MayGreatBusy but pleasant; book Museum slots weeks ahead.Rome: best weather · Vatican: 24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain daysRome: best weather · Vatican: 75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 6 rain daysCrowds: High
- JuneMixedHot; 29 Jun Saints Peter and Paul ceremonies.Rome: fine · Vatican: 28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 4 rain daysRome: fine · Vatican: 82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 4 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- JulyMixedHeat and long queues; papal audiences may pause for the summer — check.Rome: hot · Vatican: 31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain daysRome: hot · Vatican: 88 °F (31 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 2 rain daysCrowds: High
- AugustMixedHottest month; Museums still full; 15 Aug holiday.Rome: hot · Vatican: 31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 3 rain daysRome: hot · Vatican: 88 °F (31 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 3 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberGreatAudiences resume; 27 Sep World Tourism Day free Museum entry — check.Rome: best weather · Vatican: 27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 5 rain daysRome: best weather · Vatican: 81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 5 rain daysCrowds: High
- OctoberGreatGood weather; canonisations and synod events can close the square.Rome: best weather · Vatican: 22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain daysRome: best weather · Vatican: 72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGoodRain but short queues.Rome: rainy · Vatican: 16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain daysRome: rainy · Vatican: 61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedChristmas crib and tree in the square; Midnight Mass tickets are free but scarce.Rome: cool · Vatican: 13 °C (55 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain daysRome: cool · Vatican: 55 °F (13 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Vatican City, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Sep: Great
Crowds
May: High
Sep: High
Prices
May: High
Sep: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Sep: 0
May: Busy but pleasant; book Museum slots weeks ahead.
September: Audiences resume; 27 Sep World Tourism Day free Museum entry — check.
Vatican City: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.