When is it cheapest to visit Rome?

Rome is cheapest to visit in January, February, and November.

Peak season is May, June, July, and August, when rooms cost the most.

Rome seasons and room prices

Rome is most expensive from April to June and September to October, with Holy Week and Easter pushing the whole city up because of the Vatican events, and Christmas through New Year costly as well. July and August sit a little below spring and autumn because of the heat, though many family run places close around Ferragosto on August 15. The cheapest months are November and mid January through February, when queues at the major sites are short too. Demand in Rome is mostly leisure rather than business, so the gap between weekend and weekday rates is smaller than in cities like London or Paris.

Rome local costs and payment

The currency is the euro. Hotels and chains take cards without fuss, but neighbourhood trattorias, markets and gelato counters can still prefer cash, and although taxis are required to accept cards you may hear that the machine is broken, so keep some notes. Rome charges the contributo di soggiorno, a per person per night city tax set by hotel star rating, and most booking sites leave it out of the online total and let the hotel collect it at checkout. It climbs with the star rating and adds up on a longer stay. At checkout pay in euros rather than accepting a conversion to your home currency.