Weather by month for central Vatican City, the best months to go and how Vatican City's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 19°C to 27°C · 9–12 rain days
Feb, Mar, Jun, Nov
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 14°C to 29°C · 6–13 rain days
Jan, Jul, Aug, Dec
No months with tough weather, but these are only average.
Highs 12°C to 33°C · 4–11 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C / 4°C | 11 days (71 mm) | 6.9 h/day | 4.7/10 |
| February | 14°C / 5°C | 10 days (77 mm) | 8.1 h/day | 6.2/10 |
| March | 16°C / 6°C | 11 days (95 mm) | 9.1 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| Best month: April | 19°C / 9°C | 9 days (67 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 8.1/10 |
| Best month: May | 23°C / 13°C | 12 days (78 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 7.6/10 |
| June | 29°C / 18°C | 6 days (44 mm) | 13.2 h/day | 7.3/10 |
| July | 33°C / 21°C | 4 days (21 mm) | 13.7 h/day | 4.3/10 |
| August | 32°C / 21°C | 5 days (34 mm) | 12.7 h/day | 4.3/10 |
| Best month: September | 27°C / 17°C | 10 days (109 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 7.5/10 |
| Best month: October | 22°C / 13°C | 12 days (123 mm) | 8.6 h/day | 7.7/10 |
| November | 17°C / 9°C | 13 days (156 mm) | 6.9 h/day | 6.6/10 |
| December | 14°C / 5°C | 11 days (106 mm) | 6.7 h/day | 5.4/10 |
Figures for central Vatican City; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
12°C / 4°C · 11 rain days · 6.9 h sun
Days reach 12°C and nights drop to 4°C, with rain falling on about 11 days. This is a quiet month, scoring 4.7 (ok), good for shorter queues but cool, wet walking weather. Epiphany falls on 6 January, and the year opens with the Solemnity of Mary on 1 January.
14°C / 5°C · 10 rain days · 8.1 h sun
Highs climb slightly to 14°C with about 10 rain days, and sun hours start to pick up. The month scores 6.2 (good), a solid shoulder-season choice before spring crowds arrive. The Anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City falls on 11 February.
16°C / 6°C · 11 rain days · 9.1 h sun
Temperatures reach 16°C by day and 6°C overnight, with rain on roughly 10 days and 9 hours of sun. Scoring 7 (good), March is a reliable pick as spring weather settles in. Saint Joseph's Day on 19 March and the Pope's election anniversary on 13 March add local interest.
19°C / 9°C · 9 rain days · 10.8 h sun
Highs average 19°C with cooler nights near 9°C, and rain falls on about 9 days with nearly 11 hours of sun. April scores 8.1, the best month of the year for comfortable sightseeing weather. Easter Monday on 6 April and Saint George's feast on 23 April bring extra ceremony to the calendar.
23°C / 13°C · 12 rain days · 11.6 h sun
Days warm to 23°C with nights around 13°C, rain on about 12 days, and over 11 hours of sunshine. May scores 7.6 (best), offering warm, bright conditions for exploring outdoor sites. Saint Joseph the Worker is marked on 1 May.
29°C / 18°C · 6 rain days · 13.2 h sun
Summer heat arrives with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C, while rain drops sharply to under 6 days and sun hours hit 13.2. June scores 7.3 (good), though midday heat can be tough for long walks. Saint Peter and Saint Paul, a major feast for Rome and the Vatican, falls on 29 June.
33°C / 21°C · 4 rain days · 13.7 h sun
This is the hottest month, with highs of 33°C and lows of 21°C, though rain is rare at under 4 days. July scores only 4.3 (ok) because the heat makes outdoor touring uncomfortable, even with plenty of sun at nearly 14 hours a day.
32°C / 21°C · 5 rain days · 12.7 h sun
Heat stays intense with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C, and rain remains light at about 5 days. August scores 4.3 (ok) for the same reason as July: strong sun and high temperatures make sightseeing demanding. Assumption Day on 15 August is a major holiday, and the city can feel emptier as locals leave town.
27°C / 17°C · 10 rain days · 10.8 h sun
Highs ease to 27°C with nights near 17°C, though rain picks up again to about 10 days and 109mm. September scores 7.5 (best), balancing warmth with calmer crowds after the summer peak. The Nativity of Mary is celebrated on 8 September.
22°C / 13°C · 12 rain days · 8.6 h sun
Days cool to 22°C with lows of 13°C, rain increases to nearly 12 days and 123mm, and sun hours drop to 8.6. October scores 7.7 (best), the top-rated month alongside April for comfortable temperatures and manageable rainfall.
17°C / 9°C · 13 rain days · 6.9 h sun
This is the wettest month, with rain on about 13 days and 156mm total, while highs sit at 17°C and sun hours fall to 6.9. November still scores 6.6 (good), as mild temperatures offset the frequent rain. All Saints Day on 1 November is widely observed.
14°C / 5°C · 11 rain days · 6.7 h sun
Highs reach 14°C with lows near 5°C, rain falls on about 11 days, and sun hours are the year's lowest at 6.7. December scores 5.4 (ok), reflecting cool, grey conditions despite the festive calendar. Immaculate Conception on 8 December, Christmas Day on 25 December, and St. Stephen's Day on 26 December make this a busy holiday period.
By trip type
City sightseeing
April, May, September and October suit sightseeing best. Highs range from 19°C in April to 27°C in September, much milder than 33°C in July. April is driest, with 9.4 rain days. October is wetter, with 123 mm of rain.
Hiking & nature
March and April are best for long days on foot. Highs of 16°C and 19°C keep walking comfortable. March is the wetter month, with 95 mm of rain against 67 mm in April, so pack a rain jacket.
Events calendar
Public holidays: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (1 Jan), Epiphany (6 Jan)
Public holidays: Anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City (11 Feb)
Public holidays: Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis (13 Mar), Saint Joseph's Day (19 Mar)
Public holidays: Easter Monday (6 Apr), Saint George (23 Apr)
Public holidays: Saint Joseph the Worker (1 May)
Public holidays: Saint Peter and Saint Paul (29 Jun)
Public holidays: Assumption Day (15 Aug)
Public holidays: Nativity of Mary (8 Sep)
Public holidays: All Saints Day (1 Nov)
Public holidays: Immaculate Conception (8 Dec), Christmas Day (25 Dec), St. Stephen's Day (26 Dec)
Keep planning
FAQ
April is the best month, with the highest score of 8.1. Days are mild at about 19°C, nights are around 9°C, and rain is moderate at 67 mm over 9.4 days. October (7.7), May (7.6) and September (7.5) also rate as best months. If April doesn't suit you, choose one of these.
August is only an ok month, with a score of 4.3. The main problem is heat. Highs average 32.3°C and nights stay warm at 21.1°C. It is dry, with 34 mm of rain over 5.4 days. July is similar, with highs of 32.9°C and the same score. If you dislike heat, choose June instead. It averages 29°C and scores 7.3.
Yes. October is one of the best months, with a score of 7.7. Highs are a comfortable 22.3°C and lows are 13.4°C. The downside is rain. October averages 123 mm over 11.7 days, so bring an umbrella. November is wetter still, with 156 mm over 13.2 days, the most rain of the year.
January is ok, but not ideal. It scores 4.7. Highs are 12.2°C, lows drop to 3.9°C, and there are about 10.6 rain days. It has only 6.9 sun hours. If you want to travel in winter, February is better. It scores 6.2, with highs of 14.2°C and 9.7 rain days.
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