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
Highs reach 12°C with 10.6 rain days, so pack a warm coat and umbrella. The score sits at 4.7, an ok month with cool, damp conditions and short daylight. New Year's Day and Epiphany on 6 January bring extra visitors despite the chill, so lines can form even in low season.
14°C / 5°C · 10 rain days · 8.1 h sun
Temperatures climb slightly to 14°C with 9.7 rain days, giving a score of 6.2, a good month. Sun hours rise to 8.1, hinting at brighter spells between showers. The anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City falls on 11 February, a quiet local date rather than a crowd-puller.
16°C / 6°C · 11 rain days · 9.1 h sun
Highs reach 16°C and rain falls on 10.5 days, scoring 7, a good month as spring arrives. Sun hours jump to 9.1. Saint Joseph's Day on 19 March and the anniversary of Pope Francis's election on 13 March add some ceremonial interest around the city.
19°C / 9°C · 9 rain days · 10.8 h sun
April scores 8.1, the best month of the year, with highs of 19°C and rain on 9.4 days. Sun hours reach 10.8, making walks around St Peter's Square comfortable. Easter Monday falls on 6 April and Saint George's day on 23 April, both drawing larger crowds than usual.
23°C / 13°C · 12 rain days · 11.6 h sun
May keeps the best-month verdict with a 7.6 score, highs of 23°C and 11.9 rain days. Sun hours hit 11.6, though occasional showers push rainfall to 78mm. Saint Joseph the Worker on 1 May adds a holiday date early in the month.
29°C / 18°C · 6 rain days · 13.2 h sun
Heat builds fast, with highs of 29°C and only 5.8 rain days, a good month scoring 7.3. Sun hours reach 13.2, so midday visits can feel intense without shade. Saints Peter and Paul, Rome's own feast day, falls on 29 June and is marked across the city.
33°C / 21°C · 4 rain days · 13.7 h sun
July is tough: highs of 32.9°C make this the hottest month, with just 3.8 rain days and 13.7 sun hours. The score drops to 4.3, an ok month, because the heat is intense for long periods spent outdoors, including the long queues at the Vatican Museums.
32°C / 21°C · 5 rain days · 12.7 h sun
August stays very hot, with highs of 32.3°C and only 5.4 rain days, scoring 4.3, an ok month. The heat is persistent and sun hours remain high at 12.7. Assumption Day on 15 August is a major Italian holiday, so much of Rome, including some services, slows down around it.
27°C / 17°C · 10 rain days · 10.8 h sun
Conditions ease to 27°C highs with 9.9 rain days, pushing the score back up to 7.5, a best month. Rain increases to 109mm as autumn approaches. The Nativity of Mary on 8 September is a notable date on the religious calendar.
22°C / 13°C · 12 rain days · 8.6 h sun
October scores 7.7, a best month, with highs of 22°C and 11.7 rain days. Sun hours drop to 8.6 and rainfall rises to 123mm, so showers become more frequent. Mild temperatures still make this a comfortable time to explore without the summer heat.
17°C / 9°C · 13 rain days · 6.9 h sun
November turns wetter, with 13.2 rain days and 156mm of rain, the highest of the year. Highs fall to 17°C and the score is 6.6, a good month despite the damp weather. All Saints Day on 1 November is observed with quieter streets around the city.
14°C / 5°C · 11 rain days · 6.7 h sun
December brings cooler highs of 13.6°C and 10.5 rain days, scoring 5.4, an ok month due to short days and frequent rain. The Immaculate Conception on 8 December, Christmas Day on 25 December and St. Stephen's Day on 26 December bring major crowds and festive events despite the weather.
By trip type
City sightseeing
April, May, September and October are the best months for sightseeing in Vatican City. Highs range from 19.4°C to 27°C, with 8.6 to 11.9 sun hours a day, making long walks between St Peter's and the Vatican Museums comfortable.
Hiking & nature
March and April suit walking tours best, with highs of 16.2°C to 19.4°C and 9.1 to 10.8 sun hours daily, cool enough to explore on foot without the summer heat.
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
August scores 4.3 out of 10, rated just ok. Daytime highs average 32.3°C with only 5.4 rain days, so heat is the main issue, not rain. Sun hours stay high at 12.7, meaning long, hot days walking between St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums.
Yes, April is rated the best month, scoring 8.1 out of 10. Highs average 19.4°C and lows 8.9°C, giving comfortable sightseeing weather. Rain falls on about 9.4 days with 67mm total, so showers are possible but not constant, and sun hours reach 10.8.
October is one of the best months, scoring 7.7 out of 10. Highs average 22.3°C and lows 13.4°C, comfortable for walking tours. Rain is more frequent, with 11.7 rain days and 123mm total, the second-wettest month after November, so pack a rain jacket.
January rates ok, scoring 4.7 out of 10. Highs reach only 12.2°C and lows drop to 3.9°C, making it the coldest month. Sun hours are low at 6.9, and rain falls on 10.6 days, so expect cool, often grey conditions with fewer crowds.
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