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Packing for Rome in December? Let's Make It Easy!
Packing for Rome in December?
Since moving to Rome in 2001, I've enjoyed decades of Decembers (see what I did there?), and I can tell you just what to pack, how to plan for variable weather, and how not to overpack.
Rome in December is not as chilly as you might expect during the day, but it is cold at night, so be sure to bring a good winter jacket with you.Find out what kind of weather to expect, how I dress in Rome in December, and what not to leave at home.
Packing for Rome in December - what to bring and how to dress
Did you know December is technically mostly a fall month? I can never quite wrap my head around that but the fact is, winter starts on the solstice, which is December 21 or 22.
After living through more than 20 years of Decembers in Rome, I know what to expect - a mild beginning, with a mix of sunny and rainy days, and a slow transition into chilly winter by the end, although I don't think December in Rome is ever as cold as January and February can get.
In December in Rome, people can still eat outside, and during the day, you might not need to bundle up as much as you think.We don't get snow in Rome this month but rain, sleet, and even hail are all possible.
Since the weather can vary quite a bit from the beginning to the end of December, I'll outline different options depending on which part of the month you'll be visiting.
On this page you'll find:
- What weather to expect in Rome in December
- Dressing for the rain in Rome
- How I dress in Rome in December - my best advice
- Things to pack in any season
Weather in Rome in December
Every year, I go to the US to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and return to Rome right at the beginning of December. When we land back in Rome, and I step outside Fiumicino airport, I am inevitably surprised at how much warmer it is than I was expecting.
We get some rain in December, and together with the low winter light, it can create some beautiful glows on Rome's monuments like the Basilica Ulpia in the Roman Forum.You'd think I'd know better by now, but I always think December will be really cold, but in the beginning of the month, it's just not.
The temperature in Rome in December averages around 56-60 Fahrenheit/14-16 Celsius during the day and 42-46 Fahrenheit/6-8 Celsius during the night at the start of December.
But as the month moves along, and the Christmas decorations start going up, and the days keep getting shorter, they also get colder.
By the time we get to the end of December, it's what I think of as perfect weather for setting the holiday mood - cold enough to make you want to wear a hat and gloves, especially in the early mornings and evenings.
At the end of the month daytime temperatures average 10-12 Celsius/50-54 Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures average 3-5 Celsius/37-41 Fahrenheit.
December can be damp and drizzly, but we don't usually get long-lasting heavy rainfalls this month.
Dressing for the rain in Rome in December
Since we can get some rain in December, you may want to pack some waterproof gear.
When packing for Rome in December, I suggest bringing two pairs of super comfortable walking shoes with you. One could be a normal pair of trainers, and the other could be a pair of waterproof shoes with some kind of warm lining.
I recommend bringing a good-quality travel umbrella when packing for Rome in December, as well as a rain hat and a waterproof coat/jacket, just in case you get caught in a rain shower.
If you're wondering if we get snow in Rome, I've only lived through to big snowstorms since I moved here in 2001 - one in 2012 and the other in 2018, both in February.
Packing for Rome in December - How I dress
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I walk around Rome a lot.
I love to walk everywhere when I can, because in Rome there is always something new to see.
I also love looking at things I know well, like the Colosseum, and seeing it in a new light, or finding a new detail.
I walk around Rome at many different times of day, throughout the year.
So believe me, I know just how to dress in Rome year-round.
These are my recommendations for packing for Rome in December based on what I wear when I walk around Rome this time of year:
When I leave the house in December, I always have a warm cozy winter hat with me, even in early December when it's not that cold yet. You never know, plus it cools down a lot when the sun goes down.
Putting a hat on my head is one of the fastest ways to warm up.
Winter hats are small, weigh next to nothing, and are easy to pack and to carry around with you.
I own these e-tip gloves and just love them.
They are perfect for cold weather, and I don't have to take them off while I use my phone to make calls or take pictures.
I've washed them plenty of times and they still look brand new.
In December, I wear them more towards the end of the month than the beginning but because they weigh so little and scrunch up, they are easy enough to carry around just in case.
I have taken on the Italian habit of wearing a scarf year-round. In December, I get out my heavier scarves.
For the beginning of the month, I wear lighter cotton or wool scarves but by the end of December, I start wearing my heavier wool and cashmere scarves.
When you pack for visiting Rome in December, I suggest coming with at least one scarf - this is true for men, women, and children - so you can use it to keep warm on the plane.
Then, once you're in Rome, you can always buy a scarf or two as a souvenir.
Alessandro is typical of many Italian men in that he loves to dress up his outfit with the right scarf.
These men's scarves are both stylish and functional.
The best jacket to include in your packing for Rome in December is a waterproof hiking jacket with removable warm lining.
I have several like this for when I hike, and I wear them out in Rome in winter.
It's really 3 jackets in one, or more if the lining and/or the jacket are reversible.
Here is a men's version of the same kind of jacket.
You won't regret travelling with a good travel umbrella.
You can always buy one here, even off a street vendor, but they tend to be poor quality.
I love mine, that has features like wind-resistant ribs, and a cool open AND close button.
As for bottoms, I wear jeans or heavy cotton pants, but mostly jeans.
I have winter dresses and boots but I don't wear them that often unless I am going out someplace special.
For everyday walking around in Rome in winter, jeans and super comfy shoes are part of my go-to outfit.
If you want to bring a skirt or dress, that's fine but I don't think you'll find it necessary, and if it means having to pack extra shoes or even boots to go with the dress, I don't think it's worth taking up this extra space in your luggage.
My standard top for walking around Rome in winter is a cotton or wool turtleneck. I like mine a little oversized.
You don't need to pack more than 2 of these, as you can just keep switching them out.
A half-zip or full-zip fleece is easy to pack in your luggage, and to ball up and carry around in a small backpack during the day.
If you bring the hiking jacket with removable fleece, then you already have this but I know some people just like having a fleece on its own.
This is also great for the plane ride.
Bring two pairs of shoes with you - one basic comfortable walking shoe like a tennis shoe, and another sturdier pair, perhaps some waterproof hiking boots with wool or fleece around the ankle.
Wear the bulkier shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Then you have two pairs of shoes to switch out.
I recommend only bringing shoes you have already broken in, and don’t worry about looking like a tourist - that’s exactly what you are.
I don't recommend bringing full-length boots. This will just take up a lot of room in your luggage and you really don't need them for sightseeing.
Almost as important as bringing the right shoes for comfort is packing quality socks. They can be warm winter socks or even just regular cotton socks, but it makes a big difference if they are specifically made for walking.
With the amount of walking I do, and that you'll probably be doing when you visit Rome, having the right socks goes a long way with keeping my feet and my legs from wearing out.
If you are coming to Rome for New Year's Eve, you may want to bring a pair of red underwear with you.
Yes, you read that right - that's one of our New Years traditions, so why not partake?
You can always buy them from a street vendor but if you own your own pair, bring them.
Whether you're packing for Rome in December for the beginning, middle, or end of the month, your packing will not vary by much, even if it's a little warmer at the beginning of the month than at the end.
The basics include stuff for layering, such as cotton long-sleeved tops and at least one sweater, jeans/cotton pants, a cardigan or pullover, and a rain-jacket with removable lining.
In the beginning of December, I often wear t-shirts or other short-sleeved tops, although I also wear a cardigan or pullover with it, along with whatever jacket I walk around with.
Also at the beginning of December, I often wear my denim or leather jacket as opposed to a full-on winter jacket.
But no matter what, I make sure to bring a hat and scarf so I have options for getting warm quickly when temperatures drop.
Most years, the Christmas market in Piazza Navona goes up on December 8, so I have years worth of photos from around that date, and I can see that while it can vary from year to year, the weather is still pretty mild.
You can see how people are dressed at the Piazza Navona Christmas market. This is from 2023.Year-round, I wear a backpack when I walk around Rome.
I like keeping my hands free, keeping the weight on my back evenly distributed, and having a place to put the hat, scarf, gloves and other layers when I don't need to wear them.
I suggest you do the same.
If you're coming for Christmas or New Year's and feel like you want to dress up, by all means, do.
But if you want to pack light, you could just dress as you would during the day, with some jeans or warm pants, and a cozy sweater. Accessories can help you dress up your outfit so that could be the way to go without adding heft to your luggage.
PRO TIP
Plan for 4-6 outfit combinations with 3-5 pieces.
Voilà! Your carry-on stays under 10 kg.
A few other things I carry with me when I walk around Rome in winter include sunglasses, chapstick or lip balm (my favorite is Laneige), and a small tube of hand lotion.
My hands always seem to dry out a lot in winter.
For more packing inspiration, check out my video about what to pack for winter in Rome:
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General Rome packing tips for any time of year
What else do you need to consider when packing for Rome in December?
These are just a few of my recommendations for what to pack for Rome, any time of year:
I don't leave the house, let alone travel, without my handy portable charger. Since I use my phone for so many things, such as taking photos, watching videos, getting directions, checking mail, etc., the battery can deplete pretty quickly.
This charger quickly brings the battery up to full, so I don't have to worry about running out while I'm on the go.
Any medications you take, along with a list of these medications - I recommend keeping these with you in your carry-on, rather than packing them in your checked luggage.
Photocopies of your passport (or a scan on your phone or tablet).
Plug converters for your dual-voltage appliances. Voltage in Italy is 220, and in the US and some other countries, it's 110. Most electronic devices (cameras, cell phones, laptops, electric shavers) default to dual voltage, but you will need a plug adapter as the plug shapes are different here.
This universal adapter covers you in multiple locations if you travel to different parts of the world.
One of my favorite things to help me pack are these high-quality compression packing cubes.
They are super-sturdy, waterproof, and expandable.
They help me organize everything and keep stuff from moving around in my suitcase.
The packing cubes come in different sizes so it's also great for lumping together workout clothes or toiletries.
Carrying a well-stocked first-aid kit will ensure peace of mind when traveling. I always like having one with me when I travel, it’s very handy for when you need something quickly.
No matter the season, I almost always walk around Rome with a small comfortable backpack.
I like keeping my hands free, and I like having a place to keep all my stuff, especially clothing layers, including a scarf.
But most importantly, I need to keep the weight balanced on my back. For some, a messenger bag or crossbody bag could work too.
Travel insurance isn't something to pack but it is something not to forget.
I can't tell you the times our B&B guests had lost luggage that never arrived, flights cancelled or delayed, or documents/wallets pickpocketed. Double check what your credit card covers - chances are you are not covered for what you need when these things happen.
I've got lots more suggestions for what to bring when you visit Rome.
See my page about What to Pack for Rome where you can download a handy packing list, and visit my Amazon page for all my shopping recommendations.
Find more information on what to expect when traveling to Rome in December here, here for general tips about visiting Rome in winter, and here for current exhibits and events in December in Rome.
Visit our dedicated pages about what to pack for Rome for every month:
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