January is one of the quietest months to visit Rome: the festive season ends on 6 January with Epiphany, then the city empties, museums thin out and room prices drop. It is cool, with lows around 3 °C, and night falls early, but sunny days are not rare. This guide explains what to expect in January, what is free or closed, and how to make the most of the sales and the Befana. Information checked in October 2026; January 2027 dates should be confirmed on the official sites before you book. ## Weather in Rome in January January and February are the coldest months: average lows are around 3 °C, middays stay mild, and frost is rare. Rain is frequent. Snow is exceptional. For a comparison with other months, see our guide to the best time to visit Rome and Rome in winter.  Dress in layers, with a raincoat and shoes that grip wet cobblestones (sampietrini). The sun sets early: plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day. ## The festivities, 1 to 6 January - **1 January**: public holiday. Many shops and restaurants close; the Vatican Museums are closed. For New Year's Eve, see New Year in Rome. - **6 January, Epiphany**: public holiday in Italy. The Befana, an old woman who brings sweets to good children and (sugar) coal to the others, ends the festivities; Piazza Navona still hosts its Christmas market until that date. The Vatican Museums are closed that day. - Nativity scenes and lights stay up until Epiphany: see our page on Christmas in Rome. ## Winter sales (saldi) Winter sales dates are set each year by the Lazio region. In 2026 they ran from 3 January to 13 February. The 2027 date had not been published in October 2026: check the Regione Lazio website. Shopping streets such as Via del Corso and Via Condotti are very busy on the first weekend. ## Museums and sights: free days and hours - **First Sunday of the month (3 January 2027)**: free entry to state sites and city museums, with long queues at the Colosseum; see free museums in Rome. - **Last Sunday (31 January 2027)**: free entry to the Vatican Museums, which are very crowded; queues are long, so we do not recommend it if you have a choice. - **Colosseum**: from 25 October 2026 it opens 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; check the January hours on the official site. - **Borghese Gallery**: visits are by time slot, on reservation only: book ahead, even in winter (see the Borghese Gallery). ## What to do in January - The big museums, calmer than in spring: Vatican, Capitoline Museums, Palazzo Massimo. - Churches and basilicas, free and out of the rain: see churches to visit in Rome. - A rainy day: Rome on a rainy day. - Midday walks on the Janiculum or in the gardens when the sky is clear: see walking in Rome. ## Practical tips - Book Vatican and Borghese Gallery slots a few days ahead. - After 6 January, compare accommodation prices: they are often lower than in December (see the budget for a trip to Rome). - Check public holidays before planning: 1 and 6 January. - For the rest of winter, read what to do in Rome in February.
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