Florence edges it in December. Rome averages 4–13°C with moderate crowds; Florence 3–10°C with moderate crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Rome and Florence
The verdict for December
Atmospheric and festive
+Christmas gives Rome a particularly atmospheric feel.
–Cooler, wetter weather and increased demand around Christmas and New Year.
Nativity scenes, lights and Rome in festive dress.
Christmas markets and a genuinely festive old town.
+Festive atmosphere + the Piazza Santa Croce market
–Cold, with holiday-week crowds
December brings a large German-style Christmas market to Piazza Santa Croce, along with lights and a genuinely festive mood across the historic centre. It is cold, but the first three weeks stay calmer than the holiday week itself.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month