I'm traveling to Rome in January--how's the weather, etc.?

Question

I'm from Chicago, where January temperatures are very frequently below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, so Rome is probably quite a bit warmer. I'm looking for advice on clothing to bring, as I know there will be a lot of walking. Also, does anyone know of the Duke hotel? Or the Hotel Sofitel in Rome? Those are the 2 hotel choices right now. Any advice appreciated, esp. from Romans and travelers. Thanks!

Answer 1

HOTEL Sofite!!!!!! is more central and nicer than the duke!

the Duke is not in the center as the sofitel, the sofitel is near via veneto, you can walk everywhere from there!

whether: aspect same rain and cold, (40 degrees Fahrenheit... cold for Rome)

Alessandro (from Rome)

www.acj.it/tritone

Answer 2

I've stayed at the Sofitel and would recommend it highly - it's close to the Spanish Steps, walking distance to the major attractions, and has a pretty good breakfast selection. I'm not familar with the Duke, but looked it up on the site I use for booking hotels in Italy. It also looks very good except that it's well away from the center.

Answer 3

I'm from Chicago and I've lived in Italy for the  last 3 years. Usually in January its warmer than Chiago you should need pants like jeans and maybe a sweat shirt and a lit jacket its usually in the the 40s maybe 50s. Wear good walking shoes most Italians dont wear Gym shoes but gyms are the best for all the walking you will be doing. I would also bring some rain gear because it might be raining since usually Oct-Mar is raining season, but its hit or miss it seems. I dont know about the hotels sorry I cant help you there.

Answer 4

hi, I'm italian..january is the coldest mounth of the year and yes temperatures are very frequently below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. but in rome y'll walk a lot, so dont'worry!!!

ciao

Answer 5

I don't know the hotels you mentioned but I can tell you about the weather and some tips on clothing to bring.

The weather is definitely not as cold Chicago. Temp will be 50's during the day and could get down in the 30's at night. The weather is unpredictable so be prepared.

I would bring clothing you can layer. Much easier to take a layer off than be cold.  Bring your gloves and scarf. Shoes should be suitable for walking and I would bring a pair of boots. The low ones. They are fashionable with pants or skirts. When I went to Italy, I bought basically 4 different colors of clothing so I could interchange depending on weather conditions and what I felt like wearing. I stayed with black, tan, white and green (my favorite colors)  

I was on a tour for 3 weeks and I wore my clothes more than once. I also found what I started out in the morning with, was what I wore to dinner. But you may have time to change.

I hope this helps a little bit.

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy. I loved Rome.

Answer 6

Because you are acclimated to the weather in Chicago, you might find the weather warm.  But don't be tempted to wear shorts or tank tops.  Especially if planning on visiting the Vatican and St. Peters.  In Italy most of the churches have a dress code and they will not allow you to enter if you are wearing a tank top and/or shorts.

Answer 7

I was in Rome last Dec-Jan. The weather was just like a winter in Sydney, Australia; beautiful clear blue sky, a bit nippy out of the sun, and we were quite warm when walking in the sun.

During the day, we wore a singlet, then light-weight long-sleeved shirt, then a polar-fleece sweater, then a coat if necessary; warm trousers/slacks; did not need the long-johns. Have scarf, hat, gloves "just in case". The layers can come off when necessary.

We also walked everywhere at night. Didn't need extra clothes - the layers just tended to stay on!

Our family of 4 rented a 2 bedroomed apartment overlooking the Pantheon - about 1100 euros for the week; 5 floors up, no elevator - hence the low price. The location was fantastic, in the heart of the "historic centre", we could walk to everything - Vatican, Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Forum, Villa Borghese, Trevi, Via del Corso etc etc etc.

Have a wonderful time!