What is the best time to visit Vatican City?

Best Time to Visit Vatican City

The best time to travel to Vatican City is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).

Spring in Vatican City

Spring in Vatican City is a pleasant time to visit, with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. The city is filled with colorful blooms and lush greenery, making it a great time to explore the city’s parks and gardens. During this season, travelers can witness the annual Easter celebrations, as well as the beautiful Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. The weather is ideal for sightseeing, with warm days and cool evenings.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Vatican City

Vatican City in January

Weather

January is a cold month in Vatican City, with temperatures ranging from an average high of 10°C (50°F) to an average low of 3°C (37°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 8 days of precipitation during the month. Snow is possible, though not very common.

Events

• The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th. This is a major Catholic holiday commemorating the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus.
• The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on January 13th. This is a Catholic holiday celebrating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
• The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is celebrated on January 18th. This is a Catholic holiday celebrating the founding of the Catholic Church by Jesus Christ.
• The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated on January 25th. This is a Catholic holiday celebrating the conversion of St. Paul from a persecutor of Christians to a follower of Jesus Christ.
• The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on January 31st. This is a Catholic holiday celebrating the presentation of Jesus in the temple.

Vatican City in January

Weather

January in Vatican City is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from an average high of 10°C (50°F) to an average low of 4°C (39°F). Rainfall is low, with an average of only 3 days of rain during the month.

Events

• The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th in Vatican City. This is a religious holiday that commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus.
• The Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Peace on January 1st. This is a day of prayer for peace and justice in the world.
• The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated on January 25th. This is a religious holiday that commemorates the conversion of the Apostle Paul from Judaism to Christianity.
• The Vatican City State celebrates its National Day on January 11th. This is a day to celebrate the sovereignty of the Vatican City State.
• The Vatican Museums are open to the public throughout the month of January. Visitors can explore the museums and see some of the world’s most famous works of art.

Vatican City in March

Weather

March in Vatican City is usually mild and pleasant. The average temperature in March is around 12°C (54°F) and the average low temperature is 8°C (46°F). The average high temperature is around 16°C (61°F). There is usually an average of 6 hours of sunshine per day and an average of 11 days of rain.

Events

• On March 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated in Vatican City. This feast day honors St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus.
• On March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated in Vatican City. This solemnity commemorates the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the son of God.
• On March 27th, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is celebrated in Vatican City. This feast day honors the apostle Peter, who was the first leader of the Christian Church.
• On March 28th, the Feast of the Holy Thursday is celebrated in Vatican City. This feast day commemorates the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with his disciples before his death.
• On March 29th, the Good Friday is celebrated in Vatican City. This solemn day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Vatican City in April

Weather

April in Vatican City is mild and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F). Rainfall is light and the skies are generally clear.

Events

• The Easter celebrations in Vatican City are some of the most spectacular in the world. The Pope presides over the Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square, and the event is broadcast live around the world.
• The Vatican’s annual Easter egg hunt takes place in April. Thousands of children come to the Vatican to search for eggs hidden in the gardens and courtyards.
• The Feast of St. George is celebrated on April 23rd. This is a day of special prayer and reflection, and the Pope leads a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
• The Pope’s annual Easter address takes place in April. This is a special message of hope and peace from the Pope to the world.
• The Vatican hosts its annual Easter concert in April. This is a special performance of sacred music from around the world, held in St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican City in May

Weather

May in Vatican City is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from highs of 22°C (72°F) to lows of 13°C (55°F). Rainfall is relatively low, with an average of only 4 days of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The first Sunday of May is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a Catholic holiday honoring the husband of the Virgin Mary.
• On May 13th, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated in honor of the Virgin Mary’s appearance to three children in Portugal in 1917.
• May 25th is the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus, which celebrates the ascension of Jesus into Heaven.
• On May 29th, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated in honor of the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.
• The last Sunday of May is the Feast of Pentecost, which celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

Vatican City in June

Weather

June in Vatican City is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (18-24 Celsius). The city experiences an average of 10 hours of sunshine per day during this month.

Events

• The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated on June 29th in Vatican City. This feast day honors the two apostles who were martyred in Rome.
• On June 16th, the Vatican City State celebrates its National Day. This day marks the signing of the Lateran Pacts in 1929, which established the Vatican City State as an independent nation.
• The Corpus Christi procession is held on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday in Vatican City. This procession is a traditional Catholic event that honors the Eucharist.
• Every year in June, the Vatican Museums host the Night at the Museum event. This event allows visitors to explore the museums after dark and enjoy special performances, lectures, and guided tours.
• The Vatican City State also holds its annual Summer Festival in June. This festival features music, dance, and theater performances from around the world.

Vatican City in July

Weather

July in Vatican City is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the high 70s to the low 90s Fahrenheit (21-33°C). The city experiences an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day. Rainfall is low, with an average of 1 inch (2.5 cm) of precipitation throughout the month.

Events

• The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is celebrated on July 29th. This is a significant religious holiday in the Vatican City, and is celebrated with a Mass in St. Peter’s Square, as well as other religious ceremonies.
• The Vatican City State holds its annual Summer Festival in July. This is a month-long event featuring concerts, art exhibitions, and other cultural activities.
• The Vatican City State holds its annual Summer Concert Series in July. This is a series of classical music concerts held in St. Peter’s Square, featuring some of the world’s most renowned musicians.
• The Vatican City State holds its annual Summer Film Festival in July. This is a month-long event featuring screenings of films from around the world.
• The Vatican City State holds its annual Summer Art Exhibition in July. This is a month-long event featuring artwork from around the world.

Vatican City in August

Weather

August in Vatican City is typically hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C (86°F). Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of 5-7 days of rain per month.

Events

• August 6th marks the Feast of the Transfiguration, a major religious holiday for the Catholic Church. This day is celebrated with a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
• August 15th is the Feast of the Assumption, another major religious holiday for the Catholic Church. This day is celebrated with a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
• August 29th is the Feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, a major religious holiday for the Catholic Church. This day is celebrated with a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
• The Vatican City Summer Festival is held throughout the month of August. This festival features a variety of cultural events, including music, art, and theater performances.
• The Vatican City International Film Festival is held throughout the month of August. This festival features a variety of international films, with screenings held in various locations throughout the city.

Vatican City in September

Weather

September is the start of autumn in Vatican City. The average temperature is around 20°C (68°F) with highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows of 15°C (59°F). The average amount of rainfall is around 70mm (2.8in).

Events

• The Feast of the Nativity of Mary is celebrated on September 8th. This is a major feast day in the Catholic Church and is celebrated with special masses and services.
• The Vatican City State celebrates its anniversary on September 29th. This is the day in 1929 when the Lateran Pacts were signed, which established the Vatican City State.
• The Pope holds his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesdays in September. This is a popular event for visitors to attend.
• The Vatican Museums are open all month and offer a variety of exhibits and tours.
• The Vatican Library is open all month and offers a variety of books and manuscripts for visitors to explore.

Vatican City in October

Weather

October is the beginning of the mild autumn season in Vatican City. The average temperature is 17°C (63°F), with highs of 20°C (68°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F). October is usually a dry month, with an average of only 5mm of rainfall over the course of the month.

Events

• The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated on October 29th. This is a major holiday in Vatican City, with a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and other festivities.
• The Vatican Museums are open throughout October, offering visitors the chance to explore the vast collections of art and artifacts housed in the Vatican.
• The Vatican Library is open to the public throughout October, allowing visitors to explore its vast collection of books and manuscripts.
• The Vatican Gardens are open to the public throughout October, offering a peaceful and beautiful environment to explore.
• The Vatican Observatory is open throughout October, offering visitors the chance to explore the universe through its telescopes and other scientific instruments.

Vatican City in November

Weather

November in Vatican City is mild, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 8°C (46°F) to an average high of 13°C (55°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 8 days of rain during the month.

Events

• All Saints’ Day (November 1) is a public holiday in Vatican City, celebrated with special Masses and services in churches throughout the country.
• The Feast of Christ the King (November 22) is a Catholic feast day that celebrates the sovereignty of Jesus Christ.
• The Vatican Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (November 29) is a popular event that marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Vatican City.
• The Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30) is a Catholic feast day that honors the patron saint of Scotland.
• The Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria (November 25) is a Catholic feast day that honors the patron saint of philosophers and preachers.

Vatican City in December

Weather

The weather in Vatican City in December is usually mild, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 8°C (46°F) to a high of 14°C (57°F). December is the wettest month of the year, with an average of 70mm of rain.

Events

• The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th, and is a public holiday in Vatican City.
• The Pope delivers his traditional Christmas message from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 25th.
• The Pope holds his traditional New Year’s Day Mass on January 1st.
• The Pope holds his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing on December 25th.
• The Pope holds his traditional Christmas Eve Mass on December 24th.