10 Activities to Do in Rome on Rainy Days

We all tremendously enjoy visiting a new city in a foreign country, and the Eternal City is so fascinating that there are plenty of things to do in Rome in the rain too. Usually, when it rains, the vacation often turns bittersweet. It sometimes rains in beautiful Rome, and while we would much rather see the city under its sunny cloth, we sometimes have to make new plans. We have put together a list of the best things to do in Rome when it’s raining, so you can enjoy your time there to the fullest!

10 best things to do in Rome in the rain

Our guide of things to do in Rome when raining encompasses everything from museums and exhibitions to concerts, food, and more. All you need is to follow our list to guarantee yourself a great stay – despite the rain! Also, besides the things to do in Rome in the rain, make sure you check out all the best things to see and things to do in Rome, along with restaurants you should try, nightlife spots in the Eternal City, and those hidden gems as well!

1. Explore Museums and Exhibitions

There are so many more museums and galleries in Rome than one can possibly imagine. They have also got to be one of the most interesting things to do in Rome in the rain. When arriving in Rome, most people focus on the Colosseum and the Vatican.

However, one of the best things to do in Rome when it’s raining is losing yourself in one of the many museums. Between the Vatican Museums, the Galleria Borghese, the National Museum of Modern Art, and the dozens of Roman museums, you have a large choice of fun options!

2. Discover Catacombs and Crypts

Instead of fountains, go underground. All around the city of Rome, you can find acres upon acres of catacombs. Those once very-much-used underground cemeteries are worth visiting when in town.

Even if the sun of the city is very attractive, catacombs and crypts offer pieces of history and humanity you surely don’t want to miss. Our recommendation? The museum and crypt of Capuchins, a real adventure back in time and one of the best things to do in Rome when it rains!

3. Visit Churches and Basilicas

Italy is filled to the core with the most breathtaking churches and basilicas you will ever see. Visiting some of the most famous of them, like the Saint Peter Basilica, seems like one of the best things to do in Rome when it’s raining.

Although the rain might deter you from enjoying the exterior, you are free to rejoice in the gold and marble sculptures and paintings. That is there one of the most inspiring things to do in Rome when it rains, too!

4. Have a coffee break

After a tour of the most beautiful basilicas and museums in the world, a coffee break should be much needed. Within walking distance of the Vatican, take a coffee in good company at the Trecaffè caffetteria. You can also check out some of the best cafes in Rome, to know where to go!

Or, go early in the morning to grab some of the best cornetti that Rome has to offer! We also recommend a nice jump – especially for breakfast – at Martinucci Laboratorio, inside the Termini station. The lemon and almond croissants and the pasticciotti (a pastry wonder from the South of Italy) are an absolute must-try!

5. Explore the undergrounds of Rome

Among the best things to do in Rome in the rain, we have to mention the undergrounds. The Eternal City’s undergrounds are far from describing the catacombs only. The city’s undergrounds are actually open in various places across the city, like the City of Water (Vicus Caprarius) which is located close to the Trevi Fountain.

You can also visit the undergrounds of Trastevere, or of the Esquilino for a chilled afternoon far from the rain. Our tip? Do not pass on a visit to the underground of the Basilica San Clemente – a must-see for history and art lovers, and one of the most thrilling things to do in Rome when it rains!

6. Go shopping!

When it rains, spending the day in a shopping center is probably not the first thing you think of. In a city like Rome especially, you probably expect to be going to the beach have a walk, visit the Colosseum or do any outdoor activities that remind you that you’re indeed on vacation. Yet, in the Roman shopping centers like Roma Est, Maximo, or Euroma 2,  you can discover the fashion and lifestyle aspects of the Eternal City. Plus, it is one of the most laidback things to do in Rome in the rain.

If you want to try more Roman ways of shopping, weekend recommend you go to smaller markets, like the Mercato coperto dell’Esquilino, or the artisanal Mercatino coperto Urban Market in Monti. From Italian brands to American candle companies and French Cosmetics brands, you can simply shop the latest amazing trends when it rains in Rome.

7. Take a stroll at Eataly

Eataly is the largest grocery store in Rome. Located in the Ostiense area, not too far from Piramide and Testaccio, Eataly is seemingly open day in, and day out. It is an amazing place to take a stroll in because the area is always bustling with food enthusiasts.

Eataly mixes culture and food, bringing together the very best of what Italy’s gastronomy has to offer. It is truly one of the best things to do in Rome while raining. We recommend you go there for lunch or dinner, or just to discover Italy’s finest.

8. Enjoy a Candlelight Concert

Amateurs of classical music will love themselves a candlelit concert on a rainy day in Rome. Why not book a ticket for a Candlelight concert? After a full day filling your stomach with Italy’s food and your eyes with the tremendous undergrounds of Rome, this is truly an activity that you will love. With instrumentals from Morricone and Ludivico Einaudi, that makes for a charming evening. Relax then and enjoy one of the very best things in Rome in the rain – music.

9. Get out of an Escape Room

There are more Escape rooms in Rome than you could possibly imagine. For the amateurs of strong sensations and action, you are bound to find what you are looking for. 

Horror, thrilling, and overall mind-blowing detective experiences await in the heart of Rome. Our recommendation? Try Lucifer Escape Room, big on horror and emotions – one of the very best things to do in Rome in the rain.

10. Take a look at the Pantheon to see if it rains

When you enter the Pantheon, it is very hard not to feel overwhelmed by the grandeur of the monument and its statues and columns. At the top of the Pantheon, sits a great circular opening of nine meters. This opening boasts something almost magical.

Indeed, when it rains in Rome, and despite the diameter of the huge opening, it does not in the Pantheon. The reason is scientific and breathtaking. Because of contrary currents of air, the raindrops can never enter the Pantheon. Magical, we said.

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Wrapping Up 10 Things to do in Rome in the rain

And there you have it, a complete list of the 10 best things to do in Rome when it’s raining. It might not be the weather you were expecting when first booking your plane/train tickets, but it is actually doing you a favor. When in Rome, you can quickly be overwhelmed by the sun and outdoor ruins. As a result, we often forget the many amazing activities that are possible all around town. And for when the sun is back, stack up on cool information about the 10 most beautiful beaches around Rome!

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