New Year in Rome is one of the brightest holidays that you will definitely remember for a lifetime. If you are going to the Eternal City at this wonderful time, you should especially prepare for your vacation, because you have to meet Italian New Year traditions, choose one of hundreds of places where to celebrate the New Year and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of endless celebration and fun. If you ask the Italians about their favorite holiday, the majority will answer either Christmas (Natale) or New Year (Capodanno).
Still not sure where to celebrate New Year's Eve? What is the weather like during this period in Rome? Interested in how much a holiday in Rome costs for the New Year? Read our guide!
Weather and city look
Despite the fact that snow is a rare occurrence in Rome, by Christmas and New Year the city becomes fabulous. Italians have a special thrill in preparing for the New Year holidays and the whole of Rome in the winter months is decorated with garlands and bright lights. Especially often you can find red color, which, according to Italians, will certainly bring them good luck.
Moreover, locals believe that the coming year will be held in the same way as the first of January. Therefore, after the New Year's Eve, Italians do not give money or do not borrow, and, of course, do not work. Residents of sunny Italy celebrate the arrival of the New Year until the morning. Particular attention is paid to fireworks and firecrackers. However, not only with bright colors and an amazing sight beckoning local explosive crackers: there is an opinion that a strong noise scares off spirits that may appear in the coming year.
In Rome, with respect to most cities, the weather is always good. December and January are the coldest months with an average temperature of 8-13 degrees Celsius. However, you should definitely take warm jackets, scarves and hats so as not to get sick, because you can explore the Eternal City only thanks to long walks along its bewitching streets and famous squares.
How much is a holiday in Rome for the New Year
Of course, you should take care of air tickets in advance, since prices are constantly growing, especially for the New Year holidays. In late December and early January, there are always a lot of tourists, and from mid-December prices for hotels and rental apartments go up.
The average price for a room in a hotel in the center or in the neighboring area of Rome is 90-100 euros per night. However, on New Year’s dates, housing prices rise by 50-100%.
Apartment prices are slightly cheaper, especially if you book in advance, it is possible to find options from 60 euros per day for a small apartment for two. By the New Year prices are much higher and if you do not think about housing for a couple of months, then by the beginning of December, most options will be reserved for your dates. The same situation with good guides.
1st of January
January 1, 2020 is a national holiday in Italy and an official day off. Accordingly, most museums, official institutions and archaeological zones will not work. All the famous Vatican museums, the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery will also be closed.
Moreover, on January 1, the Catholic Church celebrates a feast in honor of the Virgin Mary - the Triumph of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Latin In Sollemnitate Sanctae Dei Genetricis Mariae). On this day, the Pope will hold a festive mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
Also, on January 1, you can enjoy a costume parade in honor of the New Year and the day of world prayers for peace. The route of the parade begins at the castle of St. Angel and ends on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. The end of the event is due to the blessing of the Pope in the square, where more than 100,000 people will gather.
Public transport and taxi
Be prepared for the fact that if Rome is a holiday, then really everyone is resting. On December 31, the metro will run from 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. on January 1. The same working hours will be on the line going to Ostia Lido and Roma-Flaminia Montebello. Further, after 3:30 in the morning until 8 in the morning, lines N1, N2, N28 will start operating along the metro and N3 lines from Piazza Venezia to Ostia. Be sure to plot the route on maps from the sights to your place of residence, check what transport you can get home.
From 9 pm to 3:30 am, the following bus lines will operate:
- H: Termini - Piazza Venezia - Trastevere - Gianicolense - Bravetta / Capasso
- 128: Metro B San Paolo - viale Marconi - via della Magliana - via Crocco
- 170: Eur Agricoltura - viale Marconi - Piazza Venezia - Nazionale - Termini
- 200: Piazza Mancini - Ponte Milvio - Corso Francia - via Flaminia - station Prima Porta
- 280: Piazza Mancini - Lepanto Metro A - Piramide Metro B - station Ostiense Fs
- 301: Grottarossa via Cassia - Ponte Milvio - Lepanto Metro A - Piazza Augusto Imperatore
- 336: Conca d'Oro Metro B1 - Vigne Nuove - Fidene - via Quarrata
- 544: Stazione Sant'Agnese / Annibaliano Metro B - Monti Tiburtini - Stazione Gardenia Metro C - stazione Parco di Centocelle Metro C
- 766: via Andrea Millevoi - Grottaperfetta - Metro B San Paolo-Stazione Trastevere
- 881: via Avanzini - via della Pisana via Gregorio VII via Paola
- 905: metro A Cornelia via Boccea via Casal Selce - Casalotti-Malagrotta
- 6: Ottavia / via Tarsia via Trionfale - viale delle Medaglie d'Oro
January 1, 2019, the public transport holiday schedule starts at 8 a.m. If you plan to use the services of a transfer or a taxi, be sure to book a car in advance.
Where to celebrate?
New Year's Eve hosts many performances, street performances, Christmas markets and various concerts. Rome will definitely not let you get bored! In addition to the mass of exhibitions and concerts in the open air, you can enjoy the special program that the Roman institutions prepare for their guests for the New Year holidays. I advise you with special trepidation to choose a place to celebrate New Year's Eve, and of course, take care of the reservation in advance. The capital of Italy is famous for its variety of establishments for every taste and when choosing, eyes may start to run up.
The best option for celebrating the New Year 2020 is to join in mass celebrations in the historic center of Rome.
City events
The most celebratory event in Rome will be the Festa di Roma 2019 - a 24-hour festival where more than 1000 artists from 46 countries will take part. During this day, viewers will see more than 100 shows! Moreover, festival venues span 70,000 square meters, between Emporio Square (Piazza Emporio), Orange Garden (Parco degli Aranci), Circo Massimo, Via Petrozelli, on Aventino embankments and Pierleoni (Pierleoni) and on the island of Tiberina (Isola Tiberina).
The main theme of Festa di Roma is the 50th anniversary of the first landing of a man on the moon
Thousands of people will participate in such a grand event, which will begin with the performance of the Tor Pignattara Orchestra. Next, you will see a city theater show with moving mechanisms, flying platforms, acrobats and various vibrant scenery. During the festival, many DJs and rap artists will also perform on stage. The open-air party will continue until 7 in the morning. Dawn of the first day in 2019 will be opened by 100 guitarists with a specially prepared performance.
Entrance to the Roman Festival is free.
I advise you to read: how to celebrate the new year in Venice
Fun for kids
In Rome, various children's events will be organized on Christmas Eve. In the main squares of the city you will find local New Year's markets, animators and street performers. From January 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., your family can take part in a special New Year program with various games, music, dancing, exhibitions and competitions in the Orange Garden (Parco degli Aranci) in Biblioteca Centrale Ragazzi.
- I advise you to read about: Holidays in Rome with children.
Night clubs
One of the most exciting New Year's Eve options is in one of the Roman night clubs. Each of the institutions offers a program for every taste with noisy parties until dawn.
Piper
New Year's Eve at Piper Club promises to be unforgettable. The restaurant offers its guests unlimited beer and a typical Bavarian snack menu. Also, you will find a DJ set with house music after midnight. From 9 pm until the New Year, live music from one of the local music groups will create the atmosphere in the institution.
- Address: Via Tagliamento, 9, district Coppede;
- Rates: 60 euros per person: includes an unlimited buffet + 40 euros per person for unlimited alcohol. Also, you can reserve a table (maximum 80 people) with a deposit of 90 euros per person
Amore festival
Amore Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Rome. This year, DJs such as Blawan, Shlomo, Anetha, TBA and many others will take part in it. If you are a lover of techno, trap, house, electro and disco music, then this party is for you!
- Address: Via del Commercio, 36
- Rates: from 35 euros to 100 euros per person
Art cafe
Art Cafe - the famous and sensational club of Rome. Of course, this is one of the most fun and memorable options where to celebrate the New Year. The club offers various New Year's Eve options for its guests, designed for any budget.
- Address: Via del Galoppatoio, 33
- Rates: from 40 euros to 1,500 euros
Cosmo festival
Cosmo Festival is a techno festival that brings together the three main nightlife venues in the EUR area: Spazio 900, Room 26 and Salone delle Fontane. On New Year's Eve, you can visit all three clubs using one common ticket. Among the DJs will be Joseph Capriati, Amelie Dance, Sam Paganini, Marco Faraone, Pan Pot, Illario Alicante and others.
- Address: Piazza Gugliemo Marconi, 26
- Rates: from 50 to 160 euros per person
La cabala
La Cabala - a disco and piano bar with three floors: a piano bar, the restaurant "Hostaria dell'Orso" and a disco on the 3rd floor. The establishment offers excellent views of the castle of St. Angelo (Castel Sant 'Angelo) and St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro). A great option where to celebrate the new year if you are over 25 years old.
- Address: Via dei Soldati, 25 C
- Rates: from 50 euros to 240 euros
Restaurants
Hundreds of restaurants of the Eternal City offer a different menu for New Year's Eve celebrations. It is very important to put a reserve in the institution you like in advance, otherwise there may no longer be empty seats closer to the date.
La griffe
The luxurious rooftop restaurant La Griffe is located inside one of Rome's most beautiful hotels, La Griffe Roma - MGallery by Sofitel. There you can enjoy panoramic views of the Eternal City from the terrace of the institution. Moreover, this is one of the most romantic places in Rome, which offers a Mediterranean menu and live music on New Year's Eve.
- Address: Via Nazionale, 13
- Rates: from 80 to 180 euros per person
Zodiaco
Lo Zodiaco is one of the most popular establishments in Rome. On New Year's Eve, the restaurant offers a romantic dinner with two menu options: vegetarian and classic, including wines, desserts and live music.
- Address: Viale del Parco Mellini, 88/92
- Rates: from 85 to 180 euros per person
Taverna cairoli
New Year's Eve celebration at Taverna Cairoli includes dinner and live music. This is a typical Italian restaurant in the historic center of Rome, near Campo de 'Fiori, Piazza Navona and Pantheon. The restaurant is famous for the quality and taste of its dishes, and a specially prepared show program awaits you.
- Address: Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 2 / a
- Rates: from 50 euros to 75 euros per person
La romantica
La Romantica is an excellent restaurant that offers two menus to choose from on New Year's Eve: fish and meat. Both menu options include snacks, first and second courses in the Mediterranean tradition. Of course, you are waiting for the highest quality wines and sweets from the chef. The place is famous not only for delicious dishes, but also for its pleasant atmosphere and professional staff.
- Address: Via Emanuele Filiberto, 52
- Rates: from 30 to 100 euros per person
Target
Target is a modern restaurant located in the historical center of Rome. The institution combines high quality food and great music. You are provided with a menu with typical Italian dishes, as well as dancing until the morning of New Year's Eve.
- Address: Via Torino, 33
- Price: from 50 to 120 euros per person
And how and where do you plan to celebrate the New Year? Share your ideas in the comments.
