If you’re planning a trip to Rome, you’re probably imagining yourself wandering around sun-dappled plazas with gelato, snapping stunning pictures of centuries-old sites, and exploring labyrinthine streets without a care in the world. There’s one tiny thing that may put a damper on all of that – it can rain an awful lot in the Eternal City!
June, July, and August are the driest months of the year, when you’re unlikely to experience any rainfall at all. But if you visit at any other time of year, you’ve got a 25%-30% chance of at least a little rain during your trip. But that doesn’t have to spoil everything. There are plenty of things to do in Rome on a rainy day.
So you’re not stuck in your hotel room and can still enjoy one of the most incredible cities in the world, I’ve made a list of what to do in Rome when it rains. Even the best plans can go wrong, so have these activities as backups for when the sun stops shining and you’re left at a loose end.
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11 Fun Things to Do in Rome in the Rain
1. Become a contemporary art fan at Maxxi
Spending a drizzly morning at Maxxi is one of the best indoor activities in Rome, whether or not you consider yourself to be an art lover. This innovative gallery is dedicated to contemporary artwork and boasts all kinds of progressive and non-traditional pieces.
From striking sculptures that play with textures and book readings of an AI-led future to giant 3D murals that cover entire walls and spectacular photos that will make you think twice about important issues, there’s absolutely loads to see here. If you don’t have much time, you can save some money by buying a reduced-price last-hour ticket and visiting the gallery just before it closes.
2. Experience rain indoors at the Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of those must-visit attractions, but it’s even more magical on a rainy day. The eye-catching building has an oculus in the center of the ceiling. This large circular hole usually bathes the structure in light. But if you visit during bad weather, you’ll discover that it also allows rain to enter the building and splash directly onto the floor.
If you can visit during heavy rain, I definitely recommend you do. The show is quite an astonishing thing to see! Look at the floor and see if you can spot the small drainage outlets built by the Romans thousands of years ago!
3. Explore the city’s centuries-old catacombs
When it comes to what to do in Rome on a rainy day, you can’t beat exploring the city’s fascinating catacombs. Head below the surface and you’ll discover a whole new world of dark tunnels, hidden crypts, and ancient buildings that haven’t been touched for centuries.
The Catacombs of Saint Callixtus are some of the most impressive. Here you’ll find one of the biggest and most important underground cemeteries in Rome that date back to the 3rd century AD. More than 500,000 Christians were buried here, including a number of martyrs who have shrines dedicated to them underground.
4. Waltz into the Centrale Montemartini
Some of the city’s most famous museums, such as the Vatican, require you to make a reservation in advance. Others, like Centrale Montemartini, allow you to stroll straight in without a prior booking. This makes it one of the best things to do in Rome in the rain if you don’t have a plan B.
This interesting museum is set inside an old power plant where you’re invited to admire beautiful Roman statues and dazzling mosaics. The contrast between the delicate marble and the industrial machinery is incredible. One of the best things about this museum is that because it’s something of a hidden gem, you’ll practically have the place all to yourself!
5. Time travel at San Clemente Basilica
Even if you’re not a fan of churches, a visit to San Clemente Basilica is still one of the top things to do in Rome in the rain. While you’re sheltering from the bad weather, you’ll be treated to incredible mosaics everywhere you turn. And that’s not even the most interesting thing about the building!
The San Clemente Basilica is made up of three individual floors, each of which comes from a different time in history. It’s fascinating to see them side-by-side and notice the different artistic styles and techniques.
6. Go shopping in an indoor market
There are loads of indoor things to do in Rome in the rain, and going shopping at one of the city’s many indoor markets is one of my favorites. If you’re planning on making your own meals, these foodie markets are excellent places to pick up local wine, fresh produce, and seasonal goodies. But even if you’ve got zero plans to cook, they’re still cool places to look around.
Mercato Testaccio, Esquilino Market, and Mercato Trionfale are three of the best indoor markets in the city. As well as food, these bustling spots are also fantastic places to pick up Italian wine, secondhand clothes, handmade accessories, and all kinds of gifts.
7. Lose yourself in the Capitoline Museums
If bad weather is predicted for the entire day, make the most of your time and spend it exploring the Capitoline Museums. One of the best places to spend a rainy day in Rome, these museums can feel a little overwhelming because they’re absolutely huge, but that’s exactly what you want if you’ve got a full day of bad weather ahead of you.
Take a look around and you’ll discover iconic pieces, like the original equestrian statue showing Marcus Aurelius towering over Piazza del Campidoglio, plus the Roman “She-wolf.” My favorite piece is the “Bust of Medusa,” which is around 400 years old.
8. Learn how to cook like an Italian chef
Rome in the rain doesn’t have to be doom and gloom. Learn how to cook your favorite Italian eats and you’ll have an amazing time! Latteria Studio is an excellent option for farm-to-table cooking. The chef leads you through the market, showing you how to pick the finest ingredients before you head back to the kitchen and whip up something amazing.
From Roman pinsa and pasta carbonara to saltimbocca alla Romana and cacio e pepe pasta, you never know what you’ll make. Although you usually have to book cooking classes in advance, you may get lucky and find one with slots available for the same day.
9. Discover what ancient Rome looked like
Even with all the ancient architecture, it can still be a little tricky to imagine what Rome looked like hundreds of years ago – especially when it’s raining! When the weather is bad, one of my favorite indoor things to do in Rome is to visit the permanent Welcome to Rome exhibit and find out exactly what it was like to walk around Rome centuries ago.
There’s a fascinating immersive cinema experience that guides you through 2,700 years of ancient Roman history in just 30 minutes. There’s so much going on that you won’t know where to look! When you’re finished watching, head over to the display cabinets and take a look at the models of what prominent buildings in the city looked like when they were first built.
10. Satisfy your sweet tooth at SAID dal 1923
Indulging in a super thick and velvety cup of hot cocoa at SAID dal 1923 is one of the most rewarding things to do in Rome on a rainy day. This small and quirky chocolate boutique is hidden away from the hustle and bustle in the San Lorenzo neighborhood and boasts a fabulous selection of hot chocolates, chocolate bars, and chocolate baked goods.
When you’re here, see if you notice anything unusual about the decorations. They’re almost all chocolate molds! Make sure you stop by the shop before you leave. You’ll find loads of decadent packaged goodies you can take home with you.
11. Snap fabulous selfies at Ikono Roma
Some bad weather doesn’t have to stop you from taking fantastic photos. When it comes to fun indoor activities in Rome, spending a couple of hours at Ikono Roma is definitely up there with the best. This immersive gallery encourages you to be the work of art and take as many creative pictures and videos as possible.
There’s a giant ball pit and slide for adults, an interactive light painting experience, and a dazzling light maze among the many exhibits. Every time I’ve been here, this place has been practically empty, so you can take your time and enjoy each section as much as you like!
