{"id":25814,"date":"2026-08-03T16:46:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=25814"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:49:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:49:03","slug":"what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains","title":{"rendered":"What to Do in Rome When It Rains | Walks of Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rain in Rome is not a problem. It is a different city. The cobblestones glisten. The piazzas empty out. And the greatest treasures, most of them built two thousand years before the umbrella was invented, are waiting indoors.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bad news: every other visitor has the same idea, so here are some tips on what to do in Rome when it rains so you can book ahead!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#What_to_Do_in_Rome_When_It_Rains\" >What to Do in Rome When It Rains<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#The_Pantheon\" >The Pantheon<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Where_rain_is_the_point\" >Where rain is the point<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Vatican_Museums_and_Sistine_Chapel\" >Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Check_the_forecast_and_book_before_the_rain_arrives\" >Check the forecast and book before the rain arrives<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Underground_Rome_Go_Down_Instead_of_Staying_Dry\" >Underground Rome: Go Down Instead of Staying Dry<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Basilica_di_San_Clemente\" >Basilica di San Clemente<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#The_Catacombs\" >The Catacombs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Capitoline_Museums\" >Capitoline Museums<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#The_one_Rome_experts_keep_recommending\" >The one Rome experts keep recommending<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Cooking_Classes\" >Cooking Classes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#The_warmest_way_to_spend_a_rainy_afternoon\" >The warmest way to spend a rainy afternoon<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Pizza_near_Piazza_Navona\" >Pizza near Piazza Navona<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Pasta_and_Tiramisu\" >Pasta and Tiramisu<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Romes_Churches\" >Rome&#8217;s Churches<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Free_everywhere_and_genuinely_extraordinary\" >Free, everywhere, and genuinely extraordinary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Food_Tours_and_Shopping\" >Food Tours and Shopping<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Take_shelter_in_the_trattorias_and_shopping_galleries\" >Take shelter in the trattorias and shopping galleries<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Practical_Tips_for_a_Rainy_Day_in_Rome\" >Practical Tips for a Rainy Day in Rome<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#A_rainy_day_in_Rome_is_not_a_consolation_prize\" >A rainy day in Rome is not a consolation prize<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#FAQs_What_to_Do_in_Rome_When_It_Rains\" >FAQs: What to Do in Rome When It Rains<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#What_is_the_best_thing_to_do_in_Rome_when_it_rains\" >What is the best thing to do in Rome when it rains?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Are_there_free_things_to_do_in_Rome_when_it_rains\" >Are there free things to do in Rome when it rains?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#Should_I_book_indoor_attractions_in_advance_for_a_rainy_day\" >Should I book indoor attractions in advance for a rainy day?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/what-to-do-in-rome-when-it-rains\/#What_should_I_wear_on_a_rainy_day_in_Rome\" >What should I wear on a rainy day in Rome?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_in_Rome_When_It_Rains\"><\/span>What to Do in Rome When It Rains<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Best rainy day experience:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Pantheon<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Best for art and history:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Capitoline Museums<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Best underground experience:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Basilica di San Clemente<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Best for food lovers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cooking class or food tour<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Best free option:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rome&#8217;s churches<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Requires advance booking:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vatican Museums<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25436\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25436\" class=\"wp-image-25436 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0058.jpg\" alt=\"A view of the city of Rome, from a distance, standing behind the out of focus image of a man looking at the view\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0058.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0058-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Walks_Rome_Roman-Icons_0058-1536x1026.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25436\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The city of Rome is a vast and beautiful city steeped in ancient history to discover, rain or shine!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Pantheon\"><\/span>The Pantheon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_rain_is_the_point\"><\/span>Where rain is the point<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most visitors try to avoid the Pantheon in the rain. They are making a mistake.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pantheon is the one place where rain is the point. It falls through the 8.8 metre oculus at the crown of the dome onto the marble floor below, where a drainage system built in 126 AD disappears the water within minutes. Staff let you stay inside during storms. They know this is when the unmatched engineering is on full display.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During a downpour, the falling water forms a visible vertical shaft under the dome. It is the most dramatic thing you will see in Rome and most people miss it entirely.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dome is 43.3 metres in diameter. Every concrete dome built since, including St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica, is smaller. The Pantheon is not impressive because it is old. It is impressive because nothing built since has matched it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are also tombs inside worth knowing about before you go. Raphael is buried in the third niche on the left as you enter, his own request, an unusual honor for a painter and a measure of his standing in 16th century Rome. Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I, the first two kings of unified Italy, are in the royal chapels. Most visitors walk right past them.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2854\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2854\" class=\"wp-image-2854 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Rome-Italy.-Pantheon-the-third-largest-masonry-dome-in-the-world-with-its-famous-hole-in-the-ceiling..jpg\" alt=\"Pantheon in Italy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Rome-Italy.-Pantheon-the-third-largest-masonry-dome-in-the-world-with-its-famous-hole-in-the-ceiling..jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Rome-Italy.-Pantheon-the-third-largest-masonry-dome-in-the-world-with-its-famous-hole-in-the-ceiling.-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2854\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The breathtaking dome of the Pantheon, with the aperture that allows it to rain inside!<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hours:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Daily 9am to 7pm. Last entry 6:30pm. Closed January 1 and December 25. Free on the first Sunday of each month.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insider tip:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Go at opening. The first 45 minutes on weekdays are reliably quiet. Or go in the last hour before close when tour groups have cleared and the light through the oculus hits the western wall at an angle that changes the whole room.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vatican_Museums_and_Sistine_Chapel\"><\/span>Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_the_forecast_and_book_before_the_rain_arrives\"><\/span>Check the forecast and book before the rain arrives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone goes to the Vatican when it rains. That makes it one of the most crowded places in Rome on a wet day. Book well in advance. Not the morning of. Our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/\"> <b>Vatican tours<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> let you skip the longest lines and go straight to what matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, it is one of the great indoor experiences on earth. The Vatican Museums contain 54 galleries and several miles of corridors. Most people rush through them toward the Sistine Chapel and miss what comes before. The Raphael Rooms are four chambers painted almost entirely by Raphael between 1508 and 1524, commissioned by Pope Julius II to demonstrate that the papacy had access to the greatest living artist. The School of Athens alone, depicting every major Greek philosopher gathered in one imagined building, is worth the journey. Then comes the Sistine Chapel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Michelangelo&#8217;s ceiling and the Last Judgment wait at the end of a one-way route. The restoration of the Last Judgment completed on March 26, 2026. The scaffolding is down and the full ceiling and altar wall are visible together for the first time in months.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13093\" style=\"width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13093\" class=\"wp-image-13093 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1.jpg\" alt=\"A guided tour of the Vatican Museum is ideal when looking for what to do in Rome when it rains. A group of tourists inside one of the remarkable rooms, looking at the frescoed ceiling\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13093\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A guided tour of the Vatican Museum is ideal when looking for what to do in Rome when it rains.<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hours:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Monday to Saturday 8am to 7pm, extended to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays except the last Sunday of the month when entry is free.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insider tip:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tuesday to Thursday are the least crowded days. Avoid Monday when many other Rome museums are closed and the Vatican absorbs the overflow. During peak season book 60 days in advance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our full guide to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/the-vatican-museums\"><b><i>visiting the Vatican museums<\/i><\/b><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers ticket types, the best route through the galleries, and what not to miss.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Underground_Rome_Go_Down_Instead_of_Staying_Dry\"><\/span>Underground Rome: Go Down Instead of Staying Dry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basilica_di_San_Clemente\"><\/span>Basilica di San Clemente<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost no one knows about this place. That is its appeal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the surface, a beautiful 12th century medieval basilica. Descend one level to a 4th century early Christian church decorated with remarkable frescoes. Descend again to a 1st century Roman house and a Mithraic temple dedicated to the god Mithras. Three distinct civilizations stacked directly on top of each other, 14 metres underground, all accessible in a single visit that requires no advance booking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mithraic temple is the detail that stops people in their tracks. Christianity built its church directly on top of a pagan cult&#8217;s sacred space, which itself was built on top of a Roman house. Each layer chose to bury the one before it rather than erase it. Rome does not throw things away. It just builds on top of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15439\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15439\" class=\"wp-image-15439 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Mithraeum-the-Basilica-of-San-Clemente.jpeg\" alt=\"Mithraeum, the Basilica of San Clemente\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15439\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mithraeum, the Basilica of San Clemente<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the lowest level there is an underground river. You can hear it before you see it, a sound that makes you stop and think about how many layers of time are sitting on top of you. It has been flowing there since before Rome was Rome.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hours:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm and 3pm to 6pm. Sunday 12pm to 6pm.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Address:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano 126, near the Colosseum. No advance booking required for individual entry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insider tip:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Go in the morning before guided tour groups arrive. The deeper you descend, the quieter it gets.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Catacombs\"><\/span>The Catacombs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome&#8217;s ancient underground cemeteries offer a solemn journey through early Christian history. The Catacombs of Domitilla are Rome&#8217;s largest, with over 150,000 burials across more than 10 miles of tunnels. Tours run regularly and most include entry fees in the ticket price.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our guide to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/underground-rome\"><b><i>underground Rome<\/i><\/b><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers the full range of subterranean experiences the city has to offer.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_25131\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25131\" class=\"wp-image-25131 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0578.jpg\" alt=\"A tour group look in amazement at the walls of a passageway in the catacombs in Rome\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0578.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0578-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0578-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25131\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You will be amazed by what you find underground in the catacombs<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Capitoline_Museums\"><\/span>Capitoline Museums<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_one_Rome_experts_keep_recommending\"><\/span>The one Rome experts keep recommending<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most visitors walk right past the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.museicapitolini.org\/en\/infopage\/capitoline-museum-and-picture-gallery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Capitoline Museums<\/a> on their way to the Colosseum. On a rainy day that is a significant mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV, they are considered the oldest public museums in the world. The three buildings are connected by a subterranean gallery so you never step outside, fully indoor from entrance to exit. Inside you will find the Capitoline Wolf, the colossal fragments of the Colossus of Constantine, the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Caravaggio&#8217;s Saint John the Baptist, and an unbeatable view over the Roman Forum from inside the building.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23318\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23318\" class=\"wp-image-23318 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Super-Sites-of-Rome_-Roman-Forum.jpg\" alt=\"The Super Sites of Rome include the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Super-Sites-of-Rome_-Roman-Forum.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Super-Sites-of-Rome_-Roman-Forum-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23318\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Roman Forum is a spectacular site from all angles!<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hours:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Daily 9:30am to 7:30pm. Closed December 25 and May 1. Free on the first Sunday of each month. A Diego Rivera exhibition runs from June 9 to December 13, 2026.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insider tip:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A 50% discount applies on Wednesday afternoons two hours before closing, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. It is the best value museum visit in Rome.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After your visit, our guide to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-of-lazio-and-rome-italy\"><b><i>where to eat in Rome<\/i><\/b><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers the neighborhoods around Capitoline Hill, where some of the city&#8217;s most authentic trattorias are hiding.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cooking_Classes\"><\/span>Cooking Classes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_warmest_way_to_spend_a_rainy_afternoon\"><\/span>The warmest way to spend a rainy afternoon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rain is actually ideal weather for a cooking class. You are indoors, warm, hands in flour, wine on the table, a Roman chef explaining why the dough needs to rest. The classes near Piazza Navona run multiple times daily and were built for exactly this kind of afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pizza_near_Piazza_Navona\"><\/span><b>Pizza near Piazza Navona<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pizza class at Osteria Pasquino on Piazza di Pasquino lasts two hours, fits a maximum of 10 participants, and begins with prosecco. You make Roman-style pizza from scratch, eat what you made, drinks included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book your spot through our <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/make-pizza-in-rome\"><b><i>pizza class in Rome<\/i><\/b><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> guide.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_25060\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25060\" class=\"wp-image-25060 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Devour_Rome_Pizza-Class_0043.jpg\" alt=\"A chef pours olive oil on a homemade pizza, in a cooking class in rome \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Devour_Rome_Pizza-Class_0043.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Devour_Rome_Pizza-Class_0043-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Devour_Rome_Pizza-Class_0043-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25060\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Learn from an expert and take the tips and tricks for the best Italian pizza home with you<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pasta_and_Tiramisu\"><\/span><b>Pasta and Tiramisu<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pasta and tiramisu classes in the same neighborhood cover fettuccine, ravioli, and tiramisu over two to three hours. Multiple daily time slots, wine included. One operator noted that when their outdoor market portion was cancelled due to heavy rain, participants went straight to the pasta making. It worked perfectly. These classes were built for rainy days.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once class is over, our guide to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/best-carbonara-in-rome\"><b><i>the <\/i><\/b><b><i>best Carbonara in Rome<\/i><\/b><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will point you toward the real thing.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_25032\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25032\" class=\"wp-image-25032 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks.Devour_Rome_Pasta-Class_1604.jpg\" alt=\"A family pours homemade tomato sauce into the pan in a pasta making class in rome\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks.Devour_Rome_Pasta-Class_1604.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks.Devour_Rome_Pasta-Class_1604-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks.Devour_Rome_Pasta-Class_1604-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25032\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All the family can get involved in learning how to make delicious homemade pasta dishes<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Romes_Churches\"><\/span>Rome&#8217;s Churches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Free_everywhere_and_genuinely_extraordinary\"><\/span>Free, everywhere, and genuinely extraordinary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome has hundreds of churches. Most of them are free, most are open, and most are completely overlooked by visitors focused on the paid attractions. A rainy afternoon walking between four or five of them in the historic center is one of the most authentic things you can do in this city. It costs nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Santa Maria Maggiore<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of Rome&#8217;s four major papal basilicas. The gilded ceiling is covered in the first gold brought from the Americas, a detail that lands differently once you know it. The 5th century mosaics inside rank among the earliest Christian art in the world. Most visitors spend twenty minutes inside. Most wish they had spent longer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Santa Maria della Vittoria<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> houses Bernini&#8217;s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, one of the great masterpieces of the Roman Baroque. It sits in a side chapel and most visitors stand in front of it quietly for five minutes before continuing. That five minutes stays with you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>San Pietro in Vincoli<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contains Michelangelo&#8217;s Moses, intended as part of the tomb of Pope Julius II, a project that was never completed. Moses looks like he is about to stand up. Michelangelo reportedly struck the knee and commanded it to speak.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the only Gothic church in Rome, built directly over an ancient temple to Minerva. It contains a Michelangelo sculpture at the base of the altar and the tomb of Fra Angelico. Fra Angelico painted angels. He is buried among them.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insider tip:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Chiostro del Bramante, a Renaissance cloister near Piazza Navona, has a caf\u00e9 inside that is one of the most serene spots in Rome to wait out a downpour over a coffee.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_15432\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15432\" class=\"wp-image-15432 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/The-Basilica-di-Santa-Maria-Maggiore.jpg\" alt=\"The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15432\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food_Tours_and_Shopping\"><\/span>Food Tours and Shopping<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_shelter_in_the_trattorias_and_shopping_galleries\"><\/span>Take shelter in the trattorias and shopping galleries<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Empty streets and warm trattorias are a better combination than crowded streets and hot sun. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/?filters=Food%20%26%20Wine\">food tour<\/a> on a rainy day in Rome is more intimate than in summer. The restaurants are less rushed. The guides have more time. The whole thing slows down in the best possible way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the weather closes in completely, the Galleria Alberto Sordi near Piazza Colonna is a beautiful Liberty-style covered shopping gallery between the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Worth a walk-through even if you are not shopping.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our guide to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/where-to-find-italys-best-outlet-malls-florence-milan-rome\"><b><i>the best malls to visit in Rome<\/i><\/b><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers the full range of indoor shopping options across the city.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_13593\" style=\"width: 1610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13593\" class=\"wp-image-13593 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190710-Rome-Food-Tour-and-Pizza-Making-0030-16x9.jpg\" alt=\"Rome food tour Walks\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190710-Rome-Food-Tour-and-Pizza-Making-0030-16x9.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190710-Rome-Food-Tour-and-Pizza-Making-0030-16x9-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190710-Rome-Food-Tour-and-Pizza-Making-0030-16x9-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13593\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Take a food tour of Rome with a guide who knows where to go and what to try<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_Tips_for_a_Rainy_Day_in_Rome\"><\/span>Practical Tips for a Rainy Day in Rome<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/\"> <b>tours of Rome<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">take the logistics off your plate entirely and allow you to book everything in advance. Rain concentrates visitors at indoor attractions simultaneously. The Vatican Museums can require 60 days advance booking during peak season and will not accommodate last-minute visits on a wet Tuesday in August. Cooking classes and the Borghese Gallery fill fast on wet days. Book online before you arrive in Rome, not the morning of.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Flat waterproof shoes are non-negotiable.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rome&#8217;s cobblestones become extremely slippery in the rain. A compact umbrella and a waterproof layer matter more than a heavy coat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Arrive early or late.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Both windows offer shorter queues and more comfortable visits regardless of weather. Midday is when every indoor attraction peaks simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Slow down.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A rainy day in Rome is not the day to cover eight sites. It is the day to go deep into two or three. If you want to plan your trip around the weather entirely, our guide to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/6-reasons-why-fall-is-the-best-time-to-visit-rome\"><b>visit Rome in the Fall<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> explains when Rome is at its most comfortable and least crowded.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_rainy_day_in_Rome_is_not_a_consolation_prize\"><\/span>A rainy day in Rome is not a consolation prize<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pantheon, the Vatican Museums, the underground churches, and the cooking schools were all here long before weather apps existed. The city has been welcoming visitors through every season for two thousand years and does not need good weather to deliver.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Walks of Italy guide knows which entrance to use, which rooms to prioritize, and when to move before the crowds catch up. Rain changes the logistics. It does not change what is worth seeing.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to explore Rome whatever the weather? Browse our<\/span><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/\"><b><i>tours of Rome<\/i><\/b><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and find the one that fits your trip.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_23368\" style=\"width: 1610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23368\" class=\"wp-image-23368 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/walks-20170825-rome-premium-colosseum-16x9-0007.jpg\" alt=\"A tour guide speaks to a small group while on a tour of Rome's Colosseum.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/walks-20170825-rome-premium-colosseum-16x9-0007.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/walks-20170825-rome-premium-colosseum-16x9-0007-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/walks-20170825-rome-premium-colosseum-16x9-0007-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Discover more with a local expert guide, who can tell the stories that bring Rome\u00b4s history to life<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_What_to_Do_in_Rome_When_It_Rains\"><\/span>FAQs: What to Do in Rome When It Rains<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_best_thing_to_do_in_Rome_when_it_rains\"><\/span>What is the best thing to do in Rome when it rains?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pantheon. Rain falls through the open oculus onto the ancient drainage system below, forming a visible shaft of water under the dome. It is the one attraction that is genuinely more dramatic in wet weather than in sunshine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_there_free_things_to_do_in_Rome_when_it_rains\"><\/span>Are there free things to do in Rome when it rains?<b><br \/>\n<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Rome&#8217;s churches are free, open daily, and contain some of the greatest art in the world. The Pantheon is free on the first Sunday of each month. The Capitoline Museums offer 50% off on Wednesday afternoons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_book_indoor_attractions_in_advance_for_a_rainy_day\"><\/span>Should I book indoor attractions in advance for a rainy day?<b><br \/>\n<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always. Rain sends all visitors indoors at the same time. The Vatican, cooking classes, and the Borghese Gallery can fill quickly. Book online before you arrive, not the morning of.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_I_wear_on_a_rainy_day_in_Rome\"><\/span>What should I wear on a rainy day in Rome?<b><br \/>\n<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flat waterproof shoes. Rome&#8217;s cobblestones become slippery when wet and heels are a genuine hazard. Carry a compact umbrella. Covered shoulders and knees are required at churches and the Vatican regardless of weather.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19073\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-image-19073 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg\" alt=\"Inside the Vatican\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts!<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to skip the queues at the Vatican? Browse our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/\"> <b>Vatican tours<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and find the right visit for your trip. Looking for a hands-on rainy afternoon? Our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/rome-cooking-class\/\"> <b>Rome cooking class<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the warmest way to spend it.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rain in Rome is not a problem. It is a different city. The cobblestones glisten. The piazzas empty out. And the greatest treasures, most of them built two thousand years before the umbrella was invented, are waiting indoors.\u00a0The bad news: every other visitor has the same idea, so here are some tips on what to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":105,"featured_media":8831,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[280,80,320,286,324,332],"ppma_author":[330],"class_list":["post-25814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-catacombs","tag-churches","tag-food-and-drink","tag-pantheon","tag-the-vatican-museum","tag-weather"],"authors":[{"term_id":330,"user_id":105,"is_guest":0,"slug":"scottzuniga","display_name":"Scott Zuniga","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Scott_Zuniga_Profile_Pic.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Scott_Zuniga_Profile_Pic.jpg"},"user_url":"","last_name":"Zuniga","first_name":"Scott","job_title":"Author","description":"Scott Zuniga is an American musician, writer, and cultural guide based in Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n. He moved to the Basque Country to learn Euskara after discovering his last name is Basque, and never looked back. He writes about food, culture, and life in Europe, and leads food tours. 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