What To Do In Rome When It's Raining

Thankfully, Rome enjoys a warm and temperate climate with no shortage of sunny days, even in winter. However, when it does rain, it usually pours and heavy rainstorms – rather than miserable but ultimately bearable drizzle – are more common than you might think. So when rain calls off play, save the day with this list of rainy day ideas.

Visit an indoor market

Many of the stalls at Rome’s local markets have been peddling their wares to locals for generations. Browsing their selection of fresh, seasonal produce (and asking for advice on what to do with it) is a hands-on way to get to know Rome’s culinary culture. Happily, some markets are indoors too – check out those in Testaccio, Esquillino and Trionfale for starters.

Mercato di Testaccio, Via Beniamino Franklin, Rome, Italy, +39 06 230540

Nuovo Mercato Esquilino, Via Filippo Turati, 160, Rome, Italy

Mercato Trionfale, Via la Goletta, 1, Roma, Italy

1. Go to the cinema

Cinema, Theater, Movie Theater

For the original English-language versions of the latest blockbusters and big-budget movies check out the programs at Multisala Barberini, Nuovo Olympia, Intrastevere and Multisala Lux. For a more arthouse cinema experience the Nuovo Sacher on the edge of Trastevere screens independent films in the original language (often English) with Italian subtitles. Dating from the 1930s, it’s owned by filmmaker Nanni Moretti and named after his favourite cake, Sachertorte – enjoy a slice in the small café before the credits roll.

Visit a museum

With its ancient ruins and awe-inspiring monuments Rome is often referred to as an open-air museum but if the heavens open there’s plenty of brick and mortar museums to explore too. Check out modern art at the MAXXI, discover historic Rome at the Capitoline Museums, or marvel at masterpieces of fine art at Galleria Borghese (booking required). The Vatican Museums are consistently busy with snaking queues outside so consider skipping this spot on a rainy day to avoid a soaking.

MAXXI, Via Guido Reni, 4/a, Rome, Italy, +39 06 320 1954

Musei Capitolini, Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, Rome, Italy, +39 06 0608

Museo e Galleria Borghese, Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, Rome, Italy, +39 06 841 3979

The Rape of Proserpina by Bernini in Galleria Borghese

Go underground

As Roman law forbade burial within city limits (and the pagan Romans cremated their dead), early Christians created underground burial tunnels in what was then expansive countryside. The most famous catacombs lie along Via Appia Antica. The Catacombs of San Sebastiano can be traced back to the 3rd century and originally held the relics of apostles Peter and Paul while the Catacombs of San Callisto held the body of Saint Cecilia before it was moved to the Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.

Catacombe di San Sebastiano, Via Appia Antica, 136, Rome, Italy, +39 06 785 0350

Catacombe di San Callisto, Via Appia Antica, 110/126, Rome, Italy, +39 06 513 0151