TRAVEL: How to make the most of a Christmas break in Rome

Rome is a popular Christmas destination among international tourists, and with good reason.

But before we get started on all the fun things to see and do (and eat), it's worth setting expectations if it's your first winter holiday in the Eternal City.

You won't find a snowclad winter wonderland. While it does very occasionally snow in Rome, it's an extremely rare event that in any case doesn't tend to occur before January.

Daytime temperatures in December hover around 10-14C and rarely dip below freezing; expect grey clouds and possible rain, but not frost.

You won't find amazing Christmas markets; while Rome does have a few, they're nothing to rival those of northern Europe. They're fairly small, and you won't find much in the way of Christmas treats or mulled wine at most of them.

You also probably won't find a Christmas fair you love. The ones in Rome tend to have a fairly high entry price, and customers often report being underwhelmed in online reviews.

With those caveats out of the way, here's what you can look forward to when spending Christmas in Rome.

Botanical gardens light display

If you're seeking some Christmas charm, look no further than the colourful light show in Rome's botanical gardens in the central Trastevere district.

The Incanto di luci ('enchantment of lights') display runs from 5.30pm-9.30pm on Wednesday-Sunday until January 8th.

Features include a 'cathedral of lights' and a 'stairway to the moon'; the trail is 1.5km long and takes an estimated 90 minutes to complete.

Tickets are selling out fast, so those interested should book soon to avoid missing out.

Water lily lights at the Incanto di luci Botanical gardens lights display.

Open-air Christmas decorations

To enjoy some of the most beautiful Christmas displays in Rome, you don't need to pay a centesimo.

The presepe (nativity scene) in St Peter's square is life-sized; this year's scene has been carved entirely out of sustainable wood from nursery trees grown in the northern Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

READ ALSO: Seven of Italy’s most enchanting Christmas markets in 2022

Outside St. Peter's you'll also find the fifth edition of the Vatican's '100 presepi' exhibition, which sees 100 nativity scenes from around the world displayed among the piazza's colonnades.

The Vatican's Christmas tree is one of the city's most impressive; there's also one in Piazza Venezia, whose lights this year are powered by solar panels, and in nearby Campidoglio, which is pedal-powered by a bicycle.

The 2021 nativity scene and Christmas tree at St. Peters. Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash

To stroll under a tunnel of Christmas lights, walk from Piazza Venezia down the Via del Corso or Via dei Condotti, Rome's major intersecting shopping streets, towards the Spanish Steps.

And if you want to see the world's oldest presepe, head to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica; the nativity scene displayed year-round here dates back to the 13th century, when it was commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV.

Ice-skating

Rome's temperatures rarely reach freezing in the winter, but that doesn't mean ice fans won't find an opportunity to get their skates on.

The Foro Italico ice park, located between the Olympic stadium and Ponte Milvio, opens for the first time this year and runs till January 8th.

READ ALSO: Six quirky Italian Christmas traditions you should know about

Piazza Re di Roma in the San Giovanni/Tuscolana neighbourhood will also host a skating rink until January 8th, surrounded by Christmas-themed exhibits.

Those buying tickets to 'Christmas World', the Christmas fair in the sprawling Villa Borghese park by Piazza del Popolo, will find a rink there.

One of the most traditionally scenic spots is 'Grinzing Village' right by Castel Sant'Angelo. Unfortunately this one doesn't seem to been opening this year, but check back in future for its return.

Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo by the River Tiber has in previous years served as the backdrop for an ice-skating rink. Photo by Rainhard Wiesinger on Unsplash

Mass at St. Peters or the pantheon

A major draw for many people visiting Rome over Christmas is the opportunity to attend mass at the Vatican and hear the pope speak.

However attending a papal mass at Christmas requires significant advance planning.

While tickets are free, you'll still need to book them several months ahead by downloading and submitting a request form. While it seems in the past the Vatican would only receive completed forms via fax, the current version of the form says email or post are also acceptable.

You'll then need to go to the Vatican prefettura a few days before the service to find out if you made the cut and if so, collect your tickets.

READ ALSO: Ten words you need to know for an Italian Christmas

The 'midnight' mass service actually starts around 9pm on Christmas Eve, with doors opening around 7.30pm and attendees encouraged to arrive before then to get good seats.

Those who didn't get tickets can watch the mass on one of the giant screens set up outside St. Peters.

Alternatively, you can go to St. Peter's Square at 12pm on Christmas Day to hear the pope deliver his Urbi et Orbi address from the balcony; no tickets are required, though expect the piazza to be very crowded.

You can also attend an actual midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Pantheon, starting around 11.55pm. This requires no tickets or advance booking, but you'll want to arrive by at least 11pm to secure a place.

Christmas food and drinks

Despite having more or less invented the drink millennia ago, Rome isn't really big on mulled wine (vin brulè, 'burnt wine' in Italian) - you tend to have to go further north for that.

That doesn't mean it's impossible to find, but it's more something you'll stumble upon very occasionally than something you can expect to find readily available in bars or Christmas markets.

What Rome does have plenty of is castagne - chestnuts - roasted on large metal plates and served in paper cones. These are the perfect way to keep warm while wandering the city's streets.

And despite the lack of mulled wine, Rome's many enoteca wine bars are ideal places to duck in to when you need a little refreshment.

At this time of year you're likely to find them invitingly decked out with Christmas lights, and many provide street heaters if you want to sit outside.

Panettone, Italy's candied fruit and raisin-studded brioche Christmas cake, will be on offer in most bakeries, and you'll find torrone toasted nut nougat in shops and market stalls.

READ ALSO: The food and drink you need for an Italian Christmas feast

If you're looking to eat at a restaurant on Christmas day, you're likely to be served traditional seasonal dishes such as tortellini in brodo followed by roast lamb or other meat and panettone or its sister cake pandoro for dessert.

The Fork has a list of restaurants open on Christmas day and New Year's Eve - expect to pay over the odds to eat out on one of these days. 

Do you have any other recommendations for things to do in Rome this Christmas? Let us know in the comment section below.