24 hours in Rome in winter

Winter brings a different kind of magic to Rome. The city's grand piazzas, ancient streets and extraordinary art remain as captivating as ever, but the season invites a closer look. It's a time for lingering over coffee, discovering the stories behind familiar façades and embracing the little rituals that make Roman life so irresistible. As Christmas approaches, the Eternal City adds its own festive flourish, with lively markets, cherished traditions and plenty of reasons to stay out a little longer. 

In the historic Campo Marzio district, Corinthia Rome makes a wonderful starting point. Set within a restored neoclassical palazzo on Piazza del Parlamento, the former Bank of Italy building brings together original frescoes, contemporary Italian craftsmanship, dining by Carlo Cracco and a spa within its former vaults. Beyond its doors, centuries of Roman history are waiting to be explored. And when winter calls for somewhere warm to return to, there's no need to venture far. 

8am: Breakfast at Viride by Carlo Cracco

A Roman morning deserves a proper beginning, preferably with excellent coffee and no immediate plans to rush anywhere. At Viride by Carlo Cracco, breakfast brings together warm cornetti, fresh pastries, seasonal fruit and Italian favourites in a setting inspired by the city's gardens and surrounding countryside. 

Named after the Latin viridis, meaning 'green', Viride takes its cues from nature, with considered interiors and a culinary philosophy rooted in the seasons. It's a lovely introduction to Carlo Cracco's approach to Italian dining, where even the simplest pleasures receive thoughtful attention. Linger over a second espresso before heading out. Rome has been here for nearly three millennia. It can wait another few minutes. 

10am: A winter walk through Campo Marzio 

Step outside into Campo Marzio, where some of Rome's most fascinating stories are tucked between handsome palazzi, artisan workshops and neighbourhood streets. Winter offers an invitation to explore at a gentler pace, stopping to admire the architecture, browse independent boutiques or follow a particularly inviting little street. 

Close to the hotel, the obelisk in Piazza di Montecitorio offers a remarkable reminder of just how many lives Rome's monuments have lived. Originally brought from Egypt by Emperor Augustus in 10 BC, it once served as the pointer of an enormous ancient sundial in Campo Marzio. Today, it stands before Italy's Chamber of Deputies, a rather extraordinary journey for a single piece of stone. 

From here, take in the Pantheon, where nearly two thousand years of history sit beneath its extraordinary concrete dome. The circular opening at its centre, known as the oculus, is the building's only source of natural light. On a winter's day, watching the light move across the ancient interior is a reminder of Rome's extraordinary ability to make the everyday feel theatrical. 

For those keen to explore a little further, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps offer two more of the city's most celebrated sights. There's pleasure in seeing these familiar landmarks in a different season, before wandering back through the streets of Campo Marzio towards the next discovery. 

11:30am: Art behind the doors of a Roman palazzo 

Behind the grand façade of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj lies a collection that could keep an art lover happily occupied for hours. Galleria Doria Pamphilj is among Rome's great private collections, bringing together centuries of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts within rooms that are works of art in their own right. 

The gallery's magnificent halls are home to masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian and Velázquez. Among its most compelling works is Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X, a remarkably direct portrayal of the pontiff whose family helped shape the collection. Elsewhere, Caravaggio's Rest on the Flight into Egypt offers an altogether different encounter. Look closely at the angel playing the violin: the music depicted on the page is drawn from a real Renaissance composition. 

There's something especially appealing about spending a winter morning here, moving between gilded galleries and extraordinary works of art while the city carries on outside. Give yourself time to look beyond the famous paintings, too. The palace has accumulated centuries of fascinating detail, and much of its charm lies in the things you notice along the way. 

The gallery is generally closed on Wednesdays, so it's worth checking opening days and times before visiting. The Corinthia Rome Concierge team can suggest an alternative cultural experience when needed. 

1pm: A Roman lunch at La Matricianella 

After a morning of art and discovery, make your way to La Matricianella, a traditional Roman trattoria where the city's culinary heritage takes centre stage. A longstanding neighbourhood address, it's the kind of place that reminds you why Roman cooking has earned such a devoted following. 

Expect the comforting flavours of classic Roman cuisine, with dishes rooted in tradition rather than passing fashions. A plate of amatriciana, with tomato, guanciale and Pecorino Romano, is particularly fitting in winter. The pleasure is in the simplicity, the generosity and the unmistakable character of a proper Roman lunch. 

2pm: Christmas in Piazza Navona 

Few places celebrate Christmas quite like Piazza Navona. During the festive season, the Baroque square becomes home to one of Rome's most beloved traditions, with market stalls, seasonal sweets and decorations bringing a cheerful sense of occasion to its magnificent surroundings. 

At the centre stands Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, watched over by the great façade of Sant'Agnese in Agone. It's a spectacular setting for a Christmas market, although the square has another seasonal character worth getting to know: La Befana. According to Italian folklore, this kindly, broomstick-riding figure visits children on the eve of Epiphany, leaving sweets for those who have been good and coal for those who have been rather less convincing. 

The tradition gives Rome's festive celebrations a distinctly Italian personality, with the Piazza Navona market closely associated with the arrival of Epiphany on 6 January. Browse the stalls, stop for something sweet and enjoy a little Christmas cheer in a setting that has witnessed celebrations for centuries. 

3:30pm: Retreat beneath the city at Corinthia Spa 

After a day of Roman discoveries, return to Corinthia Rome for a different kind of escape. Beneath the palazzo, Corinthia Spa occupies the former vaults of the building's Bank of Italy past, transforming a space once dedicated to safeguarding valuables into somewhere devoted to personal wellbeing. 

Inspired by ancient Roman bathing traditions, the spa brings together natural stone, softened light and thermal experiences. Two bathing pools, a sauna, steam room and experience showers invite a change of pace, with the warmth feeling particularly welcome after a winter walk. 

For a seasonal ritual, the Candle Massage is an inviting choice. Warm oils enriched with argan oil, coconut and shea butter nourish the skin, while notes of oud and vanilla lend the experience a comforting, aromatic character. A little warmth, a little restoration and the delightful knowledge that the streets of Rome are waiting just upstairs. 

The Candle Massage can be reserved directly with the Spa team at spa.rome@corinthia.com . Advance booking is recommended to secure your preferred date and time. 

5pm – An Italian festive merenda 

Italians have long understood the pleasure of merenda, the afternoon pause for something to eat between meals. At Corinthia Rome, the tradition receives a festive interpretation in the warmth of the Lobby Lounge, where the season's favourite sweets take centre stage. 

Expect panettone, the much-loved Italian Christmas bread, alongside torrone, a traditional nougat, and mostaccioli, spiced festive biscuits with roots in central and southern Italian baking. A changing selection of sweet and savoury treats accompanies tea, coffee or a generous cup of hot chocolate. 

For an extra note of celebration, a glass of Champagne or wine makes a welcome addition. Settle in, enjoy the conversation and allow the afternoon to take its own course. After all, an Italian merenda is as much about the pleasure of stopping as it is about what's on the plate. 

Festive Merenda is available daily from 18 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. Reservations are recommended. 

7:30pm – Dinner at Viride by Carlo Cracco 

As Rome turns towards evening, return to Viride by Carlo Cracco, where the day's easy breakfast setting takes on a different character after dark. Overlooking the hotel's interior garden, the restaurant offers a contemporary expression of Italian cuisine, guided by the ingredients and flavours of the season. 

Carlo Cracco's approach draws on the country's culinary traditions while leaving room for invention, with carefully considered dishes that place exceptional produce at their heart. It's a fitting way to experience Rome in winter, when the pleasures of the table become an occasion in themselves. 

The evening is best enjoyed without watching the clock too closely. Choose something intriguing from the menu, discover a new Italian wine and allow dinner to become one of the day's experiences rather than simply its final meal.

10pm: Cocktails at Ocra Bar 

There's still time for one more chapter. At Ocra Bar, the warmth of Rome takes on a different expression, with deep, earthy tones, intimate lighting and a cocktail menu that brings a little creative flair to the evening. 

The bar takes its name from ochre, the natural pigment whose colours echo Rome's sun-warmed façades and changing skies. It's a fitting inspiration for a space dedicated to the art of a well-made drink, where signature creations sit alongside considered interpretations of familiar classics. 

Settle into a comfortable corner, explore the cocktail menu and enjoy the pleasure of having nowhere else to be. Rome may be famous for its ancient history, but its evenings have a character all their own. 

Midnight: Return to the warmth of your suite 

Upstairs, the city gives way to the comfort of Corinthia Rome. Within the historic palazzo, rooms and suites pair the building's architectural character with contemporary Italian craftsmanship, creating spaces that feel both connected to Rome and comfortably removed from its lively streets. 

High ceilings, thoughtful detailing and the quiet of your own private retreat make returning to your room a pleasure in itself. Beyond the windows, Rome continues into the night. Tomorrow, there will be more to discover. 

The next morning: One final Roman discovery 

Before leaving Rome, make time for one last wander through Campo Marzio. Following breakfast at Viride, step back into the neighbourhood and explore its quieter streets, where the city's long tradition of craftsmanship continues in independent workshops and specialist boutiques. 

At Essenzialmente Laura on Via di Campo Marzio, fragrance becomes a form of storytelling. This artistic perfumery invites visitors to explore scents inspired by Rome, offering a rather lovely way to take a little of the city home. Nearby, Genco Sala da Barba on Via dei Portoghesi celebrates another distinctly Italian ritual, with traditional barbering and grooming practices that have been passed down through generations. 

Together, these addresses offer a glimpse of a Rome that lives beyond its famous monuments, shaped by individual craftspeople, specialist skills and a genuine pride in the details. 

It's a fitting final experience before saying arrivederci. Rome has a habit of revealing something new each time you visit, and the best discoveries often happen when you're not looking for anything in particular.