Things to Do in Vatican City in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Vatican City
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuinely manageable crowds at the Vatican Museums - you're looking at 20-30 minute entry waits versus the 2-3 hour summer queues, even with pre-booked tickets. The Sistine Chapel actually feels contemplative rather than like a sardine can.
- November lighting in Rome is exceptional for photography - that low autumn sun hits the Renaissance architecture at golden angles between 10am-2pm. The Cupola climb gives you those dramatic shadows across St. Peter's Square that simply don't happen in summer's harsh overhead light.
- Indoor-focused itineraries work perfectly with November's weather pattern - when those afternoon showers roll in (typically 3-5pm), you're already inside the museums or basilicas anyway. The weather almost forces you into the ideal Vatican visiting rhythm.
- Accommodation pricing drops 30-40% compared to peak season - a decent 3-star hotel within walking distance of the Vatican runs 80-120 euros in November versus 150-200 euros in May or September. That's significant savings for what's essentially the same experience, just with a jacket.
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days aren't predictable - November in Rome tends to bring sudden downpours rather than gentle drizzle, and when you're caught between the Castel Sant'Angelo and St. Peter's with no shelter, it's genuinely miserable. The cobblestones get slick too.
- Daylight ends around 5pm by late November, which compresses your outdoor exploring window considerably. If you're planning to photograph St. Peter's facade or walk the Vatican Gardens, you've got maybe 9am-4:30pm of decent light to work with.
- Some outdoor papal events get cancelled or moved due to weather - the Wednesday General Audiences sometimes shift from St. Peter's Square to the Paul VI Audience Hall when it's wet and cold. Less atmospheric, though obviously still meaningful if that's your priority.
Best Activities in November
Vatican Museums Extended Morning Tours
November is actually ideal for those early-entry museum tours that start around 7:30am, before general admission opens at 9am. The cooler temperatures make the long museum corridors comfortable rather than stifling, and with sunrise not happening until 7am in November, you're not sacrificing sleep to catch these slots. The variable weather means most tourists sleep in anyway, so even standard morning entries (9-11am) feel spacious. Budget 3-4 hours minimum - the museums span 7 km (4.3 miles) of galleries, and November's moderate temps mean you can actually walk that distance without overheating.
St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb
The 551 steps to the dome top are genuinely more pleasant in November's 10-15°C (50-60°F) temperatures than summer's sweltering 30°C+ (86°F+) conditions. You're climbing in an enclosed stone stairwell that traps heat, so cooler weather makes this physically manageable. The 136m (446 ft) height gives you panoramic views across Rome, and November's variable weather creates dramatic cloudscapes that change every 20 minutes. Try to time this for mid-morning (10am-noon) when the sun is high enough for good visibility but before afternoon rain chances increase. The climb takes 45-60 minutes up, 30 minutes down, plus however long you spend at the top.
Vatican Gardens Walking Tours
The gardens are genuinely underrated in November - while the summer flowers are gone, the architectural elements (fountains, grottos, Renaissance landscaping) stand out more clearly without heavy foliage. The 23 hectares (57 acres) of gardens stay green year-round due to Rome's Mediterranean climate, and that 70% humidity keeps everything lush. November's cooler temps make the 2-hour walking tours comfortable rather than exhausting. You'll want a dry morning (check forecasts the night before) since paths can get muddy after rain. The gardens close to general Vatican visitors, so guided tours are your only access option.
Castel Sant'Angelo Combined Visits
This fortress-museum sits 10 minutes walk from St. Peter's along the Tiber, and November is perfect for combining it with Vatican visits since the indoor-outdoor mix works well with variable weather. The castle's seven levels include both covered halls and open ramparts - when rain hits, you duck inside to the papal apartments or prison cells, then emerge to the terrace when it clears. The 58m (190 ft) height gives you direct sightlines to the Vatican dome. Budget 90-120 minutes here. The connecting Passetto di Borgo (the elevated papal escape corridor) sometimes opens for special tours in November, worth checking current availability.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Explorations
While not technically Vatican territory, these ancient sites sit 3 km (1.9 miles) east and pair naturally with Vatican days since you'll want outdoor activities for your non-museum time. November weather is ideal for the 2-3 hours of walking these ruins require - summer heat makes the exposed stone pathways brutal, while November's 10-15°C (50-60°F) range keeps you comfortable. The archaeological sites close at 4:30pm in November (versus 7pm in summer), so plan these for morning or early afternoon. The Palatine Hill elevation gives you views across to Vatican City on clear days.
Trastevere Evening Food Walking Routes
November evenings in Rome's Trastevere neighborhood (2 km or 1.2 miles south of Vatican City) hit that perfect temperature zone where you need a jacket but can still comfortably walk for 2-3 hours sampling food. The narrow medieval streets are atmospheric in the 6-8pm darkness, and November brings out seasonal Roman dishes - think carciofi alla romana (artichokes), castagne (roasted chestnuts from street vendors), and the first of the winter pasta dishes with puntarelle. The area gets busy but not overwhelmingly crowded in November, unlike the shoulder-to-shoulder summer mobs.
November Events & Festivals
All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day Papal Masses
November 1st and 2nd bring special papal liturgies that are genuinely significant if you're interested in Catholic traditions. All Saints' Day Mass happens in St. Peter's Basilica with the Pope presiding, while All Souls' Day (November 2nd) includes prayers for the deceased. These aren't tourist events - they're working liturgies with serious religious meaning, but visitors can attend if you're respectful and appropriately dressed (covered shoulders and knees, no shorts or tank tops). The basilica fills with Italian families and pilgrims, creating an atmosphere you won't experience on regular days. Arrive 90 minutes early for any chance at decent positioning.
Wednesday General Papal Audiences
These weekly audiences continue through November when the Pope is in residence (he travels periodically, so check the official Vatican schedule for 2026 dates). The format typically involves the Pope addressing crowds in multiple languages, greeting pilgrim groups, and doing a loop through St. Peter's Square in the popemobile. November audiences might move indoors to the Paul VI Audience Hall if weather is poor - less visually dramatic but more comfortable. Free tickets are required and available through the Vatican website starting about 6 weeks before each Wednesday. Show up by 8am for outdoor audiences to get through security and find reasonable spots, the actual event starts around 9:30am and runs 90 minutes.