Christmas in Rome, in a villa of your own
Rome at Christmas is lit rather than loud. Nativity scenes appear in churches across the city, a tall tree and a great crib stand in St Peter's Square, and Piazza Navona fills with stalls that stay until Epiphany. Christmas Eve is traditionally a meal of fish, Christmas Day a long lunch at home, and New Year arrives with lentils for luck and fireworks over the rooftops.
The villas below are made for a slower, warmer season. A 1929 villa above the gardens of Villa Borghese, reworked by Jacques Garcia, has an indoor pool, a hammam and a rooftop hot tub. On the shore of Lake Monterosi, a house with coffered ceilings has a private spa and terraces over the water, and in the city a 17th century villa has its own chapel and tennis court.
At a glance
- 39 private villas
- From 1 to 13 bedrooms
- Up to 26 guests in one villa
- 10 with a private pool
- 7 with a cook or staff
- Availability and price on request, reply within one working day
Many Roman churches set up elaborate presepi for the season, and walking from one to another is a quiet local tradition.
On 6 January, the Befana, a kindly old witch of Italian folklore, brings sweets to children; Piazza Navona is her Roman home.
Winter in Rome is often sunny and gentle compared with northern Europe, good weather for walking the centre.
Choose your villa
Add up to five villas to your list and send one request with your dates: we confirm availability and price with each owner.
Show all 39 villas
Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.
Questions before you choose
Can we attend Christmas Mass at St Peter's?
Yes. Tickets for the papal Masses are free but must be requested from the Vatican well in advance. The Christmas Day blessing from the loggia can be seen from the square without a ticket.
Is the festive period booked up early?
Christmas and New Year are among the most requested weeks, and owners often set a minimum stay across the holidays. Enquiring in the summer or early autumn gives the widest choice.
How do we reserve a villa for the holidays?
Send your dates and up to five villas in a single request. We confirm with each owner and reply within one working day, including any minimum stay they ask for over the festive period.